Gift Shop Magazine - Feature

GIFT SHOP Magazine's 2008 Ultimate Makeover

admin — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 13:40:23 -0500

It was the letter that sealed the case. When GIFT SHOP announced an open call for entries for its 2008 Ultimate Makeover Contest, all the entries we received were equally compelling. But one letter, written by Kountry Nook's staff member, Scarlet Coers, made the case even more eloquently. Coers argued that her storeowner Mary Haynes had been through a trying year and that winning the makeover would be a richly deserved "surprise of a lifetime." And a surprise it sure was!

Global Goods

admin — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 15:07:36 -0500

Socially responsible consumerism The way Laura Wendell tells it, when customers buy her store's offerings, there are three factors that work together to seal the deal: the products are beautiful; they are functional and well-made; and they have an associated feel-good factor. Wendell sells thousands of fair trade products made around the world, through her store One World Market based in Durham, NC. Wendell knows her customers like beautiful products but pretty alone is not enough.

From Smiles to Sales

admin — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 13:49:54 -0500

Why humor is a hit Humor sells. Arguably nobody knows this better than retailer Rosanne Brown whose store, Venice Stationers, caters to a retirement community in Venice, FL. Brown finds a little light-heartedness always works. Case in point is one of the many products in her store that capitalize on humor: a book "1,000 Unforgettable Senior Moments: Of Which We Could Remember Only 246" by New York-based Workman Publishing Company, Inc.

Permanent Botanicals: Make Your Profits Blossom!

admin — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 13:42:09 -0500

Smarty Plants J M. H. Schwanke, a floral industry expert, believes the word "permanent" is a better qualifier for the stunning and gorgeous variety of flowers, bushes and greenery sold by many wholesalers. The care and detail that go into creating these permanent botanicals merit a better word than "artificial" or "fake," Schwanke says. By all indications Schwanke is right. From orchids to cacti, from tropical bushes to stems of dahlias, from Christmas greens to spring blossoms, there are permanent botanicals available for every season, taste and budget.

Profit from Play

admin — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 22:28:21 -0500

Defining Specialty Kathleen McHugh encourages you to remember this fact: Many baby boomers are now grandparents. And, says the president of the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association, grandparents are willing to spend money and buy high-quality products for their grandchildren. "With grandparents, if a toy will provide some kind of value to their grandchild, they will spend anything," McHugh says.

Message in a Bauble

admin — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 22:03:23 -0500

Message Mania Lynn Switanowski-Barrett points out that in times of recession or war, consumers have often looked for products that are positive and upbeat. Jewelry bearing messages of hope, inspiration and celebration fits the bill nicely. What's more, inscriptions (even if the messages are generic) allow for jewelry to be personalized to the recipient.

Just The Zing

admin — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 21:46:20 -0500

Whipping up sales Chew on this: Tough economic times may actually result in an increase in gourmet food purchases. "In recessionary times, specialty food purchases have been strong because they are viewed as affordable luxuries," says Stephen F. Hall, chief executive officer of Food Marketing International and author of "From Kitchen to Market: Selling Your Gourmet Food Specialty." He says there is a big push for foods that are organic, allergen-free or fair-trade. Many gourmet foods fit into one or more of these categories.

Gift Baskets: Wrap Up Sales

admin — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 21:12:49 -0500

Capitalize on the Market Gift baskets are a good idea for your business. Just ask Terry August, owner of Fancifull Gift Baskets in Los Angeles. The retailer has profited from selling gift baskets to the movie and television industries in her area. Shirley George Frazier, industry expert and author, predicts that the gift basket business will bring in around $4.8 billion in sales this year. As a retailer, you can capitalize on this market by either adding to or starting a gift basket line in your store.

Targeting Trendy Tweens

admin — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Big Rewards Kenneth Nisch will tell you that marketing to tweens is a study in contradictions. Tweens want to be treated as older, but they still giggle and jump up and down on the bed. They want to be fashionable, but they don't want to look like everyone else. They want to be unique, but they want to fit in. "It's a big challenge and it's high maintenance, but there are big rewards when you get it right," says Nisch, chairman of JGA Inc., a retail design, brand strategy and architectural firm in Southfield, MI.

I'll Take That, Too: Increasing Impulse Buys

admin — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Strategic Placement Step into In-Courage in San Antonio, and you'll see three items near the point of sale: a basket of chocolate-covered sunflower seeds, a drawer display of Lady Primrose lip balm, and a seasonal item such as a talking gnome or a singing mariachi bear (which owner Patti Harbin has found is extremely popular during the city's Fiesta celebration). What do these three things have in common? They're all strategically placed to generate impulse buys. A chunk of the spending pie The most comprehensive study of impulse purchases was performed in 2002.