Silver Linings

Pretty in Tiffany blue packaging, Silver Linings aren’t meant to be shown off. But they are designed to help you in showing off your favorite shoes. An ultra-thin lining for the front part of shoes, Silver Linings are meant to be worn in shoes without socks. They inhibit the natural occurrence of bacterial odor while also offering an anti-slip backing. Plus – ladies, listen up – they are soft! Comfortable is key for our fashion favorite shoes, and Silver Linings help do the trick. Retailing at $15,99 for three pairs, this is an easy sell for your stores. For more information, visit www.silverliningsnewyork.com or contact founder Jennifer Chu directly at jennifer@chushunewyork.com.

Charming Memories

Photo jewelry is all the rage. Whether you sell to new moms, grandmothers, teen girls or confused dads, this next “favorite” is a crowd stopper. Literally. After wearing a necklace with a photo on each of the two sides of a charm of my children when they were babies, I couldn’t go anywhere without getting a compliment. Your store will be the place to go for ordering these beautiful yet affordable jewelry gifts! Bracelets, necklaces,charms and other accessories make up Charming Memories, which are all created by designer Aileen and based in Chicago. While there are many designers who offer comparable designs, Charming Memories does so with such craft, quality, affordability and charm (of course). The best part? There is little overhead to bring these beauties to your store assortment since orders will need to be customized! Contact Aileen for how you can bring her beautiful, custom designs to your store at charmingmemories@comcast.net. You can also view more of her designs at www.charming-memories.com.

pkboo

Now I know what you are thinking… there are sooooooooo many baby products in the marketplace. And you’re right. But pkboo offers real life, every day essentials that combine vintage inspiration with delightful details that make mom smile and baby happy – the perfect combo! All about the “aww”, pkboo offers modern textile totes, bibs, changing pads and more. Moms won’t mind changing diapers with these pretty back drops! While the prices aren’t for everyone, they are for the fashion minded, design loving moms of the world who want baby basics that aren’t boring. Learn more at www.pkbookids.com or contact wholesale rep Pam Shiu Newman at 914-409-2988 or wholesale@pkbookids.com.

Tyes by Tara

Rocker wives. Playboy Playmates. Swimsuit Models. Have I caught your attention yet? Tyes by Tara are a fun, flirty collection of “ties” specifically designed for women. Whether to your favorite club, a friend’s party or in your bedroom, Tyes by Tara were designed to bring out the inner glamour, inner diva, and inner beauty in all ladies. They can be added to lingerie, dresses or even shoes. Or, they simply be worn as a single stand out accessory! There are ankle tyes, bow tyes, heel tyes for shoes, neck tyes, ring tyes and even thong tyes. Visit www.tyesbytara.com for a more comprehensive viewing of this fun and surprising collection. Contact them at sales@tyesbytara.com for order inquries or 877.595.8937. We’re thinking your customers will have a lot of fun with these!

Have your own favorite products? Let us know! We are currently searching for fabulous home goods. If you think you have a product that is a “favorite” and should be shared, let us know! Please email nicole@retailminded.com.

Low Budget, High Function

A great way to shop for store fixtures is to consider buying used fixtures. Often you can find this from local retailers who are re-merchandising or closing their store and selling old fixtures, as well as by attending flea markets, salvation army stores, antique stores and other outlets that provide a variety of furniture pieces that may be suitable for your retail decor needs. Be creative and try and look beyond how the fixtures or furniture are currently being used so that you can see how they may be used for your specific needs. If you aren’t afraid of a little dirty work, sometimes it just takes some cleaning and a paint job to make things look new again – perfect for saving money while still bringing style to your retail dreams.

If doing some creative shopping isn’t your thing, there are companies that specialize in selling used or “like new” fixtures that may suit your needs. They include the following:

http://www.storefixturesupercenter.com/usedProducts.asp

http://www.storefixtureliquidator.com/

http://www.americanhanger.com/

Trusting  An Expert

While it’s great to reuse, recycle and bring new life to old fixtures and furniture, it’s very likely you will need a few – if not a lot – of new fixtures or furniture for your retail store. Retail Minded recommends Store Supply Warehouse for your retail decor needs, specific to clothing racks, display fixtures, grid systems, shelves and much more!

