How are you planning to adjust your merchandise mix in the coming year?

Sandra Allison, Allison Wonderland, Cape May, NJ

In this tight economy it's easier to make a small sale, so we're starting to carry a few pick-up items like greeting cards or gourmet goods like cookies and iced tea mix. We've shied away from high-end goods but that turned out to be a mistake, because it's the mid-priced stuff that's giving me trouble. People are looking for the unusual, the funky. Price point doesn't seem to matter as long as it's different. In general, I find the basics are harder to move. You need something outside of that. I'm also going to carry fewer different items. Offering the customer too many choices is confusing. We don't need 1,000 different items in a 600-square-foot space. We can have 700 items and turn them faster. But it's important to remember that you can't compromise quality or give the customer the perception that you've downgraded.

Irv Losman, Tiara Galleries & Gifts, Rockville, MD

We are rearranging our merchandise to change the emphasis within the store. We're adding leather goods and jewelry from Brighton and others, and bath and body products from The Thymes Ltd. We've created a Swarovski gallery, which presents a full range of the company's fashion jewelry. We're also continuing to emphasize paintings from Media Arts, not just Thomas Kinkade but works by Simon Bull, Howard Behrens, and Weyland, to appeal to a more contemporary viewer. We've also added more contemporary art glass, such as a new line called Libera, to our Orrefors and Kosta Boda offerings. We've moved collectibles to the back of the store. Certainly there's no less merchandise than there has been in terms of the old stalwarts, but the store now presents a different mood.

Suellen Metke, Grand Heron, Aberdeen, WA

Our customers are looking for new things, and are less interested in antique pieces. They want less stuffy, more casual. So that's what we are going to offer them. We always go out on a limb and get the cutting edge: the prettiest and the best we can find. We were just at the gift show and Seattle has new showrooms that are just awesome. We're going to keep basically the same mix of accessories that we've always had, but maybe with the addition of a little more furniture. We plan to keep our price points around the same. The economy is not affecting us. We've been able to continue pretty much the way we have been going.

Caren Sturm, The Lagniappe, West Des Moines, IA

I plan to continue pretty much the same mix of art, jewelry, gifts, and accessories, including hats, clothing, and handbags. We will, however, be adding more garden art. We hope to have a roof garden completed by next summer. We will be adding garden sculpture and stakes, gazing balls, more fountains, and perhaps specialty flower pots and containers. Since our building has a turn-of-the-century bar on the third level, we will also be expanding further into barware. We may also delve further into aromatherapy and wellness. We are planning a "pamper yourself" night. A speaker will discuss the benefits of aromatherapy, essential oils, and massage therapy. Based on the success of this event, we will determine how beneficial it would be to devote more store space to this area. I am also considering getting into music, but this will probably be later.