This holiday season many of us are using far less credit, in some cases because we simply do not have as much credit extended to us, in other cases because we are using cash trying to eliminate debt. Credit card companies have lowered credit limits on many consumers, even those who have faithfully paid their bills on time over years! So, for some consumers they have far less "credit buying power" this holiday season. However, there are ways to protect and maximize that buying power if you so choose!
I have touched upon credit and credit cards in a few other tips, but this one is all about using credit safely this holiday season!
HOLIDAY SHOPPING TIP #22:
Use credit and/or debit cards safely this holiday season!
By "safely", I mean the following:
Carry as few cards as possible. If you wallet or purse is lost or stolen, you will have far less risk and far fewer cards to follow up on to close or cancel. I have a dear friend who worked so hard to pay down credit and yet for some reason she still carried those cards with her. Her purse was stolen, and she had a serious mess on her hands, months of battling with credit card companies and following up on fixing that damage. Just don't carry the cards with you, not only does it reduce the temptation to spend more, it keeps you safer.
Carry credit cards as closely to your body as possible. While shopping the other day, I noticed several customers who had left their purses in the shopping cart while they were looking elsewhere. Don't set yourself up, when an economy weakens, the criminal element arises.
Ensure that you keep your eye on your credit card at all times. Do not let an associate wander off with it, make sure that they process the credit card transaction immediately and right in front of you. I was recently shopping and an associate asked to take the item I was interested in and my credit card to give to another cashier. I politely told her that I would do that myself, and thanked her for her help. As a retail manager I was involved in countless internal investigations in which associates were able to get (and immediately USE) credit card numbers that they had gotten in seconds (often times they jot down the number, or they make a "carbon" copy by putting a piece of paper over it and rubbing with a pencil).
Be very careful with applying for the those "immediate" store credit cards. I myself am very leery of this, and in all of my years of retail management, I have never once done this myself. I know from an insider perspective how "sloppy" this process is, and would never expose my personal information in that manner. The applications often sit at registers, exposed to many associates (and even other customers) and I have been involved in way too many internal investigations linked to instant credit applications and identity fraud. Even if the retailer can offer you a completely paperless manner, in which you enter all personal information into a keypad or telephone, I would still not do it. While the immediate discount is very attractive, weigh it against the risks, the reason they are offering to extend credit to you (to get you to buy MORE!) and the interest rate you will pay if you do not pay that balance off immediately.
Set up online account management with your credit cards. During this time of the year, it is a great idea to log on daily and review your charges. If you see anything suspicious, you can react immediately and get resolution much more quickly.
I hope that these few credit safety tips help you to save money and your credit this holiday season!
Showing posts with label retailer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label retailer. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Shopping Tips for the 25 Days of Christmas: Tip #15
Retailers are savvy about the message that they send to their customers. They spend countless dollars on marketing and media consultants, in-house and outside advertising and marketing gurus and test with focus groups the kind of commercials and advertising they plan to use. I myself saw first hand how marketing campaigns are crafted while working for a national retailer, and it is truly an amazing process.
During the holidays, these campaigns are even more intense and there is an even stronger emotional and cultural component that is designed to resonate more deeply with the consumer. This is more than selling a toy or a bike, this is selling how that toy or bike fits into your family, your lifestyle and your dreams and desires of how the holidays "should" look and feel for your family. These campaigns even poke a bit at feelings of guilt (hurried working mom who feels that she should be spending more time with her kids) or inferiority (the next door neighbor has the Lexus sedan with a big red bow, why don't I have one?)! I won't even touch the intensity of the media campaigns focusing on kids and the "want" vs. "need" factor for toys and gadgets!
This leads to an easy, no-nonsense holiday tip:
HOLIDAY SHOPPING TIP #15:
Turn off the TV during the holiday season, or dramatically limit viewing time!
These commercials are skillfully designed to provoke a very simple, visceral and emotional response. Of course, so many of us truly want the holidays to be special, and it is easy to process the media messages from retailers and their marketing messages to help us define that "special". However, with so many of us cutting back this holiday season, we are better off turning away from the TV and turning to one another to craft that "special" message ourselves. With a tighter budget it will be all the more important to turn inward to focus on how we are going to define the holidays for our family, how we are going to help our kids decide what is "need" and what is "want" and how we are going to celebrate what is most important: enjoying the holidays with friends and family.
During the holidays, these campaigns are even more intense and there is an even stronger emotional and cultural component that is designed to resonate more deeply with the consumer. This is more than selling a toy or a bike, this is selling how that toy or bike fits into your family, your lifestyle and your dreams and desires of how the holidays "should" look and feel for your family. These campaigns even poke a bit at feelings of guilt (hurried working mom who feels that she should be spending more time with her kids) or inferiority (the next door neighbor has the Lexus sedan with a big red bow, why don't I have one?)! I won't even touch the intensity of the media campaigns focusing on kids and the "want" vs. "need" factor for toys and gadgets!
This leads to an easy, no-nonsense holiday tip:
HOLIDAY SHOPPING TIP #15:
Turn off the TV during the holiday season, or dramatically limit viewing time!
