Management

Handling Difficult Customers

Retailers offer their top tips for dealing with tricky situations Sylvia’s By the Sea, in Scituate, Massachusetts, has a clear return policy: store credit only. It’s posted prominently in the shop, it’s on every sales... more »

Putting Your Best Staff Forward

Good employees are the key to success during the busy holiday season In my youth, I used to think that having employees would be easy. You’d hire them, tell them what to do and they’d... more »

Hiring Teens

Tips you can't ignore and pointers you won't want to dismissWith many retailers hiring more part-time workers versus full time, it's important to consider the rules, regulations and unique attributions that apply to this part... more »

Destination Shopping: Hotel Gift Shops Stay Ahead

Retail operations within the lodging industry vary greatly. Hotel gift shops may consist of little more than a small area near the front desk that sells magazines and snacks, to thousands of square feet of... more »

A Toy Story

It’s all fun and games when it comes to toys. A $22 billion industry in the U.S., toys may be fun, but they’re serious business. They can be a great addition to a gift store,... more »

Room for Rustic

Harkening back to nature and peaceful tranquility, rustic décor has always been a staple of lodges and cabins. It’s making surprising inroads in places you wouldn’t really expect. Bringing the outdoors in, whether in the... more »

All Treats, No Tricks

Shoppers are getting into the Halloween spirit with fun décor and accessories that are increasingly delivering sweet treats to retailers. Halloween may be a holiday of frights, but there’s nothing for retailers to be scared... more »

This Grass Is Greener

This sustainable resource is a great choice for eco-friendly materials from furniture to clothing. Bamboo and other sustainable materials are becoming hot commodities for producing jewelry, gifts and housewares as more consumers seek out eco-friendly... more »

Baby is Big

A timeless category for gift stores, baby continues its heavy growth spurt with new product introductions. Alyssa Tierney is a big believer in shops carrying, at the very least, a few great baby gifts. “Baby... more »

Show Time!

A tradeshow takes up a lot of your time and money. Here are some tips to make the most of your investment. Travel expenses and time away from the store are major concerns if you... more »