Gifts and Dec Blogs
Linking bricks and mortar with the Internet; Nordstrom gets it
Kudos to Retailwire for running a very interesting piece entitled "Nordstrom Links Bricks and Clicks." I have been beating the drum for some time now that bricks and mortar retailers need to do a better job of keeping bricks and mortar consumers happy. It's no fun to go to the store, see what you want and not be able to get it because it is out of stock. Millennial generation shopper... More
About this blog
Richard Gottlieb, president of Richard Gottlieb & Associates, a New York-based business development firm specializing in the toy business, offers his sometimes funny and always unique take on developments in the industry.
Is Foursquare for You?
Shopping can be fun, so why not make it a game? The latest trend in social media is location-based services such as Foursquare in which that consumers use their iPhones or other smartphones to explore their city. Foursquare lets users "check in" to a place when they're there, tell friends where they are and track the history of where they've been and who they've been there with. Busines... More
About this blog
Veteran retailer Carol Schroeder shares her experience and perspective on the ups and downs of being a gift retailer.
Learning from Someone Else’s Mistakes
I'm a big proponent of "transferrable skills" and learning from all kinds of other businesses. But it still gives me an extra happy moment when I find an example from our very own industry, that doesn't need any translating or wondering which parts apply and which parts don't. Today is one of those days: PracticalEcommerce.com featured candle vendor Black & Light Co. I first spotted Blac... More
About this blog
News, views and how-tos on selling smarter online
Shipping Costs Going Up...
Container shipments are running late and expensive as we enter the busy holiday season. Although this should be an indicator of an economic recovery, it is more directly tied to the amount of ships taken out of service by major shipping lines. According to today's Wall Street Journal, national retailers struggled amongst late shipments at Father's Day and ship capacity has run tighter since the... More
About this blog
Turning Points is dedicated to helping industry leaders survive the current recession and to prepare for success in the inevitable economic recovery.
More Aisle Dancers
It seems that I am not the only one who "dances in the aisles." It seems that employees at Global Views have a "little dance party break" on Fridays, according to the company’s Facebook page. It seems like a great way to end the week, build team spirit and relieve stress and tension all at the same time. What things do you do where you work to create employee bonding, stress relief and just plain... More
About this blog
Editor-in-chief Caroline Kennedy has been with Gifts & Decorative Accessories magazine for more than 23 years. Her long association with the gift industry gives her a broad perspective on its trends and the ever-changing landscape of gift retailing. She brings her veteran’s-eye view to the highlights and sidelights of our everyday world. When asked why she has stayed on the job for so long, her answer is, “It’s like going shopping every day!”
Small Business Management Skills
Learning on the job? Protecting Profits in Any Economy is for you. Small business consultant Don Crist directs his lessons at entrepreneurs without formal business training. Says Crist, "I have been in many businesses where basic financial and organizational concepts are replaced by seat-of-the-pants management styles. The owners are skilled at the tasks but not at managing the business." A Mana... More
About this blog
A complete gift bookshelf, offering capsule summaries and reviews of business books to better your store, plus gift titles and cookbooks to stock.
Is your store participating in any "buy local" programs or the 3/50 project?
Steven Lora, MOTIF Modern Living, Austin & San Antonio, TX MOTIF Modern Living participates in the 3/50 Project, and we love the concept, although I’m not sure that we fit the mold. My partner and I never wanted MOTIF to be seen as a "mom-and-pop shop." We consciously cultivate an image of slick sophistication through merchandising, marketing and technology, but that does backfire on us when it co... More
About this blog
Every month in the magazine Gifts & Decorative Accessories asks three of our retailer advisors a topical question regarding store operations, customer service, employee management, rep relations, merchandise management or some other such matter of relevance to the success of their — and your — business. It’s our way of helping retailers help other retailers. By posting the monthly “We Ask” question online you too can participate and contribute answers that might be of help to other retailers.