These commercials are skillfully designed to provoke a very simple, visceral and emotional response. Of course, so many of us truly want the holidays to be special, and it is easy to process the media messages from retailers and their marketing messages to help us define that "special". However, with so many of us cutting back this holiday season, we are better off turning away from the TV and turning to one another to craft that "special" message ourselves. With a tighter budget it will be all the more important to turn inward to focus on how we are going to define the holidays for our family, how we are going to help our kids decide what is "need" and what is "want" and how we are going to celebrate what is most important: enjoying the holidays with friends and family.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Is Cyber Monday going to be replaced by Mobile Tuesday?
As an insider in the retail industry, I know that it is all about driving traffic and sales. This past "Black Friday" retailers offered more promotions than ever, and deep discounts to lure consumers to spend an estimated 7% more this year than last year. Now, that is not really referencing the point that many consumers held on to their money in September and October to take advantage of the promotional pricing...not to mention the how profit margins will shake out for the retailer!
Cyber Monday started out as a huge online shopping day when everyone returned to work from their long Thanksgiving weekend holiday and used their employer's internet access to shop (instead of working!!!). Cyber Monday has been used as a marketing tool by many retailers large and small to draw internet sales with special online prices and promotions. Even artisans on sites such as Etsy offer fantastic Cyber Monday specials.
It will be interesting to see how this Cyber Monday performs. For one thing, we know that November was a tough month for online commerce. Online sales actually declined for the first time for November. That is a troubling sign for retailers, especially retailers who exclusively sell online without "brick and mortar" destinations for shoppers.
(Image from www.mopocket.com)
Now, we also have "MOBILE TUESDAY". This is a newly launched promotion for retailers to take advantage of shoppers using their cell phones to buy online! One leading retailer to take advantage of this trend is The Gap. They offer a really cool iPhone app in which shoppers can put together outfits and save those items to create a gift list. They can then direct friends and family to purchase those items...all from their cell phone!
To Recap:
Black Friday...a good thing this year for price-sensitive consumers, we will see how it truly shakes out for retailers and their profit margins.
Cyber Monday...may be a disappointment if people are spreading their online shopping out over time and not one particular day. I believe this year people will use the internet more than ever for searching, and for price comparison. The retailers with the best online prices will see the best results for Cyber Monday...but there is still the profit margin aspect to those sales and volume.
Mobile Tuesday...I am going to get behind this one myself. I find it really exciting to use my cell phone technology to its true potential and will see what retailers are luring me to spend my money via cell phone shopping! This is my favorite shopping event: I don't need to fight the crowds, I don't need my employer's internet access...I can shop by phone anywhere, any time!
Cyber Monday started out as a huge online shopping day when everyone returned to work from their long Thanksgiving weekend holiday and used their employer's internet access to shop (instead of working!!!). Cyber Monday has been used as a marketing tool by many retailers large and small to draw internet sales with special online prices and promotions. Even artisans on sites such as Etsy offer fantastic Cyber Monday specials.
It will be interesting to see how this Cyber Monday performs. For one thing, we know that November was a tough month for online commerce. Online sales actually declined for the first time for November. That is a troubling sign for retailers, especially retailers who exclusively sell online without "brick and mortar" destinations for shoppers.
(Image from www.mopocket.com)
Now, we also have "MOBILE TUESDAY". This is a newly launched promotion for retailers to take advantage of shoppers using their cell phones to buy online! One leading retailer to take advantage of this trend is The Gap. They offer a really cool iPhone app in which shoppers can put together outfits and save those items to create a gift list. They can then direct friends and family to purchase those items...all from their cell phone!
To Recap:
Black Friday...a good thing this year for price-sensitive consumers, we will see how it truly shakes out for retailers and their profit margins.
Cyber Monday...may be a disappointment if people are spreading their online shopping out over time and not one particular day. I believe this year people will use the internet more than ever for searching, and for price comparison. The retailers with the best online prices will see the best results for Cyber Monday...but there is still the profit margin aspect to those sales and volume.
Mobile Tuesday...I am going to get behind this one myself. I find it really exciting to use my cell phone technology to its true potential and will see what retailers are luring me to spend my money via cell phone shopping! This is my favorite shopping event: I don't need to fight the crowds, I don't need my employer's internet access...I can shop by phone anywhere, any time!
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
25 Holiday Shopping Tips for the 25 Days of Christmas: Tip #4
After over 15 years of retail management, I definitely understand how to leverage resources to get the best deal possible. As a buyer, I would hunt down the best prices, special quantities buys, closeouts...whatever it took to get the best quality at the best value. As a consumer, you have the same power to leverage retailers to get the best prices and best deals. Retailers are competing for your dollar, make them work for it!
HOLIDAY SHOPPING TIP #4:
Leverage your buying power this holiday season. Look for retailers and grocery stores to compete for your dollar by offering you special bonuses for committing your discretionary income to their store.
A perfect example is what the Ralph's (Kroger) grocery chain is offering to their customers for the holiday season. If you purchase gift cards at a Ralph's store with your "Ralph's Rewards" card, they will TRIPLE your bonus points earned on your card.
