Pack it up, honey...time to move

It’s official. The Always Upward blog has moved to new digs.

I’ve wanted to do this for a while now, but needed to get a couple of other projects wrapped up first. Well...that, and to try teaching myself enough php code to make it function without having to ask for help.

Yeah. Like that’s a good idea.

Bottom line, the blog is now located at:

AlwaysUpward.com/blog

Still have some squeaky floorboards and a couple of loose screws (hey now...I heard that), but all in all, we’re good to go. My previous posts are repeated there, along with some new material, so you won’t be losing anything in the translation.

Pack it up. Wave goodbye. It’s time to head to Always Upward.

2009: The Year of Quality without Complication

This past year’s been interesting.

For me, 2008 was pretty terrific, albeit filled with too many third party political agendas (and I don’t mean election-related). For my friends who own retail stores, however, it was an uphill battle filled with enormous challenge--in most cases becoming critical as early as June.

Regardless of whether your year fell into the “terrific” or “challenging” category, it’s safe to say 2008 was complicated. Reeeeally complicated. The past twelve months generally gave a lot of pretty smart folks some pretty serious headaches.

Which is why I’m declaring 2009 The Year of Quality without Complication.

Think: Quality without overthinking. Quality of life plus quality of business. Quality that spills over to those around you in a sincere, productive way.

So what do you say we all unite under the following declarations?

In 2009, I, the undersigned, promise to:

1. Focus on what my customers need from me more than what I need from them.

2. Better understand the 80/20 rule, then buy according to that principle (and if I don’t understand that principle, I need to contact Cinda).

3. Take five minutes each month to send a hand written thank you note to someone who’s made a positive difference in my business. If I’m feeling particularly cheerful, I will write two.

4. Create a braintrust of me and four other local business owners, then meet for brainstorming breakfasts once per quarter where we’ll drink too much coffee, eat calorie-laden sticky buns, kick around wild ideas, listen to each other’s concerns, and find ways to grow each other’s businesses.

5. Try at least one new internet-based marketing method...even if it scares the hell out of me. If that requires relying on my 13 year old nephew for explanation, I will. If it requires hiring the 13 year nephew, I will.

6. Stop dead in my tracks when things begin to spin too quickly...take a breath...and regain control. Life can only race as fast as I allow it to.


I have read the above, agree to it with all my retail-lovin’ heart, and sign here in black ink (because red ink is no fun):

_________________________________
Name

__________________
Date


Now, print...sign...and tape to your office wall. Or your forehead. Your call.

Color me a Pandora junkie

I’m strapped to the desk today, which means it’s going to be a Pandora afternoon.

If you haven’t heard of Pandora, you’re really missing something. Simply put, it’s a free online service that plays music based on the songs you like. Today, I’m listening to Bing Crosby, Tony Bennett, Louis Armstrong and the like singing Christmas songs, simply because I typed in “Santa Baby,” then selected the Eartha Kit version from the menu that automatically appeared.

This is crazy easy to use (and free):

1. Go to Pandora.com
2. Create an account (no, they don’t spam you)
3. Type in a song name to create a new station (aka: playlist)
4. Sit back and enjoy the music, baby

I’ve created about a half dozen “stations” in my Pandora account, running the gamut from the Rolling Stones to Ella Fitzgerald. The system remembers these stations so that all I have to do upon returning to the site is click on the one that sounds good that day.

Don’t ask me how, but they nail the mix 99.99% of the time. On the rare occasion that a tune pops up you don’t like, just click on the little thumbs down symbol and it goes away forever.

(Mac users have two additional options: You can download Pandora Jam--a free standing player that connects from your desktop--by visiting pandorajam.com, or hit the App Store to pick up an iPod/iPod Touch version.)

Pandora’s great for those times you’re stuck at your desk, tired of store music, or in the mood for a fresh mix. A music playlist--custom built for the listener--is a pretty sweet treat and very hard to beat (see what a great mood it has me in?).

Now-—go try it out. I’m off to sing along with Bing and his buddies. Oh yeah. And get some work done.

When Mom goes mum

This morning, Lee Scott (CEO and President of WalMart) appeared on Meet the Press as part of a 5-person brain trust discussing the economy and where it’s headed. A comment he made really resonated with me; to paraphrase, when WalMart moms stop shopping for themselves--choosing instead to defer spending in lieu of their kids’ and spouse’s--it’s a sign of serious pull-back in the consumer market. As much as it pains me to say this, the leader of WalMart is dead-on-right.

Each Christmas, we marveled in the store over the “one for them, one for me” pattern our female customers exhibited this time of year-—more than during other seasons, although not exclusive to fourth quarter. The better the economy, the higher the likelihood “one for me” cost more than the original gift. Even last year, as the economy was slowing down, we still saw self-gifting continue, albeit at slightly reduced price points.

Now, however, self-gifting deferral seems to be the rule. Even I, who typically splurges for a $300-ish technological gadget of some sort this time of year, succumbed, opting instead to pop for a $25 calculator.

(Yes, that’s just as pitiful as it sounds, but hey...the old one was losing some of its digits on display screen, which made it a necessity item.)

Was I disappointed? Nope. Didn’t occur to me to be. Which is exactly my point.

The fact that a calculator made me (almost) as happy as an Apple Time Capsule proves that I, too, am deferring self gratification in favor of splurging on my nieces and nephew. Doesn’t mean I don’t still want nice things...but does mean that whatever I buy myself will be a more affordable splurge than in days past. At least for now.

Revlon knows this, and provides a good model to follow. Whenever the economy goes south, they begin cranking out more dramatic colors in both lipstick and nail polish...then watch their sales spike. As money becomes tight, women tend not to spend on spa trips and new clothes, but still want to feel pampered, vibrant, confident, and attractive. Thus, the appearance of affordable fashion items...and dramatic nail polish and lipstick that make a statement.

Think I’m nuts? How many women have you seen sporting near-black nail polish on t.v. and in the halls lately? Point proven.

How’s this translate to gift retailers? Think like the WalMart mom or the 30-something woman sporting OPI’s “Black Cherry Chutney” nails. If it looks like a perk and it feels like a perk, then it is a perk that will be purchased...at under $20. Once the winter gift show circuit kicks in, items that replace more costly options in ways that improve the consumer’s lifestyle at a painless price point will be the hit that brings cash flow.

Given how late most retailers are pushing purchases right now, odds are good you’ll be buying for Valentine’s Day as well as Mother’s Day, graduation, and Father’s Day. Think: bold color, comfort, fashion, and experience-replacement purchases. Look for microwavable lavender neck wraps that will replace spa visits...for dramatic colors in scarves that will replace larger clothing purchases...and for high impact gifts that don’t need to be replaced (ie, refillable and reusable), then pair them with loyalty refill programs.

