http://retailminded.com/blog a boutique style retail consulting blog Fri, 12 Mar 2010 03:07:16 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Both Eva and Robyn Anderson opened their boutique Le Dress in 2008 after studying fashion design at school.  They loved boutique shopping and felt that a retail space devoted to dress shopping was void in Chicago.  They wanted something more special than department store shopping so lucky for Chicago shoppers, they ... http://retailminded.com/blog/2010/03/le-dress/ As if merchandising your store wasn't keeping you busy enough, the reality is you should be maintaining your stockroom, as well. By keeping your stockroom neatly organized, your store will be more productive in replenishing merchandise, locating products in the back while customers are waiting and keeping products from getting ... http://retailminded.com/blog/2010/03/stockroom/ Our featured wholesaler is FOOTZY ROLLS, a genius solution for ladies whose feet feel the pain of high heels and are looking for some relief. Created with the idea that your feet need a break - literally - from the stylish yet not always so comfortable footwear styles for ladies, ... http://retailminded.com/blog/2010/03/footzyrolls/ The ability to talk to anyone? Check. Friendly and approachable? Check. Calm during stressful situations? Check.  The list of great customer characteristics continues when looking for retail employees for your store, but among the checks you want to cross off on your employee check list should include the following: 1. Customer Service ... http://retailminded.com/blog/2010/03/retail-employee-skills/ Even without your  own official HR department in place, it's always a good idea to practice employee reviews. This not only provides the opportunity to strengthen your employees, but it also allows for your business to strengthen, as well.  By taking some time during your employee review to get a "review" ... http://retailminded.com/blog/2010/03/employee-reviews/ Featured wholesaler MEND HANDBAGS by Invisible Children offers handmade handbags that not only look amazing, but support a wonderful cause.   MEND handbags are constructed by women in Northern Uganda who have been effected by the devastating conflict taking place between the government and the Lord's Resistance Army. Abducted and often used as sex ... http://retailminded.com/blog/2010/02/mend-handbags/ Does your store need a face lift but you don't have the budget? No problem. With a few quick solutions, you can transform your store environment from shabby to chic in just one day. There are ten key elements to consider when doing a one day makeover. 1. Find a focal point. Whether ... http://retailminded.com/blog/2010/02/merchandising-makeover/ As a retailer or wholesaler, it is essential to stand out in the marketplace. What does that really mean, though? And how do you achieve it? For starters, you need to recognize what your competition is up to. This will allow you to understand what is actively going on in ... http://retailminded.com/blog/2010/02/standing-out-in-marketplace/ MomoFalana developed in 1997 from a stall at the Chelsea Antiques market to a store in the East Village and now a new store in SoHo.  What started out as simply tie dying vintage slips and nightgowns is now an assortment of beautiful dresses and more in over eleven collections. Making everything in-house, ... http://retailminded.com/blog/2010/02/momofalana/ Let's face it - cutting corners and eliminating expenses is necessary for many businesses nowadays. Recognizing this and reacting to it is an important step that can save a business from financial failure... or worse - from having to close entirely as a result of a financial disaster. While each ... http://retailminded.com/blog/2010/02/ways-to-reduce-your-retail-expenses/