Posted by retailmakeover on August 08, 2011 0 Comments
Erica Kirkland, Editor Retail News, and Barbara Crowhurst, founder of Retailmakeover, present the Best Gift Awards at the CGTA August Show , 2011 .
[caption id="attachment_1581" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Barbara Crowhurst, Retailmakeover, unveiling product at the Best Gift Awards CGTA 2011. Photo taken by Steve Frost, Frost Photo"]
[/caption]
Here is the awards unveiling and what was said:
Best Gift for Body & Soul:
Erica:
Reed diffusers have come a long way from simple sticks in glass jars. Fruits & Passion’s Ambiance Decorative Diffuser Sets were designed to emit fragrance (from the birch flower) for up to eight weeks, but the combination of the sleek ceramic vase and the modern bloom means this item straddles the fragrance and home décor categories as a beautiful accent piece and functional fragrance item.
Barbara:
Great product, great price point. Do not cherry pick this collection . Buy all the colours . If this item is a test product never before in your store buy wide so again all the collection, all colours but stay shallow on the inventory or repeats. You can display this in many ways. New products should be placed in feature areas in your store in mass with signage announcing – both trend product connection and that’s it’s new . This is a great near the counter product as well. Love this technique – “product of the day”. Pick an item from this collection . Again signage and teach your staff to show and talk about the item.
Best Canadian-made Gift:
Erica:
Canadian-made cuffs from Hides in Hand look need to be worn to be appreciated. Wrap one of these soft, supple Deerskin Floral Bracelets around your wrist and you’ll be sold – as will your customers. Available in five fashion-forward colours, the very affordable bracelets make for an unexpected addition to a display of Canadian-made wares or an array of fashion accessories.
Barbara:
Love this product. I agree it must come off it’s displayer to be truly shown off. Demos are a key way to showcase products in your store . You know it, customers love what you love . This will both be a great addition to your Canadian Made Category or for those of you who carry fashion accessory (a big growth category for retailers) a good choice. Again make sure your display of this product is in a feature spot with signage that tells the trend story. Talk it up to your staff.
Best Eco-Friendly Gift:
Erica:
No water, no trees, no bleach and less energy (compared to traditional paper manufacturing) is involved in the production of Made By Human’s Rock Paper Notebooks. Better than recycled paper, more durable than regular paper, these nifty notebooks are filled with pages made from . . . limestone. Dressed up with contemporary graphics and bearing a retail price comparative to “regular” notebooks, what’s not to like?
Barbara:
This whole idea of supporting ECO friendly product seems to be a hit or miss with retail specialty stores. If my retail clients are passionate about being a leader for everything ECO in there market place then they support more of this type of product. If you are looking to set yourself apart from your competition. Here is your start; invest in this product. Make sure you display it prominently in your store. Again the right signage - on message. Product knowledge training for your staff. If I’m pushing your button on the ECO message , may be you become the force in your community , use your monthly newsletter to talk up your commitment and product selection.
Best Gourmet Food Gift:
Erica:
Tishbi Wine & Fruit Preserves are made from products grown in the award-winning Tishbi Estate Winery in Israel and cooked in small batches– a process that delivers a natural, fruity flavour and a less sugary preserve. With tantalizing combinations like Strawberry Champagne and Cabernet Wine Jelly and shelf-friendly packaging, this line could likely sell itself, but we recommend taste testing.
Barbara:
This product sells itself once you taste it. Looking to create some excitement around this product. Do tastings . Great add on item. Let me take you thru how you achieve your sales goals thru add on sales. You build your business one client at a time, one interaction at a time. Let’s say your average sale is $40 and you want a 20% increase year on year. Show each customer an add on item at $8. Add on sales are part of a thriving sales culture. Start training add on sales . Role play with your staff.
Best Gift for the Home:
Erica:
Battery-operated candles are not new, but Reallite candles from Abbott have managed to do what no other has yet achieved. A patent-pending technology results in a life-like flame that dances and flickers. No dripping, no smoke, no mess, no heat, no worries. Reusable, and therefore ECO-friendly, flame-free candles also allow us to keep our elderly, children and pets safe from the pitfalls of fire. Available in other colours and sizes.
Barbara:
Put this product into your buying budget for the Fall. You should budget 4% of your buying budget for New Trends each buying Show. This product wowed me and it will wow your customers. The look is outstanding , make sure you have multiples working in a mass feature display. Set a goal with your sales staff to show this item off to every one that comes into the store. Signage, staff product knowledge sessions and effective feature displays will do the trick with this product.
Best Kid’s Gift:
Erica:
Stylish and sustainable, the Bynto from Lakapooki is the littler brother to the popular Goodbyn. The smaller version is perfect for snacks, kid’s lunches and for those concerned with portion control. The bright colours, simple yet arresting design, and affordable price point make this a winning new introduction in the highly competitive baby and children’s product category. Available in six colours.