So what are "bonus points"? At Ralph's, you earn bonus points with each dollar that you spend that accumulate each quarter, and at the end of that quarter you are issued a voucher that you can apply toward a future shopping trip. (Some categories do not apply, like alcohol, tobacco, etc.) You earn $5.00 toward your voucher with the first 500 points you earn, then a $1.00 for each additional 100points. My voucher from last quarter was $27.00. So, Ralph's basically gave me $27.00 for shopping with them. Okay, I will take it!
So, with this scenario, if I were to buy, say $300 in gift cards, I would earn 900 points, another 9.00 applied on my next voucher. So, for doing nothing more than buying the same gift cards I would have purchased from Target, iTunes, Best Buy, American Express, Visa, Barnes & Noble (and on and on...I was amazed by their wonderful selection!) I am basically given $9.00 for that purchase! And, probably saved that much in gas not running around town to get all of the cards from all of the different stores!
This is the kind of leveraging that helps you save money, and even EARN money, this holiday season. All kinds of retailers offer reward programs, find out what they are and leverage them if they make sense. I am a "Beauty Insider" with Sephora and earn points for the shopping I do with Sephora. I was able to get several stocking stuffers, and a gift set worth $150.00 for FREE, yes FREE by using my "Beauty Insider" points for the holidays!
Insider Tip: Leverage your buying trips to truly leverage the retailer's offer. Case in point: While at my neighborhood Ralph's store, a customer bought $2000.00 in gift cards for her company's holiday party. She was joking about how excited her boss was that she offered to do this for him...little did he know that she was not only on the clock to do this shopping trip for him, but she also earned another $60.00 (6000 bonus points!) to apply toward a future shopping trip! Leverage your purchasing power, and you will truly leverage your rewards!
p.s. Leverage the buying power of this amazing offer from Bliss!
Free Shipping + Free Our Two Scents Set (a $24 value) with $50 Bliss purchase! Offer valid through 12.01.08.
HOLIDAY SHOPPING TIP #4:
Leverage your buying power this holiday season. Look for retailers and grocery stores to compete for your dollar by offering you special bonuses for committing your discretionary income to their store.
A perfect example is what the Ralph's (Kroger) grocery chain is offering to their customers for the holiday season. If you purchase gift cards at a Ralph's store with your "Ralph's Rewards" card, they will TRIPLE your bonus points earned on your card.
So what are "bonus points"? At Ralph's, you earn bonus points with each dollar that you spend that accumulate each quarter, and at the end of that quarter you are issued a voucher that you can apply toward a future shopping trip. (Some categories do not apply, like alcohol, tobacco, etc.) You earn $5.00 toward your voucher with the first 500 points you earn, then a $1.00 for each additional 100points. My voucher from last quarter was $27.00. So, Ralph's basically gave me $27.00 for shopping with them. Okay, I will take it!
So, with this scenario, if I were to buy, say $300 in gift cards, I would earn 900 points, another 9.00 applied on my next voucher. So, for doing nothing more than buying the same gift cards I would have purchased from Target, iTunes, Best Buy, American Express, Visa, Barnes & Noble (and on and on...I was amazed by their wonderful selection!) I am basically given $9.00 for that purchase! And, probably saved that much in gas not running around town to get all of the cards from all of the different stores!
This is the kind of leveraging that helps you save money, and even EARN money, this holiday season. All kinds of retailers offer reward programs, find out what they are and leverage them if they make sense. I am a "Beauty Insider" with Sephora and earn points for the shopping I do with Sephora. I was able to get several stocking stuffers, and a gift set worth $150.00 for FREE, yes FREE by using my "Beauty Insider" points for the holidays!
Insider Tip: Leverage your buying trips to truly leverage the retailer's offer. Case in point: While at my neighborhood Ralph's store, a customer bought $2000.00 in gift cards for her company's holiday party. She was joking about how excited her boss was that she offered to do this for him...little did he know that she was not only on the clock to do this shopping trip for him, but she also earned another $60.00 (6000 bonus points!) to apply toward a future shopping trip! Leverage your purchasing power, and you will truly leverage your rewards!
p.s. Leverage the buying power of this amazing offer from Bliss!
Free Shipping + Free Our Two Scents Set (a $24 value) with $50 Bliss purchase! Offer valid through 12.01.08.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
25 Holiday Shopping Tips for the 25 Days of Christmas: Tip #3
After over 15 years of retail management, I understand how important getting the right price can be to the customer. I know from my own experience how frustrating it can be to buy something, only to find that a few short days later it is cheaper! Consumers want to feel like they got the best price possible, and with so many of us on much tighter holiday budgets it is more important than ever. And truly, most retailers will work really hard to make sure that you get the right price, and that you are satisfied with your purchase.
This tip is even more important in the current retail environment. With a tightening economy, many retailers are becoming more and more promotional, and will be driving sales fast and furious. So, you will have to be quick and savvy shopper to keep up!
HOLIDAY SHOPPING TIP #3:
Keep an eye on the ads and offers from retailers. If you have already started your holiday shopping, you may qualify for a price adjustment if the price has dropped since you purchased that item (or items!). Keep your receipts handy, and you may find yourself saving a few extra bucks this holiday season!
