Archive for the ‘Gifts’ Category

New Packaging Collections

Wednesday, July 28th, 2010

For retailers, the only piece of your store other than your merchandise that goes home with a customer are your bags and packaging. Packaging can leave a lasting impression on the quality of your store and can speak volumes about a store’s customer service. That is why Store Supply Warehouse is introducing a new line of premium packaging that includes coordinating bags, tissue paper and accents that are affordable for store owners.

Our customer service representatives are consistently making recommendations of how to group together our current merchandise to create a packaging collection and as a result, we decide to create collections for our customers. The collections integrate some of our existing products with new items to create a suite of products designed to create a cohesive look to a store’s packaging. With five expertly coordinated collections, stores are bound to find a collection that matches the look and mood of their retail store.

The five collections include glossy euro tote bags, frosty bags, tissue paper, raffia, curling ribbon and other accents. The collections are designed to express the mood of a store:

Neapolitan Collection: Reminiscent of the favorite ice cream combo, the Neapolitan collection integrates stripes and polka dots in the classic colors of white, pink and brown.  Raffia and ribbon accents finalize the collection that is topped with colorful tissue paper.

Cabana Bay Collection: Summon the feel of the islands with the Cabana Bay Collection. Cool colors are complemented with Island stripes accessorized with blues, oranges and yellows. Add a touch of the island with oatmeal and sage colored raffia to finish the look.

Treasury Collection: The classic combination of black and white is revved up by zebra print accents on bags and tissue paper and subtle metallic highlights. This timeless look would fit in with almost any store design.

Glamazon Collection: Black, Purple, Zebra and Leopard prints come together to fashion a distinct collection that will appeal to many clothing store owners. This collection is perfect for the store that caters to the woman that wants everything from her hair to the bag she is carrying to look polished.

Wild Raffari Collection: Giraffe prints are set off with the natural accents of raffia. Light green, orange and yellow items brighten the look and add an unexpected twist to an animal print collection.

The premium bag collections can be customized in regards to sizes and accents to a retailer’s specifications. And all of these collections can be supplemented by our already extensive lines of solid color tissue paper, frosty bags, glossy euro totes, ribbons and raffia to create a truly unique look for any store. Because of our extensive network, we are able to provide these items at affordable rates so that any store can add a touch of excitement and color to their packaging without breaking the bank.

Merchandising Suggestions for Father’s Day

Wednesday, May 26th, 2010

With Father’s Day approaching people wonder “What do I get for the dad that has everything?”  This is where you come in.  By stocking more than just the “Worlds’ Best Dad” t-shirts you will be setting your store apart from the competition.

Here are some ideas to consider:

  • Small electronics, like a GPS or an MP3 player, are very popular items and are sure to be sought out by shoppers.
  • Sports equipment, especially for golf, is a classic Father’s Day gift
  • As well as sports apparel and memorabilia.

Additionally:

  • Tools
  • Sunglasses
  • Books
  • and gift certificates are very popular.

So don’t miss out on the opportunity to carry some of these items in your store!

Attract Last Minute V-Day Shoppers

Tuesday, February 9th, 2010

As with any holiday, last minute shoppers will be out and about these next few days. Make your displays inviting and impulse buys convenient in order to maximize profits during this special time of year.

Valentine’s Day is a very good holiday for convincing shoppers to pick up something extra. Jewelry, flowers, candy and stuffed animals are always go-to items for Valentine’s Day, so place these items near the register and in close proximity to other Valentine’s Day gift items.

Also, considering pre-assembling gift baskets or grouping similar items together in order to encourage people to pick up another item that complements the original gift. For example, place coordinating earrings next to a necklace. Put together a variety of spa items such as robes, lotion, pedicure supplies, slippers, etc.

Here are some ideas for gift sets that not only will draw in customers, but will encourage them to spend just a little bit more for a quality gift this year.

Gift Sets for Men

  • A toiletry bag filled with nice shaving essentials such as a razor, shaving cream warming, shaving brush, aftershave and cologne.
  • Cigar Sets that include nice cigars, cutters, lighters and a cigar box.
  • Grilling sets that include utensils, rubs, marinades, spices, smoking chips and kabob skewers.
  • Any alcohol gift set that includes alcohol, glasses, a wine opener or bottle opener, a flask and various accoutrements.

Gift Sets for Women

  • Spa/bath set including salt scrubs, bubbles, lotion, loofahs and candles.
  • Manicure/Pedicure sets with foot scrub, nail polish, pumice stones, hand lotion and cuticle oil.
  • Chocolate gift packs with assorted candies.

