Shopping Tips for the 25 Days of Christmas: Tip #14

From an earlier post, I described how I truly love how technology truly allows retailers to maximize customer service and drive sales. When I first started in retail, I remember how excited we were to get an corporate-wide email/intranet system. In fact, for about a month or so I went from store to store in our district, and beyond, to help train the store staff on how to use the intranet system.

What a different a few years (okay, about 17 or so!) makes! Technology leads us to the next couple of retai insider tips!

HOLIDAY SHOPPING TIP #14:

Sign up for retailers' text/cell phone updates.

I have received text messages from a handful of retailers that have alerted me to products (finally) instock (a hot Wii game!) to a "text only" coupon to save 25% over a two day window. Not bad. I did get the Wii game, did not use the coupon (it was instore only, I have no desire to deal with the mall right now!!!). Remember, text messaging charges may apply, so know your carrier's text message charges and policies.

I am also sure that many of you have heard of other functions and applications, such as the Amazon application for iPhone users called "Amazon Remembers". This is pretty cool. You can take a picture of an item, upload it to Amazon and within minutes (althought anecdotally I have been told that it can take a day or even two, but that has not been my experience) you can have an Amazon match of that same item with what is typically a better price! I love to price shop, as you can see in previous shopping tips, so if you have an iPhone, this is a very slick way of trying to get the best price possible (especially when Amazon ships that item for free!).

One cautionary note: I also have been told that there are some retailers that will ask you to not take pictures in their store. I can tell you from my past retail experience that indeed we did ask customers to not take pictures in our store. Mostly to protect people, however, not our sales! So click with caution!

p.s. Here is a killer site for finding amazing prices on highend designer items for holiday gift giving (and free shipping!!!):

Shopping Tips for the 25 Days of Christmas: Tip #11

As a retail management veteran, I have seen the emergence and importance of consumer credit in the retail industry. One retailer I worked for focused on credit cards as a profit center, after all, when a retailer owns the debt, they also profit from the interest that you pay on revolving that debt! Another retailer focused on credit as a way to drive the average ticket. They did not "own" your debt, so they did not profit from your interest payments. However, they knew that if you used a credit card you were apt to DOUBLE your total transaction dollar...if not more!

HOLIDAY SHOPPING TIP #11:

Pay cash, or use your debt card. Keep your credit card for any online shopping in which you can find amazing prices, free shipping, etc.

Cash is king, and if you are on a budget this holiday season, you will be surprised at how much you can save if you pay in cash, or use your debit card. Credit is a wonderful thing, without a doubt, for those who manage it well. However, statistically, you will spend more per transaction when using a credit card. Period. Most of us have a completely different mindset when we have to hand over those dollar bills!

I do use one credit card that is specifically for online transactions. I recommend this as if your credit card number or credit information was somehow compromised online, you have one card to track, and one card to manage. I have found some fantastic online offers, items that even after (FREE!) shipping have been less expensive than instore prices. I definitely won't pass up on that deal! However, I have a post-it note on my computer that has a budget at the top, and I minus out the online credit transactions, and then I have to stop. So, I am balancing not only my cash budget, but also my limited credit budget!

p.s. Have company coming? Fortunoff is a wonderful resource for your home (including that cocktail bar for company!) with great holiday pricing and shipping offers!

Shopping Tips for the 25 Days of Christmas: Tip #10

After over 15 years in retail, I am a true veteran in knowing what categories are strong for retailers to make margin. One such category are those adorable "stocking stuffer" type items you see all around the stores this time of the year. In fact, here is a tip to get completely FREE stocking stuffers!

HOLIDAY SHOPPING TIP #10:

While shopping, ask for samples! Makeup counters, fragrance counters, handbags and accessory stores, almost any department store has free samples, all you have to do is ASK!

I am sure that most of us will do some shopping at our favorite department store this holiday season. I know that I have purchased some cosmetics lately and every single time I ask for samples. At the fragrance counter, I ask for samples to take home and try the fragrance before I purchase it. I have even received free key chains and a free makeup bag for asking.