Don’t think this applies to higher priced boutiques? Guess again. Even luxury stores are choking as their previously cash-heavy customers pull back.

So how do you do this in an upscale environment? Here’s an example: Let’s say you currently sell $75-$100 cashmere scarves in a wide selection of colors. To tweak things a bit, consider paring down the color selection to black, white, red, and the top two or three colors seen in the current fashion magazines (so you don’t lose that particular customer), then add in a line of $35 or $40 silk scarves in twice as many colors. You’re still appealing to upscale customers while giving them high quality, fashion forward options that can be more easily justified.

If you can provide products that allow consumers to defer the more expensive alternatives by purchasing your current offerings instead, you’ll be ahead of the game. Give them options that are bold, confident, and affordable. If you don’t, well...they’ll look elsewhere. Remember, sacrifice eventually wears thin for most consumers.

Now...off to freshen up my “Eiffel for This Color” nails. They’re all the rage, you know.

I can name that tune in...um...how many notes?

Sure, this video has been around for a couple of years, but it never ceases to amaze and delight. Consider this my stocking stuffer for all you stressed out retailers in the world....



Enjoy!

Green Paper Company

It might seem there’s no safe haven in retail right now, but those of you selling paper know that green is gold these days. If you’ve got great recycled options, you’re ahead of stores who don’t.

Enter Green Paper Company.

Joan Schnee, owner of GPC in Chicago, got a big thumbs up today as the only line mentioned by name on the Good Morning America segment “Just One Thing,” featuring quality recycled stocks and holiday cards. Not a bad endorsement to have on the resumé...even when the resumé is already crowded with lots of great endorsements and placement requests.

Green Paper Company is about more than just holidays, though. Their line of blank and printed stock is expansive, and truly green. Offering both consumer packaged stationery and blank bulk stock, there’s plenty to choose from, regardless of whether you sell only boxed goods, blank stock to DIYers, or provide in-house design and production services.

Joan’s done a lot of homework about what is--and is not--good for the environment, and knows more than just about anyone I’ve ever met. As a retailer (her store, On Paper, has been a Columbus, OH destination for more than a decade), she “gets” what stores want, need, and rely on from vendors. If there’s a better combination out there, I haven’t found it.

Don’t wait until the winter shows to look for GPC; check out their site, give ‘em a call, and get your hands on this...now.

Where in the world is...?

It’s been a little quiet on the AU blog this past week, in part because my schedule’s been upside down, and in part because I’m working on a move from Blogger to the Always Upward website. This is no small undertaking-—especially for someone who doesn’t live, eat, and breathe code.

Until the new digs are ready, I’ll continue posting here. As soon as I think the floor is solid and the roof won’t leak, you’ll be the first to know it’s time to move over to the new address.

Think good thoughts. This is turning out to be a much more complex experience than building my own websites has been. Much more complex.

Conquering Kate’s

For those of you familiar with Kate’s Paperie in New York, it’s no secret what was once the shining star of stationery came upon tough times this past two years. After handing the reigns over to the next generation, Leonard Flax watched his beloved boutiques fall into financial disrepair and near extinction.

Well folks, take heart. Someone’s come in to save the day.

Angelica Berrie, the former CEO of Russ Berrie & Co., has written the check and holds the keys to all five Kate’s locations. With plans to overhaul the design of each store, update the company’s website, and create strategic partnerships with style-makers-and-shakers, odds are there will be all sorts of gawkers during next spring’s National Stationery Show.

Spring Street--the store where Leonard began the tradition--is first in line for a face lift, followed by the others throughout 2009. Part of Berrie’s plan to step things up includes commissioning artists to create window displays worthy of a museum...or by someone who’s already been in a museum, starting with sculptural artist Zoe Bradley.

Something tells me we’re in for a real treat...at least those of us who aren’t stationery retailers in Manhattan. If Kate’s can be reinvented to mirror the service and selection Leonard built, they’re gonna be pretty tough competition.

Once again, the queen returns to the throne.

Back home...for the moment

Just a quick post before I head back out of town to let you know the GHTA conference in Sanibel was terrific. The information shared was beyond helpful, and there were lots of open ears when it came to what retailers are going through these days.

I owe a huge thanks to the independent store owners who participated in the Retail Realities survey. Your wisdom and candor made all the difference, and allowed a lot of pretty big players in the gift, stationery, and home accessory industries to better understand what you need from them...both now and in the future.

Which brings me to the title: “Here and Now...and Tomorrow.” If you’d like to view a PDF of the slides used, visit the AlwaysUpward.com resource center (linked to from the “See Cinda” page). Will try to put together an audio counterpart upon returning home from Thanksgiving travels, to fill in the blanks.

Gobble, gobble, all.....and knock ‘em dead on Black Friday.

Photo credit: Carol Schroeder

Don’t forget....

There are still a few spaces available; once we max out, though...that’s it.

For: Retailers who want to stay upright and breathing through this economic melt down
When: Monday, November 24, 2008
Time: 8:00 p.m. E / 7:00 C / 6:00 M / 5:00 P
Duration: 1 hour
Presenter: Cinda Baxter, Always Upward Consulting and founder of RetailSpeaks

Description:
Retail has never been harder, nor the risks greater. Learn the five vital things you need to do right now to protect you and your investment as the consumer market twists and turns. The goal of this session is to assure that you’ve stacked the deck in your favor, prepared and protected-—regardless of how the game plays out.

Cost:
$37.00 per enrollment
Space is limited; feel free to have multiple people listen in on a speaker phone. (Note: This seminar is structured for retail business owners; some information may be more sensitive than what you typically share with employees.)

To subscribe to this session:
Click here to be taken to the Always Upward home page, then click on the event link. Major credit cards and PayPal credit accounts are welcome.

Not a retailer?
Feel free to spread the word to anyone you think might be interested in protecting their investment; the more stores who protect themselves now, the more that will still be around tomorrow.

The GHTA conference

Today’s the big day--the start of the Gift and Home Trade Association national conference, in Sanibel, Florida (yeah, tough gig, I know). For those of you not familiar with the GHTA, this is a collection of CEOs, Presidents, owners, and upper management representing the most influential vendors, manufacturers, sales agencies, and trade magazines in the gift and home accessory industries.

On Saturday, I’m presenting two seminars called “Here and Now...and Tomorrow,” detailing the realities that concern retailers today, what concerns them about the next year, and how those concerns are going to impact the way they continue to do business. Thanks to the contributions of an advisory group of independent retailers representing a cross section of stores nationwide, the data is as “of the moment” as it gets.

Thanks to those of you who answered the call, sharing your wisdom and suggestions for the sessions. This is one of those cases where you’ve got a captive audience of real decision makers; together, we can help them decide what will help independents most in this unprecedented economic climate.

