Specialty Store Services Bright Ideas for Today's Retailer

Springy Retail Window Display Ideas

2012-02-13T11:29:00.006-06:00

It’s always a good plan to have new retail window display ideas in the hopper so you can plan ahead, gather your props and be prepared when it’s time to change the display. Spring is a’ coming and it’ll soon be time to update the window displays so let’s go over a couple more window display ideas.

Let me tell you right now: clear fishing line will figure prominently in these window displays. I love this stuff! Ideal for hanging props or merchandise as focal points without the distraction of visible string, ribbon or rope.

Simple Spring – A simple and inexpensive way to draw attention to your spring-like window display is simply to hang accordion-fold tissue paper flowers or paper fans from the ceiling or top of the window frame, like in the window at Tomte Modern Craft. So easy! This doesn’t necessarily need to be a “theme” window; it is just an easy way to draw the eye as people are passing by. The free-floating flowers and fans get attention so of course folks will look in the window where your merchandise is neatly displayed. You can likely find paper fans, flowers and Japanese lanterns at any dollar store or party supply store.

Free Bird – Vintage style birdcages are attractive and have a fun, funky feel to them, especially if you spray paint them in a color that pops. Take a look at this window display from Slimline Warehouse. I love the way they made the birdcages the draw but then placed jewelry displays inside the cages, causing people to look more closely. Beautiful! These cages can be hung with fishing line from the ceiling or placed right on display tables in the window or on the selling floor. Do not, however, use live birds in your displays! Not only is it extremely stressful for the birds, but the accompanying poop and feathers are not appealing props. Birdcages aren’t just for jewelry displays, either. Other small merchandise can be suspended inside the cage with fishing line, giving a free-floating appearance. You can find these types of birdcages in thrift stores, garage sales and stores like Pier 1 and World Market.

What spring theme retail window displays have you used? We at Specialty Store Services would love to hear your ideas!

Redesigned Ultima Gondola Fixtures

2012-01-31T16:36:00.008-06:00

Specialty Store Services is pleased to offer the economical yet durable and attractive Ultima Gondola Fixtures to its customers, in addition to Madix Gondola Fixtures. Gondola Fixtures are ideal for merchandising in a variety of retail environments including grocery, convenience, discount and variety stores.

Ultima Gondola Displays feature heavy gauge steel construction and steel uprights slotted for convenient shelf placement, and boast steel pegboard backs. Built-in levelers and snap-together parts make installation simple while yielding an exceptional load capacity. Ultima Gondola fixtures, available double-sided, single-sided and as end-caps, can be configured into many different displays to fit multiple merchandising needs. Another great feature is that some Madix gondola accessories are also compatible with the Ultima gondolas!

The Gondola Fixtures, in a pleasant neutral beige color, are available 54", 60", 72" and 84" high. Double-sided Gondola Fixtures, aisle units that allow retailers to create well-designed and functional displays, are the building blocks of any effective gondola display. One-sided wall units make the most of existing wall space while end caps give a finished look to double-sided gondola fixtures and maximize display space. Starters and add-ons can be connected end to end to meet space and layout requirements.

Shelves, sold separately, are strong and versatile. Each shelf has slim, sturdy, dual-position steel brackets that allow the shelf to be used straight or at a 20 degree angle, ideal for creating multiple merchandising arrangements. Gondola accessories such as peg hooks and baskets can be use to capitalize on display space and to cross-merchandise effectively.

Ultima Gondola Fixtures are now available on the Specialty Stores Services website and will also be featured in the new product catalog, to be distributed in February 2012.

http://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/1/prweb9152468.htm

Specialty Store Services Introduces More Retail Anti-theft Devices

2012-01-26T09:34:00.004-06:00

According to an annual survey conducted by the University of Florida, retailers lost more than $37 billion to theft in 2010. With $12 billion lost due to shoplifting and $16.2 billion to employee theft, Specialty Store Services is aware of the great need for effective retail anti-theft devices. Clothes are popular items to shoplift or use and return so the Shark Tag Garment Security Tag and Cable Coat Security Lock are necessary retail anti-theft products for any store selling popular brand or high-end clothing and accessories.

Apart from outright shoplifting, retailers are subject to a form of loss due to “wardrobers”. The Shark Tag Garment Security Tag is an economical anti-theft product that prevents wardrobers from purchasing, wearing and returning the used garments for a full refund. The highly visible red Garment Tag attaches easily to the front of any garment, making it impossible for anyone to wear the garment without the tag being seen by all. The customer simply removes the tag at home with household scissors before wearing the garment; the tag cannot be replaced on the garment after removing without evidence of tampering. The Shark Tag is ideal for use with dresses, special occasion garments, prom dresses, menswear, formal wear, lingerie and coats.

The Cable Coat Security Lock is an effective retail anti-theft device ideal for safeguarding leather jackets, fur coats, winter coats, team sports apparel and other expensive articles of clothing. The Cable Coat Lock easily mounts directly to garment rack and can also be mounted to the wall, if preferred. The Cable Coat Lock housing is constructed of heavy-gauge steel and features a hinged door and unique construction that prevents cables from popping out when the box is opened. The key cannot be removed from lock while in the unlocked position, preventing thieves from taking the key for future use if the sales clerk becomes distracted while the lock is open. Easy load/unload cable system holds 60 standard 8’ long cables, keeping a large amount of merchandise secure all at once.

Specialty Store Services is dedicated to helping retailers grow their businesses and protect their investment. In addition to the above anti-theft devices, Specialty Store Services also offers a variety of video security systems, simulated cameras and security tags systems.

http://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/1/prweb9132061.htm

Gumball Machines are Good Profit Makers

2012-01-19T13:57:00.007-06:00

Profit makers, also known simply as gumball machines, truly do live up to their names. The machines pay for themselves, last for years and will keep on generating profit as long as they are stocked with gum, candy or toys. And believe me, these treats aren’t tempting to just kids!

Most of us are used to seeing profit makers near the doorways of supermarkets, big box stores and Laundromats but what’s to stop people from employing them in any place of business? I recall being in an office environment - I think it may have been an insurance office - and thrilled that I was able to munch on peanut M&Ms from a bulk vend machine while my growling stomach and I waited for the agent. Retail stores or businesses leery of having sticky gum and melty chocolate near the merchandise or furniture can offer customers some refreshing Polar Mints or Sour Sweet Candy in bulk vend machines instead. Peckish customers = profit.

Yes, I said profit. For instance, the net profit on one carton of 1” gumballs vended at 25 cents each is $182.55 (not including tax and shipping). The cost of a single gumball machine with stand is $99.98. So, that first carton of gumballs will pay for the machine and net you a profit of $82.57. Not too shabby. Machines can vend 1" gumballs/capsules or 2" gumballs/capsules or bulk vend candies but if you'd like to offer a combination of product, simply combine different machines on a double, triple or quad stand. Imagine the profits generated by multiple profit maker machines!

As implied above, gumball machines aren’t just for gumballs. In addition to 1” and ½” gumballs, these profit makers can also vend 1” and 2” capsules with toys (which I cannot pass up!), 1” and 2” bounce balls (which my cats cannot live without so I'm always hitting those machines) or bulk candy like M&Ms, Skittles, Mike & Ike and other small vend candies. If vending gumballs, why not offer customers the chance to win a small prize by mixing in some gumballs imprinted with “winner”? People love a contest and will certainly try multiple times to win. The winner can claim their prize before popping the gumball in their mouth.

Gumball machines can be fun in addition to profitable. Take the Giant Spiral Gumball Machine, for instance. This 54” high attention-getter holds up to 1,000 gumballs and releases the gumballs down a long winding ramp, which kids just love to watch. But why just watch when you can play? The Pinball Gumball Machine is a fun interactive game with real pinball flippers and is played with gumballs instead of a metal ball. Players have the chance to win up to 3 gumballs and even when they lose, they win; the gumballs are dispensed at the end of the game!

So, really, there is something for everyone when it comes to profit makers; the customers get treats and toys while the merchant makes a profit. Win-win!

Lighted Showcases are Great Retail Focal Points

2012-01-13T10:52:00.000-06:00

Lighted showcases are wonderful focal points for many retail businesses, from gift shops to jewelry stores. Specialty Store Services currently carries a large variety of showcases and is happy to offer two new lighted showcases to its customers. The lighted showcases include glass sides, offering unobstructed views off all merchandise, and measure 47-1/4" H x 19-2/3” D x 37” H.

Business owners who prefer to keep inventory close at hand will be pleased with the new lighted showcase that includes a built-in storage cabinet. The showcase features eight halogen lights to highlight merchandise effectively. This stylish lighted showcase is constructed of black aluminum with tempered glass panels and glass sliding doors and includes one adjustable glass shelf. The spacious storage cabinet has black panel sliding doors to keep overstock neatly out of sight and also includes adjustable feet.

The next sleek lighted showcase does not have a storage cabinet, leaving more room for displaying merchandise. Featuring eight halogen spotlights, the showcase is constructed of black aluminum with tempered glass panels, glass sliding doors and two adjustable glass shelves. The showcase also includes adjustable feet.

Please call the knowledgeable Specialty Store Services sales staff for more information about these attractive lighted showcases.

Ambient Scent: Shop and Smell the Flowers

2012-01-04T11:45:00.004-06:00

Do you smell what I smell? More importantly, do you smell what your customers smell? And just what do they smell, anyway? Research shows that a nice-smelling store may encourage people to linger and purchase. Are your customers lingering or sniffing and heading out the door?

In one study, Eric Spangenberg, a consumer psychologist and dean of the College of Business and Economics at Washington State University in Pullman, and his colleagues carried out an experiment in a local retail clothing store. They discovered that when “feminine scents”, like vanilla, were used, sales of women’s clothes doubled; as did men’s clothes when scents like rose maroc were diffused.

It’s called “ambient scent” and it is everywhere. Katy Perry’s “California Dreams” tour incorporated the scent of cotton candy into her concerts for a fun smell-o-vision effect. Goodwill stores in Wisconsin and Illinois are infusing their stores with the scent of orange and honeysuckle to encourage customers to linger and buy. I don’t know about you, but I’d much rather smell oranges and honeysuckle than dusty clothes or even cleaning supplies. This ambient scent business is on the rise so much so that there are entire companies, such as Prolitec, devoted to helping businesses boost sales through smell.

How it works is like this: of the five senses, smell is thought to be most closely linked to emotion because the brain’s olfactory bulb, which detects odors, fast-tracks signals to the limbic system, which links emotion to memories. Simplified: scents = emotions. Scent branding is when a scent is associated with a certain product or store and when that scent is smelled, it evokes the pleasurable memory associated with that product or store. For instance, there is a store where I like to shop and it always has the scent of raw silk in it. Whenever I am out and happen to smell raw silk, I immediately think of that retail store and the clothes that I love from that store.

So take out your sniffer and take a whiff of your store. What do you smell? Since you are there almost every day you may have gotten used to what your store smells like and possibly cannot detect anything significant. Bring in a few people who aren’t in your store very often and ask what they smell and what emotions or feelings the scent of your store evokes. Take their input and go from there. What scent do you want associated with your store? Just keep in mind that some people are hypersensitive to strong scents and may have a negative reaction, such as headaches, so don’t overpower everyone with the ambient scent. A little ambient scent can go a long way.

New Acrylic Slatwall Accessories

2011-12-22T09:33:00.004-06:00

Slatwall. I love it! So versatile, great for cross-merchandising, you can dress it up or dress it down and it's just plain good looking. And it's just gotten better, what with new acrylic slatwall accessories we have just added.

The new Acrylic Eyewear Displays for slatwall offer full visibility of your sunglasses and are ideal for displaying eyewear alongside clothing. Display your sporty glasses with the sporty, athletic clothes and your chic eyewear alongside the fashionable streetwear. The eyewear displays are available as 3 or 6 pair displays.

Now, the Acrylic Semi-circle Shelves for slatwall have a contemporary flair and add interest to your slatwall displays. Available in 12" or 18", these shelves are ideal for merchandising everything from accessories to shoes to handbags.

Another hot item is the Acrylic Cellphone Display for slatwall. This cell phone display keeps the phone securely in place without obstructing visibility and can display a wide variety of phones.

I'm telling you - there is very little that cannot be effectively displayed on slatwall!

Slip, Trip and Fall Hazards in Retail Stores

2011-12-13T10:21:00.004-06:00

Retailers worry a lot about sales. But here’s something else they need to worry about or it could cost them millions:

Slip, trip and fall hazards in and around their stores!

Wal-Mart learned this lesson the hard way: A truck driver, who slipped and fell on ice and grease while making a delivery to the retail giant in northern Colorado, was awarded nearly $10 million. Holly Averyt had three spine surgeries, was unable to return to work and lost her truck. The grease she slipped on was from the store’s deli. It didn’t get trapped in a device designed to keep it from getting into the sewer. Despite Wal-Mart’s claim that no grease had been spilled there and an appeal of the first trial, the Colorado Supreme Court awarded Averyt $10 million.

Slips, trips and falls can happen anywhere. And according to the National Safety Council and the Bureau of Labor Statistics:

Over 1 million people in the U.S. experience a significant slip, trip or fall each year
Slips and falls are the third largest cause of workplace injuries
they are the single most common reason for visits to the ER
70% of slips and falls occur on level ground, and
they cost the U.S. $36 billion each year.

Here’s what retailers can do to make sure their employees and customers are safe in and around their stores:

Have someone periodically inspect floors for hazards, such as spills, uneven or unsecure mats, cords lying around, ice by delivery areas, etc.
Clean all spills immediately and mark them with “wet area” warning signs or barricades
Spread grease-absorbent compounds on oily surfaces
Apply anti-slip coating to walkways and floors in high-traffic areas
Remove obstacles from walkways and keep them free of clutter
Secure all mats and rugs by tacking or taping them down, and
Never leave cords and cables across walkways.

Applying these safety measures will help keep customers and staff safe and steady on their feet.

By: Renee Cocchi, http://www.retailnewsalert.com.pbpmedia.net/is-your-store-safe-from-slip-and-falls/?pulb=1

Retail Sales - A Positive Attitude Yields Positive Results

2011-12-06T09:37:00.003-06:00

So, the busy retail holiday shopping season is really, truly, officially here! Woo-hoo! All the hustle and bustle and money changing hands...it can be so fun and energizing. It can also be very draining. It is hard to be upbeat and cheerful when you're really just feeling tired, annoyed, hungry because there's no time for a break and then there's that cold you're afraid may be around the corner. So, what's a busy, stressed out retailer to do? Simple! Fake it til you make it!

Just do it. That's right. Smile when you'd rather roll your eyes. Say "Have a great day!" when you'd rather say "Don't let the door hit you on the way out!" Smooth the ruffled feathers of an unreasonable customer; remember, they may be feeling as stressed and headachy as you are. I can tell you from personal experience that blasting people with a winning smile and forcing a cheerful attitude really does bring about a good mood! It's hard to stay surly when you put effort into a smile. If you can talk yourself into a bad mood, you can talk yourself into a good one! I've done it many a time.

Take on the Grinch. I've worked the register at a popular toy store during the holiday season and, believe me, it is not for sissies. A lot of customers are worried about the money they're spending, irritated with the long lines and they have somewhere else they need to be "right now". Not everyone is feeling the holiday cheer so I make it a personal challenge to get people to smile and feel just a little bit better than they did before they interacted with me. Make cheerful small talk such as "Good for you, more items crossed off your shopping list!" Compliment them on their cute hat or pretty earrings. Thank them for their patience with the wait. It's been over 10 years but I still remember one particular instance when I was feeling down while shopping and the friendliness of the sales clerk gave me a boost I really needed. A kind word and a smile can make a world of difference.

Smiles = Sales. Your positive attitude can bring about more retail sales. Really! Think about it. Someone walks into your store feeling grumpy, you turn their frown upside down and make their shopping experience more enjoyable. People are more likely to shop longer and purchase more if they feel comfortable and happy in their shopping environment...and people will remember your store as the one with the cheerful, helpful staff and will likely return on future shopping trips!

Feelin' groovy. Optimism can help boost your immune system, especially when dealing with viral infections, as found in a 2007 study performed by the Department of Psychology at the University of Kentucky. So keep that internal (and external) dialog positive! Also, make sure you get enough rest and healthy foods to keep illness at bay.

Now, go give that winning smile to some frazzled customers! Please feel free to share your shopping experiences with me, from both sides of the counter.

Top 5 “must-haves” for Retail Online Shopping this Holiday Season

2011-12-02T14:06:00.005-06:00

Great article not only for online retailers but for all retailers by Fiona Swerdlow of Shop.org. Click for the link to "Shoppers Share Top "5 'must haves' for Buying Online this Holiday Season". Enjoy!

Some of the most insightful data we gather from the annual Shop.org eHoliday Study centers simply on what matters most to consumers.

In partnership with BIGinsight, we asked consumers: “When choosing to make holiday purchases from a given online retailer, what is most important to you?” In an industry fueled by constant innovation – whether technical, marketing, merchandising, and beyond – the answers are a reminder that, no matter what those of us in online retail may dream up next, our customers will be looking for a number of key factors.

With a nod to last year’s rankings, here is this year’s fantastic five “what matters most to consumers” list:

1. Seeing the shopping cart total prior to check out: 4.5 of 5. Like last year, this function tops the list for consumers again. As Forrester Research has found, a leading cause of shopping cart abandonment is simply sticker shock when they see the final total including shipping costs. Bottom line: continually update the shopping cart total on relevant pages, thereby getting ahead of this issue even before the customer starts the formal check out process.

2. Product available to ship immediately: 4.5 of 5. Up from number 5 last year, consumers clearly want no surprises on the inventory front, either. Many retailers have bought (very) carefully into inventory in recent years after the 2008 holiday inventory glut – all well and good, but the burden is on the retailer to communicate clearly when inventory levels are minimal (see Boden USA’s effective use of color coding to indicate product availability in terms of in-stock, limited inventory, and out of stock, still one of my favorite examples). Putting a different spin on managing inventory stock issues, ModCloth actually keeps out of stock items on its site, allowing customers to sign up to be notified via email when the item is back in stock – which, in turn, becomes a remarketing tool that the customer is happy to receive.

3. Value for money / good deals: 4.4 of 5. Solidly in third place again this year, consumers continue to look for good value. As many have pointed out, this doesn’t just mean the price itself – it’s about conveying to the customer how the price relates to the qualities of the product such as quality, durability, fashion quotient, uniqueness, and the like.

4. Clear product descriptions: 4.4 of 5. A merchandising basic that always needs updating and fine tuning, this merchandising area now also benefits from the explosion of product video available to consumers. Executed well, product video can significantly enhance the clarity and depth of the product description – a fact not lost on close to half of retailers surveyed who invested significantly this year in product videos. Indeed, Golfsmith’s commitment to using video to explain technical details and ease of use features for products has resulted in increases for both conversion and SEO rankings.

5. Guaranteed on time delivery: 4.4 of 5. Again, imperative for holiday purchases in particular. Those coordination meetings you held last month with your operations staff and shipping vendors will go a long way towards ensuring a minimum of delivery snafus – and for those rare instances, you’ve got a flawless plan to make things right for the customer. Of course, customers can help themselves on this front via clear, visible shipping deadlines calendars (number 10 on their list of customer priorities, by the way). Another perennial favorite of mine, Nordstrom’s holiday shipping calendar, lays out shipping deadlines by each of the three most popular winter holidays (Christmas, Chanukah, and Kwanzaa) – I just wish it were already accessible from the home page even now.

What else are consumers looking for when choosing to do business with one merchant versus another? Broad product selection (4.3); merchant reputation (4.2); free return shipping offer or policy (4.2); the ability to see product reviews from other customers (4.1); and – in tenth place, mind you – promotions (4.1). Clearly consumers don’t simply buy based on free shipping – yes, it’s important, but their decision to buy from you – or your competitor – is often likely much more multi-faceted.

