Bravo! to all you out there who refuse to give in to all of the "doom and gloom".

As promised, we've introduced this "Snippets" page so everyone can share ideas TO HELP BRING IN TRAFFIC AND BOOST SALES. As many of you have said, THE TRICK IS TO GET THEM IN...

Below are what our customers are doing to bring in extra traffic in this challenging economy.  Judging from the comments we got, even though some do not have great ideas yet, they feel good to know that everyone cares.  So if you have not sent in your suggestion or ideas (it doesn't have to something you have implemented, but a great idea is a great idea. What can I say?), please do. I hate to sound cliche, but "united we stand, divided we fall". Your ideas could make someone’s week or month and vice versa. You just never know.
Do email us to share. info@jazzdinc.com
We will also post ideas that we observe in our community and hear from others. Good luck to us all!
 


You guys are the best!  What a great idea.

While we are doing a lot of creative stuff to get clients to come more often, I think the most important thing we are doing is our ‘SMILE’ campaign.   We are smiling a lot and assuring our employees, contractors and guests that we are going to be OK and that THEY are going to be OK.  Keep our focus on our blessings and the positives we have to be thankful for rather than sinking down the vortex of doom and despair.  It’s working!!!  Our staff is relaxed and able to share the same positive energy with all of our guests.
Thanks for all you do...
Angela M
A.M. Café, Destin, FL



We have "Girls Night out' WITH DINNER, WINE AND DISCOUNTS -  customer service is key right now - and don't forget - Life is usually just about what you make of it!!!
Myle
Heber, UT
 


We give 10% back on full priced purchases in the form of "Shoe Bucks" to be spent anywhere in the store.
Ceci
If The Shoe Fits, MA
 


Something that I tried a few months ago worked very well to build traffic.  I bought a roll of carnival tickets at a party supply store and sent out one half of the ticket.  It is a double roll-you keep one ticket mail out the other then pick 6 tickets and post on a poster board.  These 6 are winners in whatever you select to give away. 
I did 3 $100 gift certificates, 3 spa events - facials and skin care/makeovers since I carry Merle Norman Cosmetics.  These I put the value of $75 on each spa event.  The customer has to bring in her carnival ticket to check if she is a winner.  Then you get to sell them something.  Only one gift certificate was redeemed and only one spa event.  No one brought in the winning ticket for the other certificates.  You could add merchandise instead of several of the certificates.  It is your choice.  But it saved my month.
Run the time to redeem at least a week so all age groups have a chance to get in to check their ticket.  But no longer than 10 days or people put them aside and forget to come in.  Also, include a little newsletter with new arrivals to spur interest in the new Spring merchandise arriving daily.
Marilyn
St. James, MO
 


The gift with purchase is a great idea.  I've been doing that too - going to the dollar store putting together gift bags.  I'd much rather give a great purse!  Do you have more close-outs?  We are currently offering our store for fundraisers and have 3 scheduled so far.  The organization sells tickets to go to the charity.  I provide food and wine, a gift with purchase ( lately I've been lowering the bar on the dollar amount just to entice them to buy! ) I get a local salon to do lip wax and hand paraffin and have a masseuse offer a 10 minute mini massage.  We had one in January that went great.  The sales have not been amazing but the community service and the fun plants a seed in their heads for future returns and events.
Shannon
Envy, Gig Harbor, WA
 


Love the idea and the sense of camaraderie.  We appreciate any new thoughts on the subject.
Nice job....
Debbie
Yorktown Heights, NY
 


What a great idea!  I can't wait to hear what others are doing...We will be having a "Spring Open House" in April with around 10 boutiques participating in the area. We have done it for several years at Christmas time and it is a huge success. We open up on a Sunday afternoon from 1 to 5 and each store has a refreshment and door prizes.
I look forward to reading the "Snippets"!
Cindy
Sassy Girl, Alexandria, LA
 


Dear Jazzd,
Thanks for asking! We just began a promo called "A Month of Sundays", to boost our bottom line, as we are not usually open on Sunday. We treat it like an Open House, with punch (spiking optional), cookies, and crazy drawings. We've seen old friends and new clients. It's worth a try to entertain your clients, and it pays off!
Vic
Little Rock, AR
 


Thanks for sending such a great email.  I have been an eternal optimist since birth so I too, refuse to talk gloom and doom about the economy. 
 
Here's what I did!!!!
 
I recently saw a for lease sign in my current neighborhood where my business is located.  The empty storefront was 5 times the size of my current space but I called on it anyway..........because I want to grow my business!
 
As it turns out, the merchant gave me $400 off the current rent which to my amazement, was significantly lower than I had expected.  With an offer like that - I could not refuse so I signed the lease on a new shop with tons of room to grow!
 
My customers were in complete amazement that I was brave enough to move to a much larger shop in this economic climate. 
 
Here's our plan to grow the business..........in the new larger space...............downstairs the boutique, upstairs we're turning into an art cafe...........we'll be hosting art and theme parties and we are also teaching art classes to children and adults.  This is one way that we can bring fun and optimism to our neighborhood plus make more income at our new larger store!
 
Feel free to share this with your customers.  You can use our store information also!

Kendra Lock
Urban Color
391 Arguello @ Clement, San Francisco, CA
 


Thank you.
Because of your effort to remain in the positive zone, I will reconsider placing an order with you.
Your words seemed heart felt and that is how my business operates.
Please update me with your catalogue ( I have not attended recent trade shows).
Based on past experience with your company's product I know that it will benefit us both.
Sincerely,
Jennifer B
Something Blue, California
 


What a nice email and I think sharing ideas is GREAT!  If I get any, I'll certainly write!
Cindy
 


Connect with a Spa or Beauty Salon near you and host an event TOGETHER.

