IT'S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR

It's Christmas time. The time for good will to all men and spending lots of money. This spells out pleasant customers and ringing tills, horrray! 

This is a crucial time for any business and needs to be precisely executed with a commercial head on, using all the resources available...... starting with the window.

My observations as a visual merchandiser is that every shop owner has their own ideals of what christmas should look like in their window, and it varies drastically. Some want chic and contemporary, others want fun and traditional, but whatever you do, the most important thing is to match your display to your brand values.

Its a cliche but your store window is the "window to the soul" of your shop, it should be a clear reflection of your company and the products you sell. It should always appeal to your target market, no matter what time of the year.

As you can see in my work at Marc Cain, Southport- the window is a clear reflection of their brand values (clean, chic, high end fashion) and appeals to their target market (whilst still leaning to the side of fun and festive).

Another vital element is to 'carefully consider the contents' (the 3 C's feels like you're back at school, i know. It seems laughably simple but most people do overlook it) what goes into the display is so important now.

Gift ideas need to be in the main displays, along with party clothes. Watch what sells and position these items accordingly, have your seasonal best sellers at the forefront of the shop and in the window, make sure the window is refreshed every 2weeks at least, particularly in town centre locations where shoppers walk past every week.

Have a beautiful (and profitable) Christmas
Love Carlie B x

HOW DOES EVERYONE DO IT?

Reeling slightly that we’re only three weeks from Christmas – how did it happen? I may have mentioned how much I love this time of year, with it’s endless twinkle lights, cheesy but heartwarming festive tunes, and the constant flow of parties, appetizers and pressies - however, I do have one solitary grinch and that is how fast it all flys by.

Not only is it the busiest in your social calendar but it’s by far the  busiest in the retail calendar too and it’s important to make the most of both.  It becomes a challenge to make sure you’re juggling gift lists with VAT returns, customer care with stock control, web editorial with staff incentives, not to mention family gifts and egg nog.

I’m sure I’m not the only one burning the candle at both ends, frantically trying to squeeze everything in whilst at the same time planning for next season, winter sales and in my case a new baby addition in the spring. How does everyone do it?

Far too frequently I find myself wishing I could spy on a day in the life of the many successful working mothers I admire who seem to effortlessly juggle children, home, friends, family and running an impressive business empire at the same time – what is their secret?

Time management and administration may sound boring but those who manage to excel really can do incredible things and I’d love to know the little tricks and short cuts working mothers have to get so much from their days. (Ironically of course they don’t actually have the time to share those top-secret methods with anyone else so we might never know!).

While I continue to day dream about being uber-efficient, I will merrily get back to my own multi-tasking, season to be jolly days and impose some strict 2012 efficiency resolutions…

Fiona x