Walked into a long-standing, totally-average consignment shop today.
VERY sparse. As in Get those extra racks off the FLOOR, girl. Especially, but not only, in the kidswear area. (She carries kids, women’s, juniors’ and specializes in bridal.) So like the loud-mouthed consignment consultant I am, I asked
Are you getting rid of kids’ clothes?
Why no, saves she. I said, gee there’s so little here. She said, well I can’t control what people bring in.
She CAN’T?
I refrained from handing her a business card. Apparently, she’s one of those horses you can’t make drink.
Auntie Kate The Resale Expert 
In April we experienced a shortage of boys wear and it wasn’t coming in as fast as we were selling it. We sent out emails, asked for more on Facebook, and went to the local Goodwill stores on their 20% off days, cherry picking items we knew we needed. Check out your local thrift stores. They may just have what you need. Even though we didn’t make as much as we do when we buy from suppliers, it was more important to have the inventory when customers were wanting it.
Thanks Kitty, that’s OH SO RIGHT… if racks are skimpy, it’s more important to fill them than to make your “usual” profit. Because lack of selection means shoppers have no luck on a visit, and “empty” visits… where folks walk out having found nothing to buy… can kill their enthusiasm for your shop REAL fast.
EVERY minute of EVERY day counts, so if you are less-than-full, put away racks, rearrange, take down shelves… anything so you don’t look like a place that’s going out of business, which is actually what I thought was going on in the shop I visited.
We hit a wall 2 years ago in Jan-Mar, finally realized by asking customers and LISTENING to what was being said in the shop that a flea market had gotten in the consignment biz. They were offering 75% to consignors. We always have a white board at our door that announces we are accepting consignments. It will also give a list of items we are looking to consign.
So she may have a new shop in the area she is not aware of yet. Or maybe kids is not the a line she needs to keep.
Her shop was very empty in all departments (except maybe bridal, I have no feeling for this aspect), not just the kids’ clothes and gear. So it’s an all-around problem.
And yes, there’s new (womenswear) competition around.
I experienced a little shortage this year for the first time in 18 years! I attributed it to the economy….a couple years ago consumers stopped buying a lot of extras and so they have fewer extras to consign. I solved the problem with Fast Cash Friday…offering to buy outright (at a lower percentage) giving cash up front. Flyers, emails and advertising helped it take off.
Offering a buy-outright day or two is a good option some shops have started… Molly’s version is mentioned on her home page and explained here: http://www.onceagainconsignment.com/consignatonceagain.htm
And S, you’re the only one’s who’s mentioned emails so far. Right now, mid-July, is the perfect time to email past consignors about getting their early-fall items together… and offering an incentive to get it in NOW. Also, idf the email is worded carefully and is attractive, asking them to forward it to their “bulging closets” or “fashion fanatic” or “shopaholic” friends will get FRESH consignors/ sellers/ donors in to help fill those pitiful-looking racks.
Wow! We opened a little over a year ago and have never had a problem with people bringing things in. My suggestion would be to make sure she’s making it as convenient and as easy as possible. Especially kids clothes which involves mom’s of course who are always very busy. Make sure that people know you are a consignment store and are accepting items. Most communities have thrifty nickle papers that you can advertise for very little. Give your most successful and happy consignors your brochure or flier about why people should consign with you for them to give to their friends. Gotta go for now.
Hum, that’s interesting. Something is wrong. Getting consignment is much easier than getting customers! What do you think she is doing wrong???? You were there….how did you find her?
We post a weekly (or so) wishlist on our facebook page, keep a wishlist on our website, and post ads for specific things on craigslist, I will also mention certain items we want to customers/consignors/friends. We have a “personal shopper” who hits garage sales and secondhand shops looking for specifics. And lastly, if I was having a hard time keeping my entire children’s clothing section stocked, I would ask myself why that was: do I have fierce competition? Strict rules?