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  Ideas To Help Power Your Gift Shop - January 27, 2015 |
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On Our Radar
* Tracking Shoppers In-Store. What's the biggest trend to watch in retail this year? According to the recent Big Show Expo, personalization tops the list, including smart dressing rooms. View this 3-minute video for a peek at what's to come.
* From URL to IRL (in real life). Will shopping swing back to brick-and-mortar stores? Some experts say in-store revenue growth will accelerate in coming years, while the expansion of e-commerce will slow.
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Hot Topics:
Loyalty Programs
Our online community members are having a great discussion about frequent-shopper programs and if they're worth doing. Do they breed a loyal customer, or just someone who expects a discount? Check out our Ask A Retail Expert forum, where you'll find interesting feedback from both sides. Reminder: Access to Giftbeat's Community Board is a FREE service for subscribers.
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Quick Links
- Have you started following our Facebook page yet? Please take a look - we've spruced it up for winter!
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Tip: Make Use Of Downtime
A New York retailer says slower winter months are the best times to plan promotions and special events for the year. She uses Chase's Calendar of Events and holidayinsights.com for ideas. "Both  list all sorts of 'wacky' holidays, and sometimes provide good, fun ideas for 'fillers' here and there," she tells us. It's not so much about drawing big crowds as providing a fun shopping atmosphere. Imagine stopping by a gift shop and finding out it's National Ice Cream Sandwich Day (August 2)! |
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Pick: Potting Shed's Grow Bottles
 With temperatures in the 20s today and lots of white stuff on the ground, I'm ready to think spring! These cool Grow Bottles™ from Potting Shed Creations are made from recycled restaurant wine bottles. Using hydroponics, the durable glass vessels grow fresh culinary herbs year-round, including mint, thyme, oregano and basil. Cost: $18. Also offered: Half-size demi bottles featuring zinnias, forget-me-nots and lavender. Cost: $10.
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Trend: Pre-Fall Fashion Trends
Are you ready for some fall fashions?  Style.com just released its Fashion Trends Report, and it looks like ponchos will have another strong season, along with freshened-up leopard patterns, sophisticated "athleisure" pieces, and frayed and fringed tweeds. |
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Feeling Inspired
"The cost of being wrong is less than the cost of doing nothing."
-- Seth Godin
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Thanks for joining me! See you next time.
Joyce Washnik, Editor Giftbeat
P.S. Since many of you are dealing with snow and freezing temperatures today, I thought I'd leave you with a link to a favorite soup recipe. Enjoy! |
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