The Gifted Retailer
GDA Staff -- Gifts and Dec, 3/11/2011 2:30:36 PM
Ann's of Corinth in Corinth, MS, has been in business since 1982. Owner Kim Roberts considers her customers family. And how could she not? Some of the same shoppers have been coming to the store since her mother opened the shop 29 years ago.
Gifts & Decorative Accessories: What do you like best about being a retailer?
Sondra Ellis, left, and Kim Roberts
Kim Roberts: Our favorite part of our business is our relationships with our customers and watching the joy they get from shopping with us. We have some of the same customers we have had since our mother opened the business in 1982. We share with our customers in there joys and sadness. Our clients are our extended families who love us as much as we love them. They depend on us to bring wonderful, new and unusual elements to their lives.
G&DA: What was the most valuable piece of business advice that you ever received?
KR: The best advice that we have received was not to let our personal taste get in the way of sales and that one can never borrow their way out of debt. Treat everyone with kindness and that they matter to our business.
G&DA: What is/was your most successful promotion?
KR: Our most successful promotion has always been our Christmas open houses. We go all out for several different events during the holidays. We have quarterly events to coincide with the season and promote what our newest merchandise has arrived.
G&DA: What three products/lines are you best sellers?
KR: Our number one selling line is Peter's Pottery from Mound Bayou, MS; Vietri and Uttermost is our go to for home accents, lamps and interior redesigns.
G&DA: What are you doing to attract new customers?
KR: We depend on our customers, internet and savvy marketing ideas to attract new customers. Also, being listed on companies' websites helps as well.
G&DA: What was your most effective display?
KR: Our most successful display is Vietri because it is such a versatile line. You can use any of their garden items to merchandise back with other lines. It is a great line to mix and match with so many different elements and styles. Their colors are fabulous which draws the eye to their product.
G&DA: How do you find your best employees?
KR: Our best employees are found from referrals from friends. The turn over rate is so low, we rarely have to hire new employees.
G&DA: What was your biggest retail problem and how did you solve it?
KR: The biggest retail problem we had was controlling our inventory instead of it controlling us. Taking time to really look at shopping windows and spread them out and not to be over whelmed with too much merchandise at one time.
We would love your feedback!
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