Taking center stage are four featured sponsors. Platinum Sponsors Mac Duggal and House of Wu along with Gold Sponsor Karishma Creations and Silver Sponsor Morrell Maxie, will highlight collections of prom, bridal, pageantry, homecoming, Quinceañera and social occasion and accessory designs opening the show with their newest collections. Plus, there will be dozens of more names to see throughout the evening

The style spectacular doesn’t stop there! The Style Runway Fashion Show featuring Holiday and Resort takes over the catwalk on Friday, August 19 at 6:30 p.m. Buyers are invited to join us for complimentary cocktails, flatbread pizzas and free giveaways prior to the fashion show beginning at 5:45 p.m.

Can’t make these shows? Check out the Daily Strut fashion shows taking place in the Atrium Lounge at noon & 3 p.m.

For more details on the events throughout August Market please click here.
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Whose looks will be strutting down the Haute for Prom runway?

• Decode 1.8
• Fashion 1001 Nights by Nina Canacci
• Helen’s Heart
• House of Wu
• Issue
• Jasz Couture
• Jim’s Formalwear
• Joli Prom
• Josh and Jazz
• Jolene by Josh and Jazz
• Karishma Creations
• Kathy Ireland Weddings by 2Be
• Kiss Kiss Formals by PC Mary’s
• Lil’ Allie Girl Designs by Becky
• Liz Fields/Starlet
• Love 16 by Enzoani
• Mac Duggal
• Macis Design
• Milano Formals
• Morgeez Prom & Pageant
• Morrell Maxie
• Mystique Prom by Bonny Bridal
• Nicole Bakti
• Night Moves by Allure
• Evenings by Allure
• Nika
• Rina di Montella
• Riva Designs
• Shimmer by Bari Jay
• Bari Jay Bridesmaids
• Sweetie Pie Collection
• Tip Top Kids
• Tuxedo Central
• Zcreationz

(I was inspired to do this article after visiting my daughter’s store, RUBY,  where I noticed how many little items she had tied together with ribbon as a “set.”  There were several bracelets together, panty packs of two, three or five, a package of three tees, etc.  The pricing was even numbered like $10, $20, etc. and as a shopper I could realize how quick and easy this choice could be. It seemed especially effective for the Valentine shopping season in progress.  The more I thought about it, the more I felt the need to share “bundling up” for better profits with each of you!)

All of us enjoy a sweet deal, by just like icing on the cake, it can be overdone.  Bundling is a delicate blend of ingredients that:

*Sweetens the deal for your customers
* Increases your average sale
* Boosts your employees’ productivity
*Reduces your risks

If you are considering bundling, ask yourself these questions:

1) What are some of the challenges shoppers face in buying clothing
Some folks are color blind or have no fashion sense. They are in a hurry and forget to buy the related purchases they need. They long for help in making    decisions.  A bundle is already combined and ready – no choice.

2) What can I bundle together to make life easier for my customers?
Shoes and Handbags
Assorted Accessories that mix/match
Hosiery for the outfit
Socks for the shoes
Tees with Jeans
Tops w/suits
Slippers with robes
Panties with bras
7 panties (one for each day)
Basic tees set (red, black, white)
Lip gloss and mirror
Gloves & scarf
Anything that makes sense together or fills a need!

3) What benefits would buyers gain from bundles?
Customers would save time, whether shopping for themselves or a gift, they would find things easier. A bundle usually adds more versatility and functionality to a wardrobe by mixing and matching. Shoppers usually think a bundle is a better deal and they feel good about saving.

4) What benefit would the retailer gain from this?
Total sales should increase. Multiples units would be sold. Customers would appreciate the creativity and novelty of the combination.
Employee’s productivity should go up because they will generate more sales dollars per customer.

Look around, what goes together as the perfect bundle in your store?

Learn even more and be further inspired at TJ’s seminar at the Apparel Market on Saturday, April 2 at 10 a.m. She’ll get you excited about driving traffic through promotions and contests. More information on her seminar and full lineup of events can be found here.

More on bundling can be found in “Pricing for Profit” by Dale Furtwengler, available from www.amaconbooks.org.

Atlanta has long been known as the epicenter of prom and pageant fashion, and the 2010 Market runway show exceeded expectations. Thursday night’s Haute for Prom runway fashion show showcased a stunning array of gowns to suit any style.

Featured sponsors Mac Duggal, Alfred Angelo, Kiss Kiss Formal by Mary’s and Dana Mathers, along with silver sponsor Terani, presented collections of prom, bridal, pageantry, homecoming, Quinceañera and social occasion and accessory designs opening the show with their newest collections. The complete runway show featured more than 350 gowns.

From sequins and feathers to ruffles and lace to chiffon and satin, the word of the evening was diverse. Slim and sleek or full and flowing. Rows of ruffles or sexy cut-outs. Saturated color dominated along with creative prints. Sassy short styles and the short skirt with a flowing overlay offered options for those looking for something beyond a traditional long gown.  

Several designers showed designs specifically created for larger sizes, since not ever prom-goer or pageant participant is a size 4. Always crowd favorites, the little princesses strutted miniature ball gowns as well as ballerina styles. Looks for the guys ranged from traditional to two-tone to softer gray.

With hundreds of lines to choose from, there are selections in Atlanta that will thrill the prom-goers and pageant queens in any town with showstopping style. Visit the showrooms and temps to find just the right ones to make your store THE place to shop in your area.

*Must be prom, bridal or special occasion retailer to enter

AmericasMart is not affiliated with Xcite or the giveway.

