Rhode Island Novelty is a national distributor dedicated to making your zoo, aquarium, or resort gift shop a success. The company is a, “one stop shop,” says Jeff Shaughnessy, with everything a gift or souvenir shop would need to create a product lineup perfectly suited to customers.
Browsing: October 2014 issue
In today’s increasingly digital world, it’s important for online retailers to leverage social media and develop a memorable online “window” shopping experience. One common misconception among retailers is that money can’t be made directly through social platforms, but there is indeed potential for a clear stream of revenue driven by branded, strategic and innovative social media activity.
It’s no secret that in our busy 21st century world, there’s a growing trend toward handcrafted, local, and American made goods. In an era where so much is mass-produced overseas and the latest gadgets come out every six months, people increasingly want to experience more authenticity in what they carry, wear, and bring into their homes. As a retailer, there’s nothing like the reward of supporting small-scale makers, enabling them to follow their passions by connecting them with new customers.
Ask anyone: “Do more knowledgeable, experienced, passionate people create better buying experiences?” The inevitable answer: “Of course!” Successful brands and retailers know that engaged and knowledgeable sales associates are a key part of competing in today’s retail environment.
Candy retailers are discovering that using the Internet to market their wide selection of candies and products in their stores is helping to increase their profits at a rate like never before. Candy retailers have evolved into diverse businesses that sell everything from your classic lollipops to artisanal creations. There are countless media outlets that can be used as a resource and this makes business only sweeter.
To sum kiosk and cart success up in a word, it would be “focus.” While it seems like having easy access to foot traffic would be a huge advantage, running a successful kiosk is a discipline that begins long before the first product is offered for sale. Kiosk owners who are focused in their design, marketing, and product selection stand the best chance of success. Those who are relaxed, thinking that just being in a busy mall environment and offering a bunch of loosely connected “popular” products will guarantee sales, risk failure.
There is a lot of talk these days about switching to virtual, digital and mobile payments. We hear every day about how soon we’ll be paying for holiday shopping sprees with our phones instead of our wallets and plastic gift cards. However, you probably didn’t know that the vast majority of Americans still prefer physical gift cards to electronic ones.
The holidays can be an incredibly stressful time for independent retailers. They can also be busy and profitable if your shop sells greeting cards and gifts, but you need to have a clear sales strategy to make the most of this unique selling season. Retailers need a plan that will not only create a profitable Christmas and holiday season, but also set the foundation for the New Year ahead.
Crafting a marketing strategy that works to generate sales is not an easy feat. However, it can become easier when taking into consideration some tried and true psychological factors that have been proven to persuade consumers to take action. One of those psychological factors is the power of words.
Hosting a Holiday Open House is one of the most exciting ways to draw shoppers into your store, both for you and your guests. The experience helps to create and nurture valuable relationships between your business and the people in your community.