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Look With a Discerning Eye — Weekly Retail Tidbits #219

ByAmyFay Chandler

“Look with a discerning eye.
See what’s worthy of emulation and what’s not.
Borrow and blend it with what you already know, and
something better will emerge.”

— AmyFay

People carry themselves in different ways. Posture that’s remarkable is usually extremely good or extremely bad.

What if you intentionally look at everyone’s posture with a discerning eye – and notice everything about it? What do you like? What do you hope to avoid? How could you take those observations and blend them together to consciously improve your own?

My posture has improved in the past couple years. I’ve watched two of the most important women in my life struggle with back issues as they age. It scared me to the gym where I now take strength training seriously. I find myself standing straighter and pulling my shoulders back constantly.

The same intentionality works in retail.

A few years ago I walked into REI doing exactly this – looking with purpose. As I entered, I saw a big camping display. It seemed to invite me to enjoy an evening outdoors – using all the right stuff.

There may have only been one tent in the display but there were multiple colors, sizes and styles of tents all grouped together in another section.

The display helped me imagine myself camping. Discovering more options for each item in the display – neatly organized and well stocked elsewhere in the store made it easy to find what I needed. And fun to shop!

Gifts are like that, too. Many gift retailers create beautiful mixed displays – just like REI. But here’s where it falls apart: they don’t also organize by category and brand elsewhere in the store. Shoppers see something they love in a display – but can’t easily find the full collection.

Could you take REI’s example and apply it? Sure – and even just partially.

Pick one thing this week to notice with that discerning eye.
Borrow what works.
Avoid what doesn’t.
Blend it into what you already do.
Something better will emerge.

That is what all the big AI companies are doing these days.

xoxo,
❤️ AmyFay

“The simple act of paying attention can take you a long way.”

— Keanu Reeves

What will you notice today?
Thanks for reading!
❤️ AmyFay

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.

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