Fast on the heels of my column last month about a small-town newspaper’s efforts to help retailers comes news of a bigger effort.
It’s called 3/50 Project and it was created by Cinda Baxter, a gift and home retail consultant. News has spread rapidly throughout the industry.
The concept is simple: choose three local businesses you would miss if they closed, visit them and spend some money with them.
According to Cinda’s statistics, if half the employed population of this country did so, it would generate about $42 billion in sales. Cinda also says $68 of every $100 spent at a local business returns to the community in taxes, payroll and other expenditures. For chains, she says the number drops to $42.
You can find more information about the project or sign up by going to www.350project.net. It’s worth consideration.
More Good Ideas
Christi Tullis, owner of Ambiance Interiors in the Atlanta area tells Home Accents Today about a good idea:
“For something new, during the evenings, try hosting a “Gold” party, where customers exchange gold or silver jewelry for cash. Serve sample foods from your gourmet food lines. Most gold exchangers will pay for a portion of the eats, you’ll make a percentage of the gold sales (typically 10 percent), and guests are ready to spend their windfall.”
Carol Davis, Interior Homestore, Sherman, Texas shares her good ideas with Gifts & Decorative Accessories:
“I have implemented two changes in the past 60 days to spark interest and jumpstart our sales: an e-mail monthly newsletter and the opening of a consignment furniture showroom in what was previously our stockroom. They’ve both proven to be an economical way to reach our target market and stay in touch with existing and new clients. Next up, we’re planning a four-week in-store design class called Creative Camp – why not, summer is camp time!”
