Study Shows Young Shoppers Want Brick and Mortar Shopping Experiences

While much of the current hype we are exposed to in the news revolves around the virtues of online shopping, research shows that brick-and-mortar shopping experiences are still highly desirable options, particularly for younger consumers. This research, conducted by iModerate, indicates that Generation Z and Millennial shoppers are more than ten percent as likely as their predecessors (Generation X and Boomers) to feel that a physical location is an important element of their shopping encounter.

The study noted that brand perception for all consumers is differentiated by key factors that are unavailable to the online shopper:

• Convenience
• Store Layout
• Personnel

Although these factors can present either a better or worse perception of brick-and-mortar brands, their existence provides:

• Reassurance that styles and sizes are right, and decreases the chance that items may be returned. Generation Z gravitates towards samples and demonstrations to perfect their product selections.
• Efficiency - Although online navigation provides ease at the click of a mouse, Millennials require frequent forays into shopping venues to find everyday items. Growing families and expanding employment options draw these young consumers to the one-stop shop.
• Discovery and Escape is what drives Generation X into physical shopping venues. They are looking for newness and adventure in their shopping experiences.
• Comfort in the form of low sensory experiences, such as calm music and light fragrance is the goal of Boomers, who also value seating and space.

Physical retailers can take a cue from these revelations, to lure buyers into their establishments by tweaking their in-store merchandising and marketing strategies. Contact us to choose retail packaging that sends the right message to your target demographic and compliments your product and brand.

Spring Into Growth!

Is the arrival of spring inspiring you to think of ways to grow your business, as well as flowers? Below are some tips and ideas that will take hard work, sweat, and maybe some tears – but significantly less digging in the ground!

1. Brand It! One of the best tips for a small retailer in the beauty, cosmetics, salon, or spa verticals to get more easily recognized is to work on branding the company on a larger scale. People may know you after they have had a service provided and spread your reputation by word of mouth, but make sure they leave with a good visual of your logo and/or slogan. Brand recognition travels just as far as word of mouth.
2. Market It! Once you have an established brand, you have to ensure you stay “front of mind” at all times – make sure your website it up to date and has solid SEO behind it, and send out weekly or monthly emails with relevant content to your audience. Don’t overdo it, but make sure you touch your audience enough so your brand is recognized.
3. Package It! Everyone knows the best “impulse” sell is at the cash register. Even if your small boutique focuses on hair, nail, or spa services, always be sure to have items at the register for purchase – and make sure those purchases leave with the customer in a well-branded bag or box! Our talented team can help design your packaging today!

If you want to find out more ways of branding your beauty boutique, salon, or spa, contact us for more information. In this season of renewal and growth, now is the best time to update, upgrade, or refresh your packaging!

Salons & Spas: Keep 'Em Coming Back!

Clients are the most important aspect of every business. When customers are satisfied, they are 70 percent more likely to tell others about your business. Research has shown that loyal customers spend more money on the business than the average customer. As you can see, customer loyalty is important. Here are some ways that salons & spas can keep their customers coming back.

1. Create a Loyalty Program – Considering most businesses already have loyalty programs, you need to think of one that clients will love. Maybe a loyalty program that includes a free manicure, discounts, or even a spa treatment for two after a specific number of points or referrals. Put yourself in the customer's shoes and ask yourself, “what rewards would show that I’m valued?”
2. Listen – Some customers will be happy with their service, while some won't. Be sure to listen and use this feedback to your advantage. Apologize and fix the issue if you can, or offer a complimentary service to smooth over the dissatisfaction until the issue is resolved. Also, being at a spa and salon, people love to talk. It gives them a chance to unwind and let things out. Make your customers feel welcome and comfortable by communicating with them. If customers feel ignored, they won't come back. If you treat your loyal customers like a good friend, they'll return.
3. Create a Monthly Newsletter – In order to remind your customers that you're still around while they are away, send them a monthly newsletter. Use this newsletter to announce special offers, coupons, new products, customer surveys, etc. Ongoing communication with customers shows them that you value their contribution to your business.
4. Encourage Re-booking – After providing the customer with his/her service, offer to re-book the next visit. A busy client might not remember to book ahead unless you ask!
5. Stand-Out – With over 19,000 spas and salons in the U.S. today, competition is high. One way to stand apart is to offer competitive prices. Another is to offer exclusive products that are only available at your salon or spa. However, one of the best ways to stand out is to offer professional services for people with hard to handle hair and skin textures. If you can provide excellent service to people who have a hard time receiving it, you are almost guaranteed a loyal customer.

Make sure when customers leave your salon with goodies, they take them in branded packaging. Contact us to discuss new, exciting products today!

Keep Up With The Spring 2016 Color Trends

Keeping up with color trends can give you a competitive advantage in business. Color trends are based on psychographics and societal changes, so knowing how the world is evolving gives you greater insight into how to attract customers to your business.

For the first time, Pantone, a world-renowned company that specializes in color communication, came out with two “colors of the year” – Rose Quartz, a light pastel pink, and Serenity, a light yet deep blue. They also recently revealed what the spring 2016 color trends will be, with these two colors at the top of the list:

1. Rose quartz
2. Serenity
3. Peach echo
4. Snorkel blue
5. Buttercup
6. Limpet shell
7. Lilac gray
8. Fiesta
9. Iced coffee
10. Green flash

The color trends for spring 2016 are perfect for a spa/salon business because they encourage relaxation, curiosity, and exploration. In Leatrice Eiseman's words, the executive director of Pantone:

Colors this season transport us to a happier, sunnier place where we feel free to express a wittier version of our real selves. With our culture still surrounded by so much uncertainty, we are continuing to yearn for those softer shades that offer a sense of calm and relaxation.

