This is the year to just keep doors open... here are our "jump start sales" tips:
1) Baby Baby! This is the strongest area in most stores, sales drop off significantly after age 2. Baby showers, baby registries, new babies people go ga ga over! Put most of your dollars into "baby" 0-18 months. Order from layette brands like Mooncakes where you can reorder, with smaller orders more often. Also invest in brands where your customer can put 2-3 items together for a "wow" baby shower gift that has a friendly price point and excellent quality. Who wants to spend $200 on a cashmere blanket that can't be washed. Buy for practicality, fun, fashion and price.
2) Children's Birthday Gifts: Create a cozy section in your store for birthday party gifts - puzzles, stuffed animals, games - offer fabulous gift wrapping (colored tissue topped off with clear cellophane and fun stickers - from the sticker rolls on the wall customers/kids can choose from) so party-goers can grab a gift en route to birthday party #228. This section also doubles well for "sibling gifts" when everyone is shopping for the new baby (customers need to be educated on how important "sibling gifts" are - so the older brother/sister doesn't feel left out).
3) Mommy, Grandma & Hostess Gifts: Candles, bath products, picture frames, trinkets - these are good impulse purchases! Attend the New York International Gift Fair in January or August, it's a blast and you'll find all the gift goodies you could possibly dream of, visit http://www.nyigf.com/. For gifts galore we like Two's Company, http://www.twoscompany.com/.
4) If you can offer champagne happy hour 1 afternoon a week 4-6 pm, it's social and fun. I guarantee it will increase sales!
If you have any tips please let us know, we will add it to this post!
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