Retail Fitting Rooms

2011-11-29T12:39:00.010-06:00

On a scale of 1 to 10, how important of a role do you think the fitting room plays in a customer’s decision to purchase? 2? 3? Well, think again.

“It’s not visible, so I don’t know how many retailers realize that’s where the sale’s made,” says Robin Kramer, founder of New York based Kramer Design Group. “The best-spent money for a retailer is in the fitting room.” Many decisions about purchasing are made in the dressing room so you need to make that room as accommodating, functional and comfortable as possible. So, let’s think about what you can do to make sure that your fitting room really speaks to your customers and that the words it’s speaking are “Yes, buy that! It looks great!”

Size up your space. Customers are more likely to have a good experience when the fitting rooms are an adequate size and they don’t feel cramped. If your clients travel in groups, say moms with kids, you want to make sure that the room is big enough to accommodate a stroller and has the space for mom to bring the kids in with her. Larger fitting rooms with ample space outside the rooms for the peanut gallery or entourage create a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, encouraging people to stay a while to try on more clothing, thus stimulating sales. Make sure you have a seating area for those accompanying the shoppers; a comfortable, happy companion is less likely to badger the shopper into leaving quickly.

Hanging around. Hooks! Very Important! It is imperative that customers have enough hooks on which to hang everything they bring into the fitting room and also to separate the “yes”, “maybe” and “oh-my-gosh-no!” clothing. Utilize several wall mounted faceouts or J-hooks for plenty of hanging space.

Vertical space. We’ve all been to dressing rooms that haven’t had a shelf on which to place a purse, sunglasses or pins from the clothing. Frustrating, right? Especially where there just aren’t enough hooks to spare for hanging the purse. A shelf in the fitting room is greatly appreciated, as is a small stool on which to lay clothing without hangers. I especially like to have a seat while trying on clothes to test the look and fit of the clothing while seated.

Lights and mirrors. Obtain even light distribution by having a light fixture over each fitting room rather than one big light for the entire area. “If you just have overhead lighting, it causes shadows,” says Kramer. “Have a mix of incandescent and fluorescent so you have a nice warm glow, not cold lighting.” Harsh lighting is unforgiving and makes me run for the hills so I am more likely to frequent a store with more complimentary lighting. Also important is the size of the mirror. The customers need to be able to see themselves from head to toe so mirrors that end at hip level aren’t helpful. Would you purchase an outfit if you couldn’t see how it looked from top to bottom?

Slatwall to the rescue. Slatwall is a great option for a fitting room. It’s available in several attractive colors to complement any décor including cherry, maple, black, white, grey and almond. Ready to paint slatwall can be painted any color you choose and gives the dressing room a distinct personality. Simply install a vertical 8’H x 4’W slatwall panel on one wall as an attractive and functional focal point then hang different slatwall accessories to accommodate the shoppers. Choose from faceouts and hangrails for clothing and acrylic shelves for customers’ purses. Acrylic sign holders for slatwall are also idea to inform your captive audience about sales, events and store policies.

Chime in. You can’t be everywhere at once so keep an ear on the fitting room even when you’re not near by. A motion activated door chime is ideal for letting you know when customers enter and exit the fitting rooms so you can walk over to be on hand and offer assistance. Also, shoplifters may be hesitant to steal if they know that you are aware of their whereabouts. Using a curtain instead of a panel door? Sew bells to top of the curtain for quick, do-it-yourself door chimes.

Keep it clean. No one wants to stand barefoot on a nasty carpet or dirty floor so make sure the floor in your dressing room is kept clean, clean, clean! I cannot wait to get out of a dirty dressing room so believe me when I say that a dirty dressing room can kill a sale. I remember in particular trying to see what an outfit looked like in a mirror full of little, smudgy handprints. I've not been back to that store. Icky.

Odds n Ends. The fitting room should be an extension of your store so it should have a similar color scheme and theme. Art work and attractive wall colors make the fitting room a more inviting and pleasant space, somewhere a customer feels comfortable and not in a mad rush to leave. Employ doors with space at the bottom so parents can keep an eye on children when they are in the fitting room alone. If your store can't spare the space for a spacious fitting room, don't fret. Just make sure that the fitting room you do have is very clean, in good repair and has plenty of hooks and a full length mirror.

When all is said and done, is your fitting room a space in which you’d want to spend time? If not, what can you do to make your fitting room a perfect 10? I’d love to hear your ideas!

Holiday Retail Window Display Ideas

2011-11-22T09:14:00.007-06:00

So, do you think you need a bajillion dollars and a fancy-shmancy designer to create an interesting and eye-catching holiday window display? Well, think again, my friend!

Have a ball. Dress up your window display by hanging simple, round ornaments from the ceiling of the window display area. These ornaments are easy to find at any store, are relatively inexpensive and come in different colors and levels of festivity, from matte to gloss to sparkly. Hang the ornaments at varying heights from the ceiling with fishing line for an eye-catching display. Be sure to keep to a color scheme simple like all red, all blue, all silver or a mixture of just two colors. I think blue and silver looks elegant and lends a cool winter feel.

Let it snow. Do you have a smallish window display area? Create a little winter wonderland! The local craft or sewing store should have bolts of white fleece or felt. Use the white fleece or felt as the floor covering and add little snow drifts of white polyester pillow stuffing around the trees and sled. Put a little pine tree or two in the background and hang some of the ornaments you are selling on them. Not selling ornaments? Hang some pretty sparkly ornaments or little bird ornaments for effect. I have seen little pre-lit trees at the local Walgreens, Osco or other drug store for $15-20 and unlit ones even cheaper. Then get a sled, preferably the old type with runners, or a toboggan, place it on the "snow" and then put some of your featured merchandise on the sled. Tah-dah! Cute but simple window display! Don't be afraid to play around a bit. Use risers on the sled if you're displaying jewelry or collectibles. Bigger window in a clothing store? Use a warmly and fashionably dressed mannequin to pull that sleigh full of goodies. In a warmer, more tropical area? Trade the white for sand color and the pine trees for palm trees.

What easy and inexpensive ideas have you used?

Holiday Retail Shoplifting

2011-11-15T09:36:00.010-06:00

'Tis the season...for shoplifting. That's right; just like holiday shoppers, shoplifters have already started emerging to get a jump on the holiday season.

National Retail Federation spokesman Joseph LaRocca confirmed that prime shoplifting season is starting. “Everyone’s getting ready for the holidays earlier this year,” he said. “We see an increase in thefts in October and November because, like stores, shoplifting professionals are stocking their shelves, too. They are getting ready for the holidays so they can supply flea markets, pawn shops and online outlets.”

According to Lt. William Kushina of the Cherry Hill, NJ Police Department, the department is seeing a more organized effort at making off with big-ticket items. “It’s not just kids. When someone is stealing 10 pairs of jeans, that is organized retail theft,” Kushina said. “The economy has a lot to do with it, but we do see an uptick before the holidays.”

Shoplifters seek safety in numbers. Now that more people are out shopping it is harder for sales staff to keep an eye on everyone at all times, giving an opening to thieves. Sales staff does not have the time to stick like glue to everyone that comes through the door but following are some things to look for that may indicated that your "customer" may not be on the up-and-up.

Large open bags. When a shoplifter is examining merchandise, the bag is placed open on the floor and merchandise dropped into it. Also keep an eye out for dirty, wrinkle paper shopping bags; this can be a tool of the trade that they carry with them and not a bag that came with a purchase that day. This shoplifting technique can be combated by stapling bags shut at the entrance or checking them in behind the counter to prevent anything from "accidentally" falling into them.

Women with large purses or people with baby strollers. There is nothing you can do to prevent people from using purses or strollers but be sure to pay attention to these customers. Items can be dropped into a purse while allegedly digging around for lipstick or can be quickly hidden under baby blankets.

Customers walking with short awkward steps. This may be an indicator that items have been shoved into clothing and the shoplifter is trying to keep them in place. This is especially true with skirt-wearing female thieves who will put merchandise up their skirts and clench it between their thighs.

Newspaper. Small items can be slipped into a folded up newspaper so pay special attention to those strolling around the store with a newspaper under their arm.
Shoppers with large coats who keeps their hands in their pockets. Some shoplifters will cut a hole in the lining of their coat so, while examining an item with their free hand, they can reach out and grab merchandise through the hole with the other hand.
Be aware of those shopping in pairs or groups. Sometimes one shoplifter will distract the sales clerk with a question while the other grabs the merchandise.

Return shoppers who don't shop. People who keep returning to the store without purchasing may be scoping out the store and checking the level of attention paid to them. If they keep coming back without purchasing, they may be walking out with unpaid merchandise.

Now that you know some things to look for, how about an ounce or two of prevention? While shoplifting can be curtailed by employing security cameras (or simulated cameras), security tags with alarms and by monitoring fitting rooms, nothing beats attentive customer service. Greet all shoppers with eye contact and a warm welcome so that everyone knows that they are on your radar. Also....

Alternate the direction of hangers. Some thieves are fans of the "grab and run" technique but if they try to do that when the hanger directions are alternated, the hangers will lock up and won't come off the rail.
Check employee bags when they leave. We'd all love to think we can trust those we employ but the reality is that employee theft is a big problem. If employees know that their bags will be checked they will be less likely to chance stealing.
Watch the "no sales". Employees will occasionally need to do a "no sale" but if the numbers are high for particular employees then you may want to look into why that is. The average is 4 "no sales" per day so keep an eye on higher instances.

I know you want to keep shoplifting down to a minimum but please do be safe. Never try to physically stop a shoplifter; call security instead. Also, do not outright accuse someone of shoplifting. If you feel certain that someone has taken merchandise, give them the opportunity to purchase the items they "forgot" to pay for. If they refuse or become aggressive, let security handle the situation.

Active and Able Adds New Talking Watches to their Extensive Selection of Assisted Living Aids

2011-11-14T09:35:00.001-06:00

Active and Able, a subsidiary of Specialty Store Services, carries innovative assisted living aids designed to help people live more independently. The new talking watches recently added to the Active and Able website are a great holiday gift idea for those with limited vision. Click on the following link to find out more about these attractive and functional watches!

Active and Able Adds New Talking Watches to their Extensive Selection of Assisted Living Aids

http://www.activeandable.com/

Holiday Retail Sale Ideas and Tips

2011-11-08T10:00:00.002-06:00

The crazy holiday shopping season is pretty much here! Hooray! This is when many retailers make up for a slow year and, if you’re one of those retailers, then read on for some tips to maximize your profits.

“This is the time of the year when great service counts,” states John Tschohl, president of Minneapolis-based Service Quality Institute. “Competition is everywhere so you have to do the job better and better. Amazon increased sales 40% last year and will do the same this year. You are a click away from your competition.” That being said, how can you set yourself apart from your competitors? How can you generate just a little more profit on each sale?

Wrap it up. Save your customers time by wrapping some of your best-selling items for instant ready-to-give gifts. Keep some unwrapped samples on the display so that customers can examine the merchandise. Make sure you color code the wrapping paper so everyone knows what’s inside. For example, lotion set in red gift wrap, cupcake cookbook in green gift wrap, picture frame in blue gift wrap, etc. Don’t forget to stick a name tag on the pre-wrapped gifts so your customers can label them before they forget what’s inside.

Stuff those stockings. Offer stocking stuffers right next to your register to stimulate impulse sales. We all need little last-minute gifts so offer some small items at checkout to capture the customers’ attention and jog their memory of “Oh yeah, I need a little something for so-and-so at work/school/church, etc. and this would be perfect." There are many attractive and functional impulse displays that can help you generate impulse sales all year round, not just during the holidays.

Send holiday cheer. Send a holiday card to your regular customers and offer them specials not available to the rest of the public. Invite your best customers to an after-hours party to show your appreciation.

I love you, man. Treat everyone who walks through your door as if they are truly special. Because they are! They could go to any other store but they chose to enter yours so make them feel welcome. Help take the edge off all the stress and craziness of the season by giving a genuine smile, offering to help them find gifts, complimenting them on their cute reindeer antlers (What? Some of us are very festive), scarf or whatever else is nice.

So. Very. Late! If your shoppers are anything like me, they wait until the last minute to shop so make sure you have a display that features last minute gift ideas in varying price ranges. If you have the room, separate categories such as “Gifts Under $20”, “For Him”, “For Her”, etc.

Holiday bonus. Everyone loves free gifts! During the last week or two before Christmas, offer bonus gifts to customers who spend a certain amount, like $75 or more. Let them choose a gift from a variety of free items that you select.

Slippery when wet. Keep your floor clean and dry so it looks nice and so people don’t fall and break their…holiday cheer.

Take care of yourself. The holiday season can be a challenge so make sure you get enough rest and healthy food to keep your batteries charged; it’s hard to be nice to customers and coworkers if you’re feeling icky. Don’t forget how much fun it can be to create events and promos and then help them succeed.

Please let me know what promos you've tried and how they went. Have a great holiday sale season…and have fun!

Small Business Saturday - Retail Event Idea

2011-11-01T10:00:00.000-05:00

Small Business Saturday is November 26, 2011! The 2nd annual Small Business Saturday is a day dedicated to supporting small businesses on one of the busiest shopping weekends of the year. This day is a shout-out to the mom-and-pop shops that make up the bulk of the business in this country.

Started last Thanksgiving by American Express, Small Business Saturday falls on November 26th, between Black Friday and Cyber Monday. This is your chance to show shoppers that bigger isn't necessarily better and that shopping in-store can be more compelling than buying online. Here are some things that you can do to call attention to this dynamic day and to bring some of the big-box business through your door.

Put in more than your 2 cents. 68 cents of every dollar spent at a neighborhood store stays in the community. Did you know that? The money spent online gets dispersed elsewhere and that doesn't benefit your neighborhood. Celebrate the local shoppers by giving a prize to the 68th person who walks through your door on November 26th. Make an event of it, take photos, pop some sparkling cider!

Get the word out! Hang posters promoting Small Business Saturday in your window. Post about it on your Facebook page, Tweet about it, send out emails and invitations to your customers. Let them know that shopping locally helps the community by keeping the money local. Check out the Small Business Saturday page for window signage, e-marketing material, free ads and information about American Express' $25 statement credit offer (for registered Card members and stores that accept AmEx).

Be there or be square. Make your hours super accommodating on Small Business Saturday. Open a little early, stay a little late or both. Offer early bird specials or small gifts to the first 10 or so customers.

Party like it's...um, 2011. Lend a fun, festive atmosphere to this day! Offer little snacks like brownie bites, veggie sticks and punch. Get your decorations up and put on your party hat! Smile! It's contagious!

After the event, make sure you post pictures online and in the store, and send out an email "thank you" with photos and highlights of the day. Let everyone know that you appreciate their business not only on Small Business Saturday, but every day of the year. And make sure they save the date for next year's Small Business Saturday because now that you've got one under your belt, you'll know how to make it even better next year!

Trade Show Displays

2011-10-24T14:47:00.009-05:00

Trade shows provide a fantastic opportunity to get the word out about your company and to meet others who want to use your services or products. If you need trade show displays for your next show then call on the largest display and fixture showroom in Chicagoland.

Conveniently located near O'Hare Airport and all major trade show venues in the Chicagoland area, your trade show displays can be picked up at our Des Plaines showroom or delivered right to your Chicagoland venue on the same day your order is placed. Orders can be picked up at our showroom Monday through Friday from 8:00am until 5:00pm. Specialty Store Services' showroom is located near many trade show venues including:

Donald E. Stephens Convention Center (Rosemont Convention Center)

McCormick Place

Navy Pier

Schaumburg Convention Center

Is your trade show out of town? No worries! We will deliver your trade show displays anywhere worldwide (just not on the same day, of course)!

Choose from a wide variety of in-stock displays and supplies including:

Grid panels and shelving

Apparel Displays

Grid Displays and Slatwall Displays

Literature displays

Showcases

Mannequins

Floor sign holders and easels

Table top displays

Pegboard accessories

Display hardware

Bags and packaging

Having participated in many trade shows and having supplied many exhibitors with what they need, Specialty Store Services knows just what your business requires to make your show a success!

Specialty Store Services Delivers Innovative Retail Displays and Exceptional Follow-through to Charming Charlie Stores Nationwide

2011-10-19T16:21:00.000-05:00

It has been exciting working with Charming Charlie this year. Read all about it!

Specialty Store Services Delivers Innovative Retail Displays and Exceptional Follow-through to Charming Charlie Stores Nationwide

Halloween Retail Sale Ideas

2011-10-18T09:43:00.005-05:00

Wow, this year is speeding by! Halloween is just around the corner and, in case you weren't aware, it is the second most popular holiday, Christmas being the first. Do not let the opportunity of cashing in on this holiday pass you by. Check out this Tip of the Week from WhizBang! Training for some facts, figures and ideas on how to turn customers' quest for fun and treats into profit. Read on:

Dear Tip of the Weeker,

This week's Tip is a reprint from 2007 that included some interesting facts and figures about the Halloween shopping season.

We thought it would be fun to run this Tip again, updating the figures, to see how things have changed in the past couple of years.

(2007 figures are represented in parentheses.)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

According to our good friend Don Morgan at Party Club of America, the world’s largest buying group of party and Halloween merchandise, Halloween is now the number two holiday and it’s getting bigger every year.

Consider this…

Last year's Halloween retail sales including advertising, exceeded an unprecedented $5.8 billion ($5.5 billion.)

A partial breakdown includes:
Candy: $1.8 billion, ($2 billion - '07 was a record-breaking candy holiday);
Home Decorating: $1.6 billion ($.659 billion) remains second only to the Christmas holiday season;
Costumes: $2 billion ($1.3 billion;) interesting breakdown...
- Children's Costumes = $.8 billion
- Adult Costumes = $1 billion
- Pet Costumes = $.2 billion!
Greeting Cards: $.3 billion ($.06 billion.)
According to the National Retail Federation's 2010 Halloween Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey, American consumers planned to spend more money in all major Halloween categories in 2010 compared to the spending previous years, and 63.8% of those surveyed planned to celebrate Halloween or participate in Halloween activities!

In a nutshell, you still can’t afford to miss this opportunity.

At the very least you can stock and sell Halloween merchandise - costumes, home accessories, scary music etc. – and decorate your store and windows.

That’s a no-brainer.

But to take full advantage of the holiday you should throw yourself into it whole hog…

Here are a couple of ideas to get your juices flowing…

- You can have an after hours Halloween Party for your best customers.

- If you sell to children you can have a Halloween coloring contest for school children.

- If you are a running store or fitness center you can sponsor a Halloween Fun Run and give special prizes for people who run in costume.

- You can partner with your favorite non-profits and donate a percentage of the sales that come from their supporters who shop at your store.
The list goes on and on!

One of the best ways for you, as a small businessperson, to really distinguish yourself from the competition is to create a memorable experience for your customers.

Halloween presents you with the perfect opportunity to do something cool, fun, creative and unforgettable.

Retail Holiday Gift Wrap

2011-10-12T10:22:00.009-05:00

Did you know that Specialty Store Services carries a full line of gift wrap, both for special occasions and for the holidays? It's true! Did you also know that some people hhhhaaaaate to wrap gifts? That's true, as well, but beyond my comprehension because I think wrapping gifts is fun. In fact, I once took a part time job at a department store during the holiday season just so I could wrap gifts all day (don't judge me). But anyway, wouldn't it be a great idea to offer a gift wrapping service to your customers to save them some time and hassle?

If you have some spare counter space or the room for a little work table, you can wrap your customers' purchases for them. Many customers will appreciate not having to spend the time wrapping those gifts, even if you decide to charge a small gift wrapping fee, say $1 - $3 per package. You don't even need to decorate the packages so the bows won't get smushed in transit. You can offer simple package wrapping and the customers can add their bows (whether you provide them or not) and name tags later; just put a post-it note on the packages with the recipients' names or write the names in small print on the bottom of the packages to keep them all straight . Let people know up front, though, if you plan on going the simple, no-frills package wrapping route so there are no misunderstandings.