Morning media

This morning, the Today Show did a segment about how to save money this holiday season. As expected, the usual items were on the list--pay in cash instead of credit cards, discuss pulling back on gift giving as a family, begin with a budget, etc.

Two suggestions, however, nearly had my head spinning like a whirling dervish: (a) that consumers should begin shopping online right away, for as much as they can, since that’s the best places to find great gifts, and (b) that consumers should go to local stores to look at items in person, then return to the internet to place their order or pass along the websites as their wish lists.

Yes, you read that last part correctly. Please use your community stores as free showrooms for online retailers.

I can't begin to tell you how that made my blood boil...especially since this segment came on the heels of a piece about the shortage of seasonal retail jobs due to the economy's impact on small business.

Duh...but how about the impact of the media on small business?

Newsflash. It's not just the economy that's kicking retailers in the teeth. It's you. It's your continual recommendations to forego local retailers and jump straight to the internet. It’s forgetting that a community is the sum of its parts, not just the residential side. And it’s playing cheerleader for the very thing doing the most damage to independent businesses while bemoaning their disappearance.

I’m headed to the national Gift and Home Trade Association conference today, where I’ll be presenting two seminars to vendors and reps about the concerns of independent retailers this weekend.

Might add a section about stemming the tide of bad press, as long as I have their ear.

I’ll post from Sanibel, where it’s at least 40 degrees warmer than it is here....

November 10-14 coupons

Here’s the inbox pile for this week:

Galison/Mudpuppy
Tel: 800.670.7441
wholesale.galison.com
Still stocking up on holiday merchandise? Get 5% off with this offer. Use coupon code WONE (good one time only per account). No expiration date shown; check with vendor.

Marsupial Press
Tel: 425.251.8558
Fax: 425.251.8998
marsupialpapers.com/imprint_new.htm
They’re becoming a regular on the Shopping List. This time, it’s 15% off any purchase, excluding custom invitations. Use coupon code #1001. Offer expires November 20, 2008.

Heartstrings
Tel: 334.887.6514
heartstrings.net
Better dial ‘em up fast; this only lasts tomorrow, and the rules are nit-picky. Get a 10% discount on all personalized engraved orders (due to the late notice, only current accounts will be able to do this). Now...for the fine print: (1) You have to use their special “One Day Sale” order forms; (2) they must be “faxed to the correct department;” (3) they “must be received by midnight, November 15;” and (d) this maxes out at 25 engraved and 25 embroidered items. Best advice? Grab the phone immediately, call them up, and ask that the “special” form be faxed to you right now. They’re in the eastern time zone, so move quick. One day sale-—Saturday, November 15 only.

Epson
EpsonStore.com
Epson Stylus Photo printer RX680 on sale now for $89.99, after $60 instant rebate -and- exclusive $20 discount with coupon code 8ZNASE. Expires November 17, 2008.

And a heads up for Jon Hart customers:
If you didn’t get the email about holiday orders, the 2008 cutoff date is Tuesday, December 9th. Most of us recognize that as a week later than in years past...which might just be a saving grace this year. Contact Jon Hart for additional information.

Happy buying!

*As always, some offers are limited to current dealers. If you don’t carry the lines, take a look anyway. Might be a good time to add fresh product to your lineup.

Don’t write that check

Once again, I see a familiar name making the rounds in the stationery industry, coaxing retailers to join their “guild” and, by extension, their website, with promises of better Google results, more visibility, and heightened customer awareness. They’ve been trying to get this concept off the ground for two years, but only recently were able to actually produce the site itself. I do not endorse their program, and for that reason, will not mention them by name here. Rest assured, this is not a vendor.

Before you write a fat check to any third party offering inclusion on their website, seriously consider the following:

1. Links are golden, yes. But do the math. If you link to them from your site, link to them from your blog, link to them any time you write an article, and link to them any time you appear in a press release, they rack up more and more links. That brings them more and more visibility in Google searches. You, on other hand, still only get one link from their site, via the store locator. Not a very equitable trade. This will not pop you up the Google list.

2. Their new website is, admittedly, very elegant. It incorporates many elements that every stationery store website should include-—and my own did, during my retail storefront days. Explains why in web searches for “personal stationery Minneapolis,” “wedding invitations Minneapolis” or similar, my store was consistently one of the top two listings. Every time. Why pay to promote someone else’s website-—that includes your local competitors, by the way-—instead of investing in your own site, promoting only you in an equally elegant, equally information-rich, and equally professional manner, simultaneously pushing you up the Google list?

3. The suggestion that inclusion in their site significantly helps consumers find you is pretty thin. Think about it-—when a bride is looking for invites, she’s going to Google the term “letterpress wedding invitations Omaha,” not search for some association website she doesn’t have a connection to in hopes there might be someone listed nearby. Equally likely, she’s combed through wedding websites and publications, is going directly to vendor sites, then using their “find a retailer” function to locate the exact look she wants.

4. SEO, SEO, SEO....Search Engine Optimization. That’s a big term that freaks a lot of retailers out. Bottom line: Google (and other search engines) continually change their algorhythms-—the math used to search out sources and pages on the web-—so that no one...NO ONE...can hold those top positions hostage. There are a lot of SEO folks out there who claim to provide top-of-listing results, but they don’t guarantee it in print. They can’t. The algorhythms change faster than you change your socks. It’s like a meteorologist promising .253 inches of rain will fall at exactly 7:42 a.m. on Tuesday morning. Good luck with that.

So how do you find your way to the top of the listings? To customers’ eyeballs? By (a) hiring a knowledgeable web designer who builds attractive sites, understands search engine optimization, and provides references that can verify the success of both; (b) incorporating rich content into your site, including placement of applicable keywords in the text and metatags; and (c) frequently updating your site with fresh content. There aren’t any shortcuts, but once the site is built and running, the rest is a lot easier.

As for the articles, press releases, etc....? If you’re going to spend time writing anything, write it in support of your own store, not for another website. Include a link to your store site in everything that appears online; that helps build your Google visibility. Start a blog. Today. And visit PRWeb.com to learn about how easy it is to promote yourself through press releases (their free Press Release 101 section is terrific). Each press release should include links to your store too, again, raising your search odds.

Sink the money into you. Into your store. Into your website. That, dear friends, is your best investment, hands down.

It’s a lot smarter than handing someone else a fat check that pushes their site higher while yours languishes on the bottom of page 14 on Google.

P.S. In a search of just one city in their store locator, I’ve already turned up a discounter, who used to be storefront but is converting to all-internet as we speak. So much for vetting. Caveat emptor, folks.

Taking control of your future

At the request of several retailers, I’m presenting the following teleseminar in two weeks. Please forward this to any store owner you think might benefit from the information....

