Retailers

Price vs. Value

Price Vs. Value As we began the new year, I found myself thinking back on all the conversations I’ve had last year with manufacturers and retailers about the things that caused them the most lost sleep.

Without question, the conversation almost always quickly turned to inventory issues.

Whether you are a retailer or a manufacturer, virtually nothing can get you in trouble quicker than inventory. So, let’s spend a few minutes thinking about how to lower our risk. First and foremost, 2010 will be the year of price to value ratio if turns are important to you.

March 10, 2010 0 comment

Retailers the Scoop Tips

Events for Slower Seasons

written by Renee Walker

Q: Every November we hold a holiday open house for our best customers. But we don’t have anything planned for January. Should we lay low while business is slow?

A: Good for you for doing a big event during the holiday season. As the old advertising adage goes, “you should sell peanuts while the circus is in town.” But that doesn’t mean that you should not have something special happening in your store during the slower months as well.

March 1, 2010 0 comment

Retailers the Scoop

The White Hare

written by Renee Walker

This store shows product at every opportunity. The main message from retailer Sarah Corrigan and her partner and mother, Mary Kay Carapella, is display, display and display.

Almost every surface in The White Hare is a created display and Sarah says they fine-tune every one, every day. The ideas for the displays come from everywhere, she says, mostly from ideas spotted at the trade shows and brainstorming among the staff.

January 10, 2010 0 comment

Retailers the Scoop Tips

Successful Displays

written by Renee Walker

The five most important design tools to get people to stop and really look are: color, angles, movement, simplicity and/or repetition and imagination. Use a combination of any two of these and you will have a successful window or interior display.

1. Color is the first element that attracts attention in a store window.The strongest color combinations are black and white with a bright accent, or a monochromatic colorstatement. It is also effective to combine a neutralwith one or two bright colors. All white or all blackwith an accent color is strong as long as the wall or background color is in contrast. If your merchandise is mainly neutral or subdued tones,try using bright backgrounds, props or accessories.

January 1, 2010 0 comment

Retailers the Scoop

Accessories Successful at Homemakers

written by Renee Walker

At Homemakers Furniture Store in Des Moines, accessories are an important part of the product mix. And it is up to buyer Lori Konzen to make sure she has the right combinations to accentuate the furniture and tempt the customer.

She must be doing something right.

November 10, 2009 0 comment

Retailers the Scoop Tips

Create Retail Displays That Attract Customers

written by Renee Walker

Retail is a competitive business. Even if your product is completely unique, you still have competition. There is always another store down the street – or in the next cyber-mall – that is aiming for your customers’ wallet. Customers have a limited amount of disposable income, but their choices of where to spend it are infinite.

While there are many aspects involved in marketing and gaining customer loyalty, one of the most important is your visual presentation.

October 30, 2009 0 comment

Retailers the Scoop

Successful Retail with a Southwest Flavor

written by Renee Walker

In a small courtyard setting in the Scottsdale, AZ, suburb of Carefree, Denise Turner is building a successful business with Turn West Design.

She started the business three years ago as a 1,000-sq.-ft. design center for her own interior design business after spending 10 years working for Robb & Stuckey, the large furniture store group.

She added custom furniture, mostly case goods, and gave her store unique appeal with paintings from local artists, priced at $3,000 to $9,000. Because the Scottsdale area has heavy tourist traffic, Denise added candles and tabletop and other smaller items for that clientele to take with or ship.

October 6, 2009 0 comment

Retailers the Scoop

Birdcage: An Individual Statement

written by Renee Walker

Caroline Reyes-Dorson has a clear vision of what her store should be to her customers and she does not veer from that concept.

Birdcage, a San Diego-area store, is a magical mixture of home furnishings, accessories, personal care and fragrances created by Caroline nearly four years ago.

June 25, 2009 0 comment

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