network news - Retail Advantage Group

APRIL 2014
NETWORK
NEWS
P re s ent s
Personality
by
For the Football Fanatic
Baby Fanatic’s (10%) pacifier and
clip set allows you to soothe your little
fan without the worry of dropping or losing
their pacifier. The BPA free set features team
logo with silicone nipple and universal clip.
$4.14 (804) 644-4707 www.babyfanatic.com
trends
savings
gift shop
published monthly by
retail advantage group
For the Game Night Aficionado
A fresh, fruity, and colorful twist to the
classic game of dominoes. Twenty-eight
Fruitominoes in a compact pouch make
this a game that’s great for all ages.
Bananagrams (10%) offers a
variety of family
friendly games. $6.25
We have all had that
(866) 598-6339
moment when we resign
www.bananagrams.com
ourselves to purchasing the
obligatory gift card. There is that
darling friend that seems to have
Super Hero Fearsome Four Feet appeal to the
one of everything, a teacher you have
alter-ego of any toddler along with companion
only known for a few months or a
book, Mighty Max. Max wants to be the hero loved one with very particular
who saves the day. Rich Frog (10%) taste…so we thought we
inspires creative play and fun. Slippers would tackle the topic of
$9.95 Book $9.60 (888) 742-4376 creative gift giving.
The good
news
www.richfrog.com
is you can infuse
some fun into gift-giving
and help your customers
do the same. Our “Presents
A great introduction
by Personality” offers a
to Classic Aquabeads
gift guide for all kinds of
from International
characters and every
Playthings (10% ). This set
persona!
For the Petal Pusher
Pen & Bookmark set in a gift
box from Christian Tools of
Affirmation (CTA Inc. - 10%)
is a perfect stylish pair for
reading and taking notes. A
gift to encourage and inspire.
Coordinating items available.
$1.49 (888) 669-1282 http://
trade.ctainc.com
For the Adventuresome Toddler
For the
Creative Crafter
includes over 300 beads,
4 templates, layout tray,
bead case and spray bottle.
Have fun using the enclosed
templates, or create your own. What a great addition to your kitchen,
bar, or countertop! As a wonderful
$4.00 (800) 631-1272 www.
conversation piece, Berkeley
intplay.com
Designs (10%) collectible wine
holder is sure to please any grill
connoisseur or tailgate enthusiast!
$12.50 (800) 272-3872
www.berkeleydesigns.com
For the Grill Connoisseur
For the Glad Hander
Worthy Promotional Products
(10%) offers over 375 teams
(professional & collegiate) available
on nail polish, nail files, hand
sanitizer, lotion and more! Innovative
product, superb merchandising and
strong profit margins. (334) 5414070 www.worthypromotional.com
For the Partier
For the New Addition
The watch me grow frame
from Prinz (10%) is an
interchangeable message frame
that grows with your child. Just
change the photo and caption
or create your own gallery of
multiple frames. 11 printed
messages and two blank to
customize. $8.50 (800) 3238360 www.prinzusa.com
For the Wordsmith
Old Wives’ Tales from WordTeasers (10%) in
the little turquoise box with 150 conversation
starters; some true, some not true, but all a
great way to get everyone talking, laughing
and learning. $7.50 (888) 967-3877 www.
wordteasers.com
Party Hats (10%) will make
everyone feel special. The
variety of color combinations
make it difficult to select just
one. Handcrafted using the
finest materials, these hats
are sure to be the hit of the
party. $15.00 (215) 598-5550
www.birthdaypartyhats.com
continued on page 4
KidKusion Inc.
10% Discount
(800) 845-9236
www.kidkusion.com
Opening & Reorder $0
Mad Style
10% Discount
(877) 623-2247
www.mad-style.com
Opening $200 Reorder $0
KidKusion has been in the child safety business since 1991. Last
year they launched a new gift line of Gummi Teething Jewerly,
GummiMats, and SplatMats. Their aim is to accommodate the
smallest of gift stores. They ship from North Carolina and have no
minimum order requirements. Orders ship within 24 hours.
Mad Style is a family owned company going into its 10th year in
business. It all began with handbags and has continued to grow
adding categories such as women’s accessories, jewelry, apparel,
and men’s gifts. They pride themselves with a unique product
selection and always on-trend items.