Audience: Retailers who want to stay upright and breathing
When: Monday, November 24, 2008
Time: 8:00 p.m. E / 7:00 C / 6:00 M / 5:00 P
Duration: 1 hour

Description:
Retail has never been harder, nor the risks greater. As a store owner, you have a lot on the line-—from inventory to your home mortgage, odds are just about everything in front of you is tied up in what happens the next few months...or few weeks.

This teleseminar boils the “What do I do now?” list down to five vital actions that need to be taken to protect you and your investment as the consumer market twists and turns. The goal of this session is to assure that you’ve stacked the deck in your favor, prepared and protected-—regardless of how the game plays out.

Cost:
$37.00 per enrollment
Space is limited; feel free to have multiple people listen in on a speaker phone. (Note: This seminar is structured for retail business owners; some information may be more sensitive than what you typically share with employees.)

To subscribe to this session:
Click here to be taken to the Always Upward home page, then click on the event link. Major credit cards and PayPal credit accounts are welcome.

Not a retailer?
Odds are you know someone who is. And odds are, they need all the help they can get. Feel free to spread the word to anyone you think might be interested. I hope to see as many of you as possible; there’s no time to waste.

Lead with a loss

Maxine Clark, founder of Build-A-Bear, announced a new program to address tightening budgets-—beginning today, the pre-adorned bears will drop in price to only $10.00 each. Whether that means all of them (including the $25 pink one) or just the basic brown version, I don’t know. The announcement is recent enough that the B-a-B website has yet to be updated.

In tradition retail terms, the $10 bear is called a “loss leader.” You offer one item at a discount-—usually a deep discount, nearing cost-—to bring in shoppers who are likely to continue buying other products at full price. In this case, the inexpensive bear acts as an effective vehicle for the full price add-ons that can quickly push the price of a simple toy into the stratosphere. Some consumers will come in that otherwise might not have...and a fair number (both new and regulars) will use the savings as justification for adding an extra piece or two, which more than likely will price out above the $10 saved up front.

That’s the idea behind loss leaders. Hook the customers, then let ‘em keep spending. It’s inconceivable that Grandma Liz would just buy the naked bear. That’s not what B-a-B offers. The moment granddaughter Madison gets the thumbs up, additional purchases are guaranteed.

Which gave me an idea. What if stationers were to offer deep savings on the price of the reception card in wedding orders? Deep enough to make it reeeeeally tempting, but not so deep you’re exceeding your comfort level. What bride needs just a reception card? To get the deal, they’ll also need to pick up the rest of the invitation suite, at full price.

Bait and switch? No. You aren’t hiding or raising prices on anything. You’re simply putting a sale price on a portion of the order that requires the remainder of the order to be complete. Kind of like a naked bear who needs pom poms.

If you have a young niece or daughter, you know what that means. If you don’t, well...don’t dwell on it.

Monday, 11.10.08 editor’s note: I see that today, Build a Bear is running actual commercials promoting the special. Look for this to be the first of many big box loss leaders coming your way.

NO.

Many are the unexpected notes I find in the mailbox each day that put a smile on my face.

This was not one of them.

For the record, I am nowhere near “a certain age” yet. I am, however, going to give my postal carrier permission to start screening my mail.

Damn.

Stimulus Plan

This week’s email included an interesting item from Open Table, the convenient restaurant booking site. Not surprisingly, diners are thinning out as budgets grow snug, which inspired them to launch the “Appetite Simulus Plan,” a price fix program running five days, mid-November, in several cities across the country.

The lineup is fairly eclectic, offering something for everyone. Prices for the special three course meals run $24 for lunch or $35 for dinner, regardless of location. Better yet, diners booking through Open Table receive double the usual points for booking the special, as many times as they like.

This is a good example of cross promotion. The restaurant gets business. Open Table gets business. Customers get a good deal, with enough selection to make it fun. Win/win/win.

Look around at the businesses who neighbor your own. Look at those across town. Consider those that naturally connect by product type, or by customer base. Think of a creative way to work together beyond the norm. (Note: If you’re in the wedding industry, be sure to consider which elements of the event are booked before yours, so you aren’t connecting to customers too late in the timeline.)

Don’t limit yourself to holiday fare only; now’s the time to be planning your 2009 marketing strategy too.

That’s one way to put it....

Nine hours in a car gives you a lot of time to sample local radio stations, most of which offered pretty predictable fare over the weekend. From Minnesota to Nebraska, contemporary to country, very little surprised me-—with the exception of two spots on KRGI FM in Grand Island:

Ingenuity Award
A 30-second spot paid for by the local Chamber of Commerce touts the many ways Grand Island is not being negatively impacted by the current economic slow down. From a rock-bottom foreclosure rate to a growing employment rate, this statistic-loaded PSA serves as an impressive way to bolster continued cash flow while comforting nervous concerns.

“Aren’t I Special” Award
KRGI’s own 15 or 20-second spot, boasting (and I’m quoting as closely as possible here) they’re “ranked number one among listeners who said they like this station best.” Hmm. One would certainly hope so. Being ranked number two by that crowd would be pretty depressing.

I certainly don’t suggest mimicking the second option, but the first...? Why not roll out a campaign of your own, listing ten ways life continues to be stable, happy, and secure in your store in spite of the real world willies? Use them as bag stuffers...create a big window banner...send out an email newsletter with them...just get the good word out.

Better yet, turn it into a top ten list (a la Letterman style) building up to the number one reason life is good at Anderson’s Card Shop: We like it here...and you will too.

Just DO IT

A little reminder aimed at those for whom subtlety has no meaning:

If you don’t vote, you can’t bitch. Period.

Sorry ‘bout the language, but having seen Canada clock in at a dismal 59.1% voter turnout, I’m pretty fired up about pushing folks out the door and into the booth.

Now....GO.

Treats without tricks

Quick trick or treat promotion for your grown up customers:

1. Buy one of those kitchy little plastic Jack-o-Lantern candy buckets
2. Buy a bunch of shiny little star stickers in three different colors (gold, silver, red?)
3. Put gold stickers on the the back of one or two...silver stickers on a few more...red stickers on a whole bunch of ‘em (or all the rest, if you prefer)
4. Let adult customers select one candy bar without peeking inside the bucket

Gold sticker = $100 gift certificate, good through 12/24/08
Silver sticker = 20% off any non-personalized purchase before 12/24/08
Red sticker = 10% off any non-personalized purchase before 12/24/08

Have a second bucket with non-stickered treats for kids, just in case. Use different candy so no one accidentally hands a four year old the $100 gift certificate.

Note the expiration date for each is 12/24/08. We’re working on holiday sales here-—once we hit January, it will be time for fresh offers and ideas.

I’m going to be off the grid for the weekend, headed home to Nebraska for my father’s 70th birthday. Catch you on the other side!

