Autumn officially begins next Tuesday. I love this time of year! Cool, crisp weather here in the midwest. A new season. A great time to look at your retail program, develop a plan and set your goals for the rest of the year.
There's been some positive information regarding retail sales. The 2.7% rise in seasonally adjusted retail sales in August was the highest monthly increase since January 2006. It's a great time to build some momentum!
If you manage a parcel shipping location, now is the time to gear up for the Holiday season. What is your plan to maximize retail sales in the fourth quarter? Here are a couple items that should be on your checklist:
> Stock up on your core supplies now. Prepare yourself for the rush. Don't miss out on sales because you are unprepared.
> Bring in those Holiday specific products that boost your retail profits. Decorative shipping boxes, decorative bubble mailers, impulse items, stocking stuffers, tape (for gift wrapping), red and green markers...I could go on and on...cross sell and up-sell!
Those of you with Moving and Storage facilities are winding down after the busy moving season. Your checklist should include:
> Re-loading your retail section. Get your hooks, shelves and displays back to pre-moving season levels. A full, eye-appealing assortment gives you the best opportunity to sell retail when customers come to your facility.
> Create a Holiday program of your own. How about Glassguard kits for Holiday ornament storage? Large storage bags to protect Christmas Trees? A Holiday themed impulse display at your checkout counter? I'm sure that you will come up with a few creative ideas that apply to the season. These ideas could lead you to your best retail sales season for a fourth quarter.
Basically, the theme here is to give yourself the best chance to sell the most retail products possible. Whether, it's for this Holiday campaign or re-setting after the busy season, prepare to succeed, and set and track your goals.
Don Provident - Marketing Supervisor, Supply Side USA
Friday, September 18, 2009
Monday, July 20, 2009
A Great Way to Help Your Store and Community
I ran in a local 5 mile race this weekend that included around 1,500 participants, plus all of the spectators and volunteers. Numerous local businesses sponsored the race in some way, shape or form and I thought what a great opportunity it would be for our customers - parcel shipping center and moving & storage facility owners - to get involved.
Nearly all communities have a local road race every year that requires support from a wide range of businesses and individuals.
Make it a point to contact the race director to find out how you can help, and in the process promote your business. Here are some ideas:
1. Find out what the cost is to be a sponsor. There usually are varying levels of commitment, but you might be able to get your company logo/info on the:
1) back of the race shirt
2) race entry form
3) race's website
2. Race directors are always looking for items to put in the goody bag/race packet given to the participants. Have your company info printed on a water bottle, fridge magnet, pen or other promotional item and the race director likely will include it in the goody bag at no cost to you!
3. Get some people together and work one of the water stops. Runners will appreciate and remember your assistance and sense of community.
I'm sure you can come up with even more ideas on how to use the race to your advantage while helping out at the local event. Using the race yesterday as an example, if only 5 percent of the 1,500 runners and walkers used your products and services due to your involvement in the race it would equal 75 customers. That's a nice total for a small investment, plus you'll be establishing yourself as a "store of the community".
Don Provident, Marketing Supervisor - Supply Side USA
Nearly all communities have a local road race every year that requires support from a wide range of businesses and individuals.
Make it a point to contact the race director to find out how you can help, and in the process promote your business. Here are some ideas:
1. Find out what the cost is to be a sponsor. There usually are varying levels of commitment, but you might be able to get your company logo/info on the:
1) back of the race shirt
2) race entry form
3) race's website
2. Race directors are always looking for items to put in the goody bag/race packet given to the participants. Have your company info printed on a water bottle, fridge magnet, pen or other promotional item and the race director likely will include it in the goody bag at no cost to you!
3. Get some people together and work one of the water stops. Runners will appreciate and remember your assistance and sense of community.
I'm sure you can come up with even more ideas on how to use the race to your advantage while helping out at the local event. Using the race yesterday as an example, if only 5 percent of the 1,500 runners and walkers used your products and services due to your involvement in the race it would equal 75 customers. That's a nice total for a small investment, plus you'll be establishing yourself as a "store of the community".
Don Provident, Marketing Supervisor - Supply Side USA
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