U
Trending P
FOXES
Make someone’s day with these delightfully
designed Woodland Creatures note card
sets from Studio Oh! (10%) Each set
comes with a card plus envelope and
coordinating stickers add the sweetest
finishing touch! $6.00
(888) 757-0801 www.studiooh.com
Enjoy your favorite drink in style
with the Foxy Fun Fox ceramic latte
travel coffee cup from Evergreen
Enterprises. (10%) A wonderful
gift idea for those on the go; sold
with a decorative box for easy gift
giving. $7.50 (800) 774-3837
www.myevergreen.com
Nufoot
10% Discount
(925) 743-9831
www.nufoot.com
Opening $500 Reorder $150
Nufoot - Next Generation Patient Socks - Reinventing the world
of indoor footwear by combining the comfort of socks with the
protection of shoes; skid resistant, water resistant and protects your
feet from germs, dirt and moisture on the floor. An affordable gift or
pamper yourself with a pair! Wholesale $5.50/pair MSRP $10.99
Design Design’s (10%) new Sly
Fox gift bag is a fun and colorful
take on the animal trend. With
felt and pom accents, plus a bold
mix of pattern play, this bag
is great for a kid’s party. SRP
$5.95 (800) 334-3348 www.
designdesign.us
Mary Meyer (10%) has partnered with
Natural Life, combining eight decades of toy
experience with the free spirited style of
the Natural Life brand. Natural Life Baby
is a line of whimsical, inspirational,
and safe toys for newborn and
up. $9.00 (800) 451-4387 www.
marymeyer.com
City Chic meets
woodland beauty
in this stylish white
porcelain fox from
Midwest – CBK (10%). The simplicity
of nature combines with sleek lines
and gleaming finishes. $15.00 (800)
394-4225 www.mwcbk.com
Purse Notes from Graphique de France
(10%) are fashionable and compact note pads
perfect for your pocket, bag, or purse! Each
features unique cover artwork and a sturdy
magnetic closure to keep pages secure. $1.98
(800) 444-1464 www.graphiquedefrance.com
This adorable Fox
backpack from Stephen
Joseph (5%) is made
from quilted cotton
for durability. It
comes adorned with
decorative appliqués
and a cotton carrying
handle. Look for it in
the May Back To School
catalog; available for
shipping in June. SRP
$23.95 (800) 725-4807
www.stephenjosephinc.
com
Visual Merchandising
F
Inspiring Creativity!
B
C
A
D
E
> Clipboards are simple to hang and
easy to change. The clipboards can be
covered (cloth, contact paper, wrapping
paper, scrapbook pages) and are available
in a variety of sizes. Get creative! Use
them to display signs, product features,
jewelry, note cards, scarves, and any
number of peggable items. A
> Looking for a new way to display
a unique grouping of greeting cards, a
distinctive jewelry collection, a trending array
of socks? Think outside the box with wall décor
such as this Vintage Clothes Pin Board from
Midwest-CBK (10%). B
> Hanging necklaces or scarves on
wooden “branches”, vintage coat racks or
tie racks is a beautiful and eye-catching way to
display and keep jewelry untangled. C
>Basket, bowls, boxes...one item
presented in a entirely different way. We
love the interplay of color with natural shades. D
>A unique display can draw attention and
sell an item. The SunKrystal Posy Pots Flower
Cart from Noelle Enterprises (10%) is a great
example. E The Artisan Wood Jewelry Bowl
from Alexa’s Angels (10%); display bracelets
and rings in the bowl, while hooking earrings
thru the tiny hole-detailed edge of the hand
carved sheesham wood bowl. F
Retail Customer Service 101: Phone Etiquette
A closer look: What is
telephone etiquette training?
Employees should present a professional
and confident impression to those who are
calling your shop. Phone etiquette training
covers everything involved in handling a
phone call, including vocals skills, teaching
appropriate transitions and general
etiquette guidelines.
Do I need to provide my staff
with phone etiquette training?
We all know that satisfied customers are
loyal customers and loyal customers are
repeat purchasers. What is the easiest way
to create satisfied customers? A confident
and knowledgeable staff. Telephone
etiquette training immediately improves
customer satisfaction, increases sales and
reduces escalations. On the other hand,
poor phone etiquette will lose sales and
contribute to customer dissatisfaction.
Four important phone etiquette rules, to get you started:
1. Use formal greetings. When answering calls always use a formal greeting.
It is considered best practice to use sir or ma’am to address customers if names
are unknown.
2. Speak clearly. Take the time to speak clearly and in a positive, professional
tone. Doing so will put the caller at ease and diffuse an upset customer.
3. Listen & learn. Train your staff to listen carefully to customers. Always
allow customers time to finish their thoughts without interruption and ask
questions that clarify information. Be sure to confirm understanding with the
caller before moving forward.
4. No food or beverages. This may seem like common sense, but stress the
importance of this one. Staff must refrain from consuming food or drink while
taking a call. Customers do not want to hear gulping and chewing.