1P at half price

Attention all Mac users: If you haven’t tried it yet, here’s your chance (and a question: What the heck are you waiting for???). The world’s best password manager, 1Password, is being offered at half price through MacZot, today only. It’s no secret I’m a big fan; of all the utility programs in my world-—and there are many-—this is the one I absolutely, positively can’t live without.

To read my earlier post about the virtues of 1Password, click here. To grab this baby at terrific savings, click here.

Heads up, though...this deal expires at midnight tonight, so you’d better grab fast. After that, you’re on your own with the first graders and stale candy corn.

The upside to price fixing

Back in August, the Supreme Court handed down a decision that, while not favored by discounters and online retailers, protects independent stationers in ways they’ve dreamed of for years. With the blessings of the high court, manufacturers are able to not only set MSRP, but are also allowed to set a minimum threshold for prices on their products and enforce them.

Translated? There’s finally a way to stop discounters and home studios from eating your invitations business alive (assuming your vendors step up and do the right thing).

This summer’s Supreme Court ruling, based on a lawsuit between a discount store and a purse manufacturer, reverses a 1911 precedent that made price guarantees illegal. According to the modern court, such assurances aren’t automatically breaks in anti-trust law, but ways to protect manufacturers (and, by extension, full service retailers) from predatory pricing schemes that devalue their products and business. To see the full Wall Street Journal article explaining the decision, click here.

How does this protect you, as a full service stationer? Simple. It pulls the plug from vendors’ protests that they can’t force home studios and discounters to charge full price. With the exception of Crane’s (who wisely prints “Property of Crane and Co.” on the cover of every album), endless vendors have chanted that anti-trust logic while continuing to enjoy income from discounters, to the fiscal dismay of their full price, brick and mortar retailers.

With the new ruling, however, vendors are allowed to set firm minimum prices, then close the accounts of discounters who continue to price below them. Period.

Imagine the reaction of home studios who rely on discounts to lure customers to their basements and kitchens, or internet invitation discounters, who have been riding the coattails of traditional retail stores for years, essentially using them as free showrooms to make their own online sales.

Paper-related discounters aren’t the only ones crying foul; operators like Brian Okin, owner of an online home improvement store, claim minimum price policies are responsible for him losing sales and substantial revenue. In Mr. Okin’s words, “It just makes it so difficult to compete.”

Huh. Kind of like when online discounters undercut full price storefronts...?

Now...whaddaya say we get those books out of Suzie Smith’s basement studio once and for all?

Start with your head....

In a few weeks, I’ll be traveling to Sanibel for this year’s Gift and Home Trade Association national conference where I’ll be speaking about the current state of independent retail. Admittedly, it’s a tough year for many members—predominantly vendors, reps, marts, and media-—to justify the expense of attending, which begs the question “Will it really make a difference if I skip?”

Yes, it will.

Following is an email I wrote, later forwarded to the GHTA membership, explaining why it’s important they keep pushing ahead. To any reps, vendors, manufacturers who think curling up in a ball and waiting this thing out is a good strategy, well...buck up and get in gear. It’s time to be proactive about turning this industry around.

Times are tough for everyone in the gift industry, especially at the grass roots level. Now, more than ever, retailers need vendors, reps, sales agencies, and manufacturers to be plugged into resources that will help shore up our industry, from the top of the supply chain down to the stores and boutiques that rely on them.

And that's what the GHTA Sanibel conference is all about -- opportunities to connect as an industry, learn from one another, and forge new paths that lead us out of economic uncertainty and into productive partnership.

True, the world can't be reinvented in a three day conference, but groundwork can be laid for a year's worth of progress. Networking brings peers together who have never met before. Companies are exposed to fresh ideas and out-of-the-box thinking they can implement on home turf. And creative brainstorming opens channels to new ways of thinking, of doing, and of succeeding.

All of us on the retail side know the expense and time away may be a tough sell in such frustrating financial times. But the return on investment for those who attend with open minds, enthusiasm, and determination to learn will find that investment a sound one.

Please join us as we write the next chapter of this industry's history. Together, we can prosper.

Cinda Baxter


It’s not too late to sign up; click here to get the ball rolling.

Push me, pull you

The past ten days, I’ve spent a fair amount of time scoping out retailers large and small in the Twin Cities metro area, looking for patterns. From Mall of America to Main Street, there were plenty to see...one in particular was quite telling.

Last weekend, I noticed a lot of corporate stores stocking significantly less Christmas inventory than usual. It was equally clear that they saw the writing on the wall too late to cut back extensive Halloween offerings...but not too late to do so for for the December holidays. Given how many of those brands also sell through independent retailers, I set out to see what kind of shelf space they were getting at the grass roots level.

Sadly, what I found was both shocking and expected, based on observations at a number of markets the past six months.

See, one of my biggest concerns this summer was the hard sell many reps and vendors were pitching to buyers at each of the five markets I attended. From May through August, countless retailers were quietly pulling me aside to ask “Am I the only store having a rotten year?” as reps insisted orders were up and inventory was a necessity. Buyers were being hammered with “Other retailers are ordering big”...“Everyone else is moving lots of product”...“The worst of the economic slow down is behind us,” making them doubt themselves at the worst possible time.

At one point in Atlanta, I actually pleaded with a showroom vendor to stop telling retailers All is fabulous! since we were both aware of how many stores were already struggling.

Little did buyers know that while lines were hitting them hard for big orders, those same companies were simultaneously reducing their own 4Q commitments. Although locally Department 56 provides the most disparity between what their corporate store stocks versus what independents are saddled with, they are by no means the sole example. Time and time again, I found independent retailers hip deep in product that was next to non-existent in the same vendors’ corporate stores.

Herein lies the catch. To survive a lousy economy, an enormous amount of trust is required between buyer and supplier. It’s kind of like two people on opposite ends of a teeter totter. Working together, they take turns bobbing up and down in balance, but the moment one steps off to pursue their own agenda without mentioning it to the other, their counterpart lands on the ground pretty hard.

When you see a vendor say one thing, then do the opposite, the teeter totter analogy suddenly becomes quite real.

No one knows a store’s needs or limitations better than its owner. Vendors and reps who respected their independent retailers this summer (rather than opt for the hard sell) will be the ones buyers return to come January. They’ve successfully balanced their short term needs against a store’s long term goal. No one gets dropped in the dirt; the teeter totter continues to function.

Those who pushed large orders on teetering buyers this summer, however, will have to face them again in January, fresh off what will arguably be the most challenging holiday season in history. God help ‘em if their insistence on oversized orders didn’t pan out as lucrative holiday numbers...a roomful of retailers with still-stinging, slam-to-the-ground backsides might be a bit less than jovial to contend with.

And a lot less likely to order from the line ever again.

Yes, this year stinks for a lot of retailers. And yes, that means it stinks for a lot of vendors and reps too. But folks, we‘ve got to “honest up” and look out for each other on the retail teeter totter...or we’re all gonna end up in the dirt. Fast.