Most major retailers have a price adjustment policy, for example, Target gives you 14days to price adjust with your receipt. The only exception is clearance. Make sure you know the price adjustment policy of the retailers you frequent this holiday season. I have already saved $10.00 in price adjusting THIS WEEK. I cannot stress enough how quickly prices are going to adjust to this economy, and I want to see you benefit from those price adjustments!
I keep my receipts from about a 15 day - 30 day time period in an envelope in my purse. That way, if I see prices that have changed, I am able to get the adjustment immediately, while I am already in the store. I also watch the ads and circulars closely and check to make sure that my previous purchases have not dropped in price any further.
Even your online purchases should qualify, so again, be informed before you buy! The easiest way to protect yourself with online purchases is to either bookmark that page or mark it as a "favorite". That way you can check back to see if the price has changed. You can also create "Google Alerts" that would let you know anytime that item has been featured in a news article, blog, website, etc. Now, of course, this is a lot of work for a handful of stocking stuffers! However, I would recommend you take the couple of extra seconds, or even minutes, for your online big ticket purchases.
Speaking of online, sometimes retailers have online prices that are different then their prices instore. This is usually a tricky one and many retailers will not adjust prices when it comes to a price on their website vs. a price in their store. If you purchased the item online and it is less expensive in the store, most likely they will direct you back to the website to contact the customer service division. This is where I love retailers with live chat!
If you purchased the item instore, and see it less expensive on their website, you may have the option of asking the store for the price adjustment. I would screen print the item and price and have that as backup. Often, when customers are clearly informed, professional and polite, managers will be flexible and want to help.
Insider Tip: I also urge you to be a savvy consumer and ask store management if they will adjust prices for you if you are outside of their price adjustment window. I know people who start their holiday shopping early, and while prices are dropping now, they should still have some measure of price protection. From my experience in store management, it was the extremely rare exception that we did not price adjust to make a customer happy. If you bought that XBox a year or so ago and it is less expensive now, that would most likely not qualify, not even with the most liberal of store policies. But, if you bought that hot game in October that everyone said would disappear before the holidays, well...you probably have a great case for a store manager who needs to work a bit harder this holiday season to keep your business!
P.S. Give the gift of beauty from Benefit this holiday season! Their prices are fantastic, and Benefit is offering amazing holiday offers! Click the picture below for more information or to start shopping:
Unlock Benefit’s holiday treasure chest to reveal a secret beauty treat! Gorgeous gifts, shipping offers, or insider tips…each day there is something new!
This tip is even more important in the current retail environment. With a tightening economy, many retailers are becoming more and more promotional, and will be driving sales fast and furious. So, you will have to be quick and savvy shopper to keep up!
HOLIDAY SHOPPING TIP #3:
Keep an eye on the ads and offers from retailers. If you have already started your holiday shopping, you may qualify for a price adjustment if the price has dropped since you purchased that item (or items!). Keep your receipts handy, and you may find yourself saving a few extra bucks this holiday season!
Most major retailers have a price adjustment policy, for example, Target gives you 14days to price adjust with your receipt. The only exception is clearance. Make sure you know the price adjustment policy of the retailers you frequent this holiday season. I have already saved $10.00 in price adjusting THIS WEEK. I cannot stress enough how quickly prices are going to adjust to this economy, and I want to see you benefit from those price adjustments!
I keep my receipts from about a 15 day - 30 day time period in an envelope in my purse. That way, if I see prices that have changed, I am able to get the adjustment immediately, while I am already in the store. I also watch the ads and circulars closely and check to make sure that my previous purchases have not dropped in price any further.
Even your online purchases should qualify, so again, be informed before you buy! The easiest way to protect yourself with online purchases is to either bookmark that page or mark it as a "favorite". That way you can check back to see if the price has changed. You can also create "Google Alerts" that would let you know anytime that item has been featured in a news article, blog, website, etc. Now, of course, this is a lot of work for a handful of stocking stuffers! However, I would recommend you take the couple of extra seconds, or even minutes, for your online big ticket purchases.
Speaking of online, sometimes retailers have online prices that are different then their prices instore. This is usually a tricky one and many retailers will not adjust prices when it comes to a price on their website vs. a price in their store. If you purchased the item online and it is less expensive in the store, most likely they will direct you back to the website to contact the customer service division. This is where I love retailers with live chat!
If you purchased the item instore, and see it less expensive on their website, you may have the option of asking the store for the price adjustment. I would screen print the item and price and have that as backup. Often, when customers are clearly informed, professional and polite, managers will be flexible and want to help.
Insider Tip: I also urge you to be a savvy consumer and ask store management if they will adjust prices for you if you are outside of their price adjustment window. I know people who start their holiday shopping early, and while prices are dropping now, they should still have some measure of price protection. From my experience in store management, it was the extremely rare exception that we did not price adjust to make a customer happy. If you bought that XBox a year or so ago and it is less expensive now, that would most likely not qualify, not even with the most liberal of store policies. But, if you bought that hot game in October that everyone said would disappear before the holidays, well...you probably have a great case for a store manager who needs to work a bit harder this holiday season to keep your business!
