Ideas To Help Power Your Gift Shop - June 18, 2014

On Our Radar

* The Future Of Retail. Imagine this: A woman passing by a beauty store may decide to enter after receiving an email alert that she is likely running low on moisturizer, given the date of her last purchase. Welcome to the future of retail, a data-driven shopping experience coming to a brick-and-mortar store near you.

* The "Short Suit" For Men. Men wearing shorts for business? The fashion trend has gone mainstream, according to Business Insider. We posted the link on Facebook and the reviews are in: Not many fans of this look! How about you?

Giving Back

Want to be inspired by a retailer doing good works? Check out Alison Dodson Anderson's video, where she invites charities to be part of her "Round Up" program, a monthly initiative where the store matches customer donations and gives back to community groups (customers are asked at checkout if they'd like to "round up" to the nearest dollar).

Quick Links

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Tip: Responding To Online Reviews

Do you take the time to respond when customers write reviews about your business, good or bad? Even a simple "Thank you" goes a long way to show that you're interested in what's being said online. And what about negative reviews? You should acknowledge them, but avoid getting into a testy exchange with an unreasonable customer. That kind of engagement can send your negative exchange to the top of search engines! This blog offers smart ways to engage the reviewer that are positive and proactive.

Pick: Rosanna's Zodiac Line

I think these zodiac trays from Rosanna are a neat little gift! The company has been offering some great keepsake dishes recently, with the zodiac line new for fall/winter. Each oval dish is 5 inches wide and can be used for trinkets or as a desk or boudoir accessory. Made of porcelain and packaged in a gift box that reads "one cosmic tray." MSRP: $15.

Feeling Inspired

"The world doesn't care how many times you fall down, as long as it's one fewer than the number of times you get back up."

-- Aaron Sorkin

Thanks for joining me. See you next time!

Joyce Washnik, Editor

Giftbeat

joyce@giftbeat.com

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