Auntie Kate The Resale Expert

Shopping’s supposed to be fun, right? Especially for the holidays, and even more especially, in resale, thrift, and consignment shops. Make sure that your customers get a full dose of holiday cheer, and that you present yourself as a new and exciting place to find Christmas gifts, holiday decorating and entertaining props, attire and toys and stocking stuffers….

Nice Santa: Do help shoppers with ideas.

Sure, you have trifle bowls and little black dresses and made-locally toys and accessories. Now, your job is to help shoppers envision these in their lives. Make your merchandise shout festivity: Fill the trifle bowl with oranges and pine clippings, match the LBD on that dress form with red pumps and a brilliant blue clutch (this season’s look) and tie a flamboyant bow on the rocking horse. DO set the stage for your merchandise to fit into their vision of their holiday.

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Boring Santa: Don’t be like every other small business in town.

Snooze. Another pretty Christmas tree. Another Happy Holidays sign (gee, you and the deli must have bought your decorations in the same dollar store.) Take the opportunity to do a holiday display, or to trim your shop, in something that will get people talking. Whether your shop image lends itself to a 1950’s aluminum tree with rotating color spotlights, or a traditional evergreen roping (trimmed in for-sale stocking stuffers of course), do it up to get word-of-mouth. There’s no shortage of decorating ideas on the web, so get that mouse clicking! Don’t put your holiday shoppers to sleep with boredom.
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Awful Santa: Get rid of the ick factor.

You know what I mean. Those dressing room dust bunnies. The rest room that needs a good scrubbing. The tattered and torn notes you have all over the sales desk. Sure, your  regulars “understand.” But new folks, venturing in because they think Maude would like a Miriam Haskell necklace or Uncle Jim would get a kick out of a Power Ranger action figure? They’re gonna see all your warts. Don’t invite new friends to the party without cleaning your act up.

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Mad Santa: They’re not gonna take it any more.

Don’t make shopping in your shop harder than it would be at the mall. Lines? No way. Returns? Of course. Can I leave the stroller I just bought here until December 23? Natch, and let me get your contact info in case it slips your mind. And, BTW, here’s a great rum cake recipe for that Bundt pan you just bought…let me know how it turns out! Do ease their shopping and turn their holiday frowns upside down with your small-business charms and policies.

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Happy Santa: It’s a time of good cheer. Enjoy!

Don’t stress. Do do what you need to. If you want to please customers, but you have family activities that will limit your hours, do it. Remember: it’s your store. It’s up to you to decide what is best for your business. Have fun, do extend a warm hand to regulars and newbies, and do remember: The good will, thoughfulness, and just downright fun experience you extend to your neighbors will shine in a stressful season.