Fall Kickoff Tips For Your Store

☀️ Good Morning, this is Points of Sale: the newsletter written exclusively for independent retailers. It takes 5 minutes to read and is packed with tangible insights to run your store more effectively. Written by a retail veteran with 30 years under her belt. Got something on your mind? Hit reply.

🔑 Plan for show season

Earlier in the month we had MAGIC, this week ASD market week, show season is here.

Quick tips to make the most of your time and wallet:

• Be on the lookout for the smaller booths. Remember a key reason you’re here is to discover unique and exciting brands that’ll surprise and delight your customers. Start with a test order, you’ll find these vendors are more flexible on terms.

• Stay organized and avoid overbuying. Use a tool like Faves to get a visual breakdown of items you’re considering and to stay on budget across categories and vendors.

• Prioritize products with high mark-up potential. Not all items yield the same profit. Also, check if vendors sell DTC to avoid competing with them on price and markdown cadence.

• Ask for show discounts before placing an order. Don't hesitate to ask for show discounts before placing orders. Shows and events are excellent opportunities to negotiate.

• Schedule your time. Book appointments with any vendors you want face time with. Review the events schedule to mark panels or exhibits of interest.

• Feel like diving deeper? Check out this video for more buying strategies. (link)

⚡Get your best customers back to your store

In the age of digital screens, a little snail mail can go a long way.

A few ideas, try one or all:

• Send a postcard. Highlight your fall collection.

• Include a QR code that unlocks a tailored experience for VIPs. Scan the code to access a page with fall items curated just for them. A well-organized customer database makes this easy to execute.

• Extend a warm invitation to claim a small gift with purchase in-store. Added incentive brings more visitors and potential sales. Choose a gift that matches the fall collection.

Inspiration came from from a recent mailer sent to Kim K:

🪄 Liven up the place

As seasons change, so should your store’s ambiance. Elevate your environment with three subtle elements that create a multi-sensory experience:

• Curated playlist: Change the music, change the vibe

• Pleasant smells: Introduce diffusers or scented candles

• Fresh flowers: Compliment new collections with seasonal long-stemmed blooms

💡 Extend your curation

Owner Kerrilynn from Cap Beauty takes a unique approach in her weekly email. She shares a blend of favorite picks from her own store and items from elsewhere. It feels less like marketing and more like a trusted roundup. You can forge a genuine connection by sharing extra tidbits, be it local events, music, movies, etc. Elevate your role as authoritative curator for your customers.

🔗 A few good reads:

• MAGIC stays fresh, a recap worth your time (link)

• Proof that physical retail is thriving (link)

• A listen from The Nordy Pod on what’s next for retail (link)

• Avoid the mistakes big retailers make (link)

• Learn the easy steps to make a high converting online store (link)

• Don’t do this for Labor Day sales (link)

Thanks for reading. Talk next week.

xx