Another way to spread the holiday hope and cheer is to wrap the packages for free but to put out a little donation box and let people know that the proceeds will go to a local non-profit organization, such as a food pantry, children's hospital, veteran's service or animal shelter. This way, customers get their packages wrapped and an organization doing good work in your community gets some much-needed help. Win-win!

Specialty Store Services has the gift wrap, gift wrap holder, tissue paper, ribbons, bows and boxes you need for your gift wrapping service. And don't forget to order your gift certificates, gift cards and gift card pouches!

Get wrapping and have some fun!

Getting Ready for the Retail Holiday Season

2011-10-05T09:39:00.010-05:00

It's never too early to start planning your holiday season strategies. No, I'm not saying to decorate your store with snowmen and twinkle lights right this minute since it's not even Halloween yet, for Pete's sake (yes, I'm talking to you, the one who decorated for the winter holidays in August). But you might want to freshen up your store and fine tune your operations to get ready for the shoppers who will be looking for your great deals and services. Check out these previous blogs to help you get a jump start on the busiest shopping season of the year.

Hiring Temporary Employees. If you need help for the holiday season then you'll want to make sure you hire the right people for your particular business. And why not bring them in a week or two early to help you get ready for the season? Read on....

Retail Store Presentation: What is Your Store Saying and Spruce Up Your Retail Store. Helpful hints to get your store in tip-top shape. Make sure your retail store is looking spiffy and sparkling clean because people want shop in a pleasant environment where they feel comfortable.

Retail Training Classes. So you've got your new employees and the store is looking good. Why not give your staff more tools to help them make the upcoming season a huge success?

Pump up the Volume of Impulse Purchases. Offer your customers a variety of little items that they can't resist to help increase your bottom line.

Budget Conscious Shoplifting Prevention. You don't have to spend a fortune to protect your investment.

Counterfeit Detectors. A counterfeit detector can protect you against hundreds, if not thousands of dollars lost due to counterfeit bills.

Effective Retail Lighting. You've got your products set up and the store looks good. Now make sure that your displays are shown to full advantage with the appropriate lighting.

Retail In-Store Event Ideas. They will come for the event and stay for your terrific customer service and great merchandise.

Improve your Retail Sales, Promotions and In-store Events. When the sales are over and the dust settles go ahead and take a deep breath. Then get your staff together to review the season and promotions, and to discuss what worked and what could be improved. You will be able to use these findings to help you throughout the year.

Good luck and have fun!

More Jewelry Display Ideas

2011-09-28T10:00:00.001-05:00

It can be a challenge to constantly come up with new jewelry display ideas. But there’s no need to keep buying new displays or constructing them yourself in what little free time you have; just purchase some classic quality displays and jazz them up.

Take the miniature body form, for example. This form is firm foam covered with jersey material, perfect for pinning on broaches, draping on necklaces or bracelets or for displaying earrings by inserting the posts into the foam. I decided to display more jewelry by tying a filmy black scarf around the form’s waist, pinning a pretty broach on the knot and then hanging earrings on the scarf. Notice how the jewelry pops against the fabric, including the bracelets displayed on the scarf overflow. The jewelry body form is available in black, as well.

Combine the scarf-draped body form with some elegant black velvet jewelry displays and you’ve got an attractive and eye-catching set up. I really like black velvet displays. Whether the jewelry is silver, gold, bronze, gemstone or multicolored beads, the jewelry really stands out and looks so pretty. The only thing that may not stand out on the black velvet displays is onyx and jet jewelry but that’s okay, because black jewelry looks great on the white body form and the rosewood displays.

Notice how nicely the black necklace and earrings look on the white faux leather and rosewood displays in the autumn themed arrangement. The warm-toned, glossy rosewood displays are elegant and sophisticated, great for showcasing any type of jewelry and wonderful for use in any seasonal display. Seasonal displays are simple; just incorporate some small items that reflect the current season. You needn’t spend a ton of money, either; you can go to a dollar store to pick up leaves, as shown, or flowers for spring displays and sparkly ornaments for the winter holidays. Colored glass stones would look nice scattered throughout a grouping of displays placed on a mirror and you can even put them in the unused jewelry compartments to create more visual interest. Use a colored tablecloth to set the tone and see where your imagination leads you.

Specialty Store Services Back at the H.H. Backer Pet Industry Christmas Trade Show

2011-09-22T09:52:00.003-05:00

Specialty Store Services is pleased to be returning to the 45th Annual H.H. Backer Pet Industry Christmas Trade Show and Educational Conference, October 14-16, 2011, at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont. Knowledgeable Account Managers will be at booth 4638 to provide information regarding Specialty Store Services’ numerous retail store fixtures, displays and retail supplies as well as warehouse support and logistical solutions.

“Specialty Store Services has been providing store fixtures on a corporate level for nearly 25 years” states Quico Ayala, Account Manager for Specialty Store Services. “The Backer Pet Industry Christmas Trade Show provides our company the perfect opportunity to establish and expand relationships with both single store and multi-store business owners. Our service, flexibility, and attention to detail are what separate us from our competition. Come see us at booth number 4638.”

Specialty Store Services will be one of the 700+ pet supply manufacturers and distributors displaying their wares at the Show this year. Be sure to visit booth 4638 in between the grooming demonstrations and the free education sessions regarding operations, marketing and animal care.

About Specialty Store Services
Specialty Store Services, a second-generation family owned business, offers everything necessary to operate a thriving retail store, from logistical solutions and retail supplies to custom and stock fixtures. Over the last 25 years this service-driven company has cultivated relationships with global partners while developing the expertise and knowledge required to provide competitive prices, outstanding customer service and quality products.

Retail Window Display Ideas

2011-09-21T10:00:00.006-05:00

While cruising the web I came across some fun ideas for retail window displays using items that are relatively easy to get hold of. Window displays do not need to be expensive in order to be effective; sometimes you just need to think outside the box.

Tasty Display. When I saw this pretty window I thought "Why just display cupcakes on that cupcake display?" Yes, it is certainly appropriate for baked goods but how about using the tiered plate display (which many people have hiding in their own kitchen cabinets) to showcase small items such as pet treats, fashion accessories, makeup, wallets, baby shoes and other small items? And I love the huge martini glass. The big marshmallows are cute filler but I was thinking it would be interesting to hang large, dangly earrings, necklaces or bracelets off the side and fluff solid colored contrasting tissue paper in the glass to offset the jewelry. I think that little martini glasses used in table top displays in this manner would be adorable, as well; just substitute stones or crinkle shredded paper instead of tissue paper.

Crate Expectations. Wooden crates that you can find at any produce market lend a rugged look to this window display but the clean lines of the crates and fun colors of the clothing keep the display from looking dumpy. I think that these clean, light toned crates are like blue jeans; you can dress them up or down. Feel free to couple the crates with jewelry displays or small appliances or fancy shoes. Positioning the crates together on their sides and upright lends depth and dimension to the display. You can also cover the crates with a solid-colored expanse of fabric or cloth, smooth the cloth down to emphasize the varying heights, tuck the cloth under the crates and then place your merchandise on the covered crates. Voila! A subtle backdrop that also offers visual interest.

As always, keep your signage simple and legible and keep your color scheme down to a minimum of two or three colors so the display isn't too busy. Remember, you have 3 seconds to grab attention but if the display doesn't flow and allow the eye to travel easily, you will lose that attention just as quickly.

Specialty Store Services to Exhibit at NACS Show

2011-09-14T10:30:00.001-05:00

Specialty Store Services is pleased to be exhibiting at the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) Expo October 2 - 4, 2011, at McCormick Place in Chicago. Knowledgeable Account Managers will be at booth #414 to provide information regarding Specialty Store Services’ numerous retail store fixtures, displays and retail supplies.

Quico Ayala, Account Manager for Specialty Store Services states, “Specialty Store Services has been providing store fixtures on a corporate level for over 20 years. The NACS Show provides our company the perfect platform to network and expand our relationships with both single store and multi-store business owners. Our service, flexibility, and attention to detail are what separate us from our competition. Come see us at booth number 414.”

This year’s show, which is the 50th anniversary of NACS's first meeting, will include workshops, general sessions and feature Tom Brokaw as the Closing General Session Speaker in addition to hosting another expansive expo. We look forward to seeing you there!

3 Steps to a More Effective Retail Facebook Presence

2011-09-07T14:04:00.004-05:00

Amidst the many clouds of uncertainty surrounding retail use of social media, a few key strategies are starting to emerge. Three recent studies, including a white paper written by yours truly, have examined customer interactions with retailers via social media. Encouragingly, all three studies (Emarketer recently summarized the findings from studies by Marketing Sherpa and Razorfish) have very similar findings regarding customer desires in their social media interactions with retailers.

While the percentages varied slightly, all three studies found customers who “friended” or followed retailers said they were interested primarily in learning about new products and new or exclusive promotions. How great is that? I have to admit I was a bit surprised to see these results because it seems like current conventional wisdom says to avoid being promotional on sites like

Facebook in deference to its more personal nature. In hindsight, that conventional wisdom seems a little questionable since it’s unlikely customers are going to interact with retailers like their friends. They know we’re about selling to them — we’re retailers!

More good news: It appears that the customers who follow retailers are really the best, most engaged and brand committed customers for those retailers. I suppose that’s not terribly surprising, but it’s certainly valuable information. Since our findings were part of a larger customer satisfaction study, we were also able to determine that site visitors who also interact with a company on a social media site are more satisfied, more committed to the brand, and more likely to make future purchases from that company than customers who don’t follow those retailers. Our study also found that 61% of people who follow retailers follow less than five retailers. That’s further indication that people are really focused on their absolute favorite retailers.

We also found that more than 80% of shoppers who use social media list Facebook as a site they use regularly, which makes it the overwhelming social media leader.

YouTube came in second place with only 31% of shoppers.

So, to summarize, our best and most engaged customers like to interact with us on Facebook (an incredibly viral platform) and want to hear about new products and promotions. This is a great foundation for a successful strategy!

Without further ado, here are three steps to a more effective retail Facebook presence:

1) Focus on best customers. Rather than trying to build our fan base to the highest possible numbers, let’s focus on getting as many of our highest value customers as fans on Facebook. They’re the most likely to become our Facebook fans anyway, but they’re also the most likely to recommend us to their friends. Facebook’s viral nature gives us the opportunity to put our Word of Mouth Marketing on steroids, and developing messages for our best customers gives us a clear focus. We should reach out directly to our best customers via targeted messaged and encourage them to join because we…

2) Give ‘em special promotions and news about products. These are our best customers. Let’s treat them well and make them feel special. Let’s give them exclusive offers and early notice on cool new products.

Victoria’s Secret does an excellent job here, and it shows. Of the Internet Retailer Top 40 retailers’ Facebook pages I looked at, Victoria’s Secret has by far the most fans at almost 2.7 million at the time of this writing. Clearly, they are delivering on customer expectations, and they’re being rewarded for it by attracting lots of really engaged customers.

My good friend Adam Cohen, partner and social media lead at Rosetta and blogger at a thousand cuts, (and my go-to guy on all things social media) correctly cautions against too many rich, exclusive promotions as they could be unsustainable as the fan base grows. This is particularly true if the offers start to attract deal seekers who are not our best customers. Good warning from Adam and in line with the excellent old adage “everything in moderation.”

3) Leverage Facebook viral features. We’re giving great, exclusive offers and product news to our best customers. Those best customers are the most likely to recommend us to their friends. Let’s encourage them to do so. It could be as simple as letting them know an exclusive offer can be shared with their friends by simply hitting the “share” link. There are lots of Facebook applications and other techniques that can be used, but I would personally just start simply and go from there.

Bonus tip: Make sure your page can be found in Facebook search. This isn’t really one of my key steps, but during my research I was surprised by how poor Facebook’s search is. For example, I searched for “LL Bean” and found nothing. Then I tried “L.L. Bean” and again got nothing. Their page is actually entitled “L.L.Bean” with no space between “L.” and “Bean.” Facebook’s search will only find it if you search for it exactly as it’s titled. So, my tip is think about how people might search for your brand and then name the page with the most common search term.
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Three separate studies have all found that customers who friend or follow retailers in social media are most interested in learning about promotions and new products. That’s some mighty strong corroboration, and it’s incredibly great news. Judging from the large percentage of retailers with little-to-no Facebook presence, I’m guessing many have been holding pat waiting for a clear direction on how to best leverage social media. While this information may not give the clearest direction for all social media channels, it certainly provides some clarity on today’s biggest channel, Facebook. Different social media channels require different strategies and tactics, and in the end it’s still important to learn more from our customers about their specific needs and desires and then work to satisfy them.

In the meantime, let’s build some really great Facebook pages for our best customers and give them some exclusive offers to enjoy. Please let me know when you’ve got your page running so I can become a fan!

What do you think? What have you learned about Facebook? What tips do you have?

Secure Drop Box for Anonymous Suggestions

2011-09-01T11:38:00.008-05:00

People feel comfortable working in an environment in which they can make suggestions or alert management to potential or existing problems without fear of repercussions. A wall mounted drop box is a great way to allow employees the opportunity to express concerns or suggestions, anonymous or not, while feeling secure that coworkers won't have access to their notes.

This drop box is also great for use in anti-bullying programs at schools, childcare facilities or after school programs. Children need to let those in authority know if they are being bullied, threatened or frightened in some way or if they feel a friend or peer needs help. This drop box is a way for the children to make their concerns known without having to work up the courage it can take to approach an authority figure, which can be intimidating. This is also a good way for children to alert adults without having to visit the office and be fearful of their peers seeing them and finding out about it. The drop box is locked with a key so there is no fear that others will open the box to read the personal notes.

Simply mount the box in an easily accessible but relatively private area where a person can swoop in, drop in their note and be on their way. This drop box is a great investment that will be rewarded with peace of mind and happier workers or children.

In addition for use as a suggestion box, the drop box is also excellent for ballots, keys, mail, checks, deposit slips and anything that needs to be dropped off outside of business hours. The slot size is 9"W x 1/4"D so it will accommodate a wide variety of items. The built-in storage compartment at the top of the box is ideal for holding blank forms, note pads, envelopes and ballots.

Improve your Retail Sales, Promotions and In-Store Events

2011-08-25T09:22:00.009-05:00

I know that a lot of stores and businesses are having all kinds of promotions and events right now so I want to talk about evaluating your events and how you could make them even better. Bob and Susan Negen of Whizbang! Training covered this topic splendidly recently so I'll have them tell you about it. Take it way, Bob and Susan!

After EVERY promotion or event, big or small, have a Recap Meeting. This meeting is a chance to celebrate a job well done or talk about why something didn’t work as planned.It also gives you a chance to get everyone’s ideas on how to make the event better the next time around.These meetings are best when you have them right after you close, but you can wait until the next day if it works better. Don’t wait any longer than the following day. Wait too long and you’ll lose all the little impressions and fun, interesting ideas that are so important to continually improving your event.Here’s a quick list of things to things to make notes about in your meeting:

Sales: Planned vs. Actual
Cost of Event: Budgeted vs. Actual
Pre Event Planning: What worked, what didn’t, and what can we do better/differently next time?
The Event Itself: What worked, what didn’t, and what can we do differently/better next time?
After the Event: What worked, what didn’t, and what can we do better/differently next time?
Promoting/Marketing the Event: What worked, what didn’t, and what can we do better next time?
Other Thoughts/Comments/Ideas

Write everything down, put your notes in a file and you’ve got the beginnings of a bigger, better and more profitable event the next time around!

New Retail Catalog

2011-08-16T15:57:00.016-05:00

Specialty Store Services' new catalog is out! Have you seen it? Following are some great new retail supplies and retail store fixtures that you will find in the new catalog.

All in One. Get a glass front display, register stand with drawer and service counter at a great price to fit modest budgets, all in this All in One Counter System. This clever All in One Counter System is 72"W x 20"D x 38"H and is available in white, maple, cherry and black.

You've got mail (supplies). SSS now carries mailing supplies and packing supplies! Choose from three sizes of bubble mailer envelopes to send out your smaller, more fragile items or pick up some bubble wrap which is great for packing boxes or for wrapping up breakable items for your customers. If you need to mail out CDs or DVDs then our new corrugated media mailers are what you need.

Wood displays. I am crazy about the Rotating T-shirt Display! It's compact at only 23.5"L x 23.5"W x 63"H yet can hold a bunch of folded shirts. This 4-sided melamine display features 5 shelves per side so you can display up to 20 different styles, acrylic fronts to display the t-shirts next to folded stock and casters for easy relocation. Other terrific wood displays that we now carry are in the Sophisticate Collection which features maple melamine coupled with attractive matte silver frames. Choose from Display Pedestals, Nesting Display Tables and the Wall Shelving Display.

Attention getters. LED Rope Lights! Who doesn't love them?! These new 9' long LED rope lights are constructed of clear plastic with colored lights inside and plug directly into your AC outlet. You can string together up to 40 (yes, forty!) rope lights end to end without the need for connectors! Choose from red, blue, orange, green or white.

Security. Keep an eye on your investment with a new DVR Security System. This affordable security system comes complete with 10" monitor, 4 channel DVR and 4 indoor/outdoor cameras. No need to worry about the security of your business while on the road because this plug and view system is Internet ready and smart phone compatible so you can access your system remotely!

If you currently do not have a catalog please do take a look at Specialty Store Services' website to see all the terrific new items that we now carry.

Off-site Event Signage and Marketing

2011-08-10T10:39:00.008-05:00

I was at a music festival recently, got a little peckish and decided to get some food from the vendors set up at the fest. The vendors were varied in the way they promoted, or did not promote, their wares.

Many of the food vendors had large, professionally done signs stating their restaurant's name and printed posterboard menus. Most of the remaining food vendors had handwritten posterboard menus but no business information posted. What surprised me most was the fact that a few of the vendors has no signage at all! Not a menu board, nothing; they just relied on people wandering up to their stand, looking at the food and (hopefully) ordering.

So, which vendors do you think had the lines of people waiting for their food? Yep, the vendors with restaurant signs and menu boards, followed closely by the vendors with simple hand-written menus. Now, I'm not saying that you need to spend big bucks on professional signage but, for Pete's sake, handwritten signage is better than nothing! If you don't do off-site events very often and want to save money by making your own signs that is perfectly fine, just make sure that they are neat, legible and only feature 2 colors at most. A couple of the signs I saw were apparently done by a younger person who tried to jazz them up by making every other word or letter a different color. All that does is distract and annoy people just trying to read a simple menu so simplicity is key. If you'd like to have a sign you can change and reuse then you may want to get a write on/wipe off sign. This double-sided sign will be perfect for use at off-site events and also out on the sidewalk in front of your store.

Some of the food I purchased was from a sign-less booth, simply because there were some ethnic dishes that I never tried before. I also purchased food from a vendor with full signage. The food from both booths was delicious but unfortunately, I cannot go to the tasty ethnic restaurant. Because I don't know the name or where it is located.

Moral of the story? Don't be shy, promote yourself! Now, this doesn't just apply to restaurants. Any business that is presenting itself also needs to promote itself. Let people know who you are and where they can find you after the event is over. A weekend festival may bring in some extra cash for you but appropriate signage (and cheerful, helpful employees!) will bring in future business, as well.

Retail Window Displays - Part 2

2011-08-02T09:45:00.008-05:00

We went over some interesting window display ideas in a previous blog entry that I hope you found useful and here are a few more ideas to keep your window displays interesting and draw in more customers.

Phone a friend. Or, in this case, phone a vendor. The vendors who sell you merchandise will be happy to provide you with POP displays and posters to help promote the items you sell. After all, if you sell out of their merchandise you will need to order more so that's a big incentive for vendors to assist you by providing marketing materials. This is a great way to decorate your window and promote your merchandise at a minimal cost to you.