This week’s deals

Here’s what hit my inbox this week; note that most are still playing that “blink and you’ll miss it” game, with offers expiring on Monday 10/27/08:

Epson Clearance Center
Epson.com > Clearance Center
Save an additional 15% on items already marked 40% off. Granted, most of what you’ll see are refurbished items, but might be a good time to replace an all-in-one or grab a good scanner at a rock bottom prices. Check out the R2400 if you’re thinking about stepping up your in-house print operation. Use coupon code 8XTCASE. Offer expires Monday, 10/27/08.

Impact Images
clearbags.com
For those of you using Impact Images’ 4x6 or 5x7 crystal clear cellophane sleeves or photo boxes (think: acetate boxes for imprintables or photo cards), they’re offering 5% off both the list and bulk prices. Use coupon code 577896. Offer ends 11/15/08.

Total Training
totaltraining.com
These are the go-to folks for training on any Adobe product, and in the spirit of helping folks out during tight times, they have three offers running:

CS3 training: Now that CS4 has shipped (yippee! yippee!), all CS3 training packages are on sale-—pick up DVD titles for $99 or less -or- multi-program bundles at 25% off. No coupon code is necessary, no expiration date listed.

All training, including CS4: Save $20 off your entire DVD purchase (coupon code: save20weekend). If you’re looking for CS3, be sure to compare this against the above offer to see which fits your specific order best. Offer ends at midnight, Monday, 10/27/08.

Online training: Go green with a one-year subscription to the Total Training library. Titles are constantly updated, which makes this a great option for stores bringing in the Creative Suite for the first time or those who have several enployees who need training. Currently, no CS4 titles appear, but one has to believe they’ll be added soon. To get 30% off your first year, enter coupon code “save30online” during checkout. Offer ends at midnight on Monday, 10/27/08.

Lucky Onion
luckyonion.com
303.877.9585
Their new holiday album is out, and available for $139 ($60 off). Their book is unique, covering more than just the winter holidays. In addition to providing personalized options, stores may also order boxed or bulk for off-the-shelf sales. Album quantity is limited, so don’t sit on this for long. Contact Lucky Onion for a link to the online preview. Offer ends on Thanksgiving or when albums run out.

And since you’ve been working so hard this week, here’s a bonus tip:

Wholesale Crafts
wholesalecrafts.com
If you haven’t found this site yet, take a look. Whether you have an upscale boutique or an Americana store, there’s a treasure trove of handmade gifts and jewelry here to be plucked from. Since this site is for legitimate retailers only, you’ll need to complete an online registration that includes either photos of your storefront or documentation proving you’re the real deal (truth be told, it’s harder to get into this site than it is to get into some of the trade shows). Once you’re in, though, it’s worth it-—especially if you’re looking for high end jewelry that won’t show up in the store next door.

Happy deal pouncing!

Sweet treats

Congrats to Write Selection for making the Dallas version of Daily Candy. That’s quite a feat, but Write Selection is quite a store. Susan Foxworth and Betsy Swango understand quality product and extraordinary service better than anyone around; as someone who’s known them for many years, it’s an honor and a pleasure to see such good things come to such good people.

Well done, ladies. You’ve earned it.

Big box, little inventory

I accompanied Mom to the Mall of America over the weekend (aka: The Big Retail Shrine), on her annual Christmas shopping visit to Minneapolis. While she looked for stocking stuffers and gifts, my eyes focused on inventory patterns and staffing...which were more educational than expected.

Because her visit is an annual event occurring the same week each October, I have a pretty reliable yardstick to measure one holiday season against the next. This one held some surprises that made it clear at least a few of the big boys saw a soft fourth quarter coming, and have adjusted accordingly...much to the dismay of hopeful shoppers.

Many stores--and by "many" I mean "a whole heckofalot"--are carrying far less inventory than usual, holiday and otherwise. For instance, the huge Department 56 store just outside of Nordstrom is normally jammed full of gift items by the third week in October, the front portion of the store so crowded with decorated trees, enormous baskets of trimmings, loads of little gifty items, and other non-Village products that it's almost impossible to turn around without bumping into a nearby display.

This year? Big, wide open spaces. Two of the Villages have been moved to share a small display in that area (Christmas in the City and Dickens, for those of you who know the line), which doesn't eat up a lot of room. Hardly any of the gifty pick-up stuff is there, and next to nothing is shown for decorated trees. Looking at that section of the store, I'd venture a guess they're stocking about 20-25% less than what's normally offered. The employee I spoke to said all their holiday is in, so...looks like this is it.

Mom also noticed the enormous amount of Halloween being shown by comparrison--which seemed disproportionately high, measured against past years. Nearly all of it was marked 50% off.

Another store that stuck out like a sore thumb was Crabtree and Evelyn. By the third week in October, this location is typically filled to the gills with holiday items and extra year 'round inventory. Like Department 56, it's show floor usually requires a shopper to be mindful of nearby displays while navigating the many options available for purchase. This year? The new India Hicks product has been given a big, airy display table, with loads of empty space all around. None of the familiar gift items are on the counter...the many show floor product displays are missing, along with the robes and matching accoutrements...and the entire children's line has disappeared, according to an employee we spoke to. At least 1/3 of the normal inventory level has dropped from sight.

These weren't two exceptions to the rule; they were examples of the rule, and that rule appeared in store after store after store, regardless of target market.

This seems to prove two things: Halloween isn't moving, to no one's surprise, given the economy. By the time "the powers that be" recognized a problem, it was too late to back down factory orders on ghouls and goblins, so pushing it out the door at half price is the only alternative.

Christmas production, on the other hand, could still be cut back, given the later delivery dates. Judging by their displays and space allotment, Department 56 doesn't seem to be banking on much beyond returning Snow Village customers.

This bodes well for independent retailers, folks. If the big boxes provide less merchandise and less selection, odds improve that customers will seek options in their neighborhood stores and boutiques. If you haven’t set up your holiday displays yet, do. True, I’m not a fan of Christmas before Halloween, but given the holes I saw this weekend, my guess is 2008’s the year to break that tradition.

It's shipping! It's shipping!

Several media sites are reporting that Adobe's CS4 began shipping today, in spite of last week's speculation they'd hold off 'til month's end.

Means I'm back to bouncing up and down at the door every time a delivery truck rumbles along the street....

If you haven't ordered yours yet, the $200 pre-order discount is still good for upgrades. Still not sure how "pre" fits when the item is currently being sold, but hey, who's gonna look that gift horse in the mouth?

Yippeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

All eyes on you....

