Be a Curator, Not a Collector — Weekly Retail Tidbits #199

ByAmyFay Chandler

“The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak.”

— Hans Hofmann

I was in a store this week with one of you – I know she is reading!😊

Beyond just being really fun in general, we did talk “shop.”

Her store is stocked. I mean stocked. And if her main business were gift it would likely be merchandised differently – but money is money. She has a side business that pairs perfectly with her gift business. It all keeps her busy, happy and her bottom line solidly in the black!

I almost felt badly showing her more products – but not until after we talked about how she could shift some things to grow her gift bottom line even more.

I get it. Elimination is super hard.

You’re at market, falling in love with a line you just discovered that’s perfect for your store. You know space is limited, but you can’t help it—you LOVE it. You want it all. All the things.

Here is your reminder: Be a curator – not a collector.

Creators—and that’s what you are—do their best work with constraints and parameters. So give them to yourself.

Remember:

  • Things look more expensive when there’s space around them.
  • Not breaking the bank on opening orders is smart (get enough to show you believe in the line, but let it prove itself—the data will guide you down the right path; don’t know how to read it? Ask me!).
  • Decision fatigue is real—don’t make your customers do all the work.

Curate. Don’t collect.

Speaking of curation, I met with another retailer recently who couldn’t book our appointment yet because she’s trying a different market strategy—one I’ve used too—an efficient walking plan.

Plan so that you are not zig-zagging from building to building, floor to floor, showroom to showroom. Make your schedule make sense.

Tango is a highly curated showroom. I am grateful and thankful to be incredibly busy helping y’all especially right now. Tons of thanks.

I love what I do – and I wish I could be everywhere all the time. It’s so fun to help you with reorders, do displays and talk about how to grow your business.

Thanks for including me and Tango in your curation!!

xoxo,
❤️ AmyFay

“Excellence is never an accident. It is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, and intelligent execution.”

— Aristotle

🤓 Market Smarties: Butters Creme de la Creme, Spring Hill, TN and The Wreath Stand, Nashville, TN

I’m AmyFay Chandler, a Knoxville-based wholesale sales rep serving independent retailers in Tennessee and Kentucky through Tango Showroom. I also represent Sweet Tree Jewelry and Caroline B Cook nationwide. Before I became a rep, I built two T-shirt lines, ran my own retail business, bought home and gift for Elder’s Ace Hardware, and worked with Werner Frank. I have been the maker, buyer, retailer, rep, and person at the register, so I evaluate every line from the store floor first.

I write the Morning Retail Tidbit and Friday Retail Tidbits to help local retailers buy smarter, merchandise with intention, and keep their stores valuable.

You Might Also Like