Spread the love by sharing the window. Create a sense of good will and community by offering your window space to local non-profits who are doing good work in the community. Every few months you can have a local non-profit or community organization use the window for a couple weeks to promote their cause or events. The change of pace will draw attention to your retail window display while giving deserving organizations the opportunity to spread the word about the services they provide.

Get artsy. Approach local artists or art students and ask them to paint backdrops appropriate for your store's retail window display, images that reflect your store's brand and personality. They will get exposure by having their work displayed and you will have eye-catching backdrops for your displays. The artists may be more eager to help if you allow them to leave gallery or studio information at the counter for customers to view. Keep in mind, though, that everyone has a different vision so it's a good idea to go over ideas for the backdrop to make sure you're on the same page. After all, a painting of a flaming bicycle flying off a cliff may be captivating but will it really help showcase your body oils or pet food?

Scrub-a-dub. Remember to keep your windows clean and smudge-free! You only have a few seconds to capture the attention of potential customers so you want them to focus on your retail window display, not on the sticky hand prints or dusty rain spots.

CD and DVD Displays

2011-07-28T10:30:00.002-05:00

Who doesn't love curling up with a good movie or relaxing while listening to some music? I do not know one person who doesn't, I tell you! Even with the popularity of electronic downloads, physical media formats are still popular; many folks still enjoy having a collection of discs they can pop into the DVD or CD player. If you are not currently offering DVDs or CDs in your store, you may want to consider it. I mean, even coffee houses, convenience stores and gift shops are selling them! Take a look at the following CD/DVD/Game disc displays to see what works for you.

Starting small. If you have limited counter space or would like to offer a small selection of popular CDs or DVDs to see how they sell, then check out the following counter spinners. The CD counter spinner has 32 facings, holds up to 160 CDs and only takes up 15" square inches of counter space. That's a lot of merchandising in a little area! The DVD Counter Spinner has 24 pocket facings, can display 72 DVDs and only takes up 16" square inches of counter space. Not too shabby. Both of these displays have steel construction and include sign holders.

The next step up. If the DVDs are selling well and you'd like to increase your selection then the DVD/Game Spinner is for you. That's right, sell some games while you're at it because they are as popular as can be! The DVD/Game Spinner has 6 tiers with 72 facings so it can hold up to 288 DVDs and it also includes a sign holder. The CD Floor Spinner has 8 tiers, 64 facings, includes sign holder, takes up less than 20" square inches of floor space and can display up to 320 CDs. If you'd like a more mobile unit then check out the 10 Shelf Mobile Media Display. This grid display with retractable telescoping legs includes casters so you can scoot it wherever you need it. Display CDs, DVDs, games, books or anything else that can fit on the 24"L x 6"D slanted shelves.

Going gangbusters. Have the space and the demand for even more discs? Then have I got some things to show you! The Super Grid A-Frame Display can be used individually or end-to-end to create a continuous DVD display. The A Frame Display, which has a total of 24 shelves, can display up to 768 DVDs! For a mobile, high capacity display, take a look at the Center Island Grid Display. This grid display has a total of 20 shelves, E-Z roll casters and can display up to 600 DVDs or game discs. This grid display is also great for software, magazines, CDs, candy and snacks. Talk about versatile!

There are many more physical media displays to choose from. If you have any questions about any of the displays, please don't hesitate to contact a friendly sales representative at 800-999-0771.

Effective Retail Store Lighting

2011-07-26T10:50:00.006-05:00

Have you ever walked into a store and it just seemed kind of...meh? The displays are nice, the staff is friendly and the product is good but the store still seems to be lacking? Well, what kind of lighting did it have? Was it dim, was it too bright, were spotlights used ineffectively? We need to remind ourselves every now and then that sometimes just having sufficient lighting in order to see the merchandise isn't enough.

In the spotlight. It is important to remember the different between spotlights and floodlights. Spotlights focus on a limited area whereas floodlights light up a large, expanded area. Using floodlights will flood the entire floorspace with light and if everything is highlighted then nothing stands out. We want to utilize spotlights to create a contrast in lighting and to draw attention to featured items and to create focal points, such as highlighting displays that showcase higher profit margin items. Spotlights will naturally draw the eye so also use them on wall displays, near the checkout counter and at the front of the store.

In the mood... For shopping, of course! Lighting can really set the tone of your store and the displays therein. Colored lights can help convey a mood within a store and a customer that makes an emotional connection may be more likely to make a purchase. For instance, you can use a blue-ish light on your sparkly winter displays or a reddish light on Valentine's Day displays to suggest the appropriate mood. Colored LED rope lights around display windows can convey a festive mood while also drawing attention to the storefront.

On the shelf. Small spotlights and LED light strips can do wonders to draw attention to merchandise in a showcase. LED strip lights, for instance, can be quickly mounted to the inside of a showcase with mounting clips or adhesive strips and these little lights are very bright. Many showcases, including these large floor model lighted tower showcases and smaller countertop showcases, come equipped with halogen mini-spotlights

Practice safe shopping. Create a safe environment for your customers with outdoor lighting at the storefront and in the parking lot. A well lit area outside the entryway will help prevent trips and falls. A brightly lit parking area will make customers feel more safe and people are more likely to shop in areas where they feel secure.

What other ideas can you come up with to make lighting more effecting? Using strobe lights to showcase some fun displays? Ensuring that there is flattering lighting in the dressing rooms? Take a look around your store. Maybe you'll come up with some ideas to make the lighting a little more effective and creative.

Remodel Your Retail Store to Increase Profit

2011-07-21T07:30:00.003-05:00

We all are excited about seeing an increase in our business' profits so what can we do to achieve that goal? Well, what Old Navy did was to remodel some of their stores. You may think "Old Navy is a huge chain store so what has that got to do with me?" Let me tell you that the big boys do a lot of market research and analysis to know what works and what doesn't so following their lead can be a good idea.

The remodeling of 300 Old Navy stores resulted in buyers spending $1 to $2 more per visit. What did the remodel consist of to bring about this increase in revenue? An Associated Press release dated July 11, 2011 states "Some of the components of the store remodelings include light wood, white shelving, wider aisles and lowered racks and fixtures for better store visibility. There is also a play area for children and more workers helping out in dress rooms, which have been moved from the back of the store to the center." A more open feel and a brighter color pallet generates a comfortable atmosphere and it only makes sense that people are more inclined to spend more time (and more money) in an environment in which they feel comfortable.

A remodel doesn't have to break the bank. What small changes can you do in your store to make it feel more open, to feel brighter? Invest in white or lighter color shelves, perhaps. Or possibly utilize more wall displays, such as grid panels (as low as $14.99 each ) or slatwall panels in order to get some of the display racks off the floor, giving a more open feeling. What changes in merchandising can you make so the sales floor appears less cluttered and overwhelming? Keep your displays neat and organized because no one wants to rummage through a jumble of items is if they are at a yard sale, unless they are at a yard sale, of course. Check out the Give Your Store a Facelift blog entry for some ideas to make your store shine.

So, have you got any ideas on how you can do some simple remodeling to make your store more inviting? Does it seem like a lot of work with an uncertain payoff? Let's do a "for instance", just for the fun of it. How many customers make purchases at your store in a day? Let's say 30 customers, just as an example. If each person spent one dollar more per transaction, and your store was open seven days a week, that equals $10,560 additional profit per year! Sounds to me like it just may be worth investing in a little elbow grease and a couple new displays. What do you think?

Budget-conscious Shoplifting Prevention

2011-07-19T07:30:00.004-05:00

Few things are more frustrating than having people steal merchandise right out from under your nose. That's your livelihood they're messing with! Keep reading to find out how you can stop these thieves in their tracks.

Sales staff - the first line of defense. I've said it before and I'll say it again: approach customers, look them in the eye and offer a sincere greeting and smile. Making eye contact while greeting customers decreases the rate of shoplifting incidents because potential shoplifters know that you are really aware of them. A casual "Hi, how are ya?" called from across the store lets a potential shoplifter know that they are just in the sales's staff peripheral vision and not really an object of interest so they will be more likely to act boldly.

Smile, you're on camera...sort of. Security systems are fantastic theft deterrents but even if your current budget cannot cover the cost of a system, there is no need to forgo the security of cameras. Simulated cameras have come a long way; many of them now look, move and light up like real security cameras! The Motion Detection Simulated Camera, complete with mock cable wires and red LED light, rotates when the motion sensor is triggered giving a constant watchful impression, all for under $20. There are many different styles of simulated security cameras to choose from including the metal encased indoor/outdoor camera or indoor simulated dome camera which has a red LED light that lights up when motion activated for less than $10. Give the impression of real security cameras at a fraction of the cost!

Rearrange your floorplan. Place your more expensive or popular items closer to the counter where sales staff can keep an eye on things. Move your displays around to eliminate blind spots which are areas that security cameras or sales staff cannot clearly see. If moving fixtures is not an option then you might want to think about getting a few security mirrors so you can keep an eye on those nooks and crannies. Also, it's a good idea to employ lower displays, no taller than shoulder height, so you can see clear across the store at all times.

Give me a sign. Policy signs stating that shoplifters will be prosecuted will garner some attention. Post your signs prominently, especially near fitting rooms and exits, and then follow through so shoplifters know that you mean business.

Get schooled. If you're not up to speed on shoplifting techniques then you won't know what to look for. Look up websites that describe popular shoplifting techniques, learn about these techniques and share them with your staff so you all know how to identify possibly thievery in progress. For example, I learned that a shoplifter will carry a loosely closed umbrella over their arm and drop small but valuable items into the gaping top of the umbrella. Tricky! I found several websites that can tell you what to look for so check them out.

More looky, less touchy. To keep popular hanging items secure you will want to use locking hooks for slatwall, pegboard or slatgrid. These nifty hook are locked onto the display itself and also have a lock on the end of the hook to keep items from being swept off the hook and into thieving hands. A simple magnetic lock key allows staff to unlock the hooks in seconds. If you've already got peg hooks in use then you'll want to use peg hook locks. Just snap the peg hook lock to the end of your peg hook to keep items secure and unlock with the magnetic lock key. Quick and easy!

I hope that these suggestions keep more merchandise available on your sale floor and not walking unpaid for out the door.

Slatwall for the Retail Store

2011-07-14T10:45:00.009-05:00

Hmmm...what can I say about slatwall? Well, a lot, actually! Slatwall is attractive, versatile, strong...kind of like Russel Crowe or a Transformer sports car/robot. You may think I'm reaching but slatwall can really make a huge impact.

First of all, slatwall really is attractive. It can be purchased in several different colors to complement your decor such as black, almond, grey, white or paint grade that is ready to paint any color you choose. Slatwall comes with uncolored grooves which bring out the color of the slats, but you can also order it with brushed aluminum inserts which add strength and finesse to the panels. When installing the slatwall panels, you can drill screws right through the aluminum and into the wall, reinforcing the panels and making your display more durable.

Slatwall can be purchased as 4'W x 8'H standard slatwall panels or 8'W x4'H vertical slatwall panels that you can install directly on your walls. Slatwall can also be used in the form of freestanding slatwall displays which are available in black, cherry, maple or white. Slatwall displays are available as double sided displays, revolving slatwall displays, "H" island displays, quad displays, and even as service counters with slatwall fronts for more display space. Check them all out to see all of the merchandising options you have!

If you'd like the option to change the look of your slatwall at will then you'll want to consider slatwall inserts or slatwall snaps. Slatwall inserts come in 130' rolls and are available in black or white. Simply slide the vinyl slatwall inserts into the grooves and cut at the correct length. Slatwall snaps, available in 8' lengths in red, white, black or grey, are easy to install and only take seconds to uninstall. Use inserts of the same color as the slatwall to give the display a more uniform look or use snaps in a contrasting color to make your display pop!

No matter if you choose wall panels or displays, you have a wide variety of slatwall accessories to choose from. Choose from slatwall hooks to display hanging items, slatwall faceouts for clothing or body forms, slatwall waterfalls for clothing, purses or belts, slatwall jar displays for smaller items such as pens or hairgoods, slatwall hangrails for all types of apparel or acrylic slatwall shelves for any numbers of items.

Your slatwall display options are nearly endless! All the colors, configurations, display options...I'm nearly dizzy. Take a look and I'm positive you will find something slatwallish that will make a positive impact on your merchandising.

Shopping Baskets and Shopping Carts

2011-07-12T10:40:00.004-05:00

Okay, so you've got customers in your store, happily shopping and browsing your merchandise. Uh-oh, their arms are full...what to do, what to do? Well, offer them a shopping basket or shopping cart, of course, so they can keep on shopping in comfort!

Shopping baskets are great for those quick in-&-out shopping trips and for small stores. The Standard Size Shopping Baskets and Jumbo Size Shopping Baskets come in handy in any retail environment from convenience stores to stationary stores. I know that when I stop into a store for "just one thing", pretty soon I am juggling several items (I am a fantastic impulse shopper!) and am searching for a shopping basket to use. The shopping baskets are available individually or in sets of 12 in blue, red or yellow. And, since you asked, we listened. The shopping baskets are now also available in assorted color sets consisting of 3 each blue, green, red and yellow! You can also have your store name printed in block letters on these personalized shopping baskets for free! A basket stand and sign are also included with the plastic shopping basket sets. If your customers are like me and just cannot stop shopping, those baskets can get heavy so make sure you have browsing basket carts on hand. The browsing basket cart, constructed with steel nickel finish, has two shelves that can each hold a jumbo size shopping basket.

If you'd like a more contemporary look for your store, wire mesh shopping baskets are just what you are looking for. Are your customers' arms getting tired from carrying the baskets? Relieve their discomfort by offering them rolling shopping baskets! The rolling shopping basket, available in sets of 10 in black, blue, red or green, comes with a long handle and wheels for easy maneuvering and also includes a strong molded plastic carrying handle, as well.

Now, let's not forget the sturdy steel shopping carts which are perfect for grocery stores, pet supply stores, convenience stores...and any kind of store you can think of! The mini shopping cart with double baskets and the single basket mini shopping cart are compact, easy to maneuver and are great for those smaller stores with narrow aisles. Also good for narrow aisles is the mini grocery shopping cart. The mini grocery shopping cart measures 17 1/4"W x 35 1/2"H x 29"L and the carts nest, saving on storage space when not in use. If your customers need a bit more room for their purchases, try a larger shopping cart. The standard size shopping cart measures 20 1/4"W x 37 1/2"H x 36"L and also nests with the other standard shopping carts. Both the mini and standard shopping carts are made of easy to clean, sturdy steel and include child seats complete with safety belts.

There! Now you've got plenty of options to make your customers' shopping experience more comfortable and a comfy customer is a happy customer. Happy selling!

Counterfeit Detectors

2011-07-07T09:20:00.006-05:00

You work hard for your money so make sure the money you receive isn't counterfeit. Although the government has modified bills to make it more difficult for thieves to counterfeit, the thieves have gotten pretty crafty at faking bills. Counterfeit bills are circulating throughout the U.S. so a counterfeit detector is necessary for any business.

The most common types of bill detectors are ultraviolet (UV), watermark, magnetic and pen. The UV detectors use a light to detect built in features in authentic bills. Watermark detectors also use a certain light spectrum to detect hidden watermarks in the bill's paper. Magnetic detectors detect magnetic ink in authentic bills. Pen detectors use a special solution that turns a certain color when applied to the bill to indicate if the bill is fake. Bleached bills, which are created by bleaching a $5 bill and printing 50 or 100 over the bleached areas, can be difficult to detect so it's best to employ several different methods when verifying bills.

One of our most popular counterfeit detectors employs UV, infrared and magnetic detection and can even detect bleached bills. No cashier training needed, just feed your bill into the machine and an audible and visual alarm will let you know if the bill is fake. Another popular model, the 4-way Counterfeit Detector, also uses magnetic and UV detection in addition to watermark detection. This machine also magnifies the bill so you can see microprinted words on authentic bills. The UV function on this machine can also verify other documents such as driver's licences, birth certificates, major credit cards, traveller's checks and more. The Infrared Camera Counterfeit Detector displays an image of the bill on the screen so you can check for the infrared stripe on authentic bills. A handy chart on the machine displays the areas in which infrared stripes are located on U.S. currency. A pleased owner of this infrared detector says this machine works like magic!

If you're on the go at festivals or open markets, a Counterfeit Detector Pen is the mobile, economical, quick and easy way to make sure you're not taking any funny money. Simply draw a line across the bill; if the line stays amber the bill is authentic but if the line turns black the bill is fake. Either mark will fade after application so you won't have a drawer full of marked up money. Happy customers say that the pen works great and is small enough to keep next to the register.

Check out the full inventory of our currency counterfeit detectors to see which one best suits your needs. If you accidentally accept a counterfeit bill, be assured that the bank will not accept it and then you will be out of luck. With all the fake bills in circulation, how can you afford not to use a counterfeit detector?

Greeting Customers 101

2011-07-05T09:35:00.005-05:00

Have you ever gotten whiplash in a retail store? You know, when you walk into the store and slowly start taking in the layout and merchandise when a gaggle of sales clerks at the counter or a clerk at a display across the store yell out "Hi, howyadoin'today?" Then you have to look around to see where the half-hearted but strident greeting is coming from so you can acknowledge them?

I know that clerks think they are doing their job by promptly greeting customers in this manner but whiplash greetings are not the way to go. You don't want to distract the customers while they are just settling in and getting acquainted with the store and products that they may purchase. The quality of the greeting is more important than the speed of the greeting so take the time to approach the customer, even if you cannot get to them for a minute or two. A sincere face-to-face greeting along with a warm smile will make a more positive impression than an indifferent greeting shouted from across the store.

Phone Systems, Postage Meters and more!

2011-06-30T07:30:00.002-05:00

We've already covered several merchant services available via the Specialty Stores Services website and here a five more helpful services for you to explore.

Phone Systems. There are so many options of phone system that it can be a bit tricky to find the right system for your business. You want a phone system that will give you all the features you need, none of the add-ons that you don't and will be cost effective. Learn more about different phone systems and check out some tips on how to compare services before committing to a new phone system.

Postage Meters. Businesses that send out bulk mailings can really save time and money by stamping, postmarking and mailing right from their own place of business. No more wasting time by running to the post office or dealing with rolls of stamps!

Telemarketing. By outsourcing your telemarketing to a telemarketing service company, you are putting your calls in the hands of professionals who know how to contact the right people at the right time to close a sale, renew a business relationship or inform existing customers about new products or services.

Stamps and Badges. Create and maintain a professional image with name badges, custom stamps, nameplates and embossers. Email your custom artwork to have original stamps created or choose from stock stamps. Use the stamps to inexpensively customize sales slips, stationary and envelopes.

Buy Gold for Cash. You see Cash for Gold stores everywhere and these shops would not be everywhere if they weren't turning a profit. You can start buying gold from your customers and generate extra revenue averaging $2,000 a month with no up front start up fees incurred. Click the link to find out more information!

4th of July Sale Sign

2011-06-28T07:30:00.002-05:00

Freedom! Fireworks! Friends, family and food! That's a lot of alliterative fun for the 4th of July! Throw some fantastic sales into the mix and we've got the makings of a terrific holiday weekend.

Don't forget to order your eye-catching 4th of July Sale Sign, which is on sale itself right now for only $7.99! Your new sign will ship the day after you order so there is still time to advertise your 4th of July sale.

Merchant Services: POS System and Free Cash Register

2011-06-23T07:30:00.004-05:00

I hope that you found the blog about email marketing and custom logos informative and helpful! Let's go over some more Merchant Services offered through the Specialty Store Services website that can help save you money and keep track of your sales.