Pantone also explained that the trending colors for spring 2016 are influenced by the desire to disconnect from technology and the world of art. Top designers were inspired by the differences between lush vegetation and urban design. As a result, unexpected color combinations of these trending colors will be popular during spring 2016. Designers are aiming to inspire reflection and playful escapism.

All types of businesses can benefit from using the 2016 spring color trends in their packaging or marketing materials. Think about how the meaning behind the color trends relates to your business and then apply it to marketing campaigns, store design, or your retail packaging.

Contact us for creative packaging and branding ideas that use the top 10 color trends of spring 2016. How you package goods influences a person's opinion of your brand. Let us help you make that a positive perception.

Help Every Visitor Fall in Love with Your Business This Valentine’s Day!

The Valentine's Day gifting season is fast approaching, and with it, myriad publications offering tips admonishing consumers to spend less to love more. While cost-conscious customers should not be ignored, the fact remains that "Americans spent almost $150 per person for Valentine's Day gifts" in 2015. By making Valentine's Day special for everyone who sets foot inside your store, you can make prospective customers fall in love with the idea of shopping for Valentine's Day gifts! 
Below are three ways any business can put visitors in the mood for shopping:

1. Gift with Purchase: Rather than offering a token item, businesses can enjoy substantial conversion rates by offering a truly giftable item with a high perceived value to clients who make specific purchases. A spa, for example, might offer a gift certificate for a complimentary manicure with the purchase of a more expensive facial treatment. By allowing customers to treat themselves as well as walk away with some Valentine's Day shopping done, businesses can tap into consumers' desires to save time and money.
2. Market Gifts to a Variety of Recipients: It's no secret that many people see Valentine's Day as an occasion to lay it on thick with romantic treats and tasty sweets for a significant other. However, there are those that may not have a spouse or significant other to share the day with. By marketing certain pre-selected gifts to these recipients, businesses can enjoy profits from customers who may not have a sweetheart to shop for, but are looking for items for their close friends, family members, children, neighbors, etc. Additionally, if the seed is planted, even those consumers who are shopping for a Valentine's Day gift for a spouse may be encouraged to purchase even more gifts for other people as well.
3.  Host an Event: Holding an event on or near Valentine's Day can serve as an out-of-the-box marketing opportunity. A jewelry store might offer a workshop aimed at "Finding the Right Engagement Ring for Your Proposal" and offer champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries, as well as their standard expert advice, and perhaps an added discount for attendees who purchase a ring that day. A specialty cooking supplies shop, on the other hand, might charge a fee for an evening of couples cooking lessons that comes with a gift basket of everything needed to make the meal at home.

The ideas are endless but the time frame is short! To talk more about any of these ideas or how to make the gift packaging at any business worth celebrating on any holiday, please contact us.

Investing In Your Business

A recent study showed that 71 percent of business owners expect to grow their businesses in 2016, which is up from 56 percent in 2015. This vote of confidence in the New Year is no surprise, given economic indicators and pent-up demand following the recovery from the Great Recession. However, expanding your business requires investment and that requires weighing all the factors before taking the leap.

Here are some indicators that 2016 is the year to expand your business:

• Labor - The unemployment rate in the U.S. is a complex issue; however, one thing is clear: as the rate falls, businesses have to compete harder for qualified applicants. With rates estimated to fall below 5 percent by the end of 2016, now is the time to hit the labor market and bulk up for personnel to handle your expansion. 

• Also, there is a rising trend in the labor market toward contract or freelance workers. According to the U.S. Government Accountability Office, over 40% of the U.S. workforce is made up of these so-called "contingent workers," and this trend is expected to grow. Businesses can take advantage of this trend as they test the waters of expansion by hiring contract workers before committing to full-time employees.
• Interest Rates - On December 16 the Federal Reserve raised interest rates 0.25 percent, the first increase since 2006. Predictions are that the Fed will slowly raise rates a few more times in 2016 and 2017. If you are looking to finance growth, now is the time to act before rates move higher. This article in Forbes suggests that the rate increase may help banks expand small business lending.
• If you plan to expand in 2016, now is a good time to revisit forecasts and growth plans to see how raising interest rates might affect those plans.  Plus look at current loans and lines of credit to see if they are the best option for you in a rising rate environment. If you have a solid credit history, explore refinancing to lower your interest rate and put you in a better position for expansion.
• Marketing Innovations - In the past few years, ways to reach your target audience have increased exponentially. Promoting your business isn't limited to expensive advertising that you're never sure really works anyway or costly direct mail. There are so many other types of promotions that are less expensive and much more easily tracked for ROI. Social media, inbound marketing, and content marketing, to name a few, are excellent means to reach your target audience and expand your business.
• Any expansion plan should include a careful review of your website. You don't have to be a large multi-national conglomerate to have a successful website that can attract and convert customers.

A successful company is one that is continually seeking ways to improve and grow. Contact us for more help with expanding your business in 2016 and beyond.

Keep the Holiday Momentum Going in January!

With the holidays over, small retailers might experience a slowdown in sales. While some might welcome the break, below are a few tips to keep the momentum going in January:

• Offer a special coupon (good for January). Offer current customers (in store or via email) a coupon that they can use in January or Q1. This will bring them back to at least browse and contemplate using the coupon!
• Offer free gifts, just for buying in January. People love deals. If you prefer not to go the coupon route, offer a free gift for any purchases in January.
• Launch a new product or service. One way to get more people into your store is to launch a new product. This can also be a way to introduce your brand to a whole new market segment!
• Contact people who have abandoned items in their shopping carts. Run a campaign to figure out why people are abandoning their carts – offer promotions to get them to come back and purchase what is in there.

It can be hard to get sales in January but with some clever marketing tactics, you can make January a good month. And, of course, if you find yourself in need of a brand upgrade, contact us for some updated branded packaging!