Gift Basket Business » Retail Store Ideas http://giftbasketbusiness.com/blog Hosted by Shirley George Frazier -- Author, Industry Expert Tue, 22 May 2012 07:03:08 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Here’s Why Taking Chances to Grow Your Gift Basket Business is Worth the Anxiety http://giftbasketbusiness.com/blog/2011/08/23/heres-why-taking-chances-to-grow-your-gift-basket-business-is-worth-the-anxiety/ http://giftbasketbusiness.com/blog/2011/08/23/heres-why-taking-chances-to-grow-your-gift-basket-business-is-worth-the-anxiety/#comments Tue, 23 Aug 2011 07:03:28 +0000 Shirley George Frazier http://giftbasketbusiness.com/blog/?p=2715 Related articles:
  1. Why You May Be Overthinking the Corporate Sales Process
  2. Three Tips to Take Your Gift Basket Business to the Next Level
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When calling Macy’s to start a relationship with them by creating gift baskets for their customers, I had no idea that the first call would connect me with the right person who hired me within five minutes of our conversation.

That discussion did much to boost my confidence.

That relationship did much more to promote my business, expand the locations where I provided this service, and earn a healthy revenue.

You may be hesitant about calling a potential client, thinking that you’ll be rejected or never get a return call if you leave a voice mail message.

But what’s the other possible result?

You’ll get the order, establish a great relationship, receive referral orders, and build your business to heights you dream about.

And what if it doesn’t happen?

That’s okay, because chances are that due to your follow through, a much better opportunity is on the horizon.

So, make the call. Your dream life is waiting.

Shirley George Frazier

Related articles:

  1. Why You May Be Overthinking the Corporate Sales Process
  2. Three Tips to Take Your Gift Basket Business to the Next Level

]]> http://giftbasketbusiness.com/blog/2011/08/23/heres-why-taking-chances-to-grow-your-gift-basket-business-is-worth-the-anxiety/feed/ 0 Create Window Displays that Make Them Want Gift Baskets http://giftbasketbusiness.com/blog/2011/02/10/create-window-displays-that-make-them-want-gift-baskets/ http://giftbasketbusiness.com/blog/2011/02/10/create-window-displays-that-make-them-want-gift-baskets/#comments Thu, 10 Feb 2011 10:03:44 +0000 Shirley George Frazier http://giftbasketbusiness.com/blog/?p=2364



What’s your preferred way of promoting gift baskets using a store window display?

This question is for you if you have a shop and are able to set up window scenes according to the season and also for you if you don’t have a storefront (you can envision how you’d create a display).

A few years ago I helped a local Barnes & Noble create a Valentine’s Day window featuring romance books, chocolates, and other items from the bookstore. Empty baskets and completed gift basket designs were elevated on pedestals and positioned on the floor atop pink and red tissue paper.

There are many window display options you can create to dazzle passersby and encourage them to come in, browse, shop, sign up for your online newsletter, or get to know you so that next time they need a gift basket, you’ll be first on their list to call.

If you don’t yet have a store window to create gift basket displays, treat your website‘s home page as that luscious store window that greets visitors and encourages them to click on pages to see and buy something special for a friend or family member.

What’s the most-inventive window display you’ve created that encouraged lots of people to enter your store?

Shirley George Frazier

No related posts.

]]> http://giftbasketbusiness.com/blog/2011/02/10/create-window-displays-that-make-them-want-gift-baskets/feed/ 0 Consignment Sales Increase Customers and Profits http://giftbasketbusiness.com/blog/2009/06/05/consignment-sales-increase-customers-and-profits/ http://giftbasketbusiness.com/blog/2009/06/05/consignment-sales-increase-customers-and-profits/#comments Fri, 05 Jun 2009 11:04:17 +0000 Shirley George Frazier http://giftbasketbusiness.com/blog/?p=752



consignment selling adds to your profitsGift stores and floral shops with a loyal customer base are prime candidates to approach for selling your gifts and baskets on consignment.

This type of selling is an arrangement that works for designers who don’t have a retail store, have no desire to open one, and are willing to part with a percentage of each basket sale in exchange for exposure to a broad audience.

See the consignment article on GiftBasketArticles.com for more details.

Years ago, I partnered with a gift shop in my town for consignment sales. The shop was popular, but I was new to this type of selling and skeptical about the results. Still, I had nothing to lose (except my baskets’ value had I not written a contract) by trying.

The 12 baskets I created sold quickly, I was paid, and our partnership lasted for years.

Consider these three tips before selling on consignment.

1. Research the store’s traffic. Your baskets won’t sell if the shop has few customers.

2. Write a simple contract detailing the consignment agreement. At a minimum, document the start and end dates, liabilities, and payment terms.

3. Offer the store a small percentage. The agreed amount will vary according to your geographic location.

Consignment selling is a great alternative for designers working in cities or states with home-based restrictions. You’ll find two solutions for this in Home-Based Zoning Restrictions at GiftBasketArticles.com.

Shirley George Frazier

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]]> http://giftbasketbusiness.com/blog/2009/06/05/consignment-sales-increase-customers-and-profits/feed/ 0 How to Create In-Store Gift Basket Displays http://giftbasketbusiness.com/blog/2008/12/05/how-to-create-in-store-gift-basket-displays/ http://giftbasketbusiness.com/blog/2008/12/05/how-to-create-in-store-gift-basket-displays/#comments Fri, 05 Dec 2008 15:52:28 +0000 Shirley George Frazier http://giftbasketbusiness.com/blog/?p=211



If you own a gift basket shop, you no doubt have set up numerous holiday gift basket displays throughout your store.

I just finished working with 12 retailers. Here’s are ideas I noted during the sessions.

  • Use a table covered with a holiday cloth to set the mood. Stores with extra room dare to be different by renting giant sleighs to position atop tables and filled with gift basket items.

  • Green, gold, silver, and red are display colors that attract attention and increase sales. Mix blue with silver if incorporating a Hanukkah theme and black, red, and green if offering Kwanzaa baskets for the December 26 to January 1 celebration.

  • For the general holiday, create 8-10 baskets of varied themes to give customers ideas on baskets for corporate giving, to say thank you, and to mail to out-of-town relatives. If room allows, also show a New Year’s theme to plant seeds in customers’ minds for end-of-year baskets.

  • Build gifts using baskets and containers such as fabric-covered boxes. Display gourmet treats, writing instruments, paperweights, kitchen accessories, and other appropriate selections.

  • Place signs in windows and throughout the store to attract customers to the gift basket area. Add a healthy dose of customer service, and reap the rewards of selling lots of merchandise this season.

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    My thanks to all of you who participated in the gift basket business contest. I truly appreciate your Email subscription to this blog and always welcome your feedback regarding content, ideas, and information.

    Congratulations go to:

    Grand Prize:
    Sophie McCormick
    Basket Buddies
    Ireland

    Second Prize:
    Wendy Simon
    It’s In The Basket
    Massachusetts

    Third Prize:
    Shawn Zielev
    Hamper Heaven
    United Kingdom

    Shirley George Frazier

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