Specialty Store Services and United Bank Card, in partnership with Casio, are offering retail and hospitality merchants the opportunity to receive a free cash register with fully integrated credit card processing services! You will be able to accept all major credit cards and ring up cash sales on one machine so there is no need for a separate credit card machine. The cash registers offered also feature drop and load thermal printers, further streamlining your transaction process. Two machines are offered: one geared toward retail merchants and a one geared toward restaurant merchants. Both machines will track your daily cash, check and credit card sales and both feature large memory capacity, large LED display, 72 flat keys, customizable keypad layout with user friendly online wizard, are PCI PED compliant and allow dial-up or Ethernet connection. Best of all, you are guaranteed a replacement cash register free of charge in the event your register breaks or malfunctions if you process credit cards with Specialty Store Services/United Bank Card!

Businesses generating more than $250,000 in yearly sales may want to consider a more complex Point of Sale system, or POS system. More complex POS systems are capable of running detailed reports and also may have inventory management capabilities that will allow the store buyer to generate purchase orders based on sales and product popularity. Time clocks, touch screens and accounting features such as credit card verification may also be integrated into a POS system. Restaurant POS systems have the ability to print order tickets directly in the kitchen which will speed up the serving process. So, as you can see, POS systems can be as simple or as detailed and you like. Check out POS systems for yourself and see how your company could benefit from employing one.

New Retail Products

2011-06-21T07:30:00.002-05:00

Did you know that new products are added to Specialty Store Services' website every week? It's true! You asked for particular new items and we listened.

For instance, we've just added two scales, per customer request. The glass top easy-to-read Digital Scale has an auto turn-off feature which turns the scale off after three minutes of inactivity, prolonging the life of the batteries. The stainless steel Professional Dial Face Scale has a removable weighing bowl and is perfect for weighing anything from vegetables to candy. We have also added chic copper Metal Jewelry Displays and stylish Body Form Jewelry Displays that are perfect for any boutique.

Be sure to check out the New Items page frequently to see what great additions we have in store for you!

Merchant Services: Email Marketing and Custom Logo

2011-06-16T07:30:00.006-05:00

Are you aware of all the Merchant Services that are offered through the Specialty Store Services' website? We have already covered credit card processing and retail training classes in previous blogs so let's explore other ways to boost your business and bottom line.

You've got mail. One great way to stay in touch with current customers and build your client base is through email. We see about 4,000 marketing message a day and with all that competition you want to make sure your message grabs attention and is informative from the get-go. That being said, slapping together an email and sending it out willy-nilly won't get you far. A professional email marketing service will guide you through all the challenges of setting up your own email marketing newsletters and communications. Constant Contact offers over 400 templates and will guide you through setting up color schemes as well as adding logos, photos and coupons, so creating your own emails or newsletters is super easy. Not only will you receive free personal guidance via email, phone, chat or in person, there are free or very inexpensive seminars (think $10-$30) offered to help you develop your email marketing skills. I, myself, have previously attended a free seminar sponsored by Constant Contact and found it to be very informative and useful. You can try this email marketing service for free for 60 days (Really! And no contract!) and if you do decide to keep the service you can, for as little as $15 a month. It truly is a great investment for the business owner or manager who wants to run effective email marketing campaigns but just needs a little guidance.

I'd know you anywhere! When I say "McDonald's" what is the first thing that comes to mind? Golden arches, maybe? The color combo of red and yellow? Logos and color branding are a fantastic way for companies to get their names out there and to stick in the minds of consumers. In fact, color recognition can increase sales by 80%! If you do not yet have a logo for your company, you may want to consider enlisting the help of a logo design company. These professional graphic designers will design several original, custom logos for you to choose from for the low price of $149. You will own the copyright of your finished logo design so it will be yours, and you can even trademark it. The designers at Logo Design Team never use clipart so the design will be original and they will work with you to capture the style and tone you wish to convey. This logo design company offers a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee so your full payment will be refunded if you are not satisfied. You will be able to use the new logo on signage, bags, stationary, business cards and company vehicle to get your brand out there and in the minds of consumers!

These are just two more ideas to help your business blossom. We will cover some more Merchant Services available through Specialty Store Services' website in an upcoming blog.

Sunglass Displays

2011-06-14T07:30:00.006-05:00

To quote Katrina and the Waves, "I'm walkin' on sunshine". I'm walking on it, in it, next to it...and I'm loving it! When the sun is shining, the one thing I hate to be without is my sunglasses and I will not hesitate to purchase a new pair if I leave home without them. Sunglasses are a great money maker year round but sales really seem to take off in the summer months. If you are not currently carrying sunglasses, why not choose an eyewear display appropriate for your store and stock it with inexpensive yet attractive sunglasses?

If you have some counter space to spare, consider this elegant countertop sunglass spinner. This eyeglass spinner has a lovely metal frame with almond base and acrylic mirror and can hold up to 24 pairs of glasses. If you would like to fit some more glasses in a small space, this economy countertop eyeglass spinner can hold up to 40 pairs of glasses and it is also constructed of metal and has 2 acrylic mirrors.

If you have some floor space to play with, this attractive spinning maple eyewear display with black trim may be just the ticket. This maple display is six sided, includes 2 acrylic mirrors and can display up to 108 pairs of glasses. If you prefer something a little more contemporary then consider this silver spinning eyewear display with storage base. This sleek display can hold up to 72 pairs of glasses, includes 2 acrylic mirrors and boasts a locking storage base to keep your overstock safe and out of sight.

These spinning eyewear displays will also display reading glasses so they can work double-duty for you. As long as the sun in shining or small print needs to be read, folks are going to need sunglasses and reading glasses so why not offer your customers what they need?

Pet Summer Safety

2011-06-09T07:30:00.004-05:00

We all like to frolic in the summer sun with our friends and family, including the furry, four-legged variety. Here at Specialty Store Services, we are crazy about our companion animals (and sometimes they even visit the office with us!) so I would like to share some tips to keep your furry and feathered friends safe during the summer heat. Keep in mind that these are just suggestions and not meant as medical advice. You've got a great vet for that already, right?

Feeling hot, hot, hot! The temperature inside your car can climb up to 120 degrees, even on mild days with the windows cracked or while parked in the shade. Dogs and cats are susceptible to heat stroke since they do not have the ability to cool themselves as effectively as humans, especially the elderly, the very young, the ill and flat-nosed varieties such as Pugs and Persians. In fact, flat-faced dogs and cats should be kept in air-conditioned rooms as much as possible during hot weather. A body temperature over 104 degrees can result in heat stroke which can lead to death or brain damage. Some signs of heat stroke include:

excessive panting or difficulty breathing
increased heart rate
drooling
weakness or collapse
inability to focus or pay attention to commands
vomiting
bloody diarrhea

If your pet has any of these symptoms please seek medical attention immediately as time is of the essence when dealing with heat stroke. Even if you are able to safely bring down your dog's temperature the vet will need to verify that no brain damage has occurred.

On the run. Dogs love to run around and many pet owners enjoy their dogs' company on jogs, however, the summer heat can make this activity dangerous for dogs. If you do run with your dog you will want to make sure to run in the cool of the early morning or the evening, keeping a close eye on your dog for signs of heat stroke. Keep in mind that pavement can get extremely hot, causing burns on your pets’ paw pads so it’s best for Fido to romp in the grass or dirt. To keep your running partner safe while running after sunset, keep him on a leash and consider accessorizing your pooch with some reflective leg bands. When taking your dog for a run remember that, just like humans, they need to build up their endurance so a 5k run the first time out is not a good idea. Also, keep in mind how much shorter their legs are; one step for you could equal several steps for them.

Can you get my back? Unbeknownst to many people, pets are also prone to the pain, peeling and cancer caused by sun burn so make sure those exposed areas such as ears, noses and lips are slathered in SPF, especially on white and hairless dogs.

Water here, there and everywhere. It is imperative that your pets stay hydrated in the summer heat so make sure all your pets have access to fresh, cool drinking water, especially after exercise or while outdoors. Kiddie wading pools provide a fun and cooling experience that many dogs enjoy. Many dogs also enjoy swimming but, contrary to popular belief, not all dogs are good swimmers so keep a close eye on your pooch when you’re out at the pool, on the boat or on the pier. Life preservers for pets are a good idea for those furry friends who are buoyantly challenged.

You ate and drank what?! Anti-freeze is a cause for concern year round so make sure your little friend isn’t imbibing in any of this sweet-tasting but deadly liquid while in the garage, street or parking lot. Another cause for concern are pesticides, fertilizer, herbicides and certain garden plants so be watchful about what your pets are putting in their curious little mouths.

Creepy crawly. Summer is heartworm season so be sure your pets are tested for heartworm and take heartworm preventatives. Don’t bother with flea collars, which can be ineffective at best and toxic at worst. Ask your vet for suggestions for flea and tick preventatives. If you do find ticks, remove them carefully with a tick key, taking care to remove the entire tick.

Around the house.

Make sure window screens are secure so your squirrel-watching cats and dogs don’t fall out the windows if they lean against the screen.

If you have pet birds, be sure that the cage(s) aren’t next to a/c vents or drafty open windows since birds cannot regulate their body temperatures as effective as larger animals.

Rabbits and guinea pigs are also prone to overheating so make sure that their cages aren’t in direct sunlight. If you take the little critters outside, be sure that they have access to shade and water at all times. Don't forget that your turtle or snake may not need the heat lamp if your home is as warm as the animals' recommended temperature during the summer. If you are new to owning exotic pets such as rabbits, guinea pigs and turtles, you may want to contact your vet for more summer care tips.

We all want to enjoy summer fun with our little (or not-so-little) friends and these helpful hints can help you avoid the animal emergency room and keep you out at the b-b-q or pool party, where you all belong. Have fun and stay cool!

Father's Day Gift Ideas

2011-06-07T07:30:00.001-05:00

Father's Day is right around the corner on June 19th! Good old Dad, always there with his Dad-isms that we can pass down to future generations such as "Quit standing there with the refrigerator door open! Are you trying to cool off the whole neighborhood?!" and my favorite, "Quit looking at your brother!". The man deserves something special for putting up with our shenanigans and here I am with some helpful gift suggestions.

Let's face it. Dad is getting a little older and deserves to take it easy, so how about some things that make life a little simpler? An automatic card shuffler makes shuffling the deck a snap and gives dad more time to practice his bluffing skills. Just cut the cards, put them into the shuffler and push the button for a quick and perfect shuffle every time. And a set of playing card holders along with low-vision cards will keep his hands free to enjoy his snacks and drinks.

You can also give dad the convenience of eating, writing,using his laptop or reading anywhere in his home. The table mate portable table sets up quickly and is easy to slide around to wherever needed. The attractive white or oak wood grain table top is scooped, allowing it to come closer to the user. This sturdy table can hold up to 50 pounds and the height is adjustable from 23"-30". A great sidekick to the portable table is a comfy lumbar support pillow. Side wings provide support and encourage proper posture so he can sit for longer periods of time more comfortably.

So, you've got some ideas for Dad's gifts but don't forget to advertise your store's Father's Day Sale with an attractive and (dare I say it?) adorable Father's Day Sale sign. Have a great sale and an even better Father's Day.

Easy Set-up Displays for Retailers

2011-06-02T07:30:00.003-05:00

I love this time of the year! All the street festivals, music festivals, art fairs and book fairs...I could spend the entire summer scampering from fest to fair. I know that many of you attend fairs and fests all summer, too, but as vendors. While it is fun to sell your wares and talk to all different kinds of people, setting up and breaking down can really be a hassle. In order to save your sanity, it is important to have displays that are quick and easy to set up and break down and also show your merchandise well so lets explore a few options.

One of the most versatile displays is the Standing Grid Screen. The screen measures 2'W x 5'H so it is still small enough to load into most SUVs or vans and since the legs are easy to screw on and off, the screen can lie flat during transport which leaves you more room for your product. Choose from a wide variety of accessories to attach to the screen depending on your display needs. Select peg hooks, baskets and accessory clips to display smaller items or faceouts, waterfalls, shelves with brackets and hang rails for larger items. Don't forget your grid sign holder to advertise your merchandise! Single rail garment racks also set up and break down easily and give you plenty of room for displaying apparel.

Folding tables are also necessary for the mobile retailer. These folding tables measure 60"L x 24"W x 30"H and have a lip around the outside of the table to keep your merchandise on the table, not on the ground. Other display options that easily fold up are the Folding Shelving Rack and the Square Bin. The folding shelving rack has 5 adjustable shelves and is constructed of sturdy powder coated wire. The square bin folds quickly and easily and features an adjustable bottom shelf for displaying a variety of merchandise. A happy owner of the square bin says "I love that it takes up little space while holding a lot of merchandise. Being able to dis-assemble it and pack it away neatly in my limited trailer space is a plus".

Have jewelry or other small items to display? Then check out the 16 hook counter top display or the 12 hook countertop spinner. They are both compact but can display a lot of smaller items. There are also a wide variety of jewelry trays to choose from to display all your pretty and shiny trinkets.

Setting up quickly and easily leaves you with more time to enjoy the sights and sounds at the festivals and cuts down on the headaches. So make things a little easier on yourself by getting the appropriate displays and go have some fun!

Retail Store Curb Appeal

2011-05-31T07:30:00.002-05:00

So, in an earlier blog we talked about the importance of the outside of one's store. The outside has to look presentable because a dirty exterior could deter potential customers from stepping through the door, right?

Here's a little something to help keep the outside of your store a little cleaner: a smokers Ceasefire Cigarette Receptacle. When smokers are done with their cigarettes and there is no place for them to dispose of them, the cigarette butts just may end up on the sidewalk. With the cigarette receptacle, you will give smokers the option to dispose of their cigarette butts while keeping your sidewalk and gutter clean! There are several styles of cigarette receptacles to choose from so you are sure to find one that will complement the outside of your store.

Another way to make the outside of your store more appealing is to offer a comfy bench or other seating area for weary shoppers to sit down and rest their tired tootsies for a few minutes. Taking a little rest outside of your business gives folks a chance to look inside your windows and when they see something that interests them, they just may walk their rested and refreshed selves right through your door.

Opening a New Store

2011-05-26T07:30:00.002-05:00

You have decided to open a new retail store? Congratulations! What an interesting, challenging and rewarding professional future you have ahead of you!

You and your big ideas. So, you have a vision of the store you'd like to open. You've decided what type of merchandise you'd like to sell and you can just see yourself greeting customers, assisting shoppers, ringing up sales and having a good time. That's great! Visualizing what you want is the first step toward acquiring it. You will also want to think about what will set you apart from your competitors. What merchandise or services are you going to offer that customers cannot get from a nearby competitor? Making your business stand apart in a positive way from the competition will be the difference between being perceived as average or remarkable.

Capital. You need some capital to get started, of course. This can come through various channels such as a bank loan, investors or from money that you've socked away just for this reason. If you are going to apply for a bank loan or approach investors, it would be a great idea to formulate a business plan first. In fact, most banks or investors will insist on it. Here's a nifty website I came across that can help you write your business plan and it also has some handy calculators to help you determine various costs.

Location, Location, Location. Location can make or break a business. Some things you need to take into consideration include zoning, parking/public transportation stops and traffic flow. Think about the customers that you hope to attract to your store. Is there a particular neighborhood that attracts your potential customers? Can you rent space at a busy strip mall or commercial building that already generate a lot of traffic and interest? Which brings us to how much rent you can afford or whether or not you are going to purchase a building. Either way, you want to make sure the space's wiring can handle your electrical display requirements as well as Internet, phone and fax, if needed. Is the plumbing adequate for your needs, will you need to install a kitchen or break area? Also, don't forget to scope out the competitions' locations! For instance, you may not want to open up your craft store right across the street from an already established and popular craft store, right?

To staff or not to staff? New businesses usually start out small and that means the owner(s) are manning the store themselves and will hire maybe one or two employees in the beginning. New business owners wear many hats and often, all of those hats at the same time. While many people thrive when handling the whole kit-n-caboodle themselves, you don't want to face burnout so if the budget can handle it, a couple of motivated, dependable employees can be life savers. Be sure to look at your numbers to see what you can afford to pay an employee. New business owners may start employees at a wage that they find difficult to handle if business doesn't start booming immediately. If you've never hired anyone before, then this blog entry about hiring employees may be able to guide you along the way.

Stocking the store. Deciding exactly what to stock and where to purchase from can be fun but it is also a challenge. I found this article that had some good advice and pretty much sums it all up. I know you're excited but try not to go nuts when ordering; pay attention to the guidelines you set for yourself and don't get sucked into in impulse purchase of 5,000 troll dolls because the sales rep tells you "they're coming back". It's the same principle as "do not grocery shop when you are hungry" because at that time, everything looks good (no offense to the troll doll collectors out there...and I know you're out there). Remember; you can always order more or different product later.

Displays and store maintenance. There are oh-so-many choices when it comes to displaying and packaging your merchandise. From clothing racks to show cases to fixtures to impulse bins to the bags you send home with your customers....I can go on and on. The professionals at Specialty Store Services can help you figure out just what you need to display your product and can even design a floor plan for you. Keeping your store in tip-top shape is very important and this blog entry on merchandising and store appearance can help you see your store through fresh eyes. Store window displays are huge attention getters so check out this blog entry to get some tips!

Show and sell. Okay, you're almost ready to roll! Have you gotten the word out about your fantastic new store? Issue a press release to the local papers and post on free press release sites online. If you do not have a Facebook page, you may want to think about starting one and posting information about your store opening and other events and sales as they crop up. Hang up your custom banners to let people know that your store is coming and don't forget your grand opening banner for the big day! Indoor and window signage can really generate business so make sure the signs are legible, to the point and professional looking. Think about hosting some in-store events to generate interest and get potential customers into your store to take a look around.

Now, these are just some general guidelines. It would be advisable for you to sit down with professionals that you trust, such as other successful business owners, an accountant and possibly an attorney to help you hash out the details and offer advice, both professional and legal. You can also check out this website for a little more guidance.

Good luck on your new adventure! Please feel free to send me photos of your store opening or visit Specialty Store Service's Facebook page to touch base.

Disc Repair System Pays for Itself

2011-05-24T07:30:00.004-05:00

Even in this age of on-demand movies and downloadable music, we still love our discs, those little spheres of escape and entertainment. We've lovingly compiled a library of tunes, games and movies that we can turn to in times of stress, boredom, excitement and joy so it's frustrating when one of our little friends goes down for the count.

Something that can bring a disc back from the brink of the dumpster is a good disc repair system, like the JFJ Easy-Pro Disc Repair System. A simple one-step operation buffs out light scratches and fingerprints and takes care of that pesky skipping while a multi-step process can fix up more heavily scratched discs. This is a great system for movie and game rental stores and libraries as well as personal use. The disc repair system also works on Blu-ray discs, CD-roms, Gamecube, PS2, PS3, Wii and XBOX games so fire it up and get to work saving your entire collection! No need to discard those damaged discs and spend the money to replace them.

The disc repair system does not require water to operate so no need to fool with dirty water, hoses and that whole soggy mess. DVD and CD cleaning supplies and buffing pads are included with the disc repair system so you're ready to roll from the time you unpack the box. Ordering additional cleaning and buffing supplies is quick and easy so you won't have to deal with a lengthy down-time if you run out. Most repairs are done in 1-2 minutes and at 15 to 20 cents per repair, it's quite an economical system. Disc repair and cleaning is also a service you can offer to customers and just think of how grateful they will be when you save their favorite music disc or game!

So, what are you waiting for? Your disc collection and customers are depending on you!

Hiring Temporary Employees

2011-05-19T07:30:00.002-05:00

It's on the way. The busy summer season! Are you ready for the influx of customers that the nice weather will bring? One thing that will make your summer season flow smoothly is a dynamic, friendly and helpful staff, and this includes your seasonal employees. Here are some helpful hints to make sure you find the temporary employees that are right for your business.

