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From the Director
"A satisfied customer is the best business strategy of all." - Michael Leboeuf
When I stumbled across this quote it really hit home to me. We know that operating a business is a challenging venture and quite honestly it is easy to get caught up in everything that is going on. At times, certain aspects of your business slide while others demand more attention. We also know you all have a lot on your plate and some things that affect your business such as weather, illness, etc. are even out of your control. The one thing you can control is the customer experience in your store. Our mission statement reflects great customer experience and really when you look at the individual words, our mission statement is all about customer experience. We know that if we can make our stores a fun and convenient place to buy and sell gently used kids stuff focusing on quality, safety and value, we will continue to flourish into the New Year. I hope that many of you have placed a new focus on customer experience on the top of your New Year's Resolution list. The clock is ticking and our annual conference is just over a week away. We look forward to seeing you all in Phoenix and are excited to continue to build an even stronger brand in 2014!
8 days until Conference!
Annual conference will be help January 18-21st, 2013 in Phoenix, AZ. Click here for more details.
Think it won't make a difference in your business? Look at the results below for some statistics: 
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Category Analysis Planning (CAP) for October 2013
 December CAP numbers are showing 2.3% decrease in overall sales. The decrease we experienced in December can for the most part be explained by the 2.5% drop in customer count. As you can see from the numbers, most regions experienced a similar slowdown in customer count and sales were down in all regions except the Mid-Atlantic, which came in with a 1.5% increase. As we move into the New Year, and shift our focus back to our objective of getting and keeping more satisfied and loyal customers. We are optimistic that this drop in customers is only temporary. Inventory levels appear to have stabilized and buys were strong with a 3.2% increase in December, which should help support a strong first quarter of 2014. |
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Official November Numbers
The following results are now posted on the Extranet under Sales Performance > 2013 Sales Performance Results.
U.S. Top 5 YTD: 1. 20344 Minney $2,339,525
2. 20110 Burtner $1,723,861
3. 20620 Kinrade-Palin $1,622,851
4. 20629 Krieger $1,617,861
5. 20652 Yanda $1,600,079
Candian Top 5 YTD:
1. 20675 Henderson, L. $1,413,834
2. 20256 Wright $1,301,969
3. 20622 Eccles $1,257,392
4. 20213 Wright $1,197,767
5. 20310 LeBlanc $1,180,640
Top 5 YTD % Increase:
1. 20741 Shideler 36.3%
2. 20011 Blum 35.5%
3. 20333 Weddle 35.4%
4. 20398 May 34.2%
5. 20648 Sereno 31.4%
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Monthly Operational Reminders
January
01 - New Year's Day
03 - Order additional bags for Grab Bag Event
04 - Host Dollar Days Event
10 - Begin promoting the Grab Bag Event
14 - Merchandise for Valentine's Day - Themed end caps and displays
18 - 21st Annual Conference in Phoenix, AZ
20 - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (Observed)
25 - Host Grab Bag Event
26 - Begin promoting Swimwear Event
27 - Begin pulling and adjusting remaining clearance
30 - Plan Spring and Summer floor transition
February
01 - Update front window sign with spring images
02 - Groundhog Day
03 - Donate remaining clearance
08 - Host Swimwear Event
14 - Valentine's Day
17 - President's Day
17 - Family Day (Canada)
19 - Print Bounce Back coupons
21 - Begin promoting Spring Dress Wear Event
March
01 - Begin distributing bounce-back coupons for April redemption
04 - Mardi Gras Carnival
05 - Ash Wednesday
08 - Spring Dress Wear Event
09 - Daylight Savings Time Begins
11 - Order Red attachers for use May 1st
17 - St. Patrick's Day
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Operations Department
The Dollar Days portion of the
clearance season is underway and you are likely already promoting your Grab Bag event scheduled in the Ops Calendar for January 25th. In the event you are not holding a Grab Bag event, you do need to bring your clearance season to a close by the end of January. The importance of transitioning your sales floor in February to a Spring and Summer set becomes the focus. Traffic starts to increase and you want to make sure you maximize margin dollars. Swimsuits need to be merchandised near the store front whether you have available racking, rounders or end caps. The tools to make this an event in your store are available on the Extranet as well as a Constant Contact template. Swimwear in February? YOU BET! If you are not ready in February - your sell-thru will be greatly reduced as your customer will find this product elsewhere. Positioning it up front with strong visibility is key - you need to tell the customer it's time with your merchandising. If you don't - another retailer will and they will get those dollars.