The excitement of the largest prom market began earlier this week with the arrival of the “prom books,” which brought dozens of special occasion buyers from around the globe. The energy they came to Market with is only going to increase as the weekend nears and more buyers arrive and all temporary booths and showrooms open. This is one Market you don’t want to miss!

More information about Market and all the chic fashion shows and events can be found here.

If you’re already in Atlanta, grab an Apparel Guide for all the important details!

The tickets are already piling up! It appears that hundreds have already stuffed the box with their hopefully “lucky” ticket.

Don’t miss out on this very special, very big giveaway!

AmericasMart is not affiliated with Jovani or the giveaway.

Taking center stage are five featured sponsors. Gold sponsors Kiss Kiss Formal by Mary’s, Dana Mathers, Mac Duggal and Alfred Angelo, along with silver sponsor Terani, will highlight collections of prom, bridal, pageantry, homecoming, Quinceañera and social occasion and accessory designs opening the show with their newest collections. Plus, there will be dozens of more names to see throughout the evening

Buyers will also be able to see the Style Runway
Fashion Show on Friday, August 27 at 6:30 p.m.
in the LOUNGE, Floor 2. The Style Runway Fashion Show, sponsored by Amy J Hill and Judith March, will feature young contemporary, premiere, ready-to-wear, holiday and resort accessories and special occasion trends. And, buyers are invited to join us for complimentary cocktails prior to the fashion show at 6 p.m.

Can’t make these shows? Check out the daily fashion shows taking place in the Atrium Lounge at 11a.m. & 3p.m.

For more details on the events through out August Market please click here.

http://static.slidesharecdn.com/swf/ssplayer2.swf?doc=americasmart-socialmedia-090918124418-phpapp02&rel=0&stripped_title=americasmart-atlanta-social-media-101-presentation

For those of you that weren’t able to attend, here are a few key points and some notes to keep in mind when deciding if social media is the right thing for your business:

• The content you put out there is much more important than the platform (Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, etc.) that you put it on
• Even though brands and big companies are involved in social media, you’re really dealing with people — speak accordingly
• Ask yourself the important questions before jumping in headfirst:

1.  
   1. Are my customers using social media?  If so, how?
   2. What are they talking about and what’s important to them?
   3. Is social media an important marketing channel for my business?
   4.  What are my marketing and sales goals?

Know Your F-words:

Friends — People you’re connected to on Facebook

Followers – People and companies who track your Twitter updates

Following – People  and companies who’s Twitter updates are tracked by you

Fans – People on Facebook who become a fan of your brand’s page

Tips for Measuring Social Media

1. Use tracking codes and promotional coupons specific to the platform
2. Tag your links with tracking that can be picked up by your analytics tool
3. Test different content around your offers
4. Monitor how many mentions you have and how engaged people are with your brand
5. Track your fans and followers to understand your audience

Know Your Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

1. Cost per Lead (CPL) = Campaign Cost / # new leads    

    This gives us a single number that tells us how much each new sales lead cost based on the total cost of your campaign

2. Cost per Sale (CPS) = Campaign Cost / # sales Based on the campaign, this tells you how much each sale cost.  This number should always be greater than or equal to your CPL.
3. Estimated Revenue per Site Visit (ERSV) = Avg. Sale Volume / # visits    

    This KPI is important to know when you’re determining how much to invest in your online channel.  If it decreases, you may have an issue with your sales values dropping or too many visits not producing enough sales.  If it increases without an increase in Sales Value, watch out… you may be losing visitors!

Links and Resources

Major Platforms:

Facebook – www.facebook.com

Twitter – http://twitter.com

Cross-platform Twitter Applications:

Tweetdeck – www.tweetdeck.com

Seesmic – www.seesmic.com

Twitter Resources:

Basic Twitter Backgrounds – www.twitterbacks.com

WeFollow Twitter Directory – www.wefollow.com

Web Analytics Packages:

Google Analytics  – www.google.com/analytics

CrazyEgg – www.crazyegg.com

Mint Analytics – www.haveamint.com

Yahoo! Web Analytics – http://web.analytics.yahoo.com

Omniture – www.omniture.com

WebTrends – www.webtrends.com

Social Media Monitoring:

HowSociable – www.howsociable.com

SocialMention – www.socialmention.com

Twitter Search – http://search.twitter.com

Google Trends – www.google.com/trends

URL Shortening:

http://bit.ly 

http://is.gd

http://tinyurl.com  

http://twitpic.com

This is a post by AmericasMart guest blogger, Greg Asman. Greg is Director of Digital Analytics and Social Media at Aspen Marketing Services (www.aspenms.com), the largest privately-held marketing services firm in the US. He has more than 18 years of Internet strategy and development experience and holds International Business and MIS degrees from The University of Georgia as well as an MBA from Emory’s Goizuetta Business School.

There were plenty of educational opportunities for buyers to gain new skills early on Saturday.  Home retailers heard industry experts’ advice about how to grow business in a tough economy. Crafty buyers learned to creatively construct gift baskets that will thrill customers while garnering strong profit margins. And one of the most popular spots of the morning was a social media seminar explaining why smart retailers should make the most ofopportunities to speak to customers through Web sites, Facebook, Twitter and every other possible medium. Foodies learned from one of Atlanta’s top chefs, Shaun Doty in the state-of-the-art Gourmet Kitchen in Building 2 WestWing. And in the afternoon, the much anticipated Best of Atlanta winning gourmet products were revealed.

Sunday sets up to be just as busy with another Gift Basket University class; ample opportunities to source exceptional product from both permanent and temporary exhibitors and get ready for a promising holiday buying season.