Posted in Shopkeeping talk, tagged daily operations, resale shopkeeping, sea of sameness, success on April 16, 2019| Leave a Comment »
And it’s a shame, really, because our industry lends itself perfectly to having strong, vibrant shops. Shops which offer goods their marketplace wants, in a presentation that makes shoppers feel that they must have that table, tunic, or toy.
And our potential customers are hungry for shops with some (more…)
Posted in Shopkeeping talk, tagged customers, merchandising, resale shopkeeping, starting a consignment shop, success on March 29, 2019| Leave a Comment »
Last post here on TGTbT.com‘s Auntie Kate blog we talked about the do’s of arranging and managing the sales floor plan of your resale, consignment, or thrift shop. Today, some things you do not want to see. (And some things you might want to change up for maximum sales.)
DON’T let too-high (more…)
Posted in Shopkeeping talk, tagged customers, resale shopkeeping, selling, success on March 28, 2019| Leave a Comment »
Seriously. Your resale, consignment or thrift shop layout is SO important. It’s even MORE important that the layout of a new merchandise store might be, because not only do you probably have a wider range of categories, styles, colors, sizes, but you also have NO idea what merchandise you’ll have in store a week or a month from now.
So it’s crucial that all the do’s and don’ts of resale sales floor arrangement be tended to. Today, the do’s. Tomorrow the don’ts.
DO provide a “foyer” so customers can see what’s available as they enter. Some call this a “landing zone”.
DO allow for a free flow of customer traffic through all areas. If there’s the possiblity of butt-brush, that area will be bypassed.
DO provide generous aisles so customers don’t feel crowded. Crowded = uneasy. Uneasy = they will cut their browsing short and leave.
DO allow space in front of your dressing rooms for a full-length mirror and accessorizing. You want you helpers to have room to interact and upsell.
For deeper details plus 200 more pages of resale operations assistance, click.
DO watch the heights of racks to allow a over-all view of the entire store. If you can’t see their eyes, they can’t see you. If you can’r see them, how are you going to interact with them?
DO allow your merchandise enough space so it looks neat and uncluttered. With the wide variety in resale, this is crucial. You want it to look like a store, not a teenager’s closet.
DO think ahead so you have flexibility in arranging categories. Remember, what will you need room for next week?
DO leave space for displays, two-ways, highlighted racks. Row after row of sleeves hanging out, or couches lined up like soldeiers, never inspired a purchase yet.
DO use “selling” signs that tell customers what’s where… and why they should buy it!Rack signage shouldn’t be JUST informative, it should be motivating! Not shorts but Feel free, wear shorts! or “Let us free” said your knees.
DO use mirrors as much as possible for customer convenience, reflected light, and security. “Nuff said.
DO remember “negative space”: empty areas that set off merchandise. Breathing space. If it feels slightly claustrophobia-inducing to you, it is.
DO allow for space for YOU to work at straightening, markdowns, displays. Give yourself a break and make yourself comfortable. Lest you don’t do ot…
Posted in I've been meaning to tell you, Shopkeeping talk, tagged daily operations, resale shopkeeping, small business, success on March 26, 2019| Leave a Comment »
If so, here you go (see what I did there?)3 Ways to prepare for success
1- Keep your
Posted in Shopkeeping talk, tagged consignors, resale shopkeeping, success on March 25, 2019| Leave a Comment »
Really. Even when we’re crabby or grumpy and out of sorts, 
and even if we feel like we’re going to scream if one more person comes in the door with more stuff.
So we try and take a little SOMEthing from just about everyone, especially if THEY’re nice, don’t we? Then we spend the next 60 days trying to hide it somewhere on the sale floor because it’s not fashionable or it’s in sad shape or we simply cannot BEAR to look at it for 2 months.
And then we feel guilty about being nice because it wasn’t very businesslike to accept it was it?
No problem turning away those who couldn’t be bothered with condition and cleanliness. Those folks got the firm and polite “thank you but these are not what my clientele are looking for” line.
But those who tried to do their best got all my attention. For example, we had one woman who brought in lesser brands but they were immaculate. Those we took, and those sold, and actually sold well. They were the bottom end of our pricing structure, but every shop has to have a bottom end, right?
For the potential consignor who tried but missed the style mark, I did my best to take a few things. Quite often, these were items where styles were not so volatile: a robe or nightie, a wallet or cosmetic case. I wasn’t truly looking to find something acceptable, I was remembering that after all (for example) not every customer was as style-conscious as we as shopkeepers are. And that some shoppers shop resale SPECIFICALLY because they don’t like the current styles, colors, fabrics.
I told myself that my “search” for something acceptable in these batches was based on “we need basics too”. . . but really it was out-and-out nice-ness. AND my knowledge that yes, I wanted to have her speak well of my shop. . .
and FINALLY I also knew that the little old lady whose things were not my customers’ style quite often had things in her closets that I REALLY wanted. These might be vintage apparel and accessories, household decorative items, even the Miriam Haskell necklaces and bed jackets I could never get enough of! I would always mention this type of item to these consignors, and often got a very good response: next trip in, she bring in the 1950’s alligator bag she thought we wouldn’t take because it was too old (we sold it for $500+), or the stash of embroidered hankies that she thought no one could possibly want (all day long, $3-$4 a shot, delighted customers) , or the old crock her grandmother made pickles in back in Zanesville (which looks terrific on my patio filled with geraniums.)
It was nice and profitable to be nice. And that’s nothing to feel guilty about. Try it. Be nice.
The gorgeous letterpress poster is from Soma Gallery in the UK.Posted in Mailbox: 1-on-1 Advice, Shopkeeping talk, tagged customers, resale shopkeeping, small business, success on March 4, 2019| 5 Comments »
A great question in Auntie Kate’s email box recently. T. H. asks:
Why do customers and consignors give me a hard time? They always argue with me (My things are more in style than what they have out here or They priced this too high, you need to mark it down) and that “they” really irks me. I’m “they” for heaven’s sake! Even my employees are always picking on me: they rearranged my work area last week when I was off! I won’t even tell you how service providers and salesmen treat me.
I’m the boss. How come they don’t treat me like I am?
Auntie Kate answers: A boss needs to look and act the part.
Perhaps your boss-persona needs some polishing. What type of impression do you make on people? When a stranger walks into the shop, can she tell you’re the boss by your charming inviting manner? Or are you often mistaken for the cleaning lady because you have your head down and barely mutter Hi?
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Do you dress professionally? It’s hard for a client to respect you and your wonderful store if you are wearing (more…)
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