“If the shoe fits, wear it,” goes the old saying, and today’s Times shares the state of indie shoes which may sound familiar to indie gift shop owners. This story seems to be ‘a fit’ for our industry, too.
I recently visited a Footlocker and noticed they had moved the Nike shoes to the back of the store. Why? Nike, with all of its stores and direct to consumer website promotion, is now a competitor and Footlocker is trying to reduce its reliance on Nike. To that affect, I went to the Nike ...
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April 18, 2019
April 18, 2019
Imagine helping your brands sell direct and bypass you? That’s what Nordstrom is faced with doing as it gets beat up by Amazon and online sellers. As the Nordstrom CEO, think about the dire straits you’d have to be in to approve this. But since most retailers didn’t plan 20 years ago for the internet tsunami, they’re stuck playing package boy for Wall St. darling Amazon.
I agree that it’s great to get customers in the store—I just wish it wasn’t under these terms. It’s like saying you enjoy ...
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December 15, 2018
December 15, 2018
What do shoppers in their 20s want? Easy returns. And be sure to make the returns easy—otherwise a store may faces a social media blitzkrieg.
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June 6, 2018
June 6, 2018
Webinar: Your Store vs. Amazon
Want to fight back against Amazon? We'll show you 7 ways in our new webinar.
How to watch the webinar? In the comment field below this post, enter your store's name. Then we'll send you the access link to watch the webinar.
In this webinar, you'll learn:
1. How to offer greater product selection. 2. How to offer free shipping and promote easy pick ups and returns. 3. How to build trust by showing more pictures of staff and faces. 4. How to benefit from your registry ...
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April 23, 2018
April 23, 2018
What happens if you store receives an order from a manufacturer and needs to send it back? Just ask Carol Schroeder. Her book Specialty Shop Retailing has a suggested form to handle these mess ups. You can even download the form on her website.
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December 30, 2017
December 30, 2017
Are you encouraging shoppers to make returns in store? Shoppers making in-store returns buy more.
Are you promoting gift cards? Selling them at a discount? Shoppers overspend a gift card on average by $38, reports today’s Times. This is why Kohl’s accepts Amazon returns.
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December 30, 2017
December 30, 2017
40% of consumers will shop after Christmas—up from 5% five years ago.
Celebrating a special lady's birthday today! Happy Birthday Barbara Bonner Smith!!
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November 11, 2017
November 11, 2017
Did you know that customers can take their Amazon returns Kohl’s? Well, now you can take your Lord & Taylor returns to Walmart’s 4,000 stores. We’re seeing more and more businesses choose sides with either Amazon or Walmart. Which side are you on?
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August 5, 2017
August 5, 2017
How does your profit compare when selling an item online vs. in store? Today's WSJ shows that for brands (labels) that have physical stores, the profit online is greater. For retailers, the math shown would be different. The overall exercise in breaking down profit via different mediums is a good one and I encourage your business to do it. Ask: what are the costs associated with each channel that we sell thru.
Note: I think that this article's estimated marketing costs are too low. Marketing an ...
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August 3, 2017
August 3, 2017
Laura, who owns Ivy House in Texas, will save $7,000 in credit card fees this year. John, who owns the store Glass Bazaar in Tennessee, will save $4,000. That's enough to take a family to Italy on vacation.
How did they save this money? I helped Laura and John cut their credit card processing fees. I like helping stores lower their fees because it helps strengthen their ability to compete with big box stores and Amazon.com.
John had this to say:
"We are happy with the credit card processing ...
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Do you want to beat Amazon? We'll show you 8 tips to succeed.
In this webinar, you'll learn to:
1. Offer greater selection by connecting with Smart Products.
2. Offer competitive shipping.
3. Offer quicker delivery and returns.
4. Add pics of you and your staff to the staff page, home page, and 'about company' page.
5. Use your registry software features. (Attend our registry seminar in August ;) See below.)
6. Save time by using Bridge's price floor feature.
7. Stay competitive ...
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July 13, 2017
July 13, 2017
Squirrel Hill Happening This Weekend, Summer Sale At Cheeks & Glassworks! Squirrel Hill Happening This Weekend, Summer Sale At Cheeks & Glassworks! The Squirrel Hill Happening returns for 2017! Friday night the Vintage Grand Prix cars will parade through Squirrel Hill and park on Forbes Avenue for a car show at 6pm. Cheeks and other stores will be open until 8pm, with food trucks open 4 - 9pm. Saturday from 1 - 4pm will feature kids' crafts & face painting, shopping, a petting zoo, and different...
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February 16, 2017
February 16, 2017
This week's HFN encourages you to connect offline and online with customers.
Ms. Fernandez highlights a key advantage that indie stores have: customers prefer to make returns in-person to brick and mortar locations.
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December 29, 2016
December 29, 2016
Hate returns? Today's WSJ reminds us that returns are an opportunity to remarket to customers. The article also shares that about 10% of in-store holiday purchases are returned while up to 30% of online gifts are taken back. Some stores are anticipating returns and marketing spring goods to these customers. How are you approaching returns?
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January 14, 2016
January 14, 2016
A classic, beautiful board returns to the Teakhaus by Proteak Marine Collection. This rectangle edge grain teak cutting board is a lightweight, and versatile cutting board that doubles as a wood serving board. The grooved lip handle will provide a firm grasp for transporting chopped vegetables or serving appetizers. This board is an ideal gift choice paired with a bottle of wine, or one of our cutting board oils. Teakhaus by Proteak sources all of their Teak wood from sustainably, responsibly ...
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September 16, 2015
September 16, 2015
Retailers are having trouble balancing their physical store and their online stores, according to a survey summed up by HFN's Allison Zisko.
One sore spot is returns. Excerpt:
Eighty five percent of retailers noted the high cost of online returns to a store, particularly when the item is not carried in that store. And when returning to a fulfillment center or supplier, retailers incur incremental freight costs, the possibility of shipping-related product damage, as well as a lost opportunity for a...
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September 3, 2015
September 3, 2015
Some of our retailers sell Vera Bradley. I recall a retailer sharing with me a story about why his store stopped carrying the brand. He said the brand was requiring his store to accept returns of Vera Bradley product that his store had not sold. One could, for example, buy a VB bag at the VB store then return it to the independent retailer. From a consumer's standpoint, it seemed convenient. From the indy retailer's, it was the straw that broke the camel's floral pattern bag. The retailer ...
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June 30, 2015
June 30, 2015
The exuberance of the Art Deco movement returns to our times through a collection of elegant lines in matt gold and deep green. "Emerald" from Vista Alegre debuting this summer.
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December 19, 2014
December 19, 2014
March March 2, Monday, 6:00 p.m. Wines of Spain and Portugal Kelly Campbell, $48.00 Spain and Portugal each have their own distinct classic wines. We’ll taste four excellent wines with food bites while learning what makes each one special. Gary Nicely will join Kelly sharing a delicious Chorizo stuffed piquillo pepper with almond saffron romesco sauce.
March 4, Wednesday, 6:00 p.m. Signs of Spring ...
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