Barbara:
I add my support to this great product. Let’s give this product the works, let’s have a look at the Best Launch Strategies.
Buy enough to make a statement in your store, add this item to your promotional calendar (test it with an introductory price off at 10% or gift with purchase of this item) newsletter, website, instore displays, flyers, Twitter, Facebook, staff training.
Best Gift for the Kitchen & Table:
Erica:
The Emile Henry Pizza Stone from Browne & Co. offers significant enhances for those who enjoy home-cooked pizza. Pizza lovers can cook, serve and cut delicious homemade pizza on these multifunctional stones. Place it directly on heat – barbeque, gas stove top, broiler - to cook, bring to the table and cut individual slices without scratching the surface.
Barbara:
In-store what will sell this product and it won’t be to hard! I promise you. Is feature displays and product knowledge. Using this as a contest item and give away to collect more customer names and contact info for your data base. Now that’s a good idea.
Best Novelty Gift:
Erica:
Strap it to your shopping cart, treadmill and stroller to keep your smartphone close by at all times. The Texthook by Kidcentral Supply is the ultimate holder for your iPhone or Blackberry. A simple sliding motion makes inserting and removing a phone easy, so you can listen to tunes, check emails and take phone calls while on the move.
Barbara:
Since being on the panel that selected the trend products for this year. I have seen so many practical uses of this product. For instants a gal came on the elevator the other day with her bike. She had all the attachments her bike really geared up . In her hand her phone. I said to her: wouldn’t you love to have some were safe to put your phone. She said yes, were do I get that devise? To sell this it’s about feature and benefits. I was thinking you bring a stroller or bike into your feature display for this product. The larger props will draw attention and be the needed focal
[caption id="attachment_1584" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Barbara Crowhurst, Retailmakeover, and Erica Kirkland, Retail News, unveiling product at the Best Gift Wards CGTA 2011 Photo taken by Steve Frost, Frost Photo"]
[/caption]
Read More
Posted by retailmakeover on August 06, 2011 0 Comments
Lack of Shopping Carts and Baskets:
By giving a shopping vehicle, you are making your customers shopping experience more convenient. This in turn can slow your customers down and keep them in your sore longer and shopping. By the way, this can also increase the amount of products your customers can consider buying while shopping in
[caption id="attachment_1551" align="alignright" width="160" caption="Shopping Carts"]
[/caption]
your store. Your type of retail shop may not require a shopping cart or your store may be too small, but there is not a single type of retailer that would not need at least some sort of shopping basket. If you hope for your customer to purchase more than one item in your store, be sure to have an adequate supply of shopping carts or baskets on hand.
Barbara
Read More
Posted by retailmakeover on August 03, 2011 0 Comments
Barbara Crowhurst (@RetailMakeover), North America's #1 retail business coach is excited to showcase 
Thrive.
Thrive is great for keeping track of the important numbers in your store and Barbara is an expert at acting on those numbers with the latest in retail business strategies. Together, Thrive and Barbara offer an intersection of retail business and science that will help more retailers reach their goals and overcome challenges.
How will this partnership benefit store owners?
Barbara has been helping thousands of store owners with her retail education workshops and seminars often with audiences of hundreds of independent store owners at a time. Many retail concepts and methods are covered in a short period and there is always high demand for one-on-one consultations afterwards.
Thrive will help Barbara help others in two ways:
- Some store owners want a do-it-yourself solution. That is exactly what Thrive was designed for. If you have attended a workshop with Barbara in the past, or plan to in the future, you're going to learn some pretty important things. You get all the workshop concepts, and you're happy taking action on your own, but it would be nice if something kept you on track and accountable. Thrive is the retail tool that will help you get organized and keep track of what is important.
- Some store owners are looking for one-on-one expert help. Thrive helps you get organized and prepared. When it is time to actually sit down with an expert such as Barbara, valuable time is not lost to trying to figure out all numbers in your store that Thrive keeps track of. Thrive gets you prepared so your billable hours are not spent getting organized, you'll spend your time getting things done.
Barbara Crowhurst, and the Team at Thrive, helping retailers increase sales and become more profitable.
Read More
Posted by retailmakeover on August 01, 2011 0 Comments
Studies show that a customer needs to stay in a retail specialist store up to 7 minutes before they really start shopping and really start buying. Check this out against what is happening in your store.
Here is a must do list for you- Part 3
Make the customer comfortable. If you see a customer coming in with bags or heavy coats, offer to take these items and keep them safe while they shop. If 
customers come into your store more often then not with children create a play area for your customers children. If husbands accompany your female clients on a regular bases, set up an area where the partner can be comfortable and let her shop.
