Sooner or later, virtually everyone needs to purchase a present for a child. While customer tastes may range from syrupy sweet to extremely eclectic, retailers can tick off certain qualities that make for a foolproof gift sale. Here, Earnshaw’s outlines exactly what thou shalt put on the shelves to ensure every customer discovers an item worth giving. —Leslie Shiers
10 Commandments of the Well-Stocked Gift Selection
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10 Commandments of the Well-Stocked Gift Selection
Make It a Slam-Dunk
Sure, there are products new parents, new babies and growing children truly need. But those items tend not to be the jaw-droppers at the baby shower or birthday party. For consumers who pride themselves on giving the favorite gift of the day, make sure to stock products guaranteed to stop the show. “You want people to remember your gift,” said Chris Ziober, owner of Ella Bella, a boutique in Southlake, Texas. “No one cares about the Diaper Genie. [Choose something that] will make people ooh and ahh.”
Maggie Zeff said tutus have become a top gift for girls at Ragamuffin, the Modesto, Calif., boutique she co-owns. In fact, Zeff noted anything related to dress-up or fantasy will light up the room, so she also stocks fairy wings, feather boas and other whimsical accessories. If Zeff gets a kick out of a product when she first spies it at market, she feels confident her customers will have a similar reaction—and the end user will, too. “If it makes you laugh or tickles you in some way, if it makes a cute sound or is so sweet they can’t stand it,” she mused, that’s the ticket for a rock-star gift.
Appears In Issue: January 2010
