Auntie Kate The Resale Expert

Got all your Christmas balls in a row? It’s time to:

• Turn your swing shop into a Stocking Stuffer Shop: Pile on the small, less-expensive items. If you can, use separate tabletops for suggestive selling (Fad Fun, Glitzy for the Glamourous One, Classic Must-Haves)
• Add bows to EVERYTHING: That recliner? The hiking boots? The over-the top lamp or the understated ottoman? BIG bows, ribbons wrapped around… Golly I bet Gouty George could really use that footstool….
• If you’re thrift, bundle stuff. A stack of mystery novels (wrapped with that bow and ribbon of course) for one price. Three pairs of mittens so Momma doesn’t go crazy when one is lost. An entire basket of hair accessories, overwrapped with netting or cellophane, for one price. Wine glasses plus cheeseboard plus serving silver. Make it easy for last-minute shoppers to pick up a single gift that you have coordinated.
• Promote free gift wrap, gift certificates, unique items on your social media. People are getting desperate for gift suggestions. Find at least 10 or 12 a day and post, post, post. WITH all info… now’s not the time to be coy. They’re time-pressed. Add your phone number and say “Charge it, drive by, pick it up… done!“
• Mark ANYTHING that will be unsaleable a week from now by 75%. Unsaleable in 2 weeks? 60% off. Whatever. Better a sale than be left with it. Hopefully, if you operate on consignment, you used our suggestions re holiday goods. If not, oh well, there’s always next Christmas.