I was recently asked to comment on the top three qualities of a good leader. The audience in that case was a group of leadership experts, which tends to make one pause before responding. Still...was pretty easy:

1. Integrity, both personal and professional.

2. The ability to inspire others to do their best and the grace to recognize their achievements.

3. Clear vision, both of the future and the past; rewriting history robs us of our ability to learn from it.

Do you possess those qualities?

If you have employees who have been with you for years, odds are that you do. Rarely (especially in retail) do people stay put for bonehead employers.

It’s important to be the kind of leader that staff members want to work for-—right now, they’re you first line of defense against dropping sales or poor customer experience.

It’s also important to be the kind of store owner customers want to shop with-—in a world that seems to be swinging left hooks, they crave stability and confidence in their personal universe.

You owe it to them. You owe it to you. Allow your leader within to shine.

How to Bomb in Six Easy Steps

You’re scared, I know. Much of life in Retail Land changed this year...but not everything. What you knew on Memorial Weekend continues to be true today. Just gotta get your groove back and start thinking with the head, not the nerve endings.

If, however, you’re determined to be eaten alive by current economic conditions, here are six easy steps to assure you’ll crash and burn by December 31st:

1. Make split second decisions
Fear breeds snap decisions. Snap decisions breed nightmare situations. That ought to kill you off by New Year’s. Or...take a moment to rewind. It may feel like the economy is running you over at 90 mph, but it’s not—a day still has 24 hours, a week still has seven days. And you still have the ability to make wise choices and savvy moves, just like you did before all this monkey business began. Put thought into your actions; this isn’t the time for business-related bungee jumping.

2. Put all your faith in the daily register tape
Want to freak yourself out? Hang on every number the register spits out. Or, as a more positive alternative (requiring less Pepcid AC), see it as a small piece of the big picture. Don’t let a lousy Thursday derail your plan for the remainder of the month. Examine which categories are moving, which are stalling, and what tweaks you can make to reshuffle the deck. Clearance out old product at fire sale prices. Bring in new product at the same time so people don’t think you’re closing. Offer as many free services as possible, adding value to each purchase.

3. Spend more money than you need to
You‘re ordering $254 worth of product, but if you bump it to $300, you’ll get free freight. Good idea? Sure, if you want it to be your last. If you’d like to see Valentine’s Day, however, consider this: Why pay $46 for more product when the freight would have only cost $24? If that $46 is burning a hole in your pocket, find another fresh new line to bring in that complements the first. Don’t cave into last minute specials or go deep on single vendors unless the numbers truly add up. Order what you need; let someone count the backstock in their year end inventory.

4. Bet the farm on someone else’s opinion
One of the best shortcuts to early retirement? Decision by committee, with a committee that has no financial risk in the outcome. The alternative? Remember there’s not a soul on earth who loves your store more than you, or understands it better. Sure, it helps to ask others for advice (within reason...fellow retailers, reps, vendors, consultants, yes...your Aunt Mildred who only shops QVC, no), but in the end, only you know what fits. Listen to their opinions and ideas. Consider their recommendations. Draw an old fashioned Pro/Con chart if you must. Then trust your gut—not the mailman’s.

5. Under-appreciate your customers
Just let ‘em drift; you’ll be gone in a couple of months anyway, right? Or...you could try remembering that customers need to feel the love, especially now. Connect to them without tieing a sales pitch into the message. Offer fresh baked cookies. Send handwritten thank you notes. Play happy music in the background. Welcome them with a confident smile (even if you have to fake it), an open ear, and a zero-pressure environment when they stop in. If they’re just browsing, provide them a place that’s comfortable and sane; it increases the odds they’ll return. Stores that provide great customer service and peaceful respite from the world will win the race.

6. Doubt yourself
If you’re planning to crash and burn by January, odds are, this one’s a cakewalk. HEY-—aren’t you the same fearless being who jumped into retail to begin with? Where’s that damn the torpedoes mentality you once had? The creative mind that came up with new ideas at the drop of a hat? You might be scared, you might be antsy, but you’re still the person your employees and customers look up to. Strut your stuff, act the part. Confidence in one inspires confidence in others; right now, you’re the person to deliver it.

Buck up, kiddo. It’s time.

Can we please stop with the P word???

Panic. Panic.

Panic-panic-panic.

Enough already.

I know we’re in uncharted territory, but if I hear “the P word” one more time on the national news regarding retail and the upcoming holiday season, I’m going to lose it. Yes, consumers know things are tight, and yes, retailers are also abundantly aware of the fact. But c’mon....panic? That’s people sobbing in the streets and screaming through hallways. Haven’t seen that-—at least not around here.

Last week, WalMart launched a $10 toy sale, spurring price wars with their competitors. Somehow, the national media has tied that to the fact these same big boxes are putting out the first of their holiday offerings, claiming the juxtaposition of the two is proof positive retailers are in a panic, pushing holiday extra early.

Well, color me silly, but since when is it unusual to see big box behemoths put out Christmas wares before Halloween? Truth be told, if they’re just now unpacking the first boxes, they’re running behind their typical jump-the-gun schedule. Skelator and Santa side by side in aisle 12? Hardly a news flash. And hardly a sign of panic.

C’mon guys. Things are tough enough. Can we please stop with the P word?

End of rant. Thanks for playing.

CS4 release pushed back

Crud. According to Toolfarm (one of Adobe’s Platinum Resellers), the new Creative Suite won’t ship until October 29th-—two weeks later than the original October 16th date publicized earlier.

Means I can take a break from bobbing up and down at the door every time I hear a delivery truck rumble down the street. Still...this is like Santa sending an email to say Christmas will be delayed until mid-January.

::: sniffle :::

Torch song

Retailers are stressed. Vendors are stressed. Reps are stressed.

And consumers are stressed. Think holiday seasons past were doozies to get through? Just imagine what a couple of months of purse string tightening will do to Patty Persnickety’s mood.

Used to be something you wrestled with in the store or on the phone. The cranky shopper would face off with you, providing an opportunity to turn things around and reclaim the relationship. Today, however, you might hear the grousing third person...or thirtieth person, depending on how web-savvy the cranky shopper is.

So what do you do if you suddenly becomes the target of flame throwing on a blog or consumer review site?

1. Read between the lines
Get to the post as fast as you can, then try to identify who the upset customer is. Most times, you’ll be able to figure it out fairly easily. Contact them directly, by phone to talk about the situation. Getting a human voice in the mix is critical to put out ongoing flames.

2. Post a comment with your (real) name signed to it
Be patient. Be calm. Validate their feelings (not the same as validating their complaint) by saying “I understand why this is frustrating to you,” or something along those lines. Then calmly deal with the issue. Apologize? Offer to discuss on the phone if they’d please call (assuming you don’t know their identity)? Explain why things went the way they did? Whatever is most appropriate, step up and do it.

