Posted in economics of resale, Shopkeeping talk, tagged promotions, resale shopkeeping, selling on June 19, 2013| 1 Comment »
Are you ready for another “national shopping holiday”? According to the New York Times,
Teen Vogue magazine, published by the Condé Nast division of Advance Publications, sought last year to make back-to-school even bigger with an elaborate promotion (more…)
Posted in economics of resale, Shopkeeping talk, tagged customers, selling on June 13, 2013| 1 Comment »
What happens when you have to take a privilege away from your shoppers?
Here’s how one business did it wrong. In a (more…)
Posted in Shopkeeping talk, tagged selling on May 30, 2013|
If you love Judith Leiber handbags, if perchance you might have them in your consignment, resale or thrift shop, you’ll want to (more…)Posted in 5- Minute Fixes, Shopkeeping talk, tagged resale shopkeeping, selling, word of mouth on April 18, 2013| 3 Comments »
A few days ago, The New York Times ran an article, Sometimes, We Want Prices to Fool Us, on the J.C.Penney misstep. They came to the same conclusion that I foresaw 10 months ago, but that’s not what I want to talk about today.
There’s a very basic retail truth at play in the Penney predicament, one that is especially pertinent to our resale industry here, and I quote the Times article:
How much do you think this WAS?
I think there’s a simple, simple, “5-Minute Fix” that works well on so many of the goods you have. A simple comparison, on the price tag, will explain to your customer why that gently-used whatever is worth the price you’re asking… and tell them that indeed, yes, even a $200 or $999 item is a screamin’ DEAL.
So go ahead. Add the words “This was $869 new” to the price tag on that sequined gown. Clip the web page that shows the Brown Jordan patio set was originally $2750 and slide it into your plexiglass sign holder on the table. You don’t want to do this with every single piece in your store (yes, it would be too costly to research and label each!) but for those things you fear will encounter price resistance: take the five minutes. It could mean not only quicker sales, but incredible word-of-mouth. “I got this at HerStore… and I only paid $200 for a dress that was almost a THOU new!”
Posted in Shopkeeping talk, tagged display, merchandising, selling on March 29, 2013| 4 Comments »
Resale, thrift and consignment shops, with their wonderful variety of ever-changing merchandise, have a unique opportunity to focus customers’ attention with a swing shop. The excerpts that accompany these photographs are from Shop Sizzle, a collection of 10 topics directed specifically to resale shops, to help them look as great (and oftentimes greater!) than those new-merchandise stores.
This photo shows the basics of swing shops: A swing shop is an area dedicated to selling featured items.
You can mix hanging items with a table to display accessories. The glass tabletop allows for light to shine through.
Simplest swing shop: An outfit on a mannequin, a see-through wall, and a 2-way with coordinated merchandise.
For maximum exposure, your swing shop should be in the front half of your store, easily entered from your door. Photo courtesy of Castaways in California.
Accessorizing, adding height, and sticking to one color way makes an effective swing shop.
There’s no limit, except time and your space, on the number of swing shops you can have. And, to be honest, there’s no limit on the amount of straightening and finding replacement stock for your swing shop, either. If your swing shop isn’t attracting browsers and buyers,
Ready to make more money with a swing shop in your store? Shop Sizzle tells you how to sell the Sizzle by making your merchandise more tempting. Simple, quick, and useful for shops of all types and budgets. 10 topics cover the 10 areas of your shop that should SIZZLE with excitement. Make your shop look terrific and sell more! Order it today!
Too Good to be Threw is the flagship site of the TGtbT Family of Sites for the Professional Resalers
Auntie Kate The Resale Expert 