P.S. Give the gift of beauty from Benefit this holiday season! Their prices are fantastic, and Benefit is offering amazing holiday offers! Click the picture below for more information or to start shopping:
Unlock Benefit’s holiday treasure chest to reveal a secret beauty treat! Gorgeous gifts, shipping offers, or insider tips…each day there is something new!
Monday, November 24, 2008
Holiday Shopping Tips for the 25 Days of Christmas!
After over 15 years of retail management, I know how retailers lure in shoppers and entice them to spend far more than they may have budgeted. How many times did you get to your car or your home and start looking at the bags and the arm long receipts and wonder why you ended up buying too much? We have all been there, and I hope these holiday shopping tips with save you both time AND money! Bookmark or follow my blog for the next 24 tips in the days to come!
HOLIDAY SHOPPING TIP #2:
Bring in ads and store circulars to shop for specific items.
This comes on the heels of tip #1 (Make a list, check it twice) for a very specific reason: to help you buy the right items at the right prices.
Often, retailers offer a specific item, say a particular mp3 player at a killer price point. These "door busters" (or whatever that retailer calls them) are a special buy for holiday shoppers. It is a specific item that the buyers negotiated with the manufacturer, and it is often slightly different than the other mp3 offerings that store may have. It may be that it only comes in black, that it has slightly less file storage than another, maybe slightly lower quality earplugs. You get the picture.
So, when you go to the store, you grab the first mp3 player that you find, assuming that it is that killer item from your ad. You have a basketful of items, and you may or may not even notice in the rush, and the lines, and the crowds that the mp3 player you thought was that amazing price that is in your budget is actually the other mp3 player that is twice as much!
Bring the ad, bring the store circular. Take the time to make sure that what you are purchasing is what is in the ad. Often, the small print has the model number to match to the item you are buying.
Extra tip: As these items are often special purchases, with limited quantities, you may find that the items are already out of stock. I hate to share trade secrets, but I have been in situations where only 6 of an item arrived...and 100 people lined up outside for those six items. Retailers will not offer rainchecks, as the quantity is limited. I would urge you to find a manager, first asking for the store manager, to see if they can work with you on offering a great price on a similar item. Most of the time they will...they want to save the sale, they want to drive the volume, and, if they are truly worth their name badge, they want to make YOU happy! Ask, and ye shall receive!
p.s. Here is an amazing gift to give, and you don't have to worry about any "fine print"! Give the gift of beauty from Benefit Cosmetics! They have amazing gifts for women of all ages, and their products consistenly win rave reviews from makeup artists and makeup industry insiders! With the amazing savings these links offer you, you can afford to treat yourself, too!
Click on image for more information or to purchase! Whether you’re sending gorgeous gifts to loved ones or to yourself, for one week only get FREE US Standard Shipping on any $25 purchase. Enter promo code MYGIFT25 at checkout. Offer valid 11.18.08 thru 11.25.08. Not valid with other offers.
HOLIDAY SHOPPING TIP #2:
Bring in ads and store circulars to shop for specific items.
This comes on the heels of tip #1 (Make a list, check it twice) for a very specific reason: to help you buy the right items at the right prices.
Often, retailers offer a specific item, say a particular mp3 player at a killer price point. These "door busters" (or whatever that retailer calls them) are a special buy for holiday shoppers. It is a specific item that the buyers negotiated with the manufacturer, and it is often slightly different than the other mp3 offerings that store may have. It may be that it only comes in black, that it has slightly less file storage than another, maybe slightly lower quality earplugs. You get the picture.
So, when you go to the store, you grab the first mp3 player that you find, assuming that it is that killer item from your ad. You have a basketful of items, and you may or may not even notice in the rush, and the lines, and the crowds that the mp3 player you thought was that amazing price that is in your budget is actually the other mp3 player that is twice as much!
Bring the ad, bring the store circular. Take the time to make sure that what you are purchasing is what is in the ad. Often, the small print has the model number to match to the item you are buying.
Extra tip: As these items are often special purchases, with limited quantities, you may find that the items are already out of stock. I hate to share trade secrets, but I have been in situations where only 6 of an item arrived...and 100 people lined up outside for those six items. Retailers will not offer rainchecks, as the quantity is limited. I would urge you to find a manager, first asking for the store manager, to see if they can work with you on offering a great price on a similar item. Most of the time they will...they want to save the sale, they want to drive the volume, and, if they are truly worth their name badge, they want to make YOU happy! Ask, and ye shall receive!
p.s. Here is an amazing gift to give, and you don't have to worry about any "fine print"! Give the gift of beauty from Benefit Cosmetics! They have amazing gifts for women of all ages, and their products consistenly win rave reviews from makeup artists and makeup industry insiders! With the amazing savings these links offer you, you can afford to treat yourself, too!
