Special Gifts Section

Selling Gifts at Gift Shops (From page 52) yet,” Blakeman said.

“Not everyone goes out shopping with a list and some creative suggestions or personal recommendations can make a difference. I think it works because our customers tend to appreciate a genuine connection and a low-pressure sales environment. We want them to find something that fills their needs and makes them happy. If we don’t have it, we’ll recommend another local business that might carry it,” Blakeman added.

Blakeman said she’s on the lookout for new products year-round and keeps tabs on promising vendors, along with the artists current designers are following on social media. “Oftentimes they know their field best and will be exposed to new up and comers sooner than I might be. It’s a constant, ongoing search but that’s part of the fun!” Blakeman said.

She said one of the best ways to train/teach staff is to instruct them to “keep a subtle eye out and an ear open for signs they have questions (even if they won’t come right up to ask) or seem to need guidance,” Blakeman said.

“You don’t need to intensely [watch] them, but eager attentiveness can help provide info that can make a sale, point them to the correct product, or deter shoplifting,” Blakeman said.

Pam Hawkins Blondin owner of the Raleigh-based shop Deco likes to keep things friendly and personal.

Tips to Prevent Theft

Ifat Pridan at Lili The First greets her customers by approaching them, looking them in the eye and introducing herself. This type of intimate greeting builds rapport, which Pridan feels makes would-be thieves feel noticed and uncomfortable about snatching merchandise.

At saysay boutique, Sarah Utrup employs a similar technique in her approximately 1,000-square-foot shop. She feels that attentive customer service deters theft. This kind of customer service means staff are in the vicinity to help customers, but also

Their social media features members of the staff, local makers and local well-known locations. They’ve also started featuring locally made items through the Reelz app, courtesy of Blondin’s younger managers Savannah Bridges and Abby Zeugner. These techniques don’t include any heavy selling or pushing said Blondin. “We always make sure to express our gratitude to shoppers for supporting us and other local shops. I don’t know if this helps us to sell more, but it does develop very loyal customers!” Blondin said.

Finding unique items to sell takes some navigating as there are a few well curated stores in their city and “we all have similar taste,” Blondin said.

One thing they are known for is selling on consignment. They keep an application on their website for both wholesale and consignment vendors. They’ll go through the applications monthly (except for during the Christmas holiday season, when they’re too busy to comb through applications) and accept roughly one third to one half of all applicants. Contracts with smaller makers include an exclusivity agreement so they can ensure other shops within a few city blocks won’t be selling the same goods.

They also do scouting trips to independent and larger markets like NY NOW and Atlanta and shops in other cities for inspiration.

At Anvil Cards in Houston, Texas, Owner JC Woods specializes in locally-made goods and unique items, with a focus on greeting cards. They only carry to watch.

“Get out from behind the counter and move around the store, dusting or rearranging, while maintaining friendly dialogue and being engaged with the customers,” suggested Amelia Blakeman.

JC Woods said the layout of a store should be kept “open and strategic.” Jewelry and small highpriced items should be kept near the register. Some of the fixtures in Anvil Cards are also designed to make stealing difficult. For instance, their bundles and stickers are placed on homemade copper covered posts. The hangers also make a distinctive clicking noise when items are taken off, said Woods. He also suggested prominent cameras. “Shoplifting was worse than I’d like before we streamlined the store in late 2019,” Woods said.

Pam Hawkins Blondin suggested keeping small items close to the counter and/or enclosed. At Deco, they have a staffer walking the fairly large sales floor (3,300-square-feet) at all times. “We do have CCTV, but I am not sure how much of a deterrent that really is,” Blondin said. ❖ independent makers and feature their own line of products. He designs each product in the line and handmakes them in store. “That’s a big draw for our customers,” Woods said.

To find more unique gifts to sell in his roughly 1,000-square foot store, Woods said he just tries to keep his eyes open. “If I see a design I like, I make a note of the maker,” said Woods. They carry roughly 50-75 different brands in the store. “But each one has its own special style that makes the full collection stronger,” Woods said.

In terms of staff training, Woods gravitates towards a natural style, with a T-shirt and jeans vibe. He designed and made all of the fixtures and displays. “The store has a rough but cozy atmosphere. I just talk to folks like they’re old friends. Since our collection is small and local, we’re excellent guides for people unsure of what they’re seeking,” Woods said. ❖