Email Marketing is a proven way to increase your Sales

Posted onAuthorericw@specialtystoreservices.com

At Specialty Store Services we know the importance of emailing marketing, which is why we have partnered with Constant Contact.  With Constant Contact it is easy to send out sales, specials and events email right to your customers.  Constant Contact is easy to use, they have over 400+ templates to choose from. Stand out from your competition.  Sign up for a free trial offer. 
Now that you have the marketing tools now you need to get the email addresses from your customers.  Here are five legitimate and unobtrusive ways to obtain your own customers email addresses:
1.      Ask them while they are in the store
 As a business owner, you have an advantage with your own customers — they are YOUR customers.  Usually they want to see you survive and they’d be willing to help you out.  Set up an email sign-up sheet right near your register.  At the top of the sheet make a simple note like “Sign up for our email list”, add a note about confidentiality and state that you won’t sell or trade their email address  You’ll be surprised how many people will give you their email.
2.      Put a fish bowl on your counter
A quick and easy way to get your customers to provide an email is to ask customers to fill out a form. Have them drop it into a contest box and have a drawing for a free service or product. 
3.      Add an email sign-up link to your website
You should take advantage of that moment and have a prominent spot on all of your web pages pointing to an email signup form.  Make the signup as painless as possible with only the necessary fields “First name” and “Email Address”.  Any more requirements could prompt them to just close their browser.  Remember to apply the same courtesy here as on your signup sheet: note confidentiality and don’t forget “please” and “thank you”.
4.       Give something away
Put together a quick monthly or weekly giveaway of a product or service. The sign-up
slips should always require an email address.
5.      Use your social media connections
      If you have an active Facebook page you probably have access to many of your customer’s emails already.  Getting their email address should not be difficult. Take the time to ask your connections  for their email address.  It is a fairly simple process to post a link to your web sites “contact us” page on your Facebook page or even just to say “Hi, could I get your email address so I can send you our  company newsletter?”  Many people will provide their email address when asked by an established connection.
Click Here to learn more about Constant Contact and what it can do for you!!!

Watch for the New Fall Catalog!!!!

Posted onAuthorericw@specialtystoreservices.com

Specialty Store Services, Chicago retail supply company, mailed out their latest catalog last week. Highlighted in the newest catalog are a wide variety of products with new lower pricing as well as new products. 
With Back to School right around the corner customers are flocking to stores for newest in products from clothing to school supplies so why not grab the customers attention with mannequins.  Mannequins can make the statement; clump them together for a dramatic look or individually for an item that you want to grab more attention. Also a great way to display the Back to School products is to have made a separate display that will have the customers focus on items they didn’t even know they needed.  
A great way to have a special display is to use Nesting Tables to keep related products together to a wall display.  The wall display can be a grid panel with either shelving or peg hooks to get as much product on it as possible. As a Retailer you want to take advantage of all the shopping that takes place before school starts. 
The fall season tends to be the retailers busiest time of year with the beginning of the school year to the start of the holiday season, Specialty Store Services wants the retailers to be ready and fully stocked with Holiday Bags, wrapping paper and boxes. By offering all the products sooner retailers can have time to choose from the wide variety. This holiday season, Specialty Store Services will have a new Holiday Bag design that will be coming out the end of September
For more information about Specialty Store Services or to request the new catalog, visit the company’s website: http://www.specialtystoreservices.com