Go see the concierges at all your local hotels. Bring them a coupon or a gift as a thank you for referrals. This reaaally works!

1)  Have a VIP customer list and call these customers first - for new arrivals , special offers etc.
2)  Invite the Red Hat Society ladies to cater an event in your store. They are fun and taaaaalk a lot about town!
3)  When someone buys over a certain amount, we decided for $300 - we give them one of the items they had chosen as a gift.
 
Hope this inspires a bit...
Wonderful Customer - name withheld
 


Loved the email.  We are planning on having a pajama party at the boutique from 6- 11pm. Everyone has to wear their pajamas and the later it gets the bigger the discounts get. She has had margarita parties that brought in lots of new and old customers and they have a blast! She said that she hasn't let this bad economy get her down and that her sales increased $7,000 this January compared to last January and February was up from last year as well.
Treva
Flirt Boutique, Rochester, IN
 


Great Ideas! Thank you all for your contributions and keep them coming. If some sound too far out or outlandish for your store - maybe they aren't. Don't be afraid to try something new. And make these events regular so that those who miss out the first time get the word and come around for the next one.

Some of our own observations, ideas, and rumors:

•  A retail street here extended their hours till 8 pm and merchants put out snacks in their store (and inexpensive wine !) and had live music and raffles etc, and some even sold coffee and pastry....  and of course everyone brought their dogs and the terribly expensive pet store was doing a roaring business. So not only was it a sales boost but a great social occasion for people and pets.

•  A number of our customers reported that our Grab Boxes make excellent product for Sidewalk Sales. At $5 each piece, they make excellent "Come On's" to entice people to stop, come in, look around and maybe buy something more. It doesn't have to be our grab boxes, you can apply the idea in anyway you like.

•  As others have stated, form a group with adjacent businesses that offer product or services different from your own and hold events - maybe in a common parking lot or courtyard, offer discounts, giveaways, raffles - "think outside the box"!

•  As  Mothers day approaches, have a “bring mom in for a free gift” or “bring mom in to shop and get a free gift”.  Chances are, people would end up buying a Gift for Mom.  We can rouse up a limited supply of items in the $1 - $5 range. Very inexpensive for the amount of goodwill created for your store.

•  As a store owner, have you given instructions to your store personnel about the economy? Sure, the economy is not so great… but lets step up and try harder – we’re in this together. It will make them feel like they are part of the solution.  And ask them for opinions and ideas, they deal with your customers face to face and may have an insight into what they are looking for.

•   It won’t hurt to ask the difficult question ”Why should anyone buy from us?”  See where you stack up with this question, and if you don’t like the answer… do something to improve it. Are your items priced realistically? We overheard a customer say to a friend regarding an item of ours… It wholesales at $5 and she was convinced that she was going to retail it for $25!! None of our business but if you’re reasonable, you stand to sell more volume, turn around and reorder !

Okay, that's all for now. Stay tuned, stay positive, and never say die!
 


This from Accessories Magazine by Lorrie Frost...

IT'S NOT ABOUT YOU... IT'S ABOUT HER

  Getting to know your customer is not a new concept. But, becoming close enough to customers to understand and become a part of their lives during these difficult economic times will not only solidify long-term loyalties to you, but also close more sales now. Too many retailers have a 'woe is me' attitude in today's tough times, when they should be refocusing their energies outward to better understand the needs of their customer. More than ever, now it's all about her. Recently, I had the opportunity to talk with a Chicago retailer who operates three stores. Naturally, we began talking about how her 2008 year ended. She told a story about how her business fell off beginning in October. In fact, it was the worst month ever in her total retail history. She was shocked, but determined not to allow October's results to repeat in November and December.
  She carefully reviewed her situation and invited five of her friends over for a brainstorming session. Although they didn't come away with a road map of exactly what to do, it became very clear that the lives of everyone in the room were being affected in some way by the current economic trauma.
  She decided to focus on these changes in her customer's lives to determine their current needs. Her three stores are each in different neighborhoods, so she decided to analyze and treat each store's customers separately to understand their specific needs.
  For example, in one of her stores, she invited customers who had been laid off to Power Breakfasts. Her invitations were accepted by women looking for something to do with themselves at time when they were used to being out of the house. She utilized a recruiter friend to provide job locating strategies and give advice on preparing resumes, interviewing, and most of all, reassurance and hope. The result was increased in-store sales on those "breakfast" days, and the gain of unlimited goodwill to ensure future sales.
  In all three stores, she looked at which price points and styles were selling, then went into the market and bought more of those performing items. And, she took a chance on some items she had never sold before - headbands being one of them. As a result of thee strategies, customers spent more time in her stores and also purchased more expensive items. Her overall sales in November and December improved dramatically.
  The most important thing she learned was that when previously successful formulas are no longer working, it's time to abandon them and revisit changes in customer needs. The changes she made to meet those needs produced a year-end increase of 2% over the prior year.
  There is a message here for us all. Just because the economy is strained right now does not men your business will fail. Don't let fear pull you down! Regroup, take a look at your customer to understand how she has changed, then re-adjust your buying and convey the message to your customer that you understand there have been changes in her life. These actions will help you make it through these challenging times.
  On another note, some of the larger stores are marking their early spring goods down 30%, creating challenges for some of the smaller specialty stores. The answer here is not to put everything on sale - it devalues the product and can possibly turn the customer off. Rather, it's about finding the right items at the right price for your specific customer. Women want the good feeling that buying something new them - it's just got to be the right item. So, in order for your customer to shop with you, you must shop as if you are her!



OK, now I'm really finished. Break a leg!