You've likely seen retail predictions that this season will show a slight increase over last year, but that doesn't mean it won't be competitive.
Do you have enough gift ideas in the $25-and-under range?
Be ready to offer your customers instant gratification when they come to you with their shopping list of appreciation gifts. How convenient if they can check off their entire list in your shop! Of course, we all love those big ticket sales, but smaller ones quickly add up and often have better margins.
Here's a handy checklist to make sure you've covered these popular gift categories:
- Hostess
- Secret Santa
- Teacher
- Service providers (hairdresser, cleaning service, babysitter, manicurist, lawn care)
- Girlfriends
- Workplace
- Business colleagues
- Hanukkah
- STOCKING STUFFERS
D-ZINES & LETTERS - Monogram Keychains
- Order the prepack of 36 units (2 each of the 18 top-selling letters) for $234 and receive the display spinner FREE
- Add some non-monogram designs: anchor, bird on branch, fleur de lis, state shapes (all are available) and the new palm tree design
- All items are Made in the USA
GREENMARKET PURVEYING CO - Archivist Candle Collection
- Available in 12 Everyday scents and 6 Holiday scents
- 10-oz candle (shown)
- 7-oz jam jar candle
- 3-oz boxed votive
- Candles are a soy & vegetable wax blend - and are Made in the USA
VANCE KITIRA - Timber Pear Candles
- Available in 25 colors
- Unscented
- An enduring favorite - mix colors and sell as a duo or trio for a thoughtful gift that is still well under $25
VANCE KITIRA - Cybil Scarf
- Lightweight, all-cotton scarf can be used year-round
- Available in 6 two-tone color combinations
WIND & FIRE JEWELRY - Expandable Bracelets
- This item violates my rule because the retail starts at $26 - BUT it is well worth the extra dollar or so
- Quality alternative to that well-known competitor with the minimum order that is prohibitive for many gift retailers
- Extensive selection of charms, including monograms
- All bracelets are available in gold-plate or silver-plate
- Cost is $11.40 for the basic bangles in the photo
- Reorders are a snap with no minimum and 48-hour shipping
- All items are Made in the USA
SOUTHERN JUBILEE - Wax Seal Monogram Glassware
- Available in 6 sizes, each adorned with a pewter wax seal monogram
- Stemless wine glass is the best seller (middle of the photo) - order the prepack of 12 top-selling letters (4 of each) for only $336
- Lead time is about 2 weeks so you will want to stock up and not rely heavily on special orders as we get into December
- Woman-owned business that is committed to the independent brick-and-mortar retailer
- All items are Made in the USA
PARADE STREET - Boot cuffs
- Hot trend and just as likely to be an impulse buy as a gift idea (one for my friend, one for me)
- Available in 6 colors, sold in an assortment of 12 (2 of each color)
PARADE STREET - Carson Bag
- Lined microfiber tote comes with a detachable shoulder strap & an interior pocket
- Sold as an assortment of 8 colors but can be reordered by color
PARADE STREET - Coral Reef Bangle
- Resin bangle is another impulse item as well as gift idea
- Merchandise with "resort" items
- Available in 6 colors
BETSY DRAKE - Guest Towels
- Original designs from North Carolina artist Betsy Drake
- Always a useful gift for any occasion (not just at Christmas)
- Design themes include Coastal, Garden, Floral, Wildlife, Equestrian, Birds and Holiday
- All items are Made in the USA
If you want more information or want to see product before making a decision, I am always available to work with you in person, via phone, via email or via fax - whatever works best for you. You'll find all my contact information in the sidebar to the right.
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