What do you want to see....

Singapore
January 18, 2007 10:34am CST
when you are in a gift store/boutique? i need help...i just start work as a retail supervisor and i'm overseeing both boutique and gift stores....can you please share with me...when you walk in to a boutique (for women...office wear) and gifts stores...what do you expect to see and would hope to see? i hope that with the responses here...i can have some idea on how to increase the sales for the stores around...please help!!! Thanks!
19 people like this
69 responses
• United States
18 Jan 07
Nice question, and great idea to learn from for work. By the way, how is the new job going? Do you enjoy it? Okay, back to your question. First off price....I want to see a variety of items with a full range of prices. Second...I want to see something unique, but useful to use. Not just to look at. Third...I want to see things made in the USA for a change. Good luck on your job. I hope that I helped alot, even though I didn't give you a specific item.
1 person likes this
• Singapore
21 Jan 07
LOL Thanks for your response...the new job's great, a different industry altogether and man! it's really challenging...i have to learn everything from scratch, including on how to handle the cash register machine....and my bf have to massage my leg for me every night from that long hour...sigh...but you have a point there, most of the items sold here is not made from USA, but from China...as the cost is cheaper :D
• United States
18 Jan 07
PRICES! Whether it's expensive or not I want to be able to clearly see the price.
1 person likes this
• Singapore
21 Jan 07
LOL Thanks for being so straight forward...i love that! dont worry...if you come in to my few stores...prices are displayed very very clearly :D
@dellion (6698)
• Malaysia
19 Jan 07
Am not very sure am I entitle to put few words for your discussion here:)...Me too was in marketing and sales sector previously for many years ( hope you wouldn't think that am here to act as expert...LOL)Anyway to your topic concern I think there's few things majority of those customers if not all would like to see were... 1. A very friendly sales assistants whom with very sweet smiles to welcome their customers the time they step into your boutique as that will surely add a good ratings for the services and therefore they will have good moods and happy to spent more time in your boutique which simply meant that you have more chances to offer your goods to them. 2. Clean and well merchandise displays within the boutique will always let your customers feel comfortable while they walk around to search for any interested items which might attracts their attractions. 3. Good and reasonable suggestions are most welcome by most of the customers in which according to studies most of the customers will have better confidants to make their decisions by the helps of those sales personnels. As for conclusions good services still the key to make any good sales! Anyway its just my own views with regard to your discussion topic and I hope this will at least give you some basic ideas to further increase your sales soon:)
@dellion (6698)
• Malaysia
22 Jan 07
Aw.....thats very long....IC IC..maybe they used to do everything in hurry even when shopping...see the way they walks and eat...thats the way they used to it everyday so think its hard to make any changes for them anymore..it doesn't matters to show up a stupid smiles as long as you can make the deals you are still the best:)
• Singapore
22 Jan 07
Thanks for your very long response :D we do smile at every customers that comes into the store...but one thing funny is, how can people have that sour face while shopping? they have the hurried and black face while choosing gifts/clothes...it's so pathetic...so normally, for customers like that, we will have that stupid smile fixed on our face and will just stand at the side, waiting to serve them :D
@kokopelli (4842)
• United States
18 Jan 07
ok, i'll not delve on the items sold, but on the store itself which draws me to go there and shop, thus, increasing its sales. it must be clean (of course) and uncluttered, have enough room to comfortably walk thru without worrying to break things. it must be organized so items could be located easily. items must be classified and properly tagged, so shoppers won't need much assistance. quality service is a good thing to have too, and lastly, good promo/sale/discount, we the stingy ones would go for all the best deals we can get :)
• United States
18 Jan 07
Yes, I like a store filled with unique goodies but not so much that it's hard to see everything. High quality, not junky trinkets, are always nice to see but of course I look for bargains. Unique products made by local crafters are neat. I always like things "different" and things that inspire me.
• United States
19 Jan 07
I agree with both of you, first off all though, there needs to be something in the window display that is unique yet useful to attract my attention and get me into the store, and if its too cluttered, or dirty or filled with worthless junk I will not stay.
• Singapore
20 Jan 07
Thanks to all of you for your valuable opinions...i'm sure all of you will love the gift stores im in then, it's very comfortable and spacious, and it's all systematically placed. we're actually having a 3 days sales now..and i could say that the sales for today is very satisfactory..though i'm sure it can be better :D
• United States
18 Jan 07
As a lady who would bee looking for office wear type things I'd want the following: I'd like to see clear nail polish for touching up runs in my hose while on the go. Also other colours of nail polish for touching up my nails. I'd like some kind of healthy non-crunchy snack that I could slip into my bag for a break from meetings. I'd also want some sort of breath freshener. Also some sort of meeting gift, such as a high-tech pen or something I could give someone as a token.
• Singapore
18 Jan 07
That's a wonderful idea...Thanks for your suggestions! :D
1 person likes this
• Singapore
20 Jan 07
Thanks for your valuable opinion, i will take note of this...:D
1 person likes this
• United States
18 Jan 07
You could put together a little "survival kit" for working(office)women. It could include clear nail polish, a snack like trail mix or a granola bar, safety pins, kleenex, hair barrets or bobby pins, thin sanitary pads, travel size lotion and whatever else a would be handy for a woman in the office. Put it all together in nice makeup-like bag or pretty drawstring bag. Something small enough to have in the desk drawer or something. Maybe someone already does this already and you could purchase them. I dunno. If you want to put some together yourself, I sew and could probably make the bags cheaper than you could buy them.
• United States
21 Jan 07
I want to see officewear that coordinates in nice colors, not weird prints and cute purses and bags and briefcases.
