One thing I noticed on my trip to 5 eclectic shops the other day, was the extent to which
fixturing matters.
The two very-funky shops had, on purpose, mismatched fixturing. This gave a nice cluttery feel to their shops, and since all the fixtures, from clothes trees to tables, were for-sale merchandise, it made sense.
But the three upscale shops, the ones commanding the best prices, Continue Reading »
Posted in Not-for-Profit Resale, Shopkeeping talk | Tagged resale shopkeeping, success |
Lesson#1: Think of what you have in new ways. I have a queen’s ransom in sand dollars, but never thought of them as underlays for jewelry in cases!
So I went on a field trip. Not to resale shops per se, as I suggested you do yesterday morning , but to 5
exceedingly interesting hybrid new gifts/ vintage finds shops.
And here’s what I found:
I love these types of shops. The personality of the owner always shines through. They go to the wholesale market with a firm grip of what their clientele wants, and they buy vintage/old/interesting items from pickers, consign some art and craft items from local folk, and have an absolute ball doing things their way, instead of the mall way.
What I learned:
Lesson #1. Be flexible. I know all about filling a jewelry tray full of dried beans for a backdrop…but as you see in the photo, hadn’t ever thought of sand dollars. (Oh, and I should have taken a photo: those half-round dress forms? One shop had someone collage them into glittery outfits with braid, fabric and trims, paint… absolutely super!)
Lesson#2. Go with themes (well, I already knew this, but it’s nice to realize that even I am manipulated by the “look” of merchandising.) that mix and match: Mosaic birdhouses with twig birds with (yes!) vintage mother-of-pearl opera glasses. Amusing, but more to the point: once you’ve caught someone’s eye with something she likes...amuse and tempt it with related goodies.
Lesson #3. Everything, and I mean everything, gets a price tag. One shop even had a price tag on its seating area coffee table and its hall trees. YEH! If I wanted it, I could have it.
Lesson#4. Lead me through the shop. Angled bureaux, side tables twisting around to another reveal in the aisle, goodies under the counters and on top of the bookcases…a natural flow keeps shoppers exploring all the way to the far corners.
And, alas, Lesson#5. Give me a reason to WOM you, to recommend you, to remember you. All five businesses failed miserably here. And I made a point to express flattery and enthusiasm over their shops. Not a single one (and I made purchases in four of them) suggested I sign their e- or snail-mail list, told me their web site or gave me their business card. Not a single one. In three of the shops I was dealing with the owner. Two of the shops were brand-new.
I mean, I can barely remember the shops’ names, yet along recommend them or become a part of their business “family.” All in spite of my obvious enthusiasm with remarks like I love this place, I’ve never been in before and I’ve lived here for years or Love your mix, love that these are things that you don’t see everywhere and Boy, you have great stuff, I’ll have to send my honey in here for my birthday gift! When I got home: although two of my four purchases were nicely wrapped, none had a business card in them or any indication where I got it.
A very valuable trip into the retail world. (And a whole lotta fun too, you should see the goodies I bought!)
Did you find anything interesting on your trip?
Posted in Shopkeeping talk | Tagged learn a lot | 1 Comment »
Good time of year to Visit Other Resalers with your “field notebook” nearby. (If you don’t already have this PDQ from our inexpensive Lunch with Kate series, order it now!)
Here are some tips for getting the most, and the most goodwill, out of your visits.
What’s Visiting Other Resalers? A little field notebook to help you examine other shops with an eye to making yours better. Download it; print out copies to stick in your glove compartment. Learn every time you visit another shop!
Print out as many copies as you need, and get on the road. I promise you, even with Continue Reading »
Posted in Shopkeeping talk | Tagged competition, resale shopkeeping | 4 Comments »
When was your last Random Act of Kindness?
Did you offer the free use of a punch bowl to a charity who only needed it for one evening… buying it from your consignor, then putting it in the store account for sale when it was returned?
Did you Continue Reading »
Posted in Shopkeeping talk | Tagged small business | 5 Comments »
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