Pedaling in this economy

Yes, I can say business is good. The retail business is like riding a bicycle, you have to pedal uphill at times and then at other times you get to coast downhill. The summer is generally a slower time for the gift basket industry. Pedaling uphill is the norm during the summer months, in this industry. Without a holiday to coast along on, we look to other niche markets to get into. How do I pedal into other markets?

It is during that I time that I look to market to corporate clients that have year round appreciation programs for clients or employees or some other customer gift campaign. Thankfully, we have a long list of loyal corporate customers that do not take the summer off when thanking their customers. This is usually a comfort for us, while we plan our holiday sales.

While we search for the next corporate client to market to, we have our steady stream of popular niche gifts for wedding favors and personalized gifts, sympathy and Shiva baskets, newborn gifts and baskets for mom/ baby and of course the new home gifts are also very popular this time of the year.

But...the 'status quo' has changed. Overall the economy has slowed, and now the summer looks like a mountain instead of a hill. The pedaling begins. How do you respond when the satus quo changes and slows? Do you pedal faster or do you give in to the hill? A slow economy is not the time to stop thinking about your customers. It is the perfect time to show them that you value them. I promise you that a gift in kindness always comes back around. Just ask yourself "how does it feel when someone genuinely thanks you"? Does it change you? I am sure you understand the pay it forward principal?

We all need to respond to the changes ahead. What can you do to reach out to your current customers? Is there a low cost promotion that can help you market to new clients?
We can pedal together.

Call us to help create the perfect selection to send your thoughts in a basket.
Grove Baskets and Gifts, LLC - http://www.thoughtsinabasket.com/ - (973) 226-4430

Today I was visited at our Gift Basket shop by one of my fellow LeTip members. LeTip is a networking group that I have been a member of, for the past 3 years. We are a group of business owners that work for each other as sales reps. The purpose of this visit was to learn more about my business. The theory here is that he will be better prepared to recommend my business to others. Todd stopped in and witnessed a new client working with my daughter, Stacia and our assistant designer, AnnMarie. Together they customized the clients holiday gifts. On Wednesday, Todd will report to our group of almost 40 local business men and women and tell them firsthand about todays visit. Spending time to learn about another business is the ultimate form of relationship building. The result for Grove Baskets has been the most tried and true method of increasing sales. Our most satisfied clients have come to us through a referral from someone else. These are the clients that return and send their friends too.