3. If you have a blog of your own, include that address in your response
This gives you an opportunity to move the conversation onto familiar turf--yours. Create a blog post noting the complaint, then follow it with your response. Again, be calm and kind. End on an up note. You want to get ahead of this thing, not continue to chase it through someone else’s yard. With luck, the original poster will follow you there. (Note: If there are flames flying, might be wise to set your preferences to moderate posts before they appear.)

4. Google for spiders
Quite often, a blog post can show up in more than one place. Copy the first sentence of the angry post, then run it through Google, with quotation marks on either end. If it’s repeated somewhere else, this should find it. Be sure to repeat your signed response on any other blog that repeats the post. You want to put out all the fires, not just the first one.

5. Check the Terms of Use associated with the site
If the complaint is particularly viscious (ie, uses offensive language, is a personal attack, etc.), read the site’s Terms of Use to see if it crosses the line. If it does, contact the site owner immediately to bring their attention to the post. Could take a few weeks to get them to pull the thing, but the effort’s worth it for content that falls outside the lines.

6. Stay on top of the buzz
Google has a sweet little service called Google Alerts. Enter the name of your store, or your name, then sit back and wait. Whenever those names show up online, you get an email linking to the piece. Admittedly, this doesn’t troll all blogs-—but it does get some of them. And some is better than none.

Regardless of whether or not you find yourself in this kind of sticky spot, I strongly suggest enacting #6. It’s always good to know when your name shows up in print.

Photo credit: RozzleDozzle

Coupon clipping

A lot of special offers and dealer benefits land in my email box. Rather than horde, I’ll periodically post them here for your use.*

The grand plan was to save them up for a simple end-of-the-week list. Imagine my surprise this morning when, upon reading the fine print, I found that four of them-—four-—were only valid for 48 hours. A gnat’s lifespan is longer than that. Sheesh.

The “Don’t blink or you’ll miss it” approach is a sign of nervous vendors who don’t want to give anything away. Well, get over it. We’re all going to have give something away if we want to make it to January. Retailers aren’t going to jump at impulse purchases while counting the change under their desk to make payroll. You’ve got to give them time to process the idea, then fit it into their budget.

That said, only two offers extended beyond the 48-hour window:

Marsupial Press
Tel: 425.251.8558
Fax: 425.251.8998
marsupialpapers.com/holiday.htm
Offer: Through Oct. 31st, buy any holiday product or custom holiday invite and receive 15% off the total. Must fax in a copy of the email (contact me and I’ll forward it to you). As long as you’re at it, give ‘em a poke about the typo (“i before e,” except in a promo?).

The online Epson Store
Last “stock up on supplies” special of the year-—10% off ink and paper. Use code 8ZTCASE to get the deal. True, it’s not big, but every penny counts, especially if you’re a stationer heavy into in-house printing. Their ink carts have a pretty long life span, unlike HP carts. To go straight to the ink carts page, click here. Offer ends 10/15/08.

If there are other vendors out there who’d like me to spread the word, drop me a line with the offer included. I’ll do my best to help you out.

*Obviously, many of these are limited to current dealers. If you don’t carry the lines, take a look anyway. Might be a good time to add fresh product to your lineup.

Just how safe ARE you?

Given this morning’s plummet on Wall Street-—the entire week’s plummet, for that matter-—retailers are wondering just how well their back sides are covered. Sole proprietor...LLC...Sub-S...ee-eye-ee-eye-oh.... What was a simple tax question a few years ago is now a matter of legal protection, should the worst come to pass.

Nina Kauffman, a New York attorney specializing in small business matters, recognizes the urgency behind owners having a firm handle on their legal position. To explain the various options and implications, she’s presenting a free teleseminar next week:

“Are You Exposing Yourself? How Choosing the Right Business Form Provides Protections and Peace of Mind”
Date: Thursday, Oct. 16, 2008
Time: 8:00 E / 7:00 C / 6:00 M / 5:00 P
Topics include (but are not be limited to):

• The different kinds of business entities that will protect your assets
• How to weigh and balance the options to choose what’s right for you
• The drawbacks to handling business formation online
• How to find advisors who can guide you to your goals

I’ve spent time with Nina and can assure you she’s (a) real, and (b) grounded, and (c) invested in your success. Personally, I can’t imagine a better time to get a grip on your legal situation and the implications of not being properly organized...and can’t imagine a better person to help you do that.

Space is limited, so don’t delay. Follow the link and get registered. Now.

See you on the teleseminar.....

You aren’t alone out there

Sometimes, it’s the headlines alone. Sometimes, it’s the juxtaposition of two in a publication.

This time, it’s all of the above.

In Gifts & Dec’s weekly email newsletter, the following two stories appeared, back to back:

EBay Lays Off 1,000
Big Retailers Laying Off in Time for Christmas

At first glance, this doesn’t feel like good news. BUT...in my opinion, it is.

Think about it-—if big boxes are short staffed, that means customer frustration as they search high and low for someone to help them (already a major problem in several stores, especially Macy’s here in Minneapolis, where I’m convinced they train salespeople to hide in back). The more frustration, the better. Given how short consumers’ fuses are bound to be this holiday season (stress, stress, stress), any retailer who provides a sincere smile, great service, and a willingness to help will be a heaven-sent blessing.

And who does that better than small, independent retailers?

I know you’re stressed too. And I know you’re tiring of my constant “be positive” chanting. But folks, trust me-—this holiday season is going to be all about Mashed Potato Marketing and the psychology behind it.

Fortunately, being positive doesn’t require an invoice. Thank God.

Wal-Mart 2.0

We’ve known for a long time the customer perception of big box versus neighborhood business is pronounced. Big Box = Evil. Small Business = Neighbors. Doesn’t mean they always shop that way, but the mental picture is certainly in tact.

Until now.

Wal-Mart has been talking about creating a smaller, local-feel environment in their big boxes for a couple of years now. Well, that talk has translated into reality with this week’s opening of the first four Marketside locations-—Wal-Mart’s new “smaller format” grocery stores, placed nowhere near a Wal-Mart. Marketsides don’t wear the parent company’s moniker...have a much more whimsical logo than the original giant...but still don the teeth of a large, big box operation (aren’t you proud of me for not using the word “fangs?”).

They aren’t alone. Loew’s began kicking a similar concept around during their annual meeting last month. If consumers nibble at this, you can bet there will be more, and they won’t be planted on major highway intersections; they’ll land smack dab in your very neighborhood.

For now, this appears to be aimed predominantly at hardware and grocery-—retail categories not previously impacted the way the gift and stationery industries have been (think: Paper Source, Swoozies, Blue Tulip, etc.).

Will it stick? Or is this something that will burn itself out? Time will tell, although a failing economy only makes it harder for the locally owned stores to hold their own if one of these Mini-Me boxes pops up nearby.

Good luck, fellow retailers...and welcome to the party.