The results? Phone etiquette training increases
employee satisfaction
Telephone etiquette is an essential part of customer service training and a defining
element of customer satisfaction. The added benefit is increased staff satisfaction.
Staff members who are able to quickly identify and solve issues or suggest additional
products and services with confidence and ease, feel good about themselves and
their contribution to the shop’s success. Investing in your employees is investing in
your success. Start with the basics and watch your sales increase.
VENDOR UPDATES
ScriptureArt has updated the company name to Mary Square (10%). Mary Square offers three brands:
SavannaGrey, ScriptureArt & AppealingPrints. (800) 495-7262 www.marysquare.com
Green Hill Productions (6.5% ex distributive titles) partners with Classic Prints by Anderson Design Group,
Cool People Care and Selecta Records. The discount applies. (800) 200-4656 www.greenhillproductions.com
VH Apparel / Minx has changed their company name to Minx (div. of Vintage Home Inc.) (10%) (718)
517-9100 www. minxny.com
Due to a lack of orders, the following Vendors will no longer be extending a discount to Retail Advantage
Group Members: Fig Design Group Inc., SmartLab Toys, Winning Solutions/Miracle of Aloe
5224 W. State Rd. 46 #337
Sanford, FL 32771
phone: 407.268.4444
fax: 407.268.4449
Be sure to visit our website at
For the Kingdom Crusader
www.retailadvantagegroup.com
P re s ent s
Personality
by
continued
from page 1
For the Mystic
U.S. Games Systems, Inc.
(10%) introduces Witchlings,
an enchanting tarot deck and book set. Easy and
uplifting spells to help you access your own powerful
energy and natural abilities to help you reach your
positive goals. SRP $21.95 (800) 544-2637
www.usgamesinc.com
For the Feline Friendly For the Die-Hard Puzzler
Howard’s Jewelry (5%)
adorable cat watch is a lovely
accessory for kid and adult
cat lovers alike. Featuring a
gold cat-shaped rim and an
endearing cat face in the
watch, you will always be
on time with this fun and
whimsical piece. $10.50
(800) 777-5658 www.
howardsjewelry.com
This decorative pillow from
Blossom Bucket (10%) would
be a nice touch to any family
room. Suzi Skoglund designed
this eye-catching 14” x 14”
pillow with the definition of
FAMILY in black on a cream
background. $12.00 (800) 6625923 www.blossombucket.com
This French mélange from Springbok Puzzles
(10%) calls to mind Paris in springtime. With
this 1000-piece puzzle dishing out a feast
for the senses,
it’ll take steady
determination and
a dash of diligence
to complete. SRP
$17.95 (800)
497-8697 www.
springbok-puzzles.
com
Stuffed dragons from Douglas (5%) will make a child’s
fantasy world come alive. High flying, powerful stuffed
dragons, with magical names like Merlin and Homer;
these are indeed rare dragons - beautiful and full of
play! $9.50 (800) 992-9002
www.douglascuddletoy.com
For the Whimsical
Writer
Feathers of Fun Pens can
add a touch of whimsy and
style to your writing. Write a
letter, novel or sign the
guestbook with style.
GeoCentral’s (10%) 25 pen
display assortment contains red, white, black,
purple and teal feathers. $55.00 ($2.20 each)
800) 231-6083 www.geocentral.com
For the Beauty Buff
Pretty Petals from Kate
Aspen (10%) ~ “Must Have”
gifts in a sunny paisley
pattern are sure to brighten
anyone’s day. 58 piece
assorted display includes sunglass case, compact
mirror, manicure set, luggage tag, and set of 3 nail
files. $145.00 (800) 659-0471 www.kateaspen.com
Family
I M P R E S S I O N S
Weeknight Dinners from
Gooseberry Patch (10%) is
perfect for busy families!
With over 250 delicious
recipes, each chapter is
devoted to a different theme;
Meatless Monday to Just-forFun-Friday…you’ll breeze
through the week! $8.48
(877) 854-7400
www.gooseberrypatch.com
Carson (5%) and artist Robin Davis
present this beautiful burlap wall piece
embellished with patterned linen.
The 33” x 22” canvas was designed
to convey the warmth of Family, Love
and Connection. $24.00 (800) 8881918 www.carsonhomeaccents.com
“The Generation Tree” speaks
to the love, joy and connection
of three generations of family.
The framed print from The
Grandparent Gift Co. (10%)
features a 5” x 7” space for a
treasured family portrait. Made in
the USA. $18.00 (770) 619-3167
www.grandparentgiftco.com