Click on image for more information or to purchase! Whether you’re sending gorgeous gifts to loved ones or to yourself, for one week only get FREE US Standard Shipping on any $25 purchase. Enter promo code MYGIFT25 at checkout. Offer valid 11.18.08 thru 11.25.08. Not valid with other offers.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
25 Holiday Shopping Tips for the 25 Days of Christmas!
Quite honestly, I am not much of a holiday shopper. After over 15 years of retail management, I really got pretty burnt out on the retail and commercialized part of the holidays. That is one of the main reasons why I dedicated so much of myself to spend time with family and friends over the holidays. Time was one gift I could give others that was truly one of the most precious gift of all!
With my years of retail experience, I have tons of tips to give shoppers to help them navigate the retail waters, both in-store and online. With so many of us on tighter budgets this holiday season, I hope these tips with save you both time AND money! Bookmark or follow my blog for the next 24 tips in the days to come!
HOLIDAY SHOPPING TIP #1:
Make a list and check it twice.
I cannot stress this enough. I myself fall prey to the retail frenzy, especially with the online shopping that I enjoy! However, this year all of my loved ones are on strict orders from me (wow, I know, sounds like all kinds of holiday fun!): Make a list, I will only buy what is on your list!
A list keeps you focused, a list keeps you from buying things you think they want vs. what they truly want, and a list keeps you on your budget. With a list, you tally up prices and meet your budget.
I figure if it is good for Santa, it is good for me!
p.s. Here is a great item to put your on holiday lists, or even buy for yourself as a great treat for some relaxation during the crazy, busy holiday season! Santa approved!
Click on image for more information or to purchase! Free standard shipping and a free 1 oz. high intensity hand cream on all purchases of $75 or more at blissworld.com. Enter code 108916 at checkout to redeem.
With my years of retail experience, I have tons of tips to give shoppers to help them navigate the retail waters, both in-store and online. With so many of us on tighter budgets this holiday season, I hope these tips with save you both time AND money! Bookmark or follow my blog for the next 24 tips in the days to come!
HOLIDAY SHOPPING TIP #1:
Make a list and check it twice.
I cannot stress this enough. I myself fall prey to the retail frenzy, especially with the online shopping that I enjoy! However, this year all of my loved ones are on strict orders from me (wow, I know, sounds like all kinds of holiday fun!): Make a list, I will only buy what is on your list!
A list keeps you focused, a list keeps you from buying things you think they want vs. what they truly want, and a list keeps you on your budget. With a list, you tally up prices and meet your budget.
I figure if it is good for Santa, it is good for me!
p.s. Here is a great item to put your on holiday lists, or even buy for yourself as a great treat for some relaxation during the crazy, busy holiday season! Santa approved!
Click on image for more information or to purchase! Free standard shipping and a free 1 oz. high intensity hand cream on all purchases of $75 or more at blissworld.com. Enter code 108916 at checkout to redeem.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Customer Rewards Program, Ralph's Gets It!
I know that for many of us in the retail world, Customer Rewards programs are really pretty much old news. For years, retailers of all sorts have had a variety of ways to address their top shoppers via loyalty cards, coupons and special savings for credit cards holders, and other methods. Even small boutiques get in on the customer rewards by tracking customers via software programs, creating email opt-in lists, etc.
I have to share a recent personal experience with one of the best customer reward programs I have ever been involved in, however. I have a Ralph's (Krogers, NYSE:KR)Rewards Card. A few months ago, they relaunched their card to include a new reward system of Bonus Points. In the past, depending upon a certain spending level, I could get coupons that printed with my receipt to save .03, .05 or .10 cents on each gallon of gasoline purchased when I visited the Ralph's gas station. I would often not run out on small grocery runs and instead wait until I knew I had a larger enough transaction to get the larger savings on my fuel purchases! I occastionally got coupons from them as well, but often they were throw-aways, they just did not seem to be coupons that I needed, brands I was not loyal to, or random products that I simply would never want to purchase.
With the new rewards program, I now also earn points each quarter that go toward a savings voucher. I earn $5 for the first 500 points, then another $1 for each additional 100 points. Recently, for the last quarter, I received a $24 voucher! And, all along, they have maintained the fuel program as well, and I can simply scan my rewards card at the pump to get my savings instead of having to clip any coupons. So awesome!
I recently spent that $24 voucher, and I felt like a total rock star! People in line behind me asked me about the voucher, asked the cashier about the voucher, one customer even signed up for a card as they were finishing up my transaction! Overall, I actually saved over $87 total on the shopping trip because of another stroke of Ralph's reward card genius: targeted product coupons.
Ralph's had also sent along with the voucher a set of targeted product coupons for products that they have clearly tracked on my rewards card as items I frequently purchase. I know that they are specific to my card as my fiance received a set of coupons linked to his account, and they were completely different, and grouped to his frequent purchases.
Ralph's is truly all about helping their customers save money during a recessionary period, and capturing a variety of purchases, both driving volume and margin: in-store, pharmacy and from their gas stations. You can even to go Ralph's and set up an account on their website to create shopping lists, link to other sites that offer coupons, and even link up your lists to available coupons! I also linked my card to my son's elementary school, a tie-in that Target has been doing for years with their guests.