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Marketing & Advertising
2014 Operations Calendar
We're excited to provide you with a complimentary copy of the 2014 Operations Calendar. Full of operations and marketing tips, monthly to-do lists and important dates, you should definitely keep a copy in your back room or office! The calendar was shipped to your stores at the end of December. For extra copies, the PDF version is available on the Extranet in Communications > Publications > OUAC Operations Calendar.
 Google+ Local
Google is an important part of your marketing strategy, and one many of you are already employing. Since its presence is far reaching, it's important that your business not only be listed in its directory but that you've claimed and verified your listing as well. Verifying, updating and customizing your Google+ Business account not only gives customers a more detailed and accurate picture of who you are, it entices them to click on your link and to visit your store.
Have you verified your Google+ listing and updated your Google+ Business account? Do you want to make changes to your listing but can't remember how? Oftentimes inaccurate data (i.e. address, phone number, descriptions, categories, etc.) appears on listings and business owners have a difficult time getting it corrected. Google has recently launched a support website to help you navigate these issues. Click here to get to the Google Support page for support in solving your issue.
 Constant Contact
Having trouble editing your Constant Contact templates or working within Constant Contact? Check which internet browser you are using to access the site. Constant Contact works better in Mozilla Firefox than in Microsoft Internet Explorer. Click here to download Mozilla Firefox for free. Exporting Emails from DRS Need a refresher course on how to export emails from DRS? Need to train staff on how to do this? Directions have been posted on the Extranet for your use. If there are any  questions from within the DRS system, contact your FOM. For questions on how to load to Constant Contact, contact Emily.
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What's your Email Marketing Schedule?
Tip: Stay top of mind and relevant! Remember you have plenty of templates that you can reuse to promote your store-specific specials and events. Here are our recommendations:
January Options
New! Dollar Days Event
Reuse Grab Bag Event
Reuse We Buy Gently Used
February Options
Reuse Swimwear Event
Reuse Valentine's Day
New! We Buy Gently Used
Reuse Spring Dress Wear Event
Have other campaign ideas? Let us know!
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HR News
2014 HR Compliance Checklist
The end of the year is a busy one for many business owners. To help ease the transition to 2014, ADP has created a checklist to help you prepare for the coming year.
- Review and update company policies.
- Audit state and federal forms.
- Post updated workplace notices.
- Distribute annual notices.
- Prepare for Form W-2 distribution.
- Ensure ACA compliance.
- Clean up personnel files.
- Ensure proper vacation carryover. - Comply with escheat laws.
As 2014 begins, employers should take the time to make sure that their current policies and procedures are compliant, and should review upcoming changes to the law that will be effective in 2014. It is best practice for employers to review their policies and practicies regularly to keep up with any changes in the law.
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Congratulations to the following stores who rounded out 2013 achieving Gold Standard.
5th Year Winners
Larry & Kelly Weldon -
Erie, PAJulie Anderson - Minnetonka, MN
2nd Year Winners Brian Gaer - Bristol, Wethersfield, Manchester, Milford, & Hamden, CT
Chasity Rowsey -
Florence, SC
Dawn & Ronald Rehbein - Maple Grove & Eden Prairie, MN
Chantelle Harder - Winnipeg, MB.
