My Favorite Things in “Retail” Right Now

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!

Ways To Market Your Independent Retail Business

Unlike sales, marketing can’t be measured quantitatively. Because of this, independent retail and wholesale business owners often ignore the impact marketing can have on their businesses. The reality is, however, that customers won’t buy from you, not to mention even know you exist, unless you successfully market yourself. In today’s world, this takes more than just attending local of Chamber of Commerce meetings and telling friends to tell their friends about your store or product. It takes time. It takes strategy. It takes effort.

Below is a list of some ways to consider marketing your business. Make sure to evaluate how each of these marketing steps will benefit your individual business, but be careful not to overlook any simply because you are unfamiliar with it or find it easier to do something else. To be successful at marketing you will sometimes need to step out of your comfort zone. In addition, make sure to find a balance of marketing strategies in an effort to find the right marketing mix for your business.

Advertising – If you have the finances to pay for exposure of your store or product, then advertising should be considered as part of your marketing mix. Consider where you advertise, though, and who the audience is that will most likely see your ad. Make sure it’s the same audience that may want to shop your store or buy your product.

Website – If you don’t have one, get one. Plain and simple, having an online presence is essential in marketing your services. Customers today use the internet to research their purchases as well as plan their shopping destinations. Even if you don’t plan to sell online, you should still have a website that outlines what your business offers. Consider including photos, testimonials, directions, how to purchase details, press details, and any other information that may be relevant.

Trade Shows – Either as an attendee or an exhibitor, trade shows are a great way to market your business. They provide insight regarding both customers and competition, as well as offer a great excuse to make friends in your industry since they are very interactive. The cost of trade shows will vary so make sure to research all your options and determine which shows are best for you business.  The largest retail based trade show is MAGIC, which takes place in Las Vegas twice a year and offers apparel, footwear, and accessories for men and women. You can also attend regional trade shows, as well it is a good idea to attend both national and regional shows if possible.

Internet Media – Gaining customers through an online presence is more influential than ever before. Sites such as Twitter, Facebook, My Space, and Linked In are great online spots to gain awareness for your business. You need to understand each of these sites in order for them to work for you, though, so take the time to research how each of them can impact your specific business. Some involve more time than others, such as Twitter which is very interactive, while others, such as Linked In, can be effective by simply having a profile created. That said, updating each of these sites with news about your business, such as sales or newly arrived product, is the only way to continually create a buzz about your business. I often suggest to my clients that interns or part time associates can help dedicate time to these sites if they don’t want to – this is better than being dismissed entirely. If you use the these sites effectively will increase your website presence and ultimately your sales.

To help get you started, below is a link to PC Mag’s website that outlines how Twitter works for beginners. I personally use Twitter and find that this gives me the most professional return of any of the internet media sites, however each business and each site will work differently for everyone.

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2341095,00.asp

Blogs - Whether you have a blog or comment on blogs, make sure to be a part of blogs! Blogging is quickly becoming one of the top ways for businesses to showcase their value. It takes time to dedicate yourself to building a blog that readers will want to read again and again, so before you dive into this make sure it’s right for you. If blogging isn’t your thing, consider commenting on other people’s blogs.  When commenting on blogs, make sure to reference your business, which will ultimately link people back to your site.

Networking – Whether you live in an urban city or a suburban neighborhood or a small town, networking is key to putting your business on your local map. Make sure you are a part of your local Chamber of Commerce as well as other networking groups. There are groups for small business owners, women business owners, specific to your trade, and more. Research what is available in your area and get involved. Once you are a part of the group, let your voice be heard and participate. Don’t just show up for the meetings but actually be a part of the meetings and events. This is how people will respond to you and ultimately your business.

There are many ways to market small businesses, however these are some basic and easy to obtain strategies that can help launch your business to make a name for itself. If you have other ideas that have been successful for you, we’ love to hear from you! Please consider leaving a comment on our blog. Thank you!