SPI Thursday - Jewelry Tree & Nest Stand

Item #33581 - Jewelry Tree & Nest Stand

This week's pick for SPI Thursday is another one of those "I didn't know SPI made things like that" items that I promised you at the beginning.

Your customer can add romance to her dressing area with this all-aluminum Jewelry Tree & Nest Stand.  Just because you're not wearing your jewelry doesn't mean it can't enhance your surroundings - especially those items that have sentimental value or conjure fond memories.  It's also ideal for those go-to pieces that you wear everyday.  It keeps them both organized and accessible !

It stands 15" tall so it will make a statement but not overshadow your other décor.  The footprint is 8" but the widest span of the branches is 11.5" - still easy to fit on a dressing table or counter.

Retail it for $69 but also put it to work as a display fixture, rotating the stock to feature any items that you want to bring to your customers' attention.  If someone wants to buy your fixture, you can always order another one!

Abbott Tuesday - Double Door Mats

Item #35-RFW/3470 - Tree of Life Double Doormat

You may have already known that Abbott offers a generous selection of doormats (and if you didn't, now you do!), but did you know they offer four styles in Double Door Mats? 

At 4' long, these mats are ideal for double door entrances.  If you sell outdoor furniture and accessories, the Double Door Mat is the finishing touch that your customer didn't know she needed to make her outdoor entertaining space unique - and the envy of her neighbors.  That means you should stock more than one style so when her friends come in for theirs, they won't have to buy the exact same design.

Each double door mat measures 16" x 48" and is made of rubber and eco-friendly coir fibers.  If you're like me, you've heard about coir for years and wondered how to pronounce it but didn't have a clear idea of either.

According to Gardening.com:

Coir, (pronounced COY-er) comes from coconuts. It's what makes up the fibrous husks of the inner shell of the coconut and is used for all sorts of products, including rugs, ropes, brushes and even upholstery stuffing. We're probably most familiar with it as those stiff, scratchy doormats and the fibrous liners used in hanging baskets. Coir is very rot resistant, making it perfect for outdoor products. [emphasis mine]

It is also becoming increasingly popular as a potting mix and organic soil amendment. For a coconut by-product, coir actually takes a good amount of effort to get to market. The outer husks are soaked until the fibers can be separated and then cleaned. Then they have to be sorted and graded by size. Dark brown coir is from the familiar mature coconuts, but there is also a white version. White coir is from immature, green coconuts and is finer and softer.Some manufacturers also dye the fibers.

I'm going to assume you're familiar with rubber and not include a description of it, as well.  These mats are suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, and you can comfortably retail them in the $70-$75 range.  The dramatic Tree of Life mat is pictured above, and the remaining 3 are below.



Item #35-RFW/2523 - Welcome Double Doormat



Item #35-RFW/4059 - Bird Silhouette Double Doormat

Item #35-RUBBER/872 - Fleur de Lis Double Doormat

Want to see more?  I'm here to help and would love to show you the rest of Abbott's extensive selection of outdoor & garden merchandise.

Block printed linens from Pomegranate

New Modflower design available in 2 color options: citrus (shown) and blue

Pomegranate is not a new company, but it is new to my line package this year and continues to offer fresh designs that make dinner parties and entertaining fun.

 

The line was born in 1994 (21 years ago!) when a trip to India inspired Angela Beck to begin painting when she returned home to her farm in Lexington, Kentucky.

 

She then sent her art files to Jaipur, India, where a group of local women still print the linens by using the hand block process (see below).  The linens are hand made in Jaipur using all-natural fabrics that are also machine washable and colorfast.  Natural fibers mean you can expect each linen to get softer and better with age. 

 

All of Angela's designs are proprietary and are produced only for Pomegranate.  You will not find her designs on any other linens manufactured in India.

 

This isn't a Pomegranate design but is a good example of how block printing works
 

The hand block process is a method dating back to the 1200s.  Artisans carve the design onto teak blocks, and a separate block is required for each distinct color in the design.  The printer then applies the ink to the block and presses it firmly into the fabric.  For patterns containing multiple colors, the cloth is printed with one color, allowed to dry and then printed with the next.

 

William Morris created many of his intricate fabric designs using the hand block technique.  It is a slow process but produces beautiful results - some of which cannot be obtained through any other method.

Caroline Blue is one of the patterns available at Anthropologie.  They also carry items from the Aviary collection.



Is your customer influenced by what she sees at Anthropologie?  If so, you'll be delighted to learn that Pomegranate has the Anthropologie imprimatur!  They carry items from 2 design collections - Caroline (shown above) and Aviary.

