The U.S. novelty, souvenir, and gift industry includes about 23,000 stores with combined annual revenue of close to $16 billion. According to First Research, “The profitability of individual companies depends on effective merchandising and the ability to generate store traffic. Large companies have advantages in purchasing, distribution, and marketing. Small companies can compete effectively by […]
merchandising
How to Create an Immersive In-Store Experience
70% of our economy is driven by consumer spending. Mark Mathews, NRF Vice President for Research Development and Industry Analysis, says “as long as you have a strong consumer, you have a strong position.” How do you create strong consumers for your store? By offering them a great experience. Jill Standish of Accenture said at […]
Back to School Buying Guide
School’s not yet out for the summer. But for many retailers, back to school buying starts now. And, for good reason. Back to school shopping is one of the longest retail holidays, and it’s quickly becoming one of the most lucrative. The National Retail Federation reports that shoppers spend more on back-to-school and back-to-college than […]
Back to Basics: Freshen Up Your Store with Merchandising 101
Spring has sprung. Well… almost. There’s no better time than the present to freshen up your store for yourself, and for your customers. Having a great retail display can make all the difference. The way you display products and organize your store can be the difference between stellar sales or a deadbeat season. So, let’s […]
The Year Ahead: Top Products for 2019
New year, new merchandise! With any luck, all of your seasonal products and merchandise from 2018 will sell out by the end of the holiday season. A new year is a perfect time to expand your lines and test out new products. Here are some of our favorite picks for apparel, gifts, and home. Buttersoft […]
RICS Software Announces Brand Catalog Data Capabilities
RICS Software, a POS and inventory management platform used by nearly 2,000 independent retail stores across North America, is introducing a new ground-breaking capability that connects retailers and brands. Starting in the footwear category, RICS will provide access to product catalogs from brands from right inside the RICS Back Office feature. No more hassling brands […]
Products Come and Go but Experiences Last Forever
It’s so important to create a personalized customer experience, especially in today’s market where we have the easy access Amazon.com. It can seem hard to compete with a business that sells just about everything at affordable prices. But in the end, is that all customers are looking for?
Visual Merchandising: Creating a Community Online
Brick and mortar independent retailers capture the hearts of their communities and play an integral part in them. The bond created in-person through new connections and friendships born between businesses, customers, and neighbors can be recreated by small online businesses through visual merchandising.
GlobalShop
The first GlobalShop show and conference took place in Chicago in 1993 and was called The Store Fixturing Show. Now, 25 years later and after rapid growth and expanded product categories, GlobalShop is an “evolved concept, serving the entire figurative world of store design.”
Back to School Sales Expected to Pass with Flying Colors
The National Retail Federation announced on July 13th that back to college spending is to reach an all-time high this year, while back to school spending is expected to see its second-highest spending level on record.