Many of us hate to ask, but they offer the samples for a reason: not only to help you make future purchases, but as a small "thank you" for your business. I have received at least 25-30 small stocking stuffer-type items while doing my holiday shopping just from the last month or so. I encourage you to ask, you may be pleasantly surprised by how many great stocking stuffer items you can get for free while doing your normal holiday shopping! I even asked at an electronics retailer, and received a free pair of ear buds for an ipod. Why not?!

I am not advocating taking advantage, but I am advocating making every dollar you spend work for YOU.

p.s. Looking for stocking stuffers for the eco-friendly and green living person on your list? Here are some amazing offers!

25 Holiday Shopping Tips for the 25 Days of Christmas: Tip #9

After over 15 years in retail, I am a true veteran in knowing what categories are strong for retailers to make margin. One such category are those adorable "stocking stuffer" type items you see all around the stores this time of the year. These are huge margin categories for retailers, and while I love to indulge in some of them, and certainly will again this year, I think that there is a fantastic alternative to finding fun stocking stuffers!

HOLIDAY SHOPPING TIP #9:

Go to the "Dollar Store"-type retailers for fun stocking stuffers!

I have found that most of the items that I would use for stocking stuffers or to fill little gift bags for parties, school parties, etc., are at the .99 store! They may not have the fancy brand name, or slightly less fancy packaging, but they are the same item, for much less money! And, when you can save a bit on stocking stuffers you can either keep that savings, or put it toward something special for the family.

p.s. Looking for stocking stuffers for the eco-friendly and green living person on your list? Here are some amazing offers!

25 Holiday Shopping Tips for the 25 Days of Christmas: Tip #8

As a retail veteran, I have studied upclose many aspects of consumer spending and what makes consumers spend more at any given retail store. One aspect of consumer spending is the aspect of group suggestive selling, or a kind of "pack" mentality that occurs when people shop in larger groups.

This is very common when parents shop with their kids. Kids watch TV, they see commercials for all of that neat stuff that they "need" (read: want) and when they go shopping with mom and dad those savvy kids "suggestive sell" those "needs" to their parents! I love to shop with friends, and often take a friend when I am making an important shopping decision so they can help gauge what looks good on me, if something fits right, etc. However, that friend subconsciously suggestive sells to me as well. Retailers LOVE this, and will use commercials to show parents shopping with their kids, gals with their girlfriends, etc.

HOLIDAY SHOPPING TIP #8:

If you can, with your personal safety first in mind, shop alone.

I do stress "if you can" in this shopping tip as I would always err on the side of safety first. If you are shopping at odd hours, when it is dark, or you are carrying larger sums of cash, this tip may not be the right one for you.

However, you can still shop using the "buddy system". With cell phones you can keep in contact via calls or text messages and still do your targeted shopping alone, while your friend or family member does their targeted shopping alone. Doesn't sound like much fun? Well, you will save money, you will stay on your budget, and you can always enjoy a great cup of mocha or lunch together!

And, truly, I do advocate if possible not shopping with your kids. Retailers deliberately merchandise their stores year around with kids in mind, however, at this time of the year they make it all the more dangerous! What you spend on a babysitter may be well worth the investment in what you save when you do not fall prey to kids begging for this and that..."this and that" can add up too quickly!

p.s. Here is an easy item to shop for alone, online! Barefoot Contessa Pantry items are wonderfully delicious! Fantastic food items for your holiday needs, or gift-giving needs!



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25 Holiday Shopping Tips for the 25 Days of Christmas: Tip #7

During my over 15 year retail tenure, I got to have amazing experiences in understanding the strategy behind the physical layout of a store. I was able to be part of new store openings and remodels. There is a true science to a layout of a store and it has everything to do with the way that we shop not only with our wallets but with visual cues and emotional cues.