Don't despair, though.  Pomegranate offers many other patterns that allow you to offer linens in the same spirit as Anthropologie.

Like the idea but not sure where to start?  Lucky for you I'm here to assist!  Together we can work from my samples to create a product and design mix that makes your store unique - and keeps customers coming back and referring their friends.

SPI Thursday - Bird & Twig Sundial Birdbath



As spring settles in and we spend more time outdoors, no doubt you are also noticing all the newborn birds exploring the world.

You can offer your customers a way to add beauty and character to their outdoor space while also providing a functional benefit to our feathered friends.


#33303 - Bird & Twig Sundial/Birdbath

The Bird & Twig Sundial/Birdbath from SPI Home is a unique spin on the traditional birdbath, and your customer's neighbors will not find it at Home Depot or Lowe's.

It is made of aluminum and weighs in just over 5 pounds, making it easy for anyone to reposition in their yard for maximum enjoyment.  It stands 17" at its tallest, and the sundial diameter measures 15.5".  The bath itself is roughly 2" deep - which is ideal for most birds as they do not submerge their bodies in water.

The branch feature that tops it off also serves as a sundial with the Roman numerals around the edge of the basin.  Your customers can relax in their gardens and leave electronic devices inside because the sundial will account for the time of day.

Suggested retail is $210.

The cardinal is the state bird of Virginia; the dogwood is the state flower.

According to the website Rachel's Robin, birdbaths serve an important function. 

For birds, birdbaths are not just a matter of personal hygiene - they may be a matter of life and death. Dirty feathers don't function well when flying or in protecting the body from the wind, snow, heat and other elements.

A bird's bathing action is more of a light shower rather than a soaking. Most birds will wade into the water a few inches deep, and bend a bit to get their undersides wet, and then move their beak from back and forth. While they do this, their wings are beating to spray water all over their body.

By adding a birdbath to the landscape, your customer can enjoy the company of birds and know they are helping them maintain their well-being.

Sales reps are easily pleased...

...and by sales reps, I really just mean me.  Your mileage may vary.

Yesterday was a series of fortunate events that started me thinking how big things are the product of a lot of small things.

For starters, the weather was ideal - blue skies, a breeze and spring temps.  Believe me, this is important when you're calling on several accounts in a pedestrian mall where you park once and walk from one to the other.


Charlottesville, Virginia - Downtown Mall

I got lucky on my first stop - a retailer I needed to re-connect with - as the owner was actually in the store!  (Fellow sales reps will appreciate this)  She accepted the catalogs I came armed with from other product lines I represent.  By dinner time, she emailed me with what I assumed was a reorder for a product line she already carries.  But no - it was for a completely new line for her from one of the catalogs I left.  Not only had she looked at my catalogs, but she shares my enthusiasm and sees how my product will make her money.  

The next stop was a retailer whose winter appointments were derailed twice by winter snow storms.  It turns I was right - they needed candles!  Guess who left with an order?

The afternoon brought a brief game of phone tag that resulted in a new Paddywax account.

All this was followed by a late lunch at Chipotle, which is always a little bit of heaven for my taste buds.  Oh, and I bought 2 tee shirts on sale at Old Navy.

But wait - there's more.

All day, I thought the highlight would be meeting the writer Jon Acuff and having him sign his new book.  It turns out it was dessert instead of the main course!



Highly recommended

As I was mentally composing this blog post on my drive home last night, it made me think more broadly how easy it can be to make retail customers happy. 

It's not always necessary to pull out all the stops with a great promotion, a flashy display or deep discount.  Sometimes you can win loyal customers by attending to the small daily details - convenient store hours, accepting the credit card they wish to use, efficient checkout once they have decided on a purchase and packaging it with care.

Here's to creating more of these small, daily opportunities that add up to so much more!

Abbott Tuesday - Clever Wall Hooks

I know it isn't even Mother's Day yet and that's where your focus is right now.  Over the years, retailers have consistently told me that it's the second biggest gift-giving occasion for their business (after Christmas, of course).  Stay focused on it, but don't forget to plan your assortment of gift ideas for Father's Day.

27-IRON AGE/140 Hammer Triple Wall Hook

If you don't already have a dedicated area for men's gifts, you will want to create one - even if it's temporary - and transition to it after Mother's Day.

Why am I talking about Father's Day when it's supposed to be Abbott Tuesday?  Because among Abbott's unique product offerings is an assortment of wall hooks that are ideal for your customers who want to show Dad how much they value him. 

The Hammer Triple Wall Hook (pictured above) and the Wrench Triple Wall Hook (pictured below) are witty yet functional items that will liven up a garden shed, Dad's workshop, the tool shed and even the garage.  Your customer can be sure that each one will bring a smile to Dad's face and remind him of their thoughtfulness each time he uses them.