Customer Reward Programs like what Ralph's is creating for their customers is truly remarkable. I have changed my grocery shopping habits in only a matter of a few weeks to focus my shopping on a grocery store that has the brands I like, great prices, a great rewards program and one that makes me feel like more than just a "number" or a random customer...with the purchase specific coupons, it makes me feel like they know what I like and are helping me save money in a way that makes me feel special.
If you want customers like ME to change THEIR shopping habits in a matter of weeks, make them feel special. Gear your savings and rewards programs in ways that are specific, unique, and grab your customer's attention. The more you make your customer feel that you are connecting to them, their needs, their desires, the more likely they are to reward YOU with their discretionary spending!
I have to share a recent personal experience with one of the best customer reward programs I have ever been involved in, however. I have a Ralph's (Krogers, NYSE:KR)Rewards Card. A few months ago, they relaunched their card to include a new reward system of Bonus Points. In the past, depending upon a certain spending level, I could get coupons that printed with my receipt to save .03, .05 or .10 cents on each gallon of gasoline purchased when I visited the Ralph's gas station. I would often not run out on small grocery runs and instead wait until I knew I had a larger enough transaction to get the larger savings on my fuel purchases! I occastionally got coupons from them as well, but often they were throw-aways, they just did not seem to be coupons that I needed, brands I was not loyal to, or random products that I simply would never want to purchase.
With the new rewards program, I now also earn points each quarter that go toward a savings voucher. I earn $5 for the first 500 points, then another $1 for each additional 100 points. Recently, for the last quarter, I received a $24 voucher! And, all along, they have maintained the fuel program as well, and I can simply scan my rewards card at the pump to get my savings instead of having to clip any coupons. So awesome!
I recently spent that $24 voucher, and I felt like a total rock star! People in line behind me asked me about the voucher, asked the cashier about the voucher, one customer even signed up for a card as they were finishing up my transaction! Overall, I actually saved over $87 total on the shopping trip because of another stroke of Ralph's reward card genius: targeted product coupons.
Ralph's had also sent along with the voucher a set of targeted product coupons for products that they have clearly tracked on my rewards card as items I frequently purchase. I know that they are specific to my card as my fiance received a set of coupons linked to his account, and they were completely different, and grouped to his frequent purchases.
Ralph's is truly all about helping their customers save money during a recessionary period, and capturing a variety of purchases, both driving volume and margin: in-store, pharmacy and from their gas stations. You can even to go Ralph's and set up an account on their website to create shopping lists, link to other sites that offer coupons, and even link up your lists to available coupons! I also linked my card to my son's elementary school, a tie-in that Target has been doing for years with their guests.
Customer Reward Programs like what Ralph's is creating for their customers is truly remarkable. I have changed my grocery shopping habits in only a matter of a few weeks to focus my shopping on a grocery store that has the brands I like, great prices, a great rewards program and one that makes me feel like more than just a "number" or a random customer...with the purchase specific coupons, it makes me feel like they know what I like and are helping me save money in a way that makes me feel special.
If you want customers like ME to change THEIR shopping habits in a matter of weeks, make them feel special. Gear your savings and rewards programs in ways that are specific, unique, and grab your customer's attention. The more you make your customer feel that you are connecting to them, their needs, their desires, the more likely they are to reward YOU with their discretionary spending!
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Why Training is key to Retail Success
I have been in retail management for over 15 years, in both strong economies and recessionary economies. When times are good, it is easy to get teams on cruise control and be complacent about sales and profits. However, when economic times get tough, too many managers struggle with sales, margins, retention and more.
Training in tough times is as important, if not more important, than training your team during the flush times. If you did not invest in training when you had more labor, more associates and more time to manage the training, you must instill the disciplines now to train your team for success during this upcoming recessionary economy.
Train your team to be a mean, lean team of salespeople, even if that is not your current culture. Access your team's ability to upsell, to understand the product that surrounds them on the salesfloor, and to ensure that they understand the benefits of any protection/insurance type plans that you have to help the consumer protect their purchases. A recent example: I bought my son a rather expensive bike on behalf of my parents for his birthday. One of the first things that the associate told me was, "You may want to look at a protection plan. This is a large investment, and I would hate to see you spend a lot of money on any potential repairs or tune-ups." She went on to tell me with a protection plan, I would get many repairs covered at no additional charge, and one free tune-up. Okay, where do I sign? She personalized it, "I would hate to see you spend too much money". She said it genuinely, and I totally connected to her sales message. Would your associates know how to do that?
She did, as she is a well-trained associate. She sold me a protection plan by letting me know that I can spend one set amount now, or pay many painfully large amounts as my son rides his bike and the bike ensures the (ab)normal wear and tear of a nine-year-old boy! This suggestive selling is key to upgrading a customer into a different price and definitely a much more attractive margin level. Suggestive selling shows the customer that you are thinking of them, their investment, how to maintain their investment and their long-term content and happiness with the product that they are buying from you.
Train your team to be productive in several functions throughout the store, throughout the business. Often, we have associates that do one thing extremely well, we have them do that for us all of the time, and when they call in sick...well, how does that now get done? My challenge to my team has always been, "If they can do that function extremely well, let's find out what else they can do even better!". Cross-training will be key as labor budgets shrink and you are tasked to do more with less. Cross-trained teams are often the happiness teams, associates get the hours that they want, they feel productive and content with their work, and managers are more successful in managing the multitude of tasks they are challenged with every day.