Without getting into the hardcore theory and strategy, I will give you two of the easiest examples... Sugar cereal is lower on the aisle so that it is at eyelevel of the kids who will beg their parents to buy them the sugar cereal. Trust me, I know as I am a bit vertically challenged and have to seriously stretch to get at my Grape Nuts and "good for you" cereals! Candy is at the checklanes so that while mom is unloading the cart, kids have yet one more chance to beg for sugar! This leads me to my next shopping tip...

HOLIDAY SHOPPING TIP #7:

Avoid departments in a store that are YOUR weakness.

Yes, this seems like a no-brainer, however, retailers have worked long and hard to get the weakness departments right in front of you. Why put toys in the back of the store? TO MAKE YOU WALK THROUGH EVERY OTHER DEPARTMENT FIRST...AND YET ONE MORE TIME TO GET TO THE REGISTERS! Shoes and handbags are my vices. I will actually walk out of my way in some retail stores to stay away from those departments. Do I lack restraint? No. But, during this time of the year, when it is easy to spend a little here, a little there...impulse buying is simply not a sound shopping strategy if a budget is in place!

I even recommend using store maps. Don't wander, retailers depend upon you wandering through the store, impulse buying, picking up this little box of chocolates, that candle. The reason so many retailers have special tables and merchandise displays up this time of the year is to capture the wandering eye and the wandering consumer.

p.s. If you have a wandering eye, let it wander here! Barefoot Contessa Pantry items are wonderfully delicious! Fantastic food items for your holiday needs, or gift-giving needs!



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25 Holiday Shopping Tips for the 25 Days of Christmas: Tip #6

During my over 15 year retail tenure, I was known for building strong sales cultures. What is a sales culture? A culture in your store in which your team is laser focused on sales through product knowledge, instocks, great customer service and other key elements of a sales culture.

Retail teams are trained to not only provide you with the product knowledge you need to make your purchase, but if they are well-trained, they also know how to sell you expensive, high margin add-ons that can easily take you from making your budget to busting your budget!

HOLIDAY SHOPPING TIP #6:

Beware the add-ons, stick to your planned purchase.

Do your research upfront. Know what you need to make your product work to your expectations. Cables to connect a flat screen or a game system to your entertainment center can cost an arm and a leg...in some cases almost as much as your gaming system! Know exactly what you need, and only buy to that need.

I can be completely candid in telling you that retailers do not want you to be that knowledgeable. They rely on you needing THEIR knowledge, and expect that consumers come to them for the "answers". That is fine, if you want their "answers" that have the most expensive solutions to your consumer product inquiries.

p.s. No upselling here. Fantastic food items for your holiday needs, or gift-giving needs!



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25 Holiday Shopping Tips for the 25 Days of Christmas: Tip #5

After over 15 years of retail management, I have worked for retailers in good times and the not-so-good times. In fact, my first retail management position was the The Broadway (remember them??!!) and I began working there when they were already in Chapter 11. I recall going into some of the stores that we began to close to transfer inventory to stores that were planned to stay open. I was recruited to work for another retailer, so I was not with The Broadway when they closed their doors for good. However, I did buy a lot from The Broadway when they were dramatically marking down and liquidating inventory.

HOLIDAY SHOPPING TIP #4:

Shop for killer prices from retailers going out of business or closing stores.

With this tip, however, comes a cautionary note. You can find great prices, but you will have little to no recourse should what you bought not fit, not work or be a duplicate item. I have already heard many anecdotal tales of incredible deals that are out there from a wide variety of retailers that are struggling or closing for good. With that "deal" comes the realization that it is pretty much a "final sale"!

This is a great time to buy basics, buy what you know will fit, and buy things that have reliable manufacturer warranties. For example, if you were to purchase an electronics item from a retailer going out of business, you may have a solid year of manufacturer coverage anyway.

Tip: This can also be a great time to "shop ahead". When I worked for one retailer, I would often buy post-holiday clearance toys as birthday, even Christmas, presents for the year ahead. If you see great deals on digital cameras, mp3 players, digital frames, clothing basics, etc., I would buy them now and have them as presents you can give all year long. You can enjoy these savings for weeks and months to come!

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