Each wall hook measures 10.5" at the longest, making them easy to incorporate into any area even when space is at a premium.  They are made of cast iron so they are sturdy and built to last.  These will become the heirlooms that dads hand down to sons and grandsons.

27-IRON AGE/142 Wrench Triple Wall Hook

Retail them at $19.95 each and know you are selling it for a reasonable price and also keeping your balance sheet in the black.  Don't be surprised if customers decide they need more than one! 

Now is the time to get those orders in so review your inventory and identify what merchandise you need to make sure your Father's Day assortment is abundant - and unique!  Allow me to guide you through the Abbott catalog to add other witty and functional merchandise to your store's mix.

SPI Thursday - Rustic Geometric Lantern

Do you love the ambiance that candle light adds to a gathering but not the worry that having open flames could cause havoc?  Lanterns are a functional and stylish option to eliminate the worry without sacrificing the warm atmosphere that candle light creates.  This rustic lantern from SPI Home is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, and the design is simple enough to incorporate into any style of décor.



Item 48021 - Rustic Geometric Lantern
(candle not included - but Vance Kitira timber candles are the perfect ones to use)

For spring and summer, you can merchandise it with your garden and outdoor accessories.  In winter and fall, you can make it a merchandising element in your "bring the outdoors in" product mix.  Point out to your customers that it truly can be used year-round.  You (or your more creative customers) may also integrate it in your holiday décor.

The lantern is constructed of iron, sheet metal and glass.  It stands 12" high to the top of the finial and has a 6" square footprint at its largest.  It will fit up to a 4" diameter pillar candle.  The iron frame ensures that it will not topple due to sudden wind gusts or accidental bumps from lively guests.

On those rainy days that keep customers from venturing out and you're tempted to offer a flash sale on Facebook, make your shop more inviting by burning candles in the lanterns.  On darker days, both candles and lanterns really come to life.

The suggested retail is $45.  Keep in mind that your customers are likely to want multiples based on the size of their outdoor entertaining spaces.  You might consider offering a multi-unit discount - something like 2 for $40 each - to encourage those multiple sales.  You'll still like the margin, but it's important to bring in enough inventory to support the price break.   

Abbott Tuesday - Bottle Openers

#27-IRON AGE/199 - Double Vision Wall Bottle Opener



When I launched Abbott Tuesday, I promised to feature some of the company's quirky, fun pieces that can set your store apart and make customers smile, prompting them to tell their friends yours is the must-stop shop in town. 

Abbott offers a range of bottle openers, both wall-mounted and hand-held.  Looking for product for your "man cave" section?  Here it is!

The Double Vision Wall Bottle Opener (pictured above) is a surefire conversation piece that will liven up your next gathering.  The material is cast iron, so you can even mount it in an outdoor setting where you entertain in the warm weather months. It's sturdy and can withstand many uses over the years, so it's life won't end when your party does.

Retail it as $12.00 and smile (or get double vision) at the margin it offers you.

27-IRON AGE/45 - "Save Water/Drink Beer" Bottle Opener

The Save Water/Drink Beer hand-held bottle opener has been a favorite for several years and  continues to be a strong reorder item.  It's also made of cast iron but is lightweight.  Not only is it highly durable - it's also easy to pack for a tailgate party, a lake get-together or a picnic. 

For good measure, this one is also available in white.  You can retail this one for $8 and your margin will mean you can have both water and beer.

SPI Thursday - Birds & Cherry Blossom Wall Plaque

#33515 - Birds & Cherry Blossom Wall Plaque

As we approach the end of Cherry Blossom Festival season, here is a wall plaque that will keep that spirit of spring alive year round.  The Birds & Cherry Blossom Wall Plaque from SPI Home will create a sense of peace and calm in any interior.

It is made entirely of aluminum and measures 18" tall x 37" wide - a great size to make a statement in a medium-sized space without overpowering the room.  The depth is only 1.5 inches so even though there is texture it is not 3-dimensional in a way that you have to be cautious about contact when you or a guest walks past it.

Suggested retail is $145.

RootWorks Lazy Susan from Enrico

Item 2577 - Lazy Susan

A great new member of Enrico's RootWorks collection, the classic lazy susan is reimagined with a generous root wood platter and ball-bearing hardware.

Made from environmentally-friendly reclaimed fir stumps with an easy care food-safe finish (like all RootWorks products), each piece is hand-carved by skilled artisans so that no two are exactly alike.   