Barbara
Read More
Posted by retailmakeover on July 29, 2011 0 Comments
Drawing customers into your store and keeping them in your store longer is doable and in your hands. You increase sales when your traffic increases; these two things have a direct correlation with each other. Do you know, the longer a customer stays in your store, the more products they are exposed to, and the more they potentially buy. Studies show that a customer needs to stay in a retail specialist store up to 7 minutes before they really start shopping and really start buying. Check this out against what is happening in your store. Invite customers into your store and keep customer shopping in your store longer.
Here is a must do list for you- Part 2
A great staff with strong people skills is who you want working for you. Staff that make customers feel welcome and staying longer in your store. Customer service is not just telling a customer "hello"; it is also about helping them to their car with their packages and making sure, they had a great experience while shopping in your store. Each customer should be treated the same and given equal attention whether they buy something or not. Treat your customers with respect, and always go the extra mile for them.
Barbara
Read More
Posted by retailmakeover on July 28, 2011 0 Comments
Drawing customers into your store and keeping them in your store longer is doable and in your hands. You increase sales when your traffic increases; these two things have a direct correlation with each other. Do you know, the longer a customer stays in your store, the more products they are exposed to, and the more they potentially buy. Studies show that a customer needs to stay in a retail specialist store up to 7 minutes before they really start shopping and really start buying. Check this out against what is happening in your store. Invite customers into your store and keep customer shopping in your store longer.
Here is a must do list for you- Part 1
Great window displays tell customers what is going on in your store and invite them in to shop. Your window displays should show case your promotional activities. You should have 2 to 3 events happening every month.
Barbara
Read More
Posted by retailmakeover on July 26, 2011 0 Comments
“Who should I consider my competition and what should I do to position my store in a competitive marketplace ?”. Great question. I get asked this several times a week during my one on one coaching sessions.
Simply stated your competition is any store that carries similar products to you. In most marketplace areas there is a healthy mix of large to medium store sizes. Although in some marketplaces the shear number and mix is overly healthy. Hear this from my experience. Don’t place a store in an area that is saturated. Look else where. If you are a store that has been in a market place for a while and has been affected by growing competition read on. You must step up your attention to the following details.
Retail specialty stores and large chains coexist with in a market place area. Let’s be more specific and clarify who the competition really is in your market
[caption id="attachment_971" align="alignright" width="160" caption="Where's Your market?"]
[/caption]
place. Step one is to designate your market place. With a bird’s eye view map of your location in front of you, put a dot where your store is then draw a circle on the map with a 25 kilometer radius then complete the full circle. You have just designated your market place. Research shows that the average Canadian consumer will not travel more then 25 Kilometers approx. to shop. Now list the competitors in your market place.
What you need to know about your competitors:
- the products or services they provide and how they market them to customers
- the prices they charge
- how they distribute and deliver
- the devices they employ to enhance customer loyalty and what back-up service they offer
- their brand and design values
- whether they innovate - business methods as well as products
- their staff numbers and the caliber of staff that they attract
- how they use IT - for example, if they're technology-aware and offer a website and email
- who owns the business and what sort of person they are
- their media activities - check local newspapers, radio, television and any outdoor advertising
- their online presence - check online networking sites as well as their website
Studies show people purchase a higher percentage of their merchandise from the mass merchandisers and consequently a lower percentage from local merchants. Despite this reality many retail specialty stores thrive and survive in competitive market places.
Strategies and best practices must be implemented to overcome pricing issues and wider product selection .
Customer service, treat each customer as your best customer. Customers want value for their money these days. It’s simple deliver the best customer service in your market place area. It’s good business and customers will show their appreciation by coming back and shopping at your store for a life time. As well they will spread the word and tell their family and friends about you.
[caption id="attachment_1355" align="alignleft" width="200" caption="Specialty Gifts"]
[/caption]
Niche products and services are custom made for retail specialty stores. By understanding your market place and the needs of your customers the products you offer will be more appealing. Also, focus on what makes your business unique and different from the other businesses in the area.
Store design can set you apart from your competition. Retail specialty stores have the luxury of creating a comfortable, cozy atmosphere within their stores. This gives your store a personality which is often lacking at the big stores.
Relationship selling is what must be happening in your store. You want to gain the trust of your customers and have them coming back to your store for years to come. It’s a win win situation for both you the store owner and the customer. Remember it costs 5 times more to get a new customer into your store then keep an old one.
Product knowledge in the hands of a well trained staff. That’s what people are looking for. Consumers have confidence in sales people that know their stuff . Make sure that people think of your store first when they think of their shopping experience and who to buy what they need from.
Check out what I have shared with you. Your point of difference in your area is to deliver great customer service , sell niche product and services, and create a friendly, cozy store thru your store design. Create relationships with your customers while selling what you carry and be known for having the most comprehensive knowledge about the products you sell.
Barbara
Read More
Be sure your store is designed to allow adequate space between aisles and keep walkways free of merchandise. Cramped spaces can ruin a shopping experience and turn off a customer. Fewer products with less shelving units and wider isles will net you higher sales. You want customers to move deep into your store, staying longer.