Don't delay when getting your summer staff roster in order. Start scouting for your talented staff early, before your competition snatches them up. Giving yourself enough time to interview, hire and train your new crew will mean you won't be flustered when the busy season sneaks up on you, like it's apt to do.

Check work references. Starting your screening process early also gives you ample time to verify employment and run background checks on your potential temporary employees. Applicants should have previous employers who can attest to their work ethic, reliability and character. Remember, Federal laws prohibit potential employers from asking the applicant, or references, about certain topics that could be used as a basis for discrimination including age, race, religion, political affiliation, sexual orientation, color, pregnancy, marital status, citizenship or disability, along with others.

Dip into the applicant pool. College students and retirees make fantastic employees. The college students' flexible schedules while on school break coupled with their energy make them ideal candidates for temporary employment. Retirees possess years of work and life experience that can be valuable to your company and, like college students, retirees also have flexible schedules.

Get your ducks in a row. What positions are you looking to fill? What skills are you willing teach and what skills do you need your new employee to possess right off the bat? What sort of personality best fits with your business' culture? Think about what you need and then ask the same questions of every applicant so you can measure them all with the same yardstick. Develop a scoring system to help you score various areas of expertise and then tally the scores to help you keep track of and compare applicants.

Don't lead the way. Asking "Can you do ____?" leads the applicant to tell you what you want to hear, not what they have to say. Asking broad questions will lead to more insightful answers. For instance, "Tell me about a time you had to deal with a difficult customer or coworker" gives you insight into how they would handle a difficult situation and is more telling than a simple yes or no question.

Think team player, not temp. Hiring seasonal help with the "I just need them to get through the next couple months" attitude can trick you into lowering your standards. You want an employee who will be a positive addition to your company, whether as a temporary or permanent employee. Treat your temp employees with the same respect and consideration that you would your permanent staff. If you like what you see during the summer season, you can always invite your temporary employees back for the holiday season, or even as a permanent team members.

Good luck on your search!

Credit Card Processing

2011-05-17T07:30:00.002-05:00

We are all aware that "cash money" is a universal language but in case you haven't noticed, many people are now fluent in speaking "credit card". Paper or plastic doesn't just refer to bags any more! The question is, are you speaking your customers' language?

There is no doubt that people like to have choices. Choices in clothes they wear, the food they order, the fancy (or not-so-fancy) coffee they drink and they like to have options in how to pay for it. I, for one, do not carry cash with me very often and I truly think I could not survive without my debit card (I do not know how I functioned before they came along!). I cannot run across the street to my neighborhood store for a gallon of milk because the merchant only accepts card purchases over $10. I know several people who use their credit cards exclusively so they can rack up points with the credit card company. I understand that many businesses do not offer credit/debit card processing because they are leery of the fees incurred and contract commitment but I wonder just how many customers have been lost to businesses that only accept cash?

If these items don't convince you that credit/debit card processing is important to a bottom line then check out this little tidbit: Credit card users spend 12%-15% more than those who pay with cash. Now, wouldn't it be nice if that little boost ended up reflected in your sales?

If you've been kicking around the idea of offering card processing to your customers, now is the time to check it out. First Payment Services can set up a card processing program that is right for your business. Nervous about entering into a long contract? Don't be, because FPS offers month-to-month contracts if that is what you desire. If you already have a card processing company, First Payment Services offers a $1,000 guarantee that they will save you money over your current card processor. Nice deal!

So, why not explore the possibility of offering card processing? You just may get more people fluent in the language of "credit card" walking through your door if you do.

Retail Training Classes

2011-05-12T07:30:00.004-05:00

I don't need to tell you how competitive the retail sales industry is. As competitive as this business is, the good news is that there ways to increase your competitive edge. One way is to attend retail training classes that can teach you and your staff new skills and help you fine-tune the ones you already possess. The downside is that, although these classes can be a valuable tool, they can often be expensive and time consuming. Not so with RetailTraining.com.

The on-line classes offered through RetailTraining.com average 20 minutes in length and the best part is that you can take them whenever you want to; all you need is a computer. Not only are these classes concise and and informative, they are very cost effective.

You will discover how to:

Utilize impulse merchandising and visual merchandising to enhance your customers’ experience and generate unplanned purchases

Retain valuable employees by building morale, skills, confidence and loyalty

Use key financial statements to assess and analyze the fiscal health of your retail business

Develop a strategic retail plan and store audit to keep your business on track

Implement a Customer Loyalty program and discover how your business will benefit from the program

Sign up for a free, no-obligation on-line retail training class to take the first step toward building a stronger foundation for you business by further developing your greatest asset: the knowledge you and your staff possess.

Instructional Videos for Product Assembly

2011-05-10T07:30:00.003-05:00

I've noticed lately while surfing the web that more and more videos are being posted on news links in addition to, or even in place of, written copy. While I am an avid reader, there is something to be said about just being able to click a button and having information told and/or shown to me. Apparently, video clips are the way to go and Specialty Store Services has definitely caught the video wave by creating video assembly instructions.

Need to know how to assemble our 2-way garment rack? Well, check out the video to see how to assemble a 2-way garment rack (#2621)! You can also view the instructional videos on how to assemble the Waterfall Stacking Basket Display (#3387) and the Bucket Seat Stool (#5860B). See all of our current instructional videos at Specialty Store Services' channel on Youtube. You can also see the videos on our Facebook page. While you're there, be sure to "like" us so you can stay on top of product and merchandising information as well as receive special promotions exclusive to Facebook friends. The instructional videos will soon be posted on our website, as well, so stay tuned.

Are there any SSS products for which you'd like to see an instructional video made? Let me know!

Vertical Merchandising with Grid Displays

2011-05-05T07:30:00.002-05:00

We all know that displaying merchandise can be tricky but even trickier is working with limited display space. When floor space is at a premium, your best bet is go up. Enter Grid Panels!

Grid panels range in height from 4’ to 8’ and widths of 1’ to 4’. Just think of how much merchandise you can showcase on a 5’ tall display! Grid panels are incredibly versatile and can be directly attached to the wall or connected to other grid panels to create floor displays. These nifty panels can be configured into different shaped grid displays such as “T”, “H”, quad and triangle displays, or can be connected end to end to span the length of wall; the configurations are only as limited as your imagination. Mobilize the displays with casters and a floor plan can be rearranged with ease. Slatgrid panels can be employed in the same manner as grid panels and, what’s more, any slatwall accessories you may have can also be used on slatgrid!

Retail flexibility is yours when choosing from grid accessories such peg hooks, faceouts, waterfalls, hang rails, shelves, baskets and more. Use a wide variety of grid accessories to display anything from clothing and purses to books and movies. Half round mannequins can be hung on the grid panels to garner attention and show customers how clothing will look when worn. Accessories can also be moved around with ease to accommodate changing inventory.

As you can see, grid displays are versatile and ideal for cross merchandising which makes them a great investment for any retail environment.

Impulse Purchases: Pump up the Volume!

2011-05-03T07:30:00.006-05:00

Pump up the volume of impulse items you sell, that is. We covered the yummy goodness of chocolate and candy impulse items last week but now let’s explore some impulse sale techniques.

Make the impulsive human nature work for you. Customers standing in line waiting to check out have already made the decision to purchase something, so initiating another small purchase just requires a little nudge to the impulsive human nature. Many of us have that little voice in our head that says “I’m already checking out and that item is interesting/necessary/cute so what is a few more dollars?” The trick is to offer your customers small, inexpensive items at or near the checkout counter. Make sure your impulse items are inexpensive, ideally under $10 but even $1 items can really add up. Imagine how much extra revenue you could generate if nearly every customer spontaneously purchased a $1 pack of gum or travel-size hand sanitizer.

Make the impulse items small so they "blend in" with your customers' purchases. A larger item may stick out and make them second guess their impulse purchase but a smaller item tossed onto the counter or into the basket will easily blend in so the customer won't be phased out. So make the point of sale items small and easy to grab if one's hands are full, such as funny sticky notes, sample sized toiletries, gummy bracelets or hair accessories. Also, think about your target audience; what would most appeal to the customers who shop in your particular store?

Finally, display your impulse sale items in attractive and easily accessible containers and display racks. Countertop displays can be attractive and do not take up much valuable counter space. If you have room next to your registers then you may want to consider a larger floor display that can hold a wide variety of items. There are many display options including wood baskets, mesh baskets, plastic jars, acrylic jars and peghook displays so take a look at around and think about what would complement your decor and best showcase the impulse merchandise you offer.

Little things can mean a lot, namely extra cash in your register, so don't underestimate the effect of point of sale items on the impulsive human nature.

Retail Sale Idea: Boss is Away Sale

2011-04-28T07:30:00.019-05:00

Here is a fun and creative idea to generate interest in your store, courtesy of The Cozy Nest in New Hampshire. The employees at the Cozy Nest had a "Boss is Away Sale", and just look what great results they had when they were given permission to go wild, have fun, and create sales in her absence!

"I wanted to share a promotion that my staff had while I was at the June Retail Success Summit. I borrowed the idea from someone that said she had a "While the cat is away the mice will play" promotion while she was away from her store. I asked my employees if they would like to plan a similar event while I was at the Summit and that I would trust them to handle it and didn't want to know anything about it.

"It was a huge success. They had a 237% gain over last year.

"Here are some of the things they did:

Wore little glittery mouse ears with a pink bow the whole time I was gone

Sent out a daily e-mail about the deal of the day (borrowed idea from the 12 days of Christmas)

Had a big poster for the customers to sign and leave me a message

Created a poster with a thermometer that they filled in every day to show how they were progressing

Asked neighboring businesses to send their customers over and gave those customers an extra 10% off. Plus, the business that sent the most people received a gift certificate

Raffled off a gift basket worth $300 (all clearance items)

Held a daily raffle for 4 gift certificates ($25 each)

"I gave them a hefty sales goal and if they met it, I'd give them each a day off with pay, and they met their goal. They had a blast and were really proud of their event. The customers also had a blast.

"I had a friend drive by and they told me it was like a feeding frenzy and the parking lot was a mob scene. I am sure that created some buzz around town, plus it brought in some new customers that wanted to see what was going on!"

What a fun idea! I especially love the Deal of the Day email, the reciprocal program with neighboring businesses, the message poster for the boss and the mouse ears. Gosh, I guess I loved all the ideas. Please me know if you try this out. It sounds like a hoot!

Candy: The Ultimate Impulse Item!

2011-04-26T07:30:00.009-05:00

Okay, show of hands. Who does not like chocolate? Hmmm, not many hands up. Chocolate and other candies are popular treats year round and that makes them excellent candidates for your impulse purchase displays.

Although chocolate is tasty at any time (Chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast washed down with chocolate milk? Yes, please!) it doesn't always store and ship very well in the summer heat. Enter Specialty Store's annual chocolate sale! That's right, all of our chocolate is on sale right now so stock up and satisfy your peckish customers' hankering for a sweet snack after shopping at your store. Candy isn't just for convenience stores and food stores any more. If you look at many big-name department stores you will see candy for sale at their check out counters and believe me when I say that it is hard to resist. I speak from experience (but never with my mouth full).

Check out our chocolate sale items including Snickers, Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, Twix and M&Ms, just to name a few. But why stop there when other favorites such as Twizzlers, Skittles, lollipops and Sour Patch Kids are available? Give impulse candy a try if you haven't already. Your sugared-up customers will thank you.

Calming the Retail Customers' Fear of Purchasing

2011-04-21T07:30:00.009-05:00

You have customers walking through your door every day. They are cordially greeted by you or your staff, they browse, they ask questions and, if all goes according to your plan, they purchase your merchandise. But sometimes they do not. Hmmm! What could be the reason for this? Perhaps you don't have quite what they're looking for...or perhaps they're afraid. Not afraid of you or your oh-so-not-scary merchandise, but afraid of the item not working out for them, after all.

Let's look at some reasons a customer might be afraid to purchase. They are afraid that:

the item may be less expensive elsewhere

their significant other won't like it

it won't match (their sofa, their pants, etc.)

they won't know how to use it

Have a meeting with your staff and ask them why customers may be hesitant to purchase in your store in particular. Once you pinpoint possible reasons, you can prepare your solutions. For instance, if the customer fears they will find the item cheaper elsewhere, you can implement a price-matching program if you don't already have one in place. People may be more inclined to purchase if they know that they will be reimbursed the difference if the same item is found to be cheaper somewhere else within the next 30 days (or whatever time frame you choose). If the item doesn't match or their significant other doesn't approve, let them know they've got nothing to lose by trying it out since they can always return their purchase for a refund or store credit. If the customer is nervous that he or she won't know how to operate whatever it is they are purchasing, offer them a training session and let them know they can always call the store for assistance.

As we've all heard said "The best offense is a good defense". Being prepared for any objection or fear that may pop up means that you don't have to fear losing a sale.

Mother's Day Sale Signage

2011-04-19T07:30:00.014-05:00

The day honoring Mom is coming. The woman who tucked us in at night, kissed our owies, grounded us just because she didn't like how the dog looked after he was shaved and colored in with marker. She may not have an artistic bone in her body, but she's Mom. And people are going to be crawling out of the woodwork to purchase her yearly "Thanks for not strangling me when I was a mouthy teenager" gift. You've probably got all your sale ideas in place but make sure people know that you're even having a sale.

A beautiful sign in your window will draw attention, remind people that Mom's day is coming and get them in the store to take advantage of your fantastic sale. Your Mother's Day Sale sign will be shipped out the day after you order so it will be hanging in your window in no time. You can see our sale sign above and, as you can see, I wasn't lying when I said it was beautiful.

Have a great sale! And give Mom a hug for me.

Custom Labels = Customized Anything

2011-04-14T07:30:00.006-05:00

Would you like customized bags, cups or packages to send home with your customers but do not want to spend big bucks? Then custom labels are the way to go! You can have custom labels printed for mere pennies. Pennies, I tell you!

"I put stickers with my company logo on all styro cups in the cafe - works great and is a very economical way to have customized cups!". Those are words right out of the mouth of a business owner who was quite pleased with a 2" circle custom label. In addition to the circle labels we also offer rectangle, square, oval and triangle shaped labels to suit your needs exactly. The custom labels are available in a variety of label colors, ink colors, shapes and sizes so your options are nearly limitless.

Looking for a little more flash? Check out gold foil custom labels or silver foil custom labels. These labels look fantastic with the contrasting black ink and are especially effective with a logo. Send us a high-resolution image of your logo to print on the label or, for a small fee, we will create a professional custom logo for you.

Here is something you don't see every day: 8 1/2"W x 5 1/2"L custom labels! These beauties really dress up paper shopping bags and plastic shopping bags. See the label above and notice how it really draws attention to the bag and then imagine your customers walking down the street with these custom labels on your bags. They will advertise your store for you! Nice. These labels are white and can be printed in full color. Design your labels with your logo or a photo, store information, advertising message...it's your custom label so go nuts.

So, think outside the bags...or box or cup. And never underestimate the big power of a little label.

Retail In-Store Event Ideas

2011-04-12T07:30:00.007-05:00

So, everyone with cabin fever is looking for something interesting to do. Why not hold an in-store event? They will have something to do and you will have potential customers walking through your door. It’s a win-win! Now, let’s start tossing around some ideas.

Invite people in. How about an open house or after-hours event? Provide some beverages and little snacks and invite folks to take a look around. Put on a fashion show if you own a clothing or jewelry store. Give a demonstration or presentation about services you offer or merchandise you sell. If you’d like to liven things up a little, recruit a musician or two from the local college or music school to provide some entertainment or background music. You could have a door prize raffle, the prize being an item from your store or gift certificate for a service you offer. When participants fill out the raffle ticket, ask for email addresses so you can inform them about upcoming events and promotions.

Play nice with others. Contact a local non-competing business and create a reciprocal program. If you own a clothing store you can put a coupon to the local dry cleaner in your customers’ bags and the dry cleaner can return the favor by providing a coupon for your store. If you own a pet supply store you can work in cahoots with a hotdog stand. (Ha!) Although working with a business in the same sphere would be ideal, the businesses do not necessarily have to complement each other. Everybody has a wide variety of needs so a hardware store could very well work out a program with a restaurant, for example. You can easily print up coupons on your printer but remember to keep the font and text simple. Be sure to specify any restrictions, such as expiration date and maximum discount amount. Make sure the coupons make it into the customers’ bags and are not just sitting on the counter; otherwise people may not see them.

Spread the love. People like to get a good deal and they like to feel good about themselves. Helping others makes us all feel good and there are plenty of organizations that can use help. For instance, a local animal shelter will certainly need food, towels, kitty litter, bleach, toys and other items. You can let the shelter know you’d like to help, ask them what they need and work your promotion around that. Ask people to bring items for the shelter to your business and in exchange they will receive a coupon for a certain percentage off their purchase or a free little give-away item. When promoting this event, state the benefiting organization, the date(s), items needed and what people will receive in return (a discount on their purchase and a smile in their heart!). Ask the shelter to post information about this event on their website and to spread the word to their volunteers. This is also an excellent idea to benefit food pantries, veteran’s services, homeless shelters and battered women’s shelters. Not only will you get people in your door, you will also be creating a sense of good will and caring in the community that people will remember and appreciate.

Get the word out. Start publicising your event weeks in advance if possible. People will not show up to your event if you do not tell them about it so send out your emails, print up those flyers, put up your signs and, if it's a charitable event, your local newspaper will likely put the event info in their calendar of events for free. Post the info on your sidewalk sign a few days in advance and especially on the day of the event.

Please let me know about any events that you have and how it went. Good luck and have fun!

Lighted Showcases - Shedding Some Light on Your Merchandise

2011-04-07T07:30:00.007-05:00

So, you have got some lovely merchandise that you’d like to highlight but are leery about having it be too approachable. What to do, what to do? Display it in a locked and lighted showcase, of course.

A showcase that I find to be elegant yet functional is the Rectangular Lighted Tower Showcase which includes a bottom mirror deck shelf. This Tower Showcase comes with three adjustable tempered glass shelves and frameless locking doors so your merchandise will be safe. This display case allows a 360-degree view of your jewelry, collectables and any other small, valuable items you would like to display. The double halogen spotlights in the top canopy and the six adjustable halogen mini-spots on the sides ensure that your merchandise will be displayed to full advantage. This 39.5”W x 13.75”D x 78”H showcase includes a 20” high locking cabinet on the bottom to keep your overstock safe and tucked out of sight. Look at the photo above to see how brilliantly this showcase not only displays the shop owner's merchandise but how strikingly it complements her decor. If you like this cabinet but the size isn’t quite what you are looking for then you may want to explore the Rectangular Lighted Tower Showcase with more glass display space or the Square Lighted Showcase Tower if your display area is limited. All these display cases ship fully assembled so you will not have to monkey around with tools.

Another very pretty lighted cabinet is the elegant Hexagonal Glass Countertop Showcase. This darling showcase has strong, black aluminum framing with tempered glass so it is sturdy but will look lovely while displaying your merchandise with elegance and style. It also includes six 20-watt halogen lights and three tempered glass shelves. At 35”H x 16”D x 18.5”W, the display case is roomy but won’t take up very much valuable counter space.

If you already have showcases that your are happy with but are wistfully thinking “Gosh, if only my showcases had LED lighting”, be wistful no longer. Cool White LED Strip Lights are available in 11.8” lengths and can be connected end-to-end to meet your lighting needs. These lights are super easy to install with the included mounting clips, do not build up excess heat and have a life span of 8 to 10 years of continuous use. Team up the LED Strip Light with the LED Strip Light Controller and LED Strip Light Lead and you are all set to light up your current showcases beautifully!

LED Signage

2011-04-05T07:30:00.005-05:00

A light can be a beacon in a window. Light gets our attention and draws the eye. So it makes sense to have lighted signage to get your customers’ attention, no? When choosing your lighted signage, you will want to take LED signs into consideration. LED lights are fantastic! They are long lasting, inexpensive to operate, super bright, safer and sturdier than neon lights and they don’t get hot so you can leave them on 24/7 if you want to.

