Home Accents Today, in partnership with AmericasMart Atlanta, is proud to announce 2011 Retail Stars! 
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Home Accents Today announces 2011 Retail Stars
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Icing on the Cake: “Bundle Up” for Greater Profits
(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.
JingleNog Awarded “Best in Show” for Market Temporaries at Spring Market
The Atlanta Spring Gift, Home Furnishings & Holiday Market inspired retailers with fresh product, ideas and creativity. You could especially feel the engery and excitement Market Temporaries where more than 140 booths were positioned to attract retailers from around the nation. And, there was one booth in particular that stood out above the rest: JingleNog.
JingleNog’s booth at the Spring Atlanta Gift, Home Furnishings & Holiday Market caught the eye of judges, who were tapped to identify the best displays in the Market Temporaries, with an unexpected and fresh take on holiday product. The winner of the AmericasMart “Best of Show” Visual Display Award this spring, JingleNog showcased the best use of space, product arrangement, lighting, flooring and signage overall.
JingleNog’s handmade glass ornaments are the product of owner and creator Melissa Byrne’s stories and drawings. The glass blown ornaments showcase her twenty years of experience in the Christmas and Gift Industry, as well as the tradition of European glassmaking.
The JingleNog booth brings the product packaging to life as a whimsical, winter circus wonderland on a green and cream palate. Against the candy green striped curtains lining the space, white wire display trees and unexpected faux-grass flooring, JingleJog ornaments came to life and transformed this temporary booth into a fanciful fairytale.
This outstanding and unique display showcased JingleNog’s creativity and supported the playful nature of their product. Congratulations, JingleNog!
Be sure to join us for more creativity and excitement next Market!
Atlanta Apparel Sets the Stage for 2011 Retail
With the finishing details in place, Atlanta Apparel gears up for the New Year’s first Apparel Market, kicking off tomorrow, Feb. 3. Poised to welcome thousands of retailers, Atlanta Apparel is featuring the hottest trends of the upcoming seasons in women’s, men’s and children’s apparel with a special focus on Accessories.
As this year’s hottest category, accessories have gained the spotlight at Atlanta Apparel. These products that sell—and fast—will dominate Market. Supporting this trend is an educational seminar with forward-thinking speakers tapped to address how and when to add accessories and shoes to your business. Accessories are crucial for a successful product mix, and this Market, Atlanta Apparel raises the stakes in variety of product offerings with hundreds of lines in jewelry, handbags, watches, belts and more–in styles fit for every buyer. 
Plus, don’t miss the Daily Strut Fashion Shows, taking place every day at noon and 3 p.m. These mini-runway events highlight the premier trends of Market and support Friday night’s Style Runway Fashion Show, taking place at 6:30 p.m. on Floor 2.
Atlanta Apparel is your destination for trends, events, education and fun for the upcoming retail season. Prepare to be immersed in the fashion forward excitement tomorrow, Feb. 3 beginning at 11 a.m. with a Light-Up Lip Gloss Giveaway!
To read the entire Market release, click here.
Find Market details here.
October Market Off to a Great Start
The October Atlanta Apparel Market threw open the doors on Thursday and welcomed retailers from around the nation. This Market retailers are looking for immediate fall and the hottest trends and lines for Spring.
The energy at Market was high on day one with exciting events and the opening day of the new swim and resort category called SPLASH on floor 3.
The Daily Strut, which takes place everyday at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., has highlighted the styles retailers can find right now during Market.
Plus, the Friday night hit, the Style Runway fashion show, drew crowds from every floor of the building. Everyone
gathered in the atrium on floor 2 to watch the show featuring Montreal Collections. And, Montreal Collections featured one of their hottest designers, Samuel Dong. Samuel Dong presented 30 outfits from his Spring 2011 collection, followed by other Montreal lines. For the show’s grand finale, other Atlanta Apparel exhibitors and designers showed their lines and collections after the debut of Montreal Collections.
And, there’s still more to come. It’s only day two of Market! Be sure to experience all at the last Market of the year!
IN LIVING COLOR…Expert Thoughts From Designer Rebecca Ewing
Is Rebecca Ewing a creative genius, design guru or a little like Doctor Phil? Perhaps she’s combination of all three? In a recent seminar she hosted at the Fall Atlanta Gift & Home Furnishings Market last weekend, Rebecca showed retailers the value of creating an environment with design and color that is aesthetically pleasing as well as calming to the senses. Rebecca believes that physiology and interior design go hand-in-hand. The industry leader showed her expertise and knowledge of the world of interior design with intricate details on how she can match a room to one’s personality. After listening to her, you are convinced that colors and their hues can change behavior and alter moods.