1st Year Winners Suzanne & Arthur Mogavero - Jensen Beach, FL
Melissa, Charles, Christopher & Peggy Diaz - Lakeland, FL
Chesley Jr. & Ashley Martin, Terry & Debbie McGraw - Rogers, AR
Kim, Geoffrey & Erin Schmidt - Fairfield, NJ
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Sales Achievements
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1.5 Million in Sales
November -
Suzanne Simpson -
Ocoee, FL
Marty & Keri Yanda - Oklahoma City, OK
December -
Tammy Henderson - Surfside, SC
Gary & Debbie Fike -
Fort Myers, FL
Cory & Lorie Henderson - Saskatoon, SK
Bob Tevlin - Florence, KY
Becky Finger -
Cincinnati OH
Tab & Judy Bradford - Walker, MI
Rachel Wilson & Jule' Miller - Flower Mound, TX
Jackie Fitzer -
Sioux Falls, SD
Dennis & David Raising - Hickory, NC 1 Million in Sales November -Paul Fermi -
Southaven, MS
Susan Rough - Lincoln, NE
December - Kim & Geoff Schmidt - Fairfield, NJ
Jerry Ezell -
Murfreesboro, TN
Lori Forrest -
Oklahoma City, OK
Becky Parsons - Naperville, IL
Cyndi Seruntine - Mandeville, LA
Sue Hyde -
Pittsburgh, PA
Brian Gaer -
Manchester, CT
Brian Gaer - Milford, CT
Alison Adam - Calgary, AB
Amanda Redpath-Moormann - Saint Cathrines, ON
Jason Herlocker -
Raleigh, NC
Dennis Blum -
Columbus, OH
Dennis Blum -
Perrysburg, OH
Dennis Blum - Dublin, OH
Dennis Blum -
Westerville, OH
Dennis Blum - Sylvania, OH
Dennis Blum - Ghanna, OH
Dennis Blum -
Columbus, OH
Dennis Blum -
Columbus, OH
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Opportunities
I have purchased numerous items from your Once Upon A Child store. Today I was disappointed to learn that the new Melissa and Doug Pound and Peg, I bought for my Grandson, could not be returned. Did I misunderstand? On my receipt it states 'returns for store credit'. My daughter told me my Grandson already had the toy. Hopefully I can go back again and ask for store credit as I have no need for a Pound and Peg myself. Hoping to hearing from you.
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KDV News
New Regulations for Deduction and Capitalization of Tangible Property
Deductible Expense vs. Capital Expenditure The IRS issued new regulations for determining whether amounts paid to acquire, produce, or improve tangible property may be currently deducted as business expenses or must be capitalized. The regulations generally are effective for tax years beginning on or after Jan. 1, 2014. Click here for a flowchart with more information. Safe Harbor Dollar Thresholds for CapitalizationThe new rules require capitalization of amounts paid for the purchase of materials and supplies that exceed $200 and have a useful life of 12 months or greater. Taxpayers with audited financial statements are allowed to deduct amounts up to $5,000 per invoice or item of tangible personal property as provided in a capitalization policy. Taxpayers without an audited financial statement may elect a safe harbor deduction up to $500 per invoice or item with a capitalization policy. Capitalization Policy RequirementsTo utilize the safe harbor, the capitalization policy must be adopted by January 1, 2014. Otherwise amounts over $200 for the purchase of tangible property must be capitalized. The policy must be applied consistently to tangible property purchases and the amounts must be deducted as expenses for financial statement purposes. Click here for a sample capitalization policy that could be modified for your situation. Materials and SuppliesIncidental materials and supplies are items for which no record of consumption is kept. These items may be deducted when paid as long as income is not distorted. Non-incidental materials and supplies are deductible when used or consumed and records of consumption are maintained by the taxpayer. Click here for the full KDV January article. Franchisees should consult with their tax advisors to ensure they are in compliance with the new rules and to consider adopting a capitalization policy for their business.
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Multiple Store Requests
Interested in opening another store with Winmark? Check out the Multiple Store Request Requirements that are located on the Extranet. If you have any questions, contact your Field Operations Manager.
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