This item was on almost every Enrico order I wrote during January market in Atlanta, and it just started shipping in March - so you can still be among the first to offer it. 

Suggest it to wedding registry couples who are looking for functional items that they will use regularly.  It has added appeal to eco-conscious couples who prefer environmentally friendly gifts.

On a shelf or table, it looks like a simple platter.  The key is to encourage your customer to spin it (or spin it yourself) to demonstrate that it is much more.  Then wait for the "oh!" response when their face lights up.

You can retail the lazy susan for $49.95 (a sweet spot price for wedding gifts) and maintain a very comfortable margin while also allowing you to offer a wedding registry discount and remain profitable.

Each piece from the RootWorks collection is hand-carved and has a beautiful wood grain that provides a welcoming, organic appeal whether you use it for serving or as a decorative item.  If you're interested in building a RootWorks merchandising story in your shop, allow me to show you all the offerings and get you started!

Abbott Tuesday - Birdhouse Salt & Pepper on Branch

#27-NESTER Birdhouse Salt & Pepper on Branch (set of 3 pieces)

As your customers turn their attention to spring entertaining - both indoors and out - they will be looking for charming table and serving accessories to make their efforts stand out as unique.

The Birdhouse Salt & Pepper shakers on the branch stand are not a new item for Abbott, but it is a perennial favorite that I continue to get reorders on.  We all know that means it retails and there is demand for more.

Each birdhouse shaker is ceramic and suspended from a resin branch stand.  The stand is 7.5" tall, making it a charming accent to your table setting that does not compete with your centerpiece. 

You can easily retail this item for $24.95 with a comfortable margin.

If you're interested in adding this and other salt & pepper shakers to your product mix, let me show you Abbott's extensive assortment where you are sure to find new ideas and inspiration for your shop's merchandising.

Is it time to update your store's bridal registry?

When I owned a gift store, it was in a small community that didn't have frequent wedding ceremonies, and a full-on bridal registry would not have been profitable.  Besides, the local Belk already had a formal bridal registry.

Instead, I took a more expansive view of the concept and maintained a Wish List program that worked for any gift-giving occasion.  I did still register some brides, of course, and learned that they were more keen on functional items they would use regularly rather than keepsakes or formal entertaining items that would be rarely used - but still needed to be stored somewhere.   

It's funny because it's true

My best example was when one of my favorite customers (and not just because she and her husband were my landlords) needed a gift for a bride with no registry anywhere.  We decided on a wall clock by Timeworks.  Remember them?  Anyway, when I saw my customer after the bridal shower, she said the bride was thrilled with her choice because she would use it in her new home and be reminded of my customer's thoughtfulness each day. 

So just because you are not a traditional tabletop retailer with a bridal registry, there's no reason you shouldn't engage (see what I did there?) this customer - especially as the modern couple is less likely to be a traditional consumer.   

Navigating the ritual is trickier than ever.  For example, if you're providing invitations you have to know how to list parents who are no longer - or never were - married to one another.  Engaged couples are also likely to cohabit and already own many essential items.  And don't overlook the couples whose upcoming nuptials are not their first.

In another sign of changing times (and opportunity to grow your business), you may also be registering same-sex couples. 
  

I don't actually sell all the items pictured here - like the fish course knife & fork

Throughout the month of April, I will be highlighting items from lines I represent (of course) as suggestions to add variety, spice and inspiration to your registry program.  With the most active wedding and engagement season upon us, it's a good time to spruce up your offerings to put smiles on the faces of newlyweds, confused gift givers and your accountant.

Remember - do a good job for them and they may register with you again for their next one.


SPI Thursday - Bunny Wine Bottle Holder

#50886 - Bunny Wine Bottle Holder (wine not included)
 

Since Easter is this weekend, it's natural that the featured item in this inaugural SPI Thursday is a bunny item.

Oh, you didn't realize SPI offers bunny merchandise?  You didn't know they have items like this for entertaining - or tabletop serving collections?

Well, now you understand the purpose of SPI Thursday.

The Bunny Wine Bottle Holder adds a touch of functional whimsy to your party.  It is made of cast iron and can easily support the weight of a full wine bottle.  It measures just shy of 10 inches so fits nicely on your table or sideboard.

If you're thinking "I like the idea, but I don't do bunnies" then you may like the Yoga Frog version.  We're going to visit the yoga frogs in a future post, but for now the wine bottle holder is pictured below.

#50887 - Yoga Frog Wine Bottle Holder (wine not included)

These are not the only wine bottle holders that SPI offers.  They just happen to be the only 2 in this particular design.  Suggested retail on each is $24 - a very reasonable price and a margin that you will love.