As 2010 comes to a close, you need to get a game plan for 2011.
To get started, grab your 2011 calender and make a note of all the gift-giving holidays. Most calendars come with the standard US holidays, so you may need to research some of the non-standard holidays like Friendship Day. A search on Bing, Yahoo or Google can help you find these holidays.
Why Are Non-standard Holidays Important For Gifts Sales?
As a shop owner, you need sales throughout the year, not just around Christmas or Valentine’s Day. Striving to be more than just a once or twice a year gift shop will increase sales and stabilize your bottom line.
So How Do You Become An Every Occasion Gift Store?
By marketing gifts that are appropriate for any local holidays or special occasions, such as home comings, festivals, school events or community affairs. Don’t forget the odd special occasion like National Oatmeal Month which occurs in January. As part of your marketing plan, use that commemorative month to promote your organic line of oatmeal cookies; or heavily promote your line of pet clothing during National Pet Month in May. Find any occasion that appeals to your customer base and works with your product mix, then market it.
Check Out The Trends For 2011
2011 trends need to be noted on your calender as well. Even if you want to use sticky notes, make sure you keep an eye on trends. You’ll need to know these as you place your orders with your vendors. Early indicators for 2011 trends point to nature. Designers are drawing from nature, and that means you’ll have customers looking for items with a natural or back to nature feel and vibe.
Where You’ll See Trends Come Alive
Home decor will be incorporating leather, various types of wood, felt and items that use plant fibers. Natural materials is not the only nature trend. Home accent color collections are looking at nature for their palette.
Color trends lean toward olive green hues with the complementary colors of all shades of brown and subtle rose tones. Along with these subtle natural colors, the dramatic color combination of grey and black with vibrant splashes of citrus colors will be very much in vogue next year.
Any decor that makes a home feel earthy, natural and eco-friendly is up for grabs in 2011. Think eco-chic not necessarily rustic when it comes to an earthy feeling.
Jewelry will take a cue from the dramatic home decor colors and natural elements. Grey and black, along with earthy heavy metals (silver, gold and copper) will be big in 2011.
Big chunky jewelry will be the often sought items. In 2011, you’ll also see retro jewelry styles. Look for Venetian glass beads in earrings, necklaces and bracelets.
If it looks old-world and/or made from nature, the customer will find it irresistible. The artisans touch will make a big play in 2011. Hand-crafted jewelry made from natural elements will spark the consumers eye.
Gourmet food will kick it up a notch with bold tastes, more flavor and less salt. Nuts, popcorn and other assorted snack food will be spiced up with flavor from herbs and spices.
Small luxuries of flavor, like chocolate truffles will be hot sellers. The comfort of breakfast foods, including specialty breads, pancake mixes with dried fruits and flavored syrups will not only tempt taste buds, but appeal to gifts givers every where.
Consumers still want luxury, but can’t always afford it. Specialty foods with strong flavors and sumptuous candies are affordable luxuries consumer are willing and feel the need to purchase.
What The Future Holds For Gift Shop Sales In 2011
As we leave 2010, we look forward to the great promises 2011 holds for us. Planning ahead for the trends, the holidays and special occasions will ensure a prosperous new year. From all of us at FGmarket, we hope you’ve enjoyed our newsletters and vendor spotlights. We look forward to helping you increase sales and cultivate long-time customers.
To help you find wholesale resources for 2011, below we have a sample of the wonderful products you can find at FGmarket. Have a happy and successful New Year!
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