Train your team to remember that the customer is king (or queen!). I cannot stress this enough. Every day, there should be a huddle or two of your opening, mid and closing associates to remind them of one single thought: "The customer signs your paycheck". You and your management team need to show the way by greeting customers, asking if they need any assistance, engaging your customers in dialogue. Train your team to LISTEN to your customers, empower them to REACT to that feedback. If a customer sees you connect to their concern and fix it, that customer will come back. If a customer does not even get greeted, they will take their precious dollars to your competition. It is that simple. I will drive a ridiculous distance to go to a retailer or service provider that listens to me.
FUN TIP: I used to walk the salesfloor with a tablet of the tiny smiley face stickers that you can get at Staples, or any other office store. I would give my associate a small sticker for every time I saw them greeting a customer, talking to a customer, taking them to what they are looking for. I would ask them to post their stickers on a huge poster board that had every associate's name on it in the breakroom. The associate that had the most stickers by the end of the week would get special kudos in team meetings. The associate with the most by the end of the month would get lunch with me, or they could be Store Manager for a day, the weekend off of their choice, or I would have them as my "VIP" associate that would walk with me when my District Manager visited. Rewards do not need to be splashy or expensive. The greatest reward your team truly desires (besides their paycheck, of course!): your validation of their hard work, your satisfaction with their job well done, your acknowledgement of how they have fulfilled the expectations you put forth.
Now, go train your team! If you still think that you cannot afford the time or energy to train them, you will really not be able to afford how your business suffers when your competition DOES effectively train THEIR teams!
Training in tough times is as important, if not more important, than training your team during the flush times. If you did not invest in training when you had more labor, more associates and more time to manage the training, you must instill the disciplines now to train your team for success during this upcoming recessionary economy.
Train your team to be a mean, lean team of salespeople, even if that is not your current culture. Access your team's ability to upsell, to understand the product that surrounds them on the salesfloor, and to ensure that they understand the benefits of any protection/insurance type plans that you have to help the consumer protect their purchases. A recent example: I bought my son a rather expensive bike on behalf of my parents for his birthday. One of the first things that the associate told me was, "You may want to look at a protection plan. This is a large investment, and I would hate to see you spend a lot of money on any potential repairs or tune-ups." She went on to tell me with a protection plan, I would get many repairs covered at no additional charge, and one free tune-up. Okay, where do I sign? She personalized it, "I would hate to see you spend too much money". She said it genuinely, and I totally connected to her sales message. Would your associates know how to do that?
She did, as she is a well-trained associate. She sold me a protection plan by letting me know that I can spend one set amount now, or pay many painfully large amounts as my son rides his bike and the bike ensures the (ab)normal wear and tear of a nine-year-old boy! This suggestive selling is key to upgrading a customer into a different price and definitely a much more attractive margin level. Suggestive selling shows the customer that you are thinking of them, their investment, how to maintain their investment and their long-term content and happiness with the product that they are buying from you.
Train your team to be productive in several functions throughout the store, throughout the business. Often, we have associates that do one thing extremely well, we have them do that for us all of the time, and when they call in sick...well, how does that now get done? My challenge to my team has always been, "If they can do that function extremely well, let's find out what else they can do even better!". Cross-training will be key as labor budgets shrink and you are tasked to do more with less. Cross-trained teams are often the happiness teams, associates get the hours that they want, they feel productive and content with their work, and managers are more successful in managing the multitude of tasks they are challenged with every day.
Train your team to remember that the customer is king (or queen!). I cannot stress this enough. Every day, there should be a huddle or two of your opening, mid and closing associates to remind them of one single thought: "The customer signs your paycheck". You and your management team need to show the way by greeting customers, asking if they need any assistance, engaging your customers in dialogue. Train your team to LISTEN to your customers, empower them to REACT to that feedback. If a customer sees you connect to their concern and fix it, that customer will come back. If a customer does not even get greeted, they will take their precious dollars to your competition. It is that simple. I will drive a ridiculous distance to go to a retailer or service provider that listens to me.
FUN TIP: I used to walk the salesfloor with a tablet of the tiny smiley face stickers that you can get at Staples, or any other office store. I would give my associate a small sticker for every time I saw them greeting a customer, talking to a customer, taking them to what they are looking for. I would ask them to post their stickers on a huge poster board that had every associate's name on it in the breakroom. The associate that had the most stickers by the end of the week would get special kudos in team meetings. The associate with the most by the end of the month would get lunch with me, or they could be Store Manager for a day, the weekend off of their choice, or I would have them as my "VIP" associate that would walk with me when my District Manager visited. Rewards do not need to be splashy or expensive. The greatest reward your team truly desires (besides their paycheck, of course!): your validation of their hard work, your satisfaction with their job well done, your acknowledgement of how they have fulfilled the expectations you put forth.
Now, go train your team! If you still think that you cannot afford the time or energy to train them, you will really not be able to afford how your business suffers when your competition DOES effectively train THEIR teams!
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