The Multi-Color LED Single Line Message Display and Multi-Color LED Double Line Message Display are very effective in getting your message across. Just program your message with the handheld remote keyboard to let people know what you’ve got going on in your store. This display boasts yellow/gold, red and green lights that can be meshed into a multi-color rainbow message. These message displays have 25 display options, 8 available fonts, multi-motion speeds, and can display international characters as well as time, date and temperature. And the display is password protected so no jokesters can mess with your message! This sign can also help you save on marketing expenses, too, because you can just change your message at will rather than having to make up a new sign every time your specials or sales change.

If you are not currently in the market for a Message Display then you may want to consider some appealing non-moving LED signs. An attractive, brilliantly lit LED “Open” sign will let customers know when they can pop into your store. If they stop by when you are closed, just inform them of the hours with this lighted LED “Open” sign with static cling numbers so you can post your hours of operation. One of its notable features is that the hours will stay lit even when the open sign is turned off!

Have an ATM? Let everyone know with a nifty LED “ATM” sign. Own a pet supply store? A cute LED “Open” sign in the shape of a bone will be sure to generate some smiles and sales. There are so many LED signs to choose from! Check them out and see which ones will work for your business.

Jewelry Displays Get Creative

2011-03-31T07:30:00.015-05:00

Velvet and leatherette jewelry displays are lovely and classic. I love nothing more than to see a sparkly little creation nestled on a black velvet display, unless it is nestled on my own black sweater. As pretty as the classic displays are, it is nice to shake things up sometimes and think outside the (jewelry) box.

I came across an article that featured an incredibly creative jewelry display at Paper Moon in Reno, NV. It never occurred to me to use a jersey form as a jewelry display but there you are. See how they used jewelry U-pins to attach the pendants across the torso in a pattern that flows and draws your eye across and down? Notice that smaller pendants and earrings are placed at the neck, where the space is smaller and they won’t get lost in the midst of larger pieces. I also like how the designer created a belt-like break between the “shirt” and the “skirt”. And, oh, that skirt! I am completely smitten with that “skirt” which is created with individual chains in graduated sizes. So clever! The reason this display works is because, although it is showcasing many items, it isn’t busy. The lines are more or less symmetrical and organized so you can see all the pieces in order, rather than searching through a jumble. This display apparently took some time and effort to create but it does what is supposed to: draw the eye, display the product effectively and make people say “wow”. If you are short on time you can still display your jewelry in an attractive and eye-catching manner.

The designer at Craftland in Providence, RI, came up with a simple yet striking display. I love the way the green and hot pink contrast but really work together. This display is as easy as placing colored paper underneath glass plates and arranging the jewelry in a neat and orderly fashion. Add some simple tabletop displays and, voila! You’ve got something special. Think about what other colors contrast yet complement and try to work them into your next display. Just remember not to use more than two, maybe three colors at a time because you don’t want the jewelry itself to fight for attention with the display.

Channel your inner designer and have some fun!

Pop-up Shops

2011-03-29T07:30:00.009-05:00

We’ve all passed by empty storefronts or offices, wondering what business will be opening up next. With the economy in its current state many people are hesitant to start a new venture or expand their current business, which leaves these stores empty and landlords eager for some sort of income. Enter Pop-up Shops.

As defined on Wikipedia, a “pop-up retail space is a venue that is temporary — the space could be a sample sale one day and host a private cocktail party the next evening. The trend involves “popping-up” one day, then disappearing anywhere from one day to several weeks later. These stores, while small and temporary, can build up interest by consumer exposure. Pop-up retail allows a company to create a unique environment that engages their customers, as well as generates a feeling of relevance and interactivity. They are often used by marketers for seasonal items such as Halloween costumes, holiday gifts and Christmas trees, or fireworks.” Pop-up shops can also be used as an opportunity to test a brand or market without committing to opening a permanent shop. Department stores are known to open pop-up shops to generate buzz about designers or to focus on several new items each week. Some online stores will also open up these temporary stores to unload overstock. Many landlords are now willing to negotiate short term leases in an effort to generate some revenue so obtaining a temporary space is easier than ever. Sound good to you? If you think that you might want to test out a market or idea let’s think about what you’ll need to open up a pop-up shop.

First of all, you’ll need displays and fixtures that are quick and easy to set up and knock down. Slatgrid and grid panels answer that need. Grid panels can be assembled into multiple configurations to meet your display requirements and can also be easily attached to walls with wall brackets for a more (semi)permanent display. Attach peg hooks, shelves, hang rails, faceouts, waterfalls and/or baskets and you’ve got everything you need to display a wide variety of different items. Install some casters and you can scoot the displays all around the store to change the floorplan. Keep in mind that slatwall accessories also work on slatgrid so if you’ve already got slatwall, you’re all set. Grid panels can also be purchased preconfigured in various ways such as quads, H displays or simple impulse displays if you don’t want to bother coming up with your own arrangement.

If you are looking for quick and easy garment racks then the heavy duty folding rack and professional Z rack may be just the ticket. The heavy duty folding rack is available in single and double rail and the casters also make it easy to rearrange the floorplan. The folding Z rack also sturdy and mobile and has the option to add another rail as well as a bottom shelf for more display space. Single rail garment racks are a good idea if you don’t plan on rearranging the floorplan during your stay in the store. Don’t forget your sturdy folding hand trucks to help you move merchandise in and out of the shop.

Well, we’ve touched on items you’ll need to display your merchandise but before you get going, don’t forget to publicize your pop-up shop! Send out an email blast on Constant Contact, post on FaceBook and tweet away on Twitter. If you want to print out invitations or advertisements, remember to keep the color scheme and font simple (think Arial or Times New Roman) and wording to a minimum. Don’t forget to order a banner for your pop-up shop so people know that you’ve come to visit for a while. Good luck and let me know if you’ve decided to “pop up" anywhere!

Spruce Up Your Retail Store

2011-03-22T07:30:00.012-05:00

Okay, so we’ve got the window displays popping and the staff smiling, ready to welcome the swarm of warm weather customers coming your way. But now let’s deal with the aftermath of the cold weather customers. I’m afraid that I have to mention something that strikes fear (or at least dismay) into the hearts of most folks: spring cleaning. Yes, it’s a dirty job but someone’s gotta do it. We’ve already covered cleaning to a lesser extent in “What Is Your Store Saying?” but it’s time to get down with the dirt.

Here is an interesting tidbit for you: spring cleaning is a phrase from the days when people used coal to heat their homes and oil lamps to light it up. After a season of closed windows, the walls and pretty much everything else were covered in soot and general ickiness so a good cleaning was needed once warmer weather arrived and the windows could remain open to let out the stale air and let in the fresh. Although we don’t use coal for heating any more, rooms get stuffy and dusty from being closed up during cold weather. Also, spring cleaning is a great way to give a little face lift to your store without investing in new flooring or a paint job!

Subjecting your floor to wet, muddy boots for months at a time can really take a toll on your flooring and give it a shabby look. You might want to invest in a good floor cleaner so you can clean and freshen up your floor a few times a year. Rather than buying a separate shampooer and a buffer, some machines can deep clean carpeting, scrub hard floors, and buff and clean hardwood, ceramic and marble. Neat, huh? If you only have carpeting then it's a good idea to invest in a steam cleaner; those things can work wonders. This steam-vac carpet cleaner does not require faucet hook-up, just fill the tank with hot water and pre-measured detergent. Super easy! Of course you’ll also want to keep a vacuum and/or sweeper on hand for daily clean ups. Wait till you see how terrific the freshly cleaned floor looks after you’ve gotten used to seeing it all dingy and winterish, especially when the sunlight streams in through your clean windows.

Come on, let’s clean those windows inside and out to let that sunshine in! It is amazing how much better a bright, sunny room can look. You do not have to freshly repaint the entire store to make it look sparkling new. I have three words for you: clean, clean, clean! Yes, it’s actually one word but one word that will make a huge difference in the appearance of any store. When we see the same areas day after day, little scuffs and patches of dirt just become part of the scenery that we don’t notice…but your customers will! So, scrub-a-dub! Don’t forget to dust the tops of door frames, shelves, fixtures, pictures and moldings first; dusting last will just get dust all over everything you just cleaned. Add a gentle yet effective cleaner (we don’t want to scrub the paint off the walls) to your bucket of warm water and attack those walls, fixtures, shelves and counters with a sponge or lint-free cloth. We’re giving this store a once-over to make it ready for the busy upcoming season so let’s put our backs into it and move furniture, fixtures, racks and shelving rather than cleaning around them. Wait until you see the difference a good cleaning can make!

Okay, the inside it ready to go. What about the outside? You’ve cleaned the outside of your windows and doors so that’s covered but what about your sidewalk and parking area? Make sure you pick up any trash, glass and dead leaves lurking around and sweep that sidewalk. The outside of your store should be a reflection of what folks will find on the inside so make sure it’s clean and inviting so that people will even want to walk through your door.

Now, if you’ve incorporated everything from the last several blogs you should have colorful, eye-catching signage, organized shelves and racks, attention-grabbing window displays and a sparkling clean store. Bring on the shoppers!

Peevish Customer Service

2011-03-17T07:30:00.009-05:00

Pet peeves. We’ve all got them. Cars that swerve into our lane without the courtesy of a turn signal. When people say “I could care less” instead of the correct “I couldn’t care less” (and don’t even get me started on “irregardless”). Store clerks who are more interested in talking to co-workers about their personal lives than helping the customers. Hmmm. Let’s expound on the latter peeve, shall we?

Let’s be honest. There is a lot of competition out there so it’s important to put our best foot forward at all times. What do we do to attract and keep customers? We stock our stores with merchandise that people want and price that merchandise competitively. We try to make our place of business appealing to customers by keeping it clean and organized. We hire staff who are courteous, friendly, honest and, if not knowledgeable right off the bat, at least eager to learn. Let me tell you, the experience customers have with the staff can be the difference between “This place was nice and I’ll come here again” and “I am going to tell everyone I know just how rude the help is at this place!” Here is an important fact: people are much more likely to talk about a negative experience they’ve had than a positive one.

So what can business owners and their employees do to ensure customers have a pleasant experience, as far as customer service goes? First off, smile. A smile can go a long way. I recall times when I’ve stopped into a store worn out, cranky and longing for home, and a cashier with a warm, sincere smile and sincere “How are you doing today?” honestly gave me a little pick-me-up. Also, people like to be acknowledged. When someone walks into a store, being greeted with eye contact, a smile and “Hello! What can I help you find today?” is very pleasant. We like to know that there is someone available to help us when and if we need the help buuuuuuut…we don’t want to be stalked while walking around the store. Regarding eye contact; people are less likely to shoplift if the staff makes eye contact with them because direct eye contact is a distinct indication of the staff’s attention. It’s true. I wouldn’t lie to you.

Another thing that is important is tone of voice. Studies have proven that the tone in which something is said is more important than the actual words spoken. Think about that. You can hear in a person’s tone of voice if they are angry, happy, sarcastic, combative, etc. Smile when you answer the phone. The person on the other end will be able to hear it and will respond to it. One thing your customers do not want to hear is chatter about an employee’s lying spouse or financial trouble, how much a coworker is disliked, how drunk someone was at a party and any other number of topics that are not appropriate for discussion while helping customers.

The focus of the employees should be on the customers. Period. Those customers are the reason we are in business and that is something owners and employees need to remember at all times. No one wants to be rung up, basically ignored by the cashier until he or she barks out the total and then barely receive a “thank you” because said cashier is too busy gossiping or talking on the phone to provide quality service. Save the talk about personal and operational issues for home or the break room. And I say that with a smile.

Retail Window Display Ideas That Pop!

2011-03-15T07:30:00.019-05:00

It’s just around the corner! Spring! Sunshine. Flowers. Rainbows and rain showers. People coming out of their winter hibernation, stretching, yawning and ready for something new. Hooray for spring! Now that people are venturing out of their lairs more often, how about we spruce up your retail window displays to attract them into your store? Let’s go over some simple ways to dress up your windows.

~ Hang some colorful bouncy balls from the ceiling with fishing line and ceiling clips at different levels. Beach balls are a great option for summertime windows and large ornaments or snowflakes would look fantastic in winter windows. You can likely find the balls at a local dollar store. Or you can choose to hang colorful gift bags fluffed with tissue paper. These are inexpensive ways to bring color to your display and to draw the eyes of passersby. Not only will the display pop, but it will convey a sense of fun to your customers.

~ String a clean new clothesline across your window and hang some of your new items on the line with clothespins, or use fishing line to hang them if they are too bulky for the pins. Hang some colorful signage that says “Fresh from the Line” so people will know you’ve gotten in new product. Remember to keep your signs simple and legible because people need to read them in the 3 seconds it takes to pass by. Make the window bright enough and they just may slow down to take a longer look!

~ “Plant” some items in colorful flowerpots. Attach a small item for sale to the top of a stake or heavy gauge wire and glue on some leaves cut from felt fabric. Visit any craft store or dollar store for the felt and for some foam bases that you can poke the stakes into. Put the foam into the flowerpot, poke in the stake and top it off with some Easter grass and you’ve got a cute, eye-catching prop for your window. If the foam doesn’t fit snugly in the flowerpot, you may need to glue it to the bottom of the pot so your “plant” doesn’t topple over. Make sure you don't try to plant heavy merchandise or again with the toppling. Depending on your product, you may be able to plant your items directly in the flowerpot without the stake. Place a few of these pots sprouting your products in your windows and people stop to smell the flowers.

~ Place several boxes or cubes of different sizes in your window and cover them with one large unwrinkled cloth or expanse of fabric. You can pick up fabric fairly cheaply from the craft/sewing store or even a big box store with a sewing section. Smooth the cloth to emphasize the different heights and place your items on the covered boxes. Use a solid colored cloth (such as green to give the impression of grass) to make sure the merchandise you are displaying doesn't get lost in a busy pattern. The varying heights of the boxes will create visual interest and keep the viewer's eyes moving around the display. What other attention-grabbing, light-weight items can you scatter on the cloth in this display? Silk flowers? Pretty glass/acrylic globes? Decorative stones or pebbles? You want something to draw the eye and complement your merchandise but not steal the show.

One more thing: if you want to keep the same display up for any length of time, remember to move around or introduce new items every few days to keep the display fresh. Use your imagination and play around with these ideas and I bet you'll have fun! Feel free to send me some pics of your fun and fresh retail window displays!

It's in the Bag

2011-03-10T07:30:00.009-06:00

A bag is a bag is a bag, right? Au contraire, mon frere! Just as your window display or entryway give customers the first impression of your store, the bag you send home with them gives the last impression. No, I’m not saying that you need to spend big bucks on some fancy-shmancy bags, I’m just suggesting that it is a good idea to put more thought into the bag selection process than “Meh. I guess this bag will do”. Let’s explore some options to help make the decision a bit easier.

Paper or plastic? That’s one of the big questions nowadays. It is possible to get quality bags either way you go. Let’s start with the plastic options. The most common bag that we all see is called a t-shirt bag. You know, the type with handles that the majority of grocery stores use. These bags are 100% recyclable, economical and come in a wide variety of colors, weights and sizes. Plain white is popular but black is gaining in popularity, not only because it provides a bit of privacy for one’s purchases but it’s also a hip yet classic color. You can thank your customers all the way home by investing in “thank you” bags. These bags are available in white or black and the white bags also have the option of a happy smiley face. Color t-shirt bags in blue, green or red are also fun and are especially appropriate if the colors match or complement your business’ color motif. Frosted shopping bags or merchandise bags with handles are a stylish option in plastic bags. So you see, plastic bags are functional and can be attractive but some customers perceive paper bags to be a little more polished than plastic.

Paper shopping bags with twisted paper handles are attractive and stand upright on their flat bottoms when unfolded which makes it a snap to bag items at checkout. These modish yet functional bags are available in classic kraft and in white as well as a wide variety of sophisticated colors. And, as if they weren’t already terrific in their own right, the paper shopping bags are also super easy to personalize. Just place an appealing and eye-catching custom label on the sides of the bags and you’ve got yourself some stylish bags that do double-duty as advertisements! Don’t have access to a printer? Not a problem. Custom labels can be created for you! If you need something just a little more basic than shopping bags there is a variety of natural kraft paper bags and colored merchandise bags for you to choose from. Feel like getting fancy? Pop a little tissue paper into the top of the bag to give it a festive and fun appearance. Now let’s think outside the disposable bag.

What about reusable shopping bags? These non-woven polypropylene tote bags are water-resistant and washable so they can be used over and over, perfect for those customers who don’t care for paper or plastic. The reusable bags come in a variety of popular colors and can also be custom printed with your store’s information. So, not only will customers actually purchase these bags from you, they will actually be advertising your store every time they reuse the bag!

I, personally, am torn between paper and plastic. Both types are recyclable, which I think is important for the environment. The reason I like to receive plastic bags while shopping is because I use them for other things after unpacking my purchases, like cleaning the cat box or as small trashcan liners. I also enjoy receiving paper shopping bags because I like to use small bags for toting my lunch and larger bags for easy handling when I’m carrying items one-way, like to Goodwill or to a party. And here's the thing: when I reach for a bag to reuse, the store that I received it from pops into my head. What I’m saying is, even after you send your customers home, many of them still hang on to your bags to reuse rather recycle them which is why “Meh. I guess this bag will do” maybe should be "Which bag do I want my customers to associate with my business?"

The Joy of Peg Hooks

2011-03-08T07:30:00.010-06:00

I have to admit that I have always taken Peg Hooks for granted but I think it's time to publicly acknowledge their usefulness and appeal. Who knew that they are so versatile and sturdy!? Like Kelly Ripa’s arms, peg hooks may be skinny but they sure are strong. But unlike hiring Kelly Ripa to work in your store, you won’t pay a fortune for peg hooks.

Now, these little guys get around. Do you have pegboard in your store? Slatwall or grid wall more your thing? Peg hooks will work hard to display your merchandise on all three of these display options. Like a satisfied customer states, "Very sturdy and holds a lot". You can even incorporate them into your slotted standard wall display by attaching the peg hooks to a hangrail. What also makes peg hooks great, aside from how inexpensive they are, is that they are easily movable. I like that I can move the peg hooks around on my display depending on whether I’m showcasing large or small items, or shaking things up and displaying various sizes at the same time. I’m the boss of my display and it is so easy to move the peg hooks around and make my display look the way I want it to.

Have I mentioned how versatile they are? Well, let me tell you. Zinc plated steel pegboard peg hooks come in 2”, 4”, 6”, 8” and 10” lengths. Slatwall peg hooks come in 4”, 6”, 8”, 10” and 12” lengths and you also get a choice of classic black or nifty chrome finish. Safety peg hooks have a rounded hook end and are great for those of us who need to be protected from our own clumsiness. Heavy Duty Scanning Hooks have an upper arm attachment on which you can attach a clear label holder. Simply insert your own price label into the label holder and Ta-dah! An entire hookful of merchandise is instantly priced!

Are you a bit concerned about merchandise walking away? Peg Hooks can even help you deter theft! (Told you they were versatile!) Anti-Theft Locking Peg Hooks secure the merchandise to the hook, preventing anyone from sweeping all the pegged merchandise off the hook when you are not looking. Not only that, but the hook itself is also locked to your display. Both locks can be unlocked quickly and easily with a magnetic key so your product is secure but also easily accessed by the staff. Another great theft deterrent is the Peg Hook Lock that you just secure to the end of your peg hook and which is also unlocked with the magnetic key.