Offering all the products you need to furnish and merchandise your store, Store Supply Warehouse is a a no fuss, online retail supply store site that offers everything from apparel racks to pricing guns to mannequins and  more. With no minimum orders necessary and real people (versus the very annoying automated systems) answering your calls, you can trust that Store Supply Warehouse is there to support you with your unique retail needs. Their website is easy to navigate and while it may not “wow” you in style, their products can add that “wow” to your store that you are looking for. Let their customer service team help you along the way if you need assistance, plus you can trust your order will be placed immediately – all inventory is in stock and ready to ship for your retail needs. Don’t forget about your dressing room needs, cash wrap displays, wall systems and all the other necessities in pulling your store together for a completed retail look. Learn more by visiting www.storesupply.com.

Need To Sell Your Old Goods?

If you are looking to sell fixtures along the way, consider contacting National Retail Equipment Liquidators. They may be interested in purchasing some of your old goods depending on the quantity and quality. Learn more by visiting  http://www.nrel.com/nrel-sell-your-fixtures.html.

Pulling It All Together

Buying used, recycled or brand new, the overall effect of your retail store should compliment your product and store image. Be creative to make sure you stand out not only in function, but in style. Every detail matters here. Shopping for accessories for your store, such as wall hangings, mirrors, throw rugs, lighting and more, don’t have to be done at traditional store outlets but can be completed at any of your favorite shopping destinations. Bringing all these details together is the goal – just make sure you are supporting your customers in the design and function along the way!

Every community, every business and every person is different. So where they lean and who they lean on will vary as necessary, but a few online favorites at Retail Minded include:

For Clothing Designers and Apparel Manufacturers

Fashion Incubator is the place to go for those interested in designing an apparel line, manufacturing products or just plain interested in how this process all works. Founder and author Kathleen Fascanella offers extremely valuable insight to this competitive industry on her blog, as well as offers a very valuable and must have book for those interested in understanding this often confusing industry. Learn more by visiting www.fashion-incubator.com or link to http://www.fashion-incubator.com/products_services/ directly to purchase your copy of “The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Sewn Product Manufacturing”.

In The Children’s Business

In the business of infants, toddlers or children? The Giggle Guide is great new site that offers so much information that it’s possible to get lost on their great website! Being lost on The Giggle Guide is a good thing, though. There is information for stores, reps, manufacturers and more. They have blogs, product reviews, resources and support to help with all your business needs. Learn more by visiting www.thegiggleguide.com.

For Publicity and Marketing Support

Looking for ways to build your brand, grow awareness of your product or store and gain attention that will help feed your business? Collective-E is a great online site that offers educational workshops (though mostly NYC based), support in gaining press, and so much more. Their real life approach towards getting ahead in the eyes of editors and getting attention where you need it doesn’t come entirely for free - there are membership packages and other service options to choose from. But whether you are in Georgia or NYC, Collective-E can support some of your business needs. Learn more by visiting www.collective-e.com.

We’d love to know your favorite support sources, as well! Please email Retail Minded at nicole@retailminded.com or post a comment below.

Favorite Products

PopATot Avtivity Center – This amazing product was created by a mom of five who searched high and low for something that would allow her to include her little ones in all the things they loved, which includes camping, outside activities, and travel… As well as having her own pair of hands to simply get things done at home while still keeping her little ones happy. The result? The creation of PopATot, an activity center built on a sturdy frame with a canvas body that can fold up and go with her anywhere! As a mom of a 6 month old, I can honestly say this is genuis. I only wish I had knew about it before I bought a big, bulky activity center that sits in the middle of my living room and can’t even get through our standard framed doors. PopATot is our new best friend, though, coming with us to friends houses, neighborhood get togethers, the doggy beach, and so much more. With it’s light weight and easy pack and go carrier, PopATot is a must have in any baby store and definitely in any baby’s home! At only $59.99 retail, this is something you don’t want to dismiss. To see for yourself, visit www.PopATot.com.