Jazz Up Your Displays

Posted onAuthorericw@specialtystoreservices.com

When customers walk into your store you want your displays to have flair and intrigue.  Displays must help customers envision themselves using or wearing the products. There are four steps to help jazz up a display:
  1. Don’t Fear Open Space: Filling shelves too much will over stimulate your customers.  Arrange the display into different groupings so that customers are not overwhelmed. When arranging a small cluster make sure that it is no more than 5 products where as a larger cluster can have up to 10.  If the shelves are not deep enough, use risers to create levels.  Product groupings can be similar products or can tell a story.  Leave at least 4 inches in between the products so customers can easily distinguish the products. If you are not sure if the displays seem to crowded take a picture of the display and look to see if it is cohesive and will the customer understand your message.
  2.  Stick to a Theme: Mixing unrelated products in the same space will make the display look cluttered and hard to shop.  When displaying in a Display Case keep the theme consistent throughout.  For example: Jewelry Shop may want to keep all the gold items together and group by styles. A store would not want to have a crystal vase it would be distracting.  On a tiered table a drug store may want to have a display for back to school with all the school supplies needed to start the year off. 
  3. Add Smart Signage:  Keep signs uniform throughout the store.  Signs should all be the same size and the same color scheme.  Use bold dark font that is no smaller than 1 ½” high so that it pops off the sign and customers can read it from a distance.  A customer only gives you 5 seconds of their time so make sure it has title, price and a descriptive point.  Putting the signs in sign holders help the signs stand out.
  4.  Avoid Uniform Arrangements: When displaying many of the same types of items don’t display items all the same way, this makes the customer bored.  Thinking of different ways of displaying items will keep your customers intrigued and will keep on shopping. Add mannequins or forms to grab the customer’s attention and know what is trying to be promoted. 

    At Specialty Store Services we have all the products you need to make an attractive display- tables to risers to mannequins to sign holders.

The Grid N Go Display for Retailers on the Go!

Posted onAuthorericw@specialtystoreservices.com

Specialty Store Services knows that participating in events such as trade and art shows, festivals and craft fairs can be rewarding, exciting and profitable but can also be frustrating and time consuming.  The Grid N Go Grid Display was created for the busy mobile retailer in mind. 
One person can assemble the Grid N Go Grid Display in just minutes and due to the innovative push button lock design- no tools required. The display sets up in three easy steps: simply slide both legs into the bottom of the frame and then snap the top panel onto the standing panel. Push button locks and it will securely lock the unit together, creating a tip resistant base and sturdy grid panel. Taking down the grid display is just as quick and easy as set up.   Check out the Assembly Video to see for yourself how easy it is to put together. 
The Grid n Go Grid Display consists of four pieces that are easy to transport and to store when not is use.  The Grid N Go can accommodate a variety of grid accessories to make a variety of different display options: For Example:
This Grid N Go is going to be the best product you have ever purchased and you are going to be thinking of Specialty Store Services every time you are moving from one Craft Fair, Festivals, Trade and Art Shows you do this summer.

Customization is a Great Way to Advertise your Business

Posted onAuthorericw@specialtystoreservices.com

Have you ever walked down the street and you see someone wearing a shirt that you like? You think to yourself where did they buy it, then you notice a bag with a logo and store name on it and you google the store. This is the best advertising you can get  without it costing you a lot of money. Customizing retail bags can help reinforce your brand name and give the air of professionalism to your business. In a competitive marketplace there are hundreds of companies that are competing to get customers into their business.  A retail business wants to grab attention from any avenue, which is why Custom Imprinted Bags have become the rage.  A Custom imprinted bag is considered a walking billboard and a practical and low costing branding strategy.
At Specialty Store Services we have many different products to advertise your store.
An Eco Friendly Store may want give away Custom Imprinted Reusable Shopping Bags with the name and logo printed on it. For another option we carry Custom Imprinted Plastic Bags in many sizes  with either single or double sided printing.  And lastly if you have bags that you currently purchased we can have them imprinted in no time with a Large Custom Imprinted Labels that can be printed with your logo and store name.  If you don’t have a logo Specialty Store Services can create one for you at an additional cost.

Just remember that when your customers are buying products from your store you must always supply them in a bag so there is no reason you shouldn’t use bags to your advantage and gain some exposure as well as some new customers.

Innovative Products for a Fantastic Display

Posted onAuthorericw@specialtystoreservices.com

Specialty Store Services would like to introduce a new line of Fashion Form Hands,  These attractive self-standing hand display are classic for displaying jewelry, watches, scarves and many other accessories. These Hand Forms are available in black or white to compliment any piece of jewelry or  decor.  They are constructed out of durable fiberglass so they won’t peel, crack, fade, or chip. The hand forms are available in three sizes a 8″ horizontal, 8″ upright and a 14″ upright hand. 

These Hand Forms will be great for any display from inside a Glass Showcase, or on a Glass Display .  The designs are endless with these Fashion Hand Forms.  Make a statement with your products and your products will fly off the shelves.

 

Is your Store Ready for the Summer?

