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What is it?
That is a good question, and one that can mean so many different things.
What is it that makes your store successful?
Maybe it’s clever advertising and attention-grabbing displays. Maybe it’s your business plan and execution. Maybe it’s great vendors and employees. So often we focus on what failed that we don’t take the time to look at what is working. Customers have the choice to shop anywhere they want, and for whatever reason, they choose to walk through the doors of your store. Figuring out what that reason is can be a great platform to build on for continued success.
What is it that keeps you motivated?
Needless to say, for most people in this industry, money isn’t the motivating factor. In a tough economy when people are said to be spending less and saving more, what motivates you to keep pushing forward in the industry? Is it the people you work with or have met? For me, I like to think that if one person gets one new idea to use in their store, it’s reason enough to keep going.
What is it that you would like more of?
With the exception of time and money, think of those instances you wished you had this or that or thought it would have been helpful if someone would have told you about something sooner. Maybe you would like more help from your vendors, more variety in products offered or a better understanding of your P.O.S. system. Think of what it is that will make your job easier. Ask your vendors for more help, or find new ones willing to work with you. Talk to others in the industry about where they got this product or that idea. Heck, write in to Museums & More and maybe we can help you out.
So what is it? It’s a good question to ask yourself when evaluating your situation. Whether it’s professional or personal, it’s whatever you want it to be.
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Michael Powers
Marketing Manager
The Zootique at the Buffalo Zoo
What makes your store unique?
The zoo setting sets the uniqueness of the store and the animal residents provide for a truly unusual shopping experience. That more than anything else keeps customers returning. At The Zootique, shoppers can enjoy the offerings as a remembrance of a great day at the Zoo and partake in our numerous animal themed offerings.
When do you do the greatest amount of business?
Like many Great Lakes destinations, we experience the bulk of our traffic between the Memorial Day and Labor Day holidays. Just like the Buffalo Zoo itself, The Zootique is open year round to provide a family friendly selection of gift items regardless of season.
What products sell best at your location?
The spacious brightly lit confines are filled with unique toys, gifts, clothing and so much more. The vast variety offers items for both animal enthusiasts and souvenirs from the Zoo. A vast selection of games, books, plush, toys, clothing and much more ensures that we truly have something for everybody.
Where do you turn to for inspiration when sales seem stagnant?
We have started to market the store as a destination on its own for the first time. It hasn’t played a large role in advertising, but with the holiday season, we were actively calling attention to it as a shopping destination for the first time.
Have you noticed any recent trends in the items offered and purchased?
We are researching ways of getting our products online for purchase. More and more, that is the most significant trend as consumers like having shops at the touch of a mouse click. We hope to be able to make a selection of Buffalo Zoo themed merchandise available online in the near future.
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How often do you take inventory?
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Schleich North America Adds to Portfolio
Schleich North America has announced the introduction of 73 new products to the Schleich portfolio of animal and historical figurines and fantasy play worlds, as well as a new point-of-sale merchandising system and vendor managed inventory system for retailers.
AmericasMart Date Change
The Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market will now be staged in an eight-day Wednesday-Wednesday run.
Up With Paper Unveils Turning Points Greeting Cards
Up With Paper, the world's leading marketer of innovative three-dimensional greeting cards, announced that it will launch an all-new greeting card line, Turning Points, at the 2009 National Stationery Show in May.
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Rio Grande Assortment
Rio Grande has a full line of displays, bags, boxes and tissue paper, including necklace displays in natural linen boxes and sturdy kraft tote bags.
Rio Grande
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Bright Eyes Bugz
The Petting Zoo's Bright Eyes Bugz are perfect for any botanical or science attraction. The new butterflies, snail and dragonfly will appeal to imaginations of all ages.
Petting Zoo
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Top of the Line
High-quality plastic puzzle cubes from Topline Products, Inc. are now available in space, zoo and sea life designs. A great mind exercise.
Topline Products
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Designs From Nature
The newest grouping of sterling silver handcrafted jewelry from the Tamohara Collection is representational of critters of land, sea and air.
Tamohara Collection
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TEXT-ONLY ADS ARE AVAILABLE!
Call Gavin Cribbs to find out how you can advertise your product or business in this special text-only ad area! 800-825-0900, ext. 109 |
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