Flirt Buttons & More – Need a fun party favor? What about a different gift idea? Or maybe just because?

Fabric Covered Mirrors

Flirt Buttons offer a great assortment of “little” things to make every day fun. They offer monogrammed mirrors, adorable pendants, hair accessories, magnets, and more that are primarialy made with fabric covered details. With super affordable prices, these adorable trinkets are the perfect add on sale at retail, as well as offer an adorable customized approach for wedding showers, baby showers, and anything else custom. The designer, Sharon Britt from Georgia, sells her product on Etsy but also sells to retailers, attends craft fairs, and is open to customized requests. Check out her Etsy shop to learn more, www.flirtbuttons.etsy.com.

Rubber Stamps & More – If you are a small business owner like me, then Rubber Stamps.net is a great go to place for both buiness and personal products! Offering a wide assortment of stamps, address labels, and more, RubberStamps.net helps business owners by making their ”to do” list easier. They offer stamps that notify customers of invoices, late fees, deposit details, addresses, customer logos, and so much more. I have the Retail Minded logo in a rubber stamp that I simply press onto paper for a million different reasons and boom, I’m done. In addition, I use a rubber stamp for my return address that also serves as a notice to where to send payments to. It’s on my ”to do” list to order many more stamps to save me time while also making my work papers look more polished! To see how RubberStamps.net products can help make your busy day easier while also helping your professional outreach look great, too, check out www.RubberStamps.net 

Favorite Services

Owning an independent retail or wholesale business can be tough, not to mention pricey. There is always something to do and very rarely can you take a vacation from your business. Luckily, there are some great team players out there who can help your business by offering valuable services! While I also provide services designed to support independent retailers and wholesalers at Retail Minded, I love that others are offering great service for small business owners, as well. Below are a few of my favorites.

D’Luxe Press and Design – What do you get when you take two young moms in North Carolina with five kids between them, two hubbies, two houses, two pets, and a lot of love for all things baby? D’Luxe Press and Design! This fabulous PR support agency offers their services to those looking to launch their baby based products to the world. They have tons of online blogging experience, media connections, and dedication – making their unique support the perfect partner for those trying to get their baby products some press! You can learn more about their services by visiting www.dluxepressanddesign.com.

Pitch Press – I love what Pitch Press offers to their fashion clients – affordable press that even inlcudes a la carte options! Here I was thinking I was the only one doing a la carte, but it turns out they are, too, and doing it well at that!

Pitch Press

Pitch Press manages media and press placement for fashion clients, offering the opportunity to be placed in trade publications, online outlets, national magazines, and so much more. If you are in fashion and need unique and affordable support to help get your product or brand recognized, check out Pitch Press today! www.pitchpress.com

Favorite Resources

There are so many great options for independent retailers and wholesalers to lean on these days. Among my favorite right now are Twitter and Retailing Together.

Twitter - I would be genuinely surprised if you have not heard of Twitter yet. Even celeberties are tweeting these days in between their already jammed pack papparzazzi schedule. But for the rest of the world, tweeting offers an amazing conncetion between businesses by allowing people, their products, and their services a way to get to know each other. While I can see how it can take up time,  Twitter doesn’t need to be a waste of time. That said, if you just play on it all day, it could easily distract you from getting your  real work done. But using it to connect to new customers, learn new things, and promote your business IS work, afterall. Take the time to learn what all the buzz is about to see if Twitter may work for you! Personally, I prefer it over Facebook and itch to get my Twitter time in each day! www.twitter.com

Retailing Together – Like Retail Minded, Retailing Together supports the independent retailer through a blog as well as a soon to launch retail technology. The website provides support to retailers by educating them on the current marketplace while also offering them links to a variety of resoures. The founder, Eric Busboom, takes a dedicated approach to understanding what is happening within retail and shares his insight with his readers and introduces guest contributors, as well, on a frequent basis. Check out www.retailingtogether.com to see how it may be a great resource for your business needs!

We would love to hear what your favorite  things are! Please comment directly to this blog and let us know!