1 person likes this
@casper20 (1463)
• India
19 Jan 07
i would love to see the gift shop.i just love to visit gift stores.and this past month,before going to my family home,i visited some gift shops .and bought a lot of gifts for my family.it was fun.
• Singapore
22 Jan 07
Hehe...then do tell me when you are in singapore....you should try to visit the gift stores that i'm working in....i will love to serve you :D
@flickz (626)
• Malaysia
18 Jan 07
i want to see 1 million in my hand.. can u do it for me.. hehehe.. i hope i can see. all people,sea,animal,reptile, and more thing in the world
• Italy
18 Jan 07
I want to see a beautifull girl that help me to buy a thing which I want, obviously! you must be happy and tenderly :)
• Singapore
21 Jan 07
Thanks, nickynic for your opinions! i'm sure you will love the boutique that i'm supervising..we have a variety of pretty and nice white blouses :D
• Philippines
19 Jan 07
i am always fascinated with flip flops and bags. so the first thing i always look for are those things.
• Singapore
22 Jan 07
Thanks for your opinion :D
• Philippines
19 Jan 07
if i were going to a store, i would like to see a new or extra ordinary trend that the other store don't have. it will make me more exited to buy those things.
• Singapore
22 Jan 07
Thanks for your opinion! :D
• Philippines
19 Jan 07
I would like to see, latest set of make-up, purse, accessories for my uniform/bag/gadgets and other girly and useful stuffs that ladies surely are intereted. :)
• Singapore
22 Jan 07
we have purse, accessories, bags etc...but no make up...i think most women would prefer to go for those branded make up..right? :D Thanks for your response!
@abhiquest (579)
• India
19 Jan 07
I like to see classic crystalware, something which my friends would cherish as a gift for a long time.
• Singapore
22 Jan 07
you really love your friends! Thanks for your opinion!
• Philippines
19 Jan 07
I want to see affordable and nice clothes. The most important are the friendly sales ladies that will help me in choosing what I'm going to buy and what is best for me.
• Singapore
22 Jan 07
wow! i would hope to have more customers like you then...some customers just marched in and have that angry face that says 'stay clear from me'....sigh...
• Malaysia
19 Jan 07
Well , Its not a too bad idea to play some songs ( relaxing one @ sentimental). People would feel relaxed while shopping and that surely affects the buying mood
• Singapore
22 Jan 07
Thanks for your idea...i have the same thinking as both of you...too bad, my boss think that R & B can brings out our brand more....
• Philippines
19 Jan 07
yes. it feels that youre welcome to come to this place. it a nice ambiance to buy items.
@Shaun72 (15959)
• Palatka, Florida
19 Jan 07
I think Angels and fairies are nice and would sell. My mom had her own gift store for awhile alone with her hair cutting salon. She had a little bit of every thing. even picture frames that were for children and she made alot of crafts also.
• Singapore
22 Jan 07
Thanks for your opinions! it has been noted :D
@SageMother (2277)
• United States
19 Jan 07
Sort of depends on the type of boutique. The first thing that gets me set to stay and look around is the scent of the air, then I am usually drawn to items that are red with gold and satiny, like sari material, then I like little boxes that are hammered tin, or small horn boxes. Very ornate, feeling like Middle Eastern or Indian royalty, so I guess I notice things that are exotic first. If you tell me the sort of boutique then I can give you a better answer as to what I would be drawn to!!!!! I'd love to help you out with this!
• Singapore
22 Jan 07
LOL Thanks a lot! in fact, one of our newest arrival of tops are one gold in color and it's satin...and it's so nice, elegant and cheap!! :D
@klystron635 (1519)
• Philippines
19 Jan 07
Well, I may not be able to help you in the boutique thing but I'll try my best on the gift store. Definitely, I would like to see some scented candles, peppermint scents in particular. I would be nice if you have gifts that are small, large, heavy, soft, sweet, ugly. It's really good for the christmas season. Some picture frame may also help. I think you should have uniques gift, something that the other store doesn't have. You should have some stuff toys, pillows, figurines. I can't think of anymore. If you need more help, I'm willing to give a hand.
• Singapore
22 Jan 07
LOL it's ok, my friend..you already gave me a very general idea of what you like to see in a gift store and it's more than enough...i think you will like to check out my gift store :D and im hoping that we can come up with more variety of designers gifts to attract more people as well :D
@darckj (885)
• Philippines
19 Jan 07
perhaps lifestyle magazine, something that is a big help for men wanting gifts for their special ones.. soft pillows/cushions.. something to hug.. tshirts with cool messages.. something that is unique and cannot be found [or rarely found] in other stores.. yah, and chocolates! if you can add cellphone accessories too, it would be better for me..^^
• Singapore
22 Jan 07
Thanks for your opinion...well, we have everything you mentioned except for lifestyle magazine and chocolates...so pretty good, i guess :D
@maikeeho (196)
• Philippines
19 Jan 07
Everytime i went to boutiques i always love to see it if they display the new arrivals on this area and items on sale on this other area. Most of all the price should always be indicated every item. If clothings.. i want it arranged by color..like all white clothing products are on this side..from pants blouses to acccessories that are white.
• Singapore
22 Jan 07
whew! That's what we are doing and our display are exactly as how you love it! Thanks for your feedback! :D
@mom2boys (334)
• United States
19 Jan 07
what about a nice bag, or briefcase type bag. that might be nice for people to see right when they walk in.
• Singapore
22 Jan 07
we do have nice handbags in our boutiques...different design, colour and sizes. Thanks for your opinion :D