Another idea would be to provide baskets and a “build your own gift set” with complimentary basket wrapping. Then have a table with various items like perfume, stuffed animals, chocolate and more so that people can build their own gift set that is in range with their exact budget.

Then don’t forget to have some flowers, stuffed animals and extra Valentine’s Day cards at the register so that shopping can pick up these last minute items and add them to their total.

How do you encourage people to purchase gifts in your store?

Friday Feature Product: Ring Displays

Friday, January 29th, 2010

Some statistics out there have said that 10% of all engagements in the U.S. happen on Valentine’s Day. This number seems a little high, but the bottom line is that many use this romantic day to pop the big question and that means ring sales! Even if you’re not a diamond selling store, in today’s economy, it is not unusual for women to opt for a non-diamond engagement ring. And really, any store that sells rings can benefit from effectively displaying products. In addition to making rings standout against a flattering background, having ring displays keeps these small items in front of your sales associates.

Depending in your store’s needs there are several ring displays to choose from. And because each of these displays are available in either black velvet or faux white leather, store owners will be able to choose the best color backdrop for featured merchandise.

To display many rings at once we recommend using the five finger ring display, twelve finger ring display, foam ring insert with 72 slots, foam ring inserts with 36 slots or foam ring pads with 8 sections. To highlight a special ring or to let a customer view a ring alone, the single finger ring display is available with either a round or square base. If your goal is to add some interest to your displays, the polystyrene display hand or the horizontal display hand are great options that will make rings sparkle.  the horizontal display hand are great options that will make rings sparkle.

Foam Ring Inserts with 72 Slots Faux Leather Five Finger Ring Displays 8 Faux Leather Single Finger Ring Displays with Round Base

72 Ring Foam Display |   5 Finger Ring Display Polystyrene Display Hand |   Single Ring Display

Also, don’t forget a plastic ring size measuring stick and a finger size measuring ring set with 25 plastic rings on a chain so customers know exactly what will work for them.

Plastic Ring Size Measuring Stick Finger Size Measuring Rings- 25 Plastic Rings On Chain

Ring Size Measuring Stick | Finger Size Measuring Rings

How do you display rings you sell? Do you display single rings? Multiple rings? Or both?

Tuesday Tip: How to Create Displays for Men vs. Women

Tuesday, January 26th, 2010

Like many things, it’s not surprising that men and women have different shopping behaviors. It is beneficial for store owners to cater certain displays toward women and others toward men, depending on the item featured and the season. Valentine’s Day is a perfect time to test how creating displays targeted at gender can increase sales because both men and women will be out in search of gifts for their significant others.

You can find countless articles about the different shopping habits between men and women. I would advise glancing over a few of these because they are very interesting. You will find information such as:

  • Women spend $4 trillion annually and account for 83% of consumer spending in the U.S. (from WomenCertified.com)
  • “A man will pay $2 for a $1 item he needs. A woman will pay $1 for a $2 item that she doesn’t need.”
  • One of the most important aspects for men when shopping is checking out fast. One of the most important things for women is the experience and feeling like an important customer. (from a 2007 study done at Penn State)

Knowing some of this information, you may be asking yourself how do you translate this to your displays. Here is what we recommend thinking about when displaying for men:

  • Make sure items that your popular items for men are very easy to find and in stock. Because men have a “get in, get out” shopping mentality, they may give up at your store if they cannot find exactly what they are looking for quickly. Instead of creating cute, decorated displays we would recommend focusing on visible signage and keeping products organized.
  • Men are less likely to ask for help than women, try to make all products available on the floor. Though it may look better to display an item without the clutter of having multiples of that product, men may not go looking for that displayed product if it is not readily available.
  • Especially during Valentine’s Day, men may be a little out of their element when shopping for wives or girlfriends. To make them more comfortable, keeping popular Valentine’s Day merchandise in one area might be a good idea so they are not overwhelmed having to walk and search through the entire store.

Women are a little more eclectic in their shopping style, so you have more freedom with your displays. Here is what we recommend thinking about when displaying for women:

  • Because women love options and deals, displaying a plethora of merchandise can be advantageous when targeting women. You can utilize a mix of dump bins, tables and racks to feature lots of merchandise. Displaying products at different price points will allow women to measure their options. Most women are not overwhelmed by a large inventory.
  • Make sure that you let your female customers know that you appreciate their business and ask for feedback from them. You can do this by adding things such as comment boxes or survey slips in your store.
  • Women are more likely to buy multiple items when they can see them together. For example, when a woman is shopping for her husband, pair that great wallet with a snazzy watch.

How do you make displays more appealing to men verses displaying for women?