Posted onAuthorericw@specialtystoreservices.com

Are you ready for the Summer?  At Specialty Store Services we have many seasonal items to help bring in the customers.  This Memorial Day Weekend be festive and draw attention with Red, White and Blue or American Flag Pennants. During those hot days of summer there is always a need for ice. We have everything you need to start selling ice. We have the Ice Bagging System as well as Ice Bags. And what a better way to promote it but with Ice Posters for your windows. We also carry posters and banners for all the Holidays of Summer- Memorial Day, Fathers Day and Fourth of July.
In the Chicagoland Area- Come by our Showroom on Thursday or Friday for a Memorial Day Giveaway.  For every $100 or more you spend  we are giving away a free item.

Good Service Equals Happy Customers

Posted onAuthorericw@specialtystoreservices.com

While I was on vacation I walked into a small boutique and was completely ignored. I was shocked that she did not even say hello or acknowledge that I was in the store.  As I walked around and touched the merchandise she never once ask if I was looking for anything in particular, and just kept on doing what she was doing and never once looked up.  I was shocked at the lack of service she was giving and couldn’t wait to leave. I was very disappointed because she had great merchandise and I would’ve bought something had she been more engaging.
No matter if you are the owner or the employee it is important for you to make your customers feel welcome and comfortable.  When you have guests at your home you don’t let them just walk around you make them comfortable offer a drink or a place to sit and make conversation. Wouldn’t you do the same for your customers?
Service is simple and very important.  Service encompasses attitude, efficiency, knowledge and availability. Customers want to shop in a place that is inviting and where they feel valued. Customers have options so why not give them what they are looking for cause they are spending precious time and money.  Employees should be well trained, courteous, attentive, helpful, friendly and efficient.  Remember a customer is willing to overlook imperfections if they are given the service that they want. Here at Specialty Store Service we believe a smile, small conversation and attentiveness is what keeps our customers happy.
Good Service= A Happy Customer.

Great Retail Promotion Idea

Posted onAuthorericw@specialtystoreservices.com

Looking for a new promotion idea to use at the local festival, sidewalk sale or even in your store? Check out this “Grab Bag” idea featured by Bob Negen on the Whizbang! Training site. People like surprises and they like a good deal, and this promo idea has the best of both worlds. Plus, people are likely to spend more when them come into the store to cash in the $1-$10 gift certificate they won! Read on –

You know, a little bit of imagination can take you a long way.  Re-imagining, re-inventing an idea to make it your own is what having your own business is all about.  It’s one of the reasons we really liked this Tip sent in by a reader last week…

Sidewalk sales are coming up this month for many of you and we thought this idea from Shari Aussant could easily be transplanted from her local fair to your sidewalk.  It’s a fun, imaginative way to create excitement, increase sales, get rid of excess inventory, and boost the number of transactions per customer.
“Hi Bob –

Your Tip of the Week re: using gift certificates to increase traffic in the shop was fantastic! Our shop sponsored a table at a local fair and we were fresh out of ideas of what to do to create excitement.  The night before I re-read your email and listened again to the pod-cast and here is what we came up with;

We filled 500 grab bags with product that wasn’t moving.  Candles that were not the best, free samples given to us by our companies, hot chocolate packets, teas, all little items that we had sitting around.  For $1.00 customers could pick a gift bag and in 50 of the bags we hid plastic gift cards with random amounts ranging from $1 to $10 with one $50.  We also filled a retro bubble gumball machine with fun prizes and free samples for 50 cents a chance to win a $25 gift card.

The bubble gum machine brought in $325 and the Grab Bags brought in over $500.  We made our cost back of all the items given away, covered the cost of the table, staff, and gift cards.  We passed out hundreds of little $5 gift certs as well and the store which had a history of being quiet on festival days, ended up having a banner day with all the new customers that were coming in with the gift cards and mystery gift certificates.  The winners had to physically bring in the card for us to run it on the machine to see what dollar amount they won!  It was so fun and our table was the busiest one at the fair.  People were jumping when they got a card in their bag as well as with all the freebies they got.

Thanks so much for all of your great ideas, we are having such fun with your e-blasts!”

– Shari Aussant  http://www.oldcompanystore.com/



Please let me know how this promotion idea works out for you! Sounds like fun!