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Greetings!
[Downtown Directors - please share with your retailers, restaurant and small business owners.]
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LEDs and DALI Systems
Are you keeping up with the latest in LED [light emitting diode] lighting?
They continue to grow in popularity and are turning up in all sorts of applications. Most users are aware of their long life, low energy use, the fact that they emit no UV rays [so no fading], and they work well in cold temperatures with no startup time.
But do you know about DALI [digital addressable lighting interface] systems? A DALI is a central computer or building management system that is connected to the ballasts of the light fixtures in a single room or throughout an entire building. The system can be as simple or complex as you want it. It opens the doors of communication to your fixtures so you can gather information like energy output, or send information to the fixtures to dim, change color, or turn off/on at scheduled times. It is especially nice when it comes to changing the "look" of a space via light output. You can simply reprogram the current settings without rewiring. Be sure to weigh your options when considering this type of system, as they can be expensive and could be more than you need.
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Retailworks is deep into design work for Milwaukee's sporting goods icon, Laacke & Joys' Brookfield, WI store. Over 20,000 sf of selling floor space will be getting a facelift in early 2013. Colors, finishes, displays, and signage are being addressed.
We're honored to be working with this 168 year old Milwaukee born business!
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Product Profile:
TorZo Sustainable Surfaces
Cool New Surface Material
TorZo Sustainable Surfaces, made in the USA, manufactured in Woodburn Oregon.
What is TorZo? It's an elegant, unique and eye catching blend of "polymer chemistry" and recycled wood/agricultural by-products. Available in six architectural surface materials in 4 stock colors or 4 custom colors, it has a thickness ranging from ½" to 5/8". These beautiful surfaces can be used for wall paneling, furniture, tabletops, countertops, vanities, and flooring. The possibilities are almost endless. Resources: TorZo Sustainable Surfaces  
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 Beautiful, hand-made solid wood risers have always been hard to find, and when we found them, they were exorbitantly expensive. So we decided to make our own. We recently enlisted an articulate wood craftsman to work with us on developing an entire series of affordable risers. We still have the solid wood hand-rubbed with tung oil risers [available in a variety of sizes and wood species], but now offer exotic wood veneers, some laminates and painted finish options, so the variety to choose from is extensive! We'll soon be devoting an entire page on our website to our wood and laminated risers. Tell us your ideal sizes and wood species or finish options and we can make your display dreams come true!  
**** "Never underestimate the power of a well-designed environment." Lyn Falk Want more? Click here to read archived e-newsletters.
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Music
to My Ears
What does your selling floor sound like? Have you ever stood in the middle of your store during a busy time and closed your eyes just to listen? What do you hear? Is it noisy? Can you hear yourself think? Do you hear music?
Just as you can get immune to what your store "smells" like, you can become immune to the level of noise or type of music being played in your store. Consumers respond negatively to "busy" noise, or heavy "white" noise. And on the opposite end of the sound spectrum, they can also react negatively to a space that is too quiet as it can make them feel conspicuous. And of course we've all been in a space that plays music that in our opinion is awful. Managing the acoustics of your space and playing the right genre of music are critical to creating a shopping environment that will keep your customers happy and coming back.
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Material Matters [love the name!] recently moved from downtown Cedarburg to downtown Thiensville, WI. Fabrics, supplies, classes, and a Longarm machine draw in quilters from near and far. Energetic owner, Anne Books, has hired Retailworks to help her with professional organizing, merchandising & display, color selection, and signage. It's great fun to work with such colorful and creative products!
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Retailworks'
Service
Don't wait until January 1st to start thinking about your 2013 displays. Order the Retailworks' calendar now so you can determine your display budget, plan when your displays will go up and come down, and determine who will be responsible for creating them. In addition, you'll get 10 no-brainer, sure-fire, attention-getting display ideas, and the 30 props and display accessories no retailer should be without.
PDF version = $25
Printed version = $35 + shipping
Display tip:
Instead of trying to show off every product you stock in your store in the front window, pick one or two related items and use them repeatedly. The eye responds better to unity and repetition. When it comes to window displays, less is more.
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