Retail Notes:
I have finally managed to compile a list of some fixture, furniture and display companies from some of my notes. There are also a few other types of companies included, like theme environment designers that are great inspiration for ideas, and hey - you just might decide to hire one of them.
Some of the suppliers are from around the world, but for my fellow Canucks, there are a few that are Canadian based. I've labelled a few that I am aware of, but I know there are a couple more in the list that I haven't identified.
Look through some of these for ideas for your stores. Use this typically slow sales season for visioning, dreaming and planning new things for your stores!
Printers
ClubCard – Printing – business cards, postcards, large format
www.clubcard.ca
Disc Imaging – large format graphics - Vancouver
www.discimaging.ca
Pictura - commercial and trade show large-format graphics
www.pictura.net
Store Design/Environments
General Theming Contractors – graphics, murals, interiors, 3D items, signs
www.theming.net
Greneker – retail and theme environment and production
www.greneker.com
Fixtures
Leggett and Platt – fixtures, storage systems, POP displays
www.leggett.com/fixtures_display.htm
StandOff Systems - Fixture systems, sign mounting hardware, furniture.
www.standoffsystems.com
Display
Almax – Mannequins and Display Items
www.almaxspa.com
Barthelmess – Better Visual Merchandising – display and mannequins
www.barthelmess.de
Display It LLC – props and display items
www.displayit-info.com
Eddie's Hang-up Display - mannequins, fixtures, retail supplies, accessories, forms - Vancouver
www.eddies.com
Goldsmith – mannequins, fixtures, forms, furniture, accessories, decoratives
www.goldsmith-inc.com
Infinity Display – email info@infinity-display.com to ask for catalogue
www.infinity-display.com
La Rosa Italy - mannequins
www.larosaitaly.com
L’ideimmagine – mannequins, window display systems, fixtures
www.lideimmagine.com
Mondo Mannequins
www.mondomannequins.com
Patina-V – mannequins, forms and merchandisers/fixtures
www.patinav.com
Proportion>London – mannequins, bustforms, displayers, accessories, furniture
www.proportionlondon.com
Ralph Pucci – furniture, mannequins, sculpture, graphics, fine art
www.ralphpucci.com
RHO – mannequins, forms and accessories
www.rho.ca
Seven Continents – email info@sevencontinents.com
www.sevencontinents.com
Siégel & Stockman - display mannequins, dressmaker forms
www.siegel-stockman.com
Venus Display Mannequins
www.venusmannequin.com
Packaging
Warner Box & Display Company - jewelers packaging & display
www.warnerUSA.com
Architectural Products
Alpolic - aluminum composite panels for storefront entryways, canopies, exterior fascia, trade shows and even signage.
www.alpolic-usa.com
Outwater Plastics Industries Inc.
www.outwater.com
Is There a Market For Your Product?
Retail Notes:
Here's a question I received through my website today:
It is hard to get people to break their shopping habits. They don't want to go out of their way to try something new. You can't expect them to buy from you because they like you, or because the community 'should' support local businesses.
You need to be competitive. You need to have something exciting to offer them, and you need to make it easy for them to buy from you.
If you are thinking of opening a store, or have a new store that is not as busy as you would like, think about these questions:
Location: Are you far from other shopping? Are you far from where your desired customers live? Would another location be better?
Need: Why do you sell the products you carry? Is there a need for your product or service? Do you have a big enough community to support a store like yours?
Competition: If the community is not buying from your store, where are they shopping? Can they get what they need somewhere else?
Your Store: What do you offer that is unique? What market need are you meeting? Do you honestly offer something no one else does? What do you do better than the competition?
Marketing & Promotion: Do people really know about your store and what you offer? You would probably be surprised to hear how many people don't know about you. You probably don't have a big marketing budget, but you can get great publicity by becoming involved in your community. Host events in your store and invite the media, participate in community groups and fairs. Be creative.
Don't expect the community to come to you. You need to be where they are, and offer them something they want and need.
Here's a question I received through my website today:
We started a dollar & more store almost 2 years ago, it is very hard to get the people in this community to support you. We are on the other end of town, we are lucky to have a few locals that are loyal and come in.This is an all too common question from small store owners. Often people open stores based on their own desires, without researching and evaluating the market need.
How do you get people in?
With out more support, you can not replenish the store with new merchandise.
It is hard to get people to break their shopping habits. They don't want to go out of their way to try something new. You can't expect them to buy from you because they like you, or because the community 'should' support local businesses.
You need to be competitive. You need to have something exciting to offer them, and you need to make it easy for them to buy from you.
If you are thinking of opening a store, or have a new store that is not as busy as you would like, think about these questions:
Location: Are you far from other shopping? Are you far from where your desired customers live? Would another location be better?
Need: Why do you sell the products you carry? Is there a need for your product or service? Do you have a big enough community to support a store like yours?
Competition: If the community is not buying from your store, where are they shopping? Can they get what they need somewhere else?
Your Store: What do you offer that is unique? What market need are you meeting? Do you honestly offer something no one else does? What do you do better than the competition?
Marketing & Promotion: Do people really know about your store and what you offer? You would probably be surprised to hear how many people don't know about you. You probably don't have a big marketing budget, but you can get great publicity by becoming involved in your community. Host events in your store and invite the media, participate in community groups and fairs. Be creative.
Don't expect the community to come to you. You need to be where they are, and offer them something they want and need.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