During her seminar, Rebecca went beyond interior design and talked fashion–and how to leverage certain clothing and colors to accomplish specific goals. She explained how wearing the right color palette can make one more approachable. She was a perfect example of this theory as the crowd was extremely attentive and responsive to her thoughts and insight. Many were there for to learn more for their store and personal insight, but the course was also offered to those seeking .2 CEU credits.
The event was a hit with comments such as:
“Rebecca’s knowledge and experience is incomparable.”
“Absolutely fabulous! She was fantastic!”
“Rebecca is always informative and showing new views and perspectives of color and the impacts.”
“Wonderful seminar. I loved the presentation, and I hope to learn more.” “Very interesting and informative. Thought provoking.”
Want to know more about Rebecca and discover additional ideas? Visit Rebecca’s website: www.handsonhues.com
Fall for It All This September at AmericasMart’s Two-In-One Market
In just two weeks, exclusively at AmericasMart, retailers will experience the magnitude of two Markets together in the premier destination for everything new in fall home furnishings, gift and gourmet. Four buildings, three days of buying and two Markets—all in one location, all taking place at The Atlanta Fall Gift & Home Furnishings Market together with The Atlanta Gourmet Market, September 11-13, 2010.
While each Market individually offers a unique showcase, together they create an unrivaled collaboration of debuts, top lines and dynamic product. Only here, will retailers discover new product launched within the last month and be able to take advantage of the last order-writing Markets of the year. The Markets present gourmet, home furnishings and gift in four buildings of permanent product centers, supported by temporary categories staged in Building 1, floor 7.
Plus, discover the creme de la creme of gourmet with the Best of Atlanta awards, learn how to build baskets and merchandise in today’s economy and find out more about social media and best business practices.
It’s all here this September!
For more information, click here.
Win $25,000 at Market!
Have you heard about Jovani and its BIG giveaway? You’ll want to hear this. They are giving away a whopping 25 grand! One lucky retailer will walk away from Market with an extra $25,000. All you have to do is stop by the Jovani showroom on the special occasion floor 10 for more details and to secure a raffle ticket.
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.
Dimond Lighting Brightens Home Accessory Offerings at AmericasMart
Dimond Lighting is set for its grand opening at the July Market. Dimond, which has secured nearly 1,600 sq. ft. of space on Floor 12 in Building 1(12-C-7) as a permanent showroom, becomes one of the many showrooms in the HOME center that spotlights premium portable lamps, lighting and accessories for the home.
Vice president of Dimond, John Haste, believes the new showroom at AmericasMart is a strategic and necessary move for expanding this division of ELK Lighting. “We are a strong division under a well-known parent company, and are moving in the right direction to continue this growth,” says Haste. “AmericasMart offers one of the world’s largest destinations for home product, providing a unique platform for us to showcase our growing product collection.”
Additionally Dimond will now have the opportunity to be open daily between Markets, gaining further exposure to designers and retailers that need to buy outside of the set Market dates.
For more information about Dimond Lighting click here.
To View the Full announcement click here.
ICON Honors Call For Entries Now Open on New Website
The ICON Honors national call for entries is now open with submission invited in three categories:
- Innovation (for technology applications to achieve market share, product design, packaging design and sustainability and branding)
- Contribution (for independent retail community trailblazer impact/influence, cause-related product impact/influence and industry-building impact/influence and community betterment/improvement achievements)
- Achievement (for top newcomer recognition, individual professional accomplishment, collective business accomplishment and life accomplishment)
Competition for the Honors will be by individual submission in the Innovation and Contribution categories, and by independent nomination in the Achievement category—with the potential for up to 27 awards conferred.
Members of the home and gift industry are eligible as:
- Retailers
- Manufacturers
- Sales Agencies
- Service Providers /Affiliates
For complete details on the awards and instructions on how to submit, visit the new ICON Honors website: www.americasmarticonhonors.com.
All entries must be sent in via mail.
Submissions will be accepted now through Friday, May 14, 2010.
The winners will be notified in advance and officially announced and honored at the ICON Honors celebration on Saturday, July 17, 2010, in conjunction with the July Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings and Atlanta International Area Rug Markets.