Now that you love peg hooks as much as I do and want to fill your store with them, you might be thinking “But Specialty Store Gal, what if I want to hang merchandise that doesn’t have a hole in the packaging for hanging?” Never fear! Allow me to introduce you to clear hanging tabs with slot holes, round holes or hooks. Just attach these adhesive backed tags to your merchandise packaging and hang to your heart’s content. They really work! Just see what these folks had to say: “I have used this product to make so many items hangable and pegable. Just use your imagination and creativity. These little hang tabs have made countless sales for us”. Another customer states, “I also use them to hang signs and notes”. So clever!

I could yammer on and on about these great hooks but I’ll let you go because you’ve got some hanging to do!

Retail Store Presentation: What is Your Store Saying?

2011-03-03T07:30:00.007-06:00

What is the appearance of your store telling your customers? Are smudges on the door and front windows yelling “Hi! We’re messy and unprofessional”? Is your clean floor stating “My owner cares enough to vacuum me”? Is there clutter on your cash wrap or register counter saying “We’re so disorganized”? Your store may be speaking volumes without you knowing it! Let’s put on our retail merchandising hats and figure out what your store may be saying.

Take a few minutes to look at your store from a customer’s perspective from the beginning to the end of their visit. The entrance is your first chance to impress the customer. When you walk in the door are the glass and the handle sparkling clean or are they a hotbed of germs? Is there a clean floor mat just inside the doorway to keep dirt and water off your floor? To ensure you are presenting a professional image from the get-go, take a peek in your windows to make sure there are no burnt out bulbs or any dust bunnies lurking in your window display or on the sills. Think about what pleases you when you first walk into a store, or even before you walk into the store.

After surveying the entryway, take a stroll around the store. Are your shelves and racks stocked and organized? Make sure that your items are priced and that sale signs are attractive, legible and prominently displayed. If you have fitting rooms, are the mirrors and floors clean? Are there ample hooks for customers to hang their selections in the fitting rooms?

Let’s go check out. The check out counter should not be where old notes and broken pens go to die, nor is it the place to keep potato chips while you nibble throughout the day. You want to convey a professional and clean environment, the image that you and your store are reliable and responsible, so make sure the counter is not cluttered, dirty or chipped. A good cleaner can wipe up any dirt, spilled drinks or icky tape residue. Information for staff reference should be out of the customer’s line of vision, ideally in a binder or behind the counter. However, some things you may want your customers to see are information about your upcoming promotions and return/exchange policies. This should be one of the few places in the store where your signage can be more detailed than “sale” signs. Take advantage of your captive audience and let them know what else you have to offer!

So, are you satisfied with what your store is telling people? If so, well done! If not, don’t be discouraged. Every day brings a new learning experience and now is your chance to make some positive changes! Retail merchandising and presentation can be a challenge but if approached creatively, cleverly and with enthusiasm, it can also be very profitable and rewarding.

Organizing for Easy Shopping

2011-03-01T07:30:00.008-06:00

Not all of us are gifted with organization skills. Sure, some of us have our own brand of “organized”. We can tell you what’s in each mountainous stack of paper on our desk or direct you to the calculator (which we last saw in the closet… or maybe on the shoe rack) but do your customers want to search and guess while shopping? That’s a big “No!” They don’t want to work for their purchase and so are more likely to revisit your store if their shopping experience is made easy for them.

If someone is dashing in on their lunch break or running errands in between chauffeuring the kids from Point A to Point B, they don’t have the time to sift through items to find what they need. Be sure to walk through the store periodically to straighten shelves, untangle hangers and put misplaced product back where it belongs. When straightening clothing racks make sure that the clothes are all sorted sequentially by size so your customers can locate, grab and go.

You can also help make the shopping experience easier by grouping together items that are commonly purchased together. For instance, if you are selling cell phones, it would be a good idea to have the phone protective covers on display near the appropriate phones rather than having all the covers displayed together on one rack. This way the customer won’t have to search the rack for the cover that will fit their phone. Think about what your customers purchase together and see if you can group items without interrupting the flow of your store or creating multiple displays for the same item. You get the idea.

We all enjoy a challenge (to a certain extent) but most of us don’t care for running obstacle courses while running errands. Are your aisles clear of boxes or do customers need to sidestep around your incoming shipment or stocker? Stocking is absolutely necessary, of course, but it’s best to do your stocking during the slower part of your day, or even before or after hours of operation. If you do need to restock or accept deliveries during business hours, just remember to keep things orderly. Think about using a work cart to keep boxes off the floor to minimize tripping hazards. A cart with a large work space and supply drawer can keep you organized and mobile while stocking.

And make sure your customers are still getting the service and attention they need even when you or your staff are busy restocking! But that’s a blog for another day.

Casing the Joint - Utilizing Display Showcases

2011-02-24T07:30:00.006-06:00

Let’s talk display cases! Everybody can use these, from convenience stores to clothing boutiques, from restaurants to jewelry stores.

First, let’s explore the big boys: Full Vision Showcases. A couple of options are Showcases with Wood/Melamine laminate surfaces and Metal Frame Cases. Both options are terrific for displaying everything from jewelry to candy to small electronics. All you need to do is decide which option is best for you. The Wood/Melamine Showcase can be matched with a Service Counter, Corner Case and Cash Register Stand to create an attractive and functional wrap-around workspace. This is the best option if you only require one display case but also need storage underneath your counter space. When the Metal Frame Corner Case is matched with one or two Full Vision Cases you will have a wrap around counter with plenty of space to display your merchandise. Both the Wood/Melamine and Metal Cases are available in several color options to suit your decorating and design ideas.

If you need a countertop display case then you may want to consider the 3 Shelf Acrylic Locking Display Case. This locking case is perfect for displaying cell phones, collectibles, game accessories and other small items while keeping them securely under lock and key. The Countertop Glass Display Case is a sleek and elegant option for displaying smaller items such as jewelry and small collectibles. Like the Acrylic case, this lovely glass case also locks and offers an unobstructed 360° view of the items.

Now, a happy medium between a full-size floor case and a countertop case is the 38” Deluxe Half Vision Showcase. This frameless case displays your merchandise with elegance and sophistication. The case features sliding doors in the base to conceal your overstock and also locks. See how fantastic it looks in a happy customer’s boutique!

Indoor Signage to Snag Sales

2011-02-22T07:30:00.005-06:00

Okay, so you’ve got potential customers in your door. Now what? Where would you like them to go and what do you want them to purchase in particular?

Direct buyers to your sale or featured product racks with an attractive Acrylic Sign Holder with Chrome Base placed on top of your display shelf or rack shelf. A satisfied customer says it is “even better than pictured”. You can choose Printable Fluorescent Card Signs to print your own signs on your printer and place in the sign holder. These cards come in rainbow packs with 25 sheets each of red, yellow, green and magenta that really pop! As endearing as the home made sign created by your 9 year old daughter may be, you’ll want to make sure your sign conveys a professional look so printing them on your personal printer is a good idea. Remember to use a large font and keep the wording to a minimum to attract and keep your customer’s attention. If you don’t have a printer you can always take your computer file to a print shop. Or you can choose from a variety of eye-catching preprinted signs such as a “Sale” sign in brilliant red with white print.

The Freestanding Sign Holder is another good way to convey your store’s news to your customers. At 22”x28” and 56 ½” tall and chrome plated, it is sure to garner some attention. Pop in a Custom Sign in attractive, contrasting colors which not only communicate your message but your choice of colors and artwork will convey the tone of your store. Or choose a preprinted “Sale” or “Clearance” 22"x28" sign if that’s all you need to say. Creative placement of this sign holder can draw people into your store, relate sale information while they are shopping or let them know about up-coming in-store promotions or contests while they are waiting in line. Make sure the sign does not block displays, traffic flow or the interior view of your store if placed in a window or door. Take a look at your store with fresh eyes to see what your customers see. Is the sign informative but to the point? If placed in the window, can you see the sign with sunlight reflecting off the window?

Get creative! Hang signs from the ceiling with a Chain Kit. Having a huge sale? Use a Blow-Out or Sale Sign Kit that includes 22 different pieces in bright red/yellow. Use your imagination and you’ll see that quality signage and proper placement can make a big impact on your sales. Have fun and happy selling!

Snappy Signage = Interested Customers

2011-02-17T07:30:00.005-06:00

So, you need some snappy signage but lack the time or handiness to whip them up on your own. Let us create the signs and banners for you!

Custom banners numbers 9031, 4500, 4503 and 4504 come in a variety of sizes and colors and can be used both indoors and outdoors. Simply fax or email us your layout and our art department will create a professionally finished sign or banner. Pre-printed “Sale” signs are also a fantastic way to gain attention. I personally know several people who, due to the current economic climate, hesitate to shop unless they know the items of interest are on sale. That’s where our eye-catching red and yellow signs come in! Hang signs with this bold color combination in your window to announce your “Sale” or “50% off” with Vertical Window Sale Signs. A customer states, “Great, large, eye-catching signs. Easy to mount with the suction cups, looks great in my store windows”. These 24”W x 48”H signs with bright color contrast are sure to grab the attention of drivers and strollers alike.

If your style is more understated yet spirited then you may want to consider our elegant Fabric “Sale” Banner. The heavy cotton duck fabric is dyed a rich red color and has “Sale” printed on it in bright white letters in a bold font. A happy customer says, “It looks VERY polished and blends well with our environment.” Hemmed pockets on the top and bottom of the banner make it a breeze to hang on Banner Stand. The same customer raves, “I originally purchased this stand to show a sale sign. But when the sign arrived, I loved it so much I’m going to use it to communicate other big events in the boutique.” Check out the customer photo to see how she made this beautiful sign pop and complement her storefront.

Catch my next blog when we explore sign placement and the effectiveness of indoor signage!

3 Second Marketing: Sidewalk Signs

2011-02-15T07:30:00.003-06:00

Quick, read fast! You have about 3 seconds to capture a potential customer’s attention as they walk or drive by your store! How are you going to get their attention? Well, an eye-catching sign on the sidewalk or in the window is a great start.

A sidewalk sign needs to be big enough to get the attention of drivers but also concise enough for them to read as they are whizzing by. As our teachers told us in school, keep it simple. Just give enough information to make customers eager to enter your store and you can provide the details once they are inside. The XL Springer Sidewalk Sign is a good option to attract the attention of potential customers. It is large enough to announce “Sale” or “Special” with 10” high headers but compact enough that it will not cause sidewalk gridlock. The XL Springer Sidewalk Sign also includes 289 large 5” letters, numbers and symbols so you can change your sign daily. The strong contrast of the black/red letters and white board makes the sign very easy to read.

If you are feeling creative and would like to announce your information in freehand style then the Double-Sided Write on/Wipe Off Sidewalk sign may be the one for you. It’s great for indoor/outdoor use and is foldable for easy portability and storage. If you are fortunate enough to have someone in your employ with beautiful handwriting and an artistic flair then creating an original, changeable sign can be a creative way to draw attention. Remember to keep your color scheme simple and not to add too many distracting artistic details; you want to get your customers’ attention, not lose it by making the sign too busy to read in just a few seconds. Also keep in mind that the sign does still need to be attractive and be more than just simply legible. I, myself, have the writing and artistic talent of an over-caffeinated 5 year old so a custom banner or pre-printed sign would be my best option.

Don’t miss the next blog when I expound on the benefits of custom and pre-printed banners for those of us artistically challenged.

Decorate your site with exclusive furnishing accessories

2011-01-10T04:38:00.000-06:00

You can add an element of beauty, style, and grace to public gardens, parks, backyards, schools, pavements etc, by breathing unique designs into their outside furniture. But where would you find fascinating site furnishings that give these places a contemporary look and feel that eventually help in drawing visitors to the sites in multitudes? Not to worry. You can get all this and many more at Specialty Store Services — Your one-stop shop for all kinds of retail needs that also promises to cater to some of the best site furnishings at the most competitive prices.

You can find a huge collection of accessories in our store like tables, benches, ashtrays and trash receptacles available in beautiful colors and designs. The tables come in caf styles with an ornamental hoop and spiral design. They are fully assembled with pre-drilled mounting holes in feet that prevent the tables from toppling over by transfixing them into the ground. The steel benches on the other hand are truly adorable with ergonomically curved arms and legs, that really make for a comfortable sitting. Another variety is the custom steel bench from the coveted Broadway Street Signature Series which has an oak plaque inserted in the back engraved with any message the customer would like to display. We also have some of the backless varieties which are otherwise similar to normal ones except for the back rest. Not to forget, in this category we also have the hammertone shoe bench with mirror which has a unique eye catching design with a perforated seat. The two mirrors on both sides is a rare feature and the hammertone metal finish gives it a long-lasting durability.

Apart from this, we also stock up on some of the most unique ash trays which belong to the cease fire variety. They keep your properties clean by preventing the supply of oxygen which helps extinguish cigarettes. Furthermore, they are constructed with fire resistant polyethylene, that will never rust, dent or crack. The galvanized steel liner pail also facilitates easy and quick disposal. Another type we have is the elite smokers ceasefire cigarette receptacle that has a classy, sophisticated and upmarket look which is suited for business requirements. The USP of this product is the FM Global approval and ADA compliance. Next comes the Wall Mount Sand Top Ashtrays. Unlike the ceasefire types, which can be used only for outdoor purposes, the wall mount ashtrays are ideal for both indoor and outdoor uses. Made of rust-proof aluminum, they are easy to clean and service.

Garbage disposal has never been so quick and easy before. But now with trash receptacles, it is an absolute cakewalk. You can check out the myriad varieties we have like 36 Gallon Garbage Can, 48 Gallon Round Metal Garbage Can, 36 Gallon Garbage Can with Rain Guard ……the list is endless. Some other types that adorn our stock consist of garbage cans with ashtrays. It is a one of its kind product, which serves dual purposes. With an all-steel heavy duty construction, they are fully assembled and have durable powder coat finish.

The above mentioned products, however, are only a handful of them. You can of course visit our website for more on site furnishing accessories.

Protect your items with shrinkwrap coverings

2010-12-27T04:56:00.000-06:00

Have you ever tried out shrink wrap covering? It is perhaps one of the most commonly used items for encasing products spread across multifarious industries.

Also known as ‘shrink film’, it is made up of polymer plastic and when heat is applied to it, the film shrinks thereby tightening the grasp around the product. Right from covering kitchen leftovers, cartons, boxes, glass, books, DVDs to buildings etc, it takes care of almost everything. Shrinkwraps are preferred over ordinary wrappers because of their ability to hold the goods tightly and in a coordinated manner which in turn helps to keep the items clean and also ready for use.

You can of course check out our shrinkwraps that come in various sizes and thicknesses including several other supplies related to the same. The shrinkwrap rolls for example can be used for covering items that require strength and durability. Apart from this, you can also browse through our shrinkwrap bags which are the quickest and the most inexpensive ways of encasing media supplies like magazines, CDs and DVDs. On the other hand we have the 100 gauge shrink tube roll which has been designed to seal jewel cases, CD, soaps, kindles, frames, gift baskets, album, paper, toys, software programs, paper and all kinds of retail products. However, don’t forget to check out the wrinkle free, glossy and super clear shrink wrap-polyolefin. Available in 75 and 100 gauge thickness, they are puncture resistant and work well with both regular and irregular objects. Being a three-layered co-extruded film, it offers an unmatched durability and resistance. Another noteworthy feature of this product is that it is FDA approved.

Among supplies we have products including heat gun shrink wrap sealer, shrink wrap sealer replacement wires, shrink wrap sealer replacement teflon, roll holder, pro shrink wrap sealer only, shrink wrap sealer………the list is endless.

It’s finally time to give your items that much needed protection and at the same time also make them presentable and impressive.

So visit our website today for all the latest on shrink wraps.

Gumball Machines – The Ultimate Choice for Your Business

2010-12-20T12:33:00.000-06:00

What is a better way of spreading a mouthful of happiness this holiday season than decorating somebody's platter with beautiful, delicious and colorful candy delights? They are not merely children's favorites as it was long thought. Adults too go equally gaga over these tasty and flavorful items that not only leave a wonderful taste in the mouth but also make one feel more nostalgic and consumed by the holiday spirit.

So in order to cater to the increasing demands for vending and gumball machines this holiday season, we have for you a wide variety of them. Let's walk you through the vibrant stock that will surely bring a smile on your face and give you a chance to keep the holiday
spirit alive.

All our gumball machines come in different shapes and designs with a metal top and base. Some of the most exciting ones include deluxe quad machines with stand, deluxe triple gumball machines, deluxe six machines with stand.. the list is endless. They all have a steel coin mechanism and a high quality security lock. There is also a locking drawer at the bottom making the process of coin collection easier. Among others, the spiral gumball machine is a one of its kind. Built with a capacity to hold up to 3,000 gumballs, they are very sturdy and made of fiber glass with long-lasting metal coin mechanism.

But did you know that apart from spreading happiness to people all around, you too can cash in on this golden opportunity to give your business a profitable headstart? And for this what you only need to keep in mind is the location. So if you have a business of your own, you can place the machines at your store or any other location with a strong footfall and then see how your business profits double up within a matter of just a few months. But in case you don't have your own store or any other suitable location to place the dispensers in, what you can do is choose a retail store or other businesses with a good inflow of customers. This will give you an opportunity to make a handsome profit even after shelling out a certain percentage of your income to the store owner.

So get one for your business today and see how money rolls in by leaps and bounds. Isn't this a wonderful way of spreading cheer and at the same time also leveraging maximum benefits out of your business?

Specialty Store Services features in the 'Independent Retailer'

2010-12-13T11:04:00.000-06:00

We are really pleased to announce that 'Independent Retailer', one of the most reliable and esteemed trade publications for independent retail store owners has featured an article on Specialty Store Services in one of their recent publications.

This comes three years after AVN Novelty Business published the article 'Bringing Special Back' on our store. I am sure most of you out there remember the article but for the new customers here's the link.

I am absolutely humbled to see our efforts being recognized and spoken about. I love the place where the celebrated author Rory J Simpson writes - The “Chicago-based outfitter has everything a store needs to stock, display and sell its wares, all ready for immediate shipment at the lowest prices around.” I also take this opportunity to thank our dedicated workforce who have really worked hard to take Specialty Store Services where it is today. We always try to cater to your needs in the best possible manner by ensuring a good customer service and it feels really good when people mention about it.

You would be happy to know that we are now 4,000 SKUs strong and growing. This long journey has been fraught with a lot of challenges but we are really glad and also privileged to have your association. We cherish every moment of this bonding and urge you to keep this faith in our services alive. We promise never to let you down!

To read the article click here.

Some video supplies to spice up the holiday season and beyond

2010-12-07T08:06:00.000-06:00

Everyone out there would swear by the fact that reclining on a couch on a chilly winter afternoon with a hot steaming cuppa held in one hand and a movie playing on TV is the perfect idea of the run up to Christmas. And moreover with films like Harry Potter and the Deathly Gallows, Faster or the Warriors Way already released and another slew of new releases in the pipeline the movie buffs will be completely spoilt for choice this season.

And to make this already vibrant season even more colorful, you can dole out some of the best movies and CDs both from the past and present from your store and make this time of the year the most memorable one. For storing CDs and DVDs, however, you would obviously need certain supplies like cases, albums etc.

Now the big question is where would you procure them from? The answer is simple. Specialty Store Services, the one-stop shop for all kinds of retail supplies. We have multiple paraphernalia related to video like cd/dvd cases, disc repair/and disc verifiers, dvd cases, media supplies, media storage, game cases, vhs cases, media mailers, custom imprinted video rental forms etc.

Each item is unique and caters to your needs perfectly. So after you store the CDs and DVDs in these cases and albums, you can then lock them up safely in the cabinets. Also, don't forget to check out our mobile video return and display cart. Made of steel with chip-resistant epoxy finish the best thing about the display cart is that it can be easily transported from one place to another. In addition to this, you can also check out the replacement cases for disney VHS tapes for they can make the torn and tattered Disney CDs look all new and dazzling. In fact they are great for home theater collections too.

So browse through our stock and I bet you would be absolutely hooked on the startling variety that we have!