Summer 2011
Destined for Success By Becky Tyre

Exempt from many restrictions of traditional shopping areas, some gift shops manage to stand out while standing alone. Successful shops are finding ways to take advantage of the fact that when a customer goes out of their way to come to a destination store, they are generally ready to shop.

Tilde Triumphs

The Tilde in Portland, OR, is an example of a successful destination shop. Owner Debbe Hamada stocks her store with unusual finds. Many of her offerings are unique to the Portland area. At least 40% of the products at Tilde are locally made. Some of the designers live in the immediate neighborhood. Once a month, Tilde hosts an evening reception for a featured artist. This draws in a different group of customers—many new to the shop. Hamada says “Once they discover us, they usually return to shop or tell their friends about us.”

Aware of changes in the economy, Hamada makes an effort to stock gift products at various price levels. With an average stay of 20-30 minutes at Tilde, most customers buy something for a friend and leave with a little something for themselves. Jewelry is the most purchased item and the store carries over 30 jewelry lines. Handbags, greeting cards, wallets, candles and soaps round out the top selling categories. Customers seem to enjoy the product mix and gift choices of a store that has gifts under $20, unique furniture pieces retailing for more than $100, and something in every price range in between.

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