The fashion handbags carried by Fashion Express U.S. come directly from manufacturers. This is the key to why the company is able to offer very competitive prices for products of such high quality.  Fashion Express also takes pride in listening to its customers, and using that feedback to continue making improvements to its products and services.  Customized needs are also not a problem. As explained on the company website, www.fashionexpressus.com, Fashion Express values its partnerships with its customers.

Bags are available in a variety of categories: hobo, totes, satchels, messenger, soft leather and others.

Fashion Express uses only carrier services that will help in minimizing shipping costs.  This is most helpful for customers who carry large quantities. Negotiable discount prices are also available for those who pre-order. The company now has independent operation for its online store, thus keeping overhead even lower. This savings can then be transferred right along to the customer.

The handbags produced by Fashion Express offer quality merchandise at a price that won’t break the bank–a welcome formula for any independent retailer. Minimum order requirements are: $100 in the continental United States (plus shipping); $150 to Puerto Rico, Alaska, or Hawaii; and $200 to Canada. Payment is accepted via Google Checkout.

Contact:
Fashion Express U.S.
133 West 30 Street, Store A
New York, NY 10001
Ph: 917-463-0611
F: 917-591-9191
Website: http://www.fashionexpressus.com
Email: services@fashionexpressus.com

Ask anyone who’s been successful running an independent retail business, and they will tell you that establishing strong relationships of trust with customers over time is one of the indispensable building blocks in the foundation of their success. It goes without saying that people are more likely to buy from retailers they know and like, but how does one earn this trust? There are questions that need to be asked in order to build these relationships. This important topic was recently under discussion at the American Express business website Open Forum, and here are six “rules” that were singled out in particular:

1. Know Your Target Customer
Identify a specific customer base and target your business toward it. It’s up to you to choose who you’d like to bring into your sales cycle. And be specific.

2. Know What They’re Looking For
Customers are looking for specific products to solve problems and achieve goals–and it’s up to you to figure out what they are. Without that knowledge, it’s impossible to make them the right kinds of offers.

3. Know When They look for You
It’s crucial to develop an understanding of the reason customers seek out your product. What must happen, in their professional or personal life, for them to make the purchase? They may not need you at the moment they find you, but this is where a robust sales cycle comes in handy.

4. Know Where They Look for You
Magazines, the Internet, referrals–these are all sources of new customers. If you’re looking to figure out how people are finding you, try surveying customers.

5. Figure Out Why They Seek Out Your Business in Particular
It’s important to understand what makes you the best choice. Whether you’re an authority in the field, are offering the best solutions, or something else, there’s a reason customers may be drawn to you in particular, and it will help you to know exactly what it is.

6. Determine How You Want Them to Engage with You
While it would obviously be great if customers immediately jump at your highest-priced product, this isn’t usually something that will happen right off the bat. As we’ve established, this is typically the result of a relationship cultivated over time–and so you need to figure out how you want the customer to interact with you in the long term. This may be via telephone, website, newsletter, or perhaps some other means.

Upscale clothing retailer Neiman Marcus recently enjoyed a new surge in profit, leading CEO Burt Tansky to postulate in a Tuesday, March 9 conference call that luxury shoppers are beginning to come out of hiding.

“The aspirational customer is a little more comfortable than a year ago,” Tansky said. “That customer was hit hard a year ago and vacated our stores, and we’ve been working hard to bring them back.”

The company showed a profit in its fiscal second quarter of $4 million, as compared to the losses of $509.2 million from the year before. Management credited the profit to lower expenses, and holiday sales that were significantly improved over 2008. Customers appear to be responding well to promotions and also to be encouraged by a rebound in the stock market, although Tansky is also quick to point out that they are still not spending at pre-recession levels.

Responding to previous losses and in the face of decreased demand, Neiman Marcus had cut inventory significantly. However, Tansky acknowledges now that those cuts may have been too severe, adding that the company will be correcting that going forward. Additionally, the company is looking into opening a chain of “Last Call” clearance stories to appeal to the more middle-of-the-road shopper who wouldn’t ordinarily shop at Neiman Marcus. There is also an e-commerce site planned to go along with it, which will launch in September.

If you know of SalesOne, it’s most likely because of the company’s three most popular brands: Body Vibe, Wild Tribe and Inox. Based out of Norwalk, Connecticut, SalesOne specializes in supplying retailers with jewelry and accessories that occupy a specific niche.

For example, SalesOne designs and creates many products from scratch, using the feedback of customers as a guideline. Employing its fully integrated design, manufacturing, sales and distribution systems, SalesOne is able to stay on top of what the market wants, and provide it. The company also does this by being a presence at major jewelry events.

Founded in the summer of 2000, SalesOne currently has contracted distributors in Canada, Venezuela, Russia, Mexico and Columbia. In addition to the aforementioned successful in-house brands, the company also holds jewelry licenses for Penthouse Media Group and major sports teams. Bulk packaging and an array of packing options are also available for retailers looking to use their own label and branding. There are SalesOne offices in China and Thailand (in addition to the U.S. office), and merchandise deliveries can be made from these locations, provided customers meet the minimum order requirements.

SalesOne’s products are marketed via the website, salesone.org, as well as its several additional websites built around successful brands and licenses. The company also boasts a showroom in Manhattan, which is available for sales visits and meetings.

Contact:
151 Woodword Ave, Ste 1
Norwalk, CT 06854
Ph: 203-356-9077
F: 203-356-9249
Website: salesone.org
Email: mark@salesone.org

Friday, March 12, is the deadline to nominate stores for Home Accents Today’s 50 Retail Stars list for 2010.

As high street booksellers valiantly try to hold their own against the mighty machine of Amazon, independent retailers everywhere are struggling to stay in position on the high street as supermarkets make further inroads into their territory.