How to combat the 'recession blues'

Q. There’s so much talk about recession that it’s sometimes tough for me and my staff to remain upbeat and energetic. It’s clear that customers are worried and may be tightening their belts. How can I combat this attitude in my store?

A. Bob and Susan Negen, of Whizbang! Training in Grand Haven, addressed this question in a recent “Tip of the Week.” Their response to recession is to refresh. These ideas should engage your creative energy and make your store a joy to visit.

• Remerchandise your store. Move it around, shake it up, mix and match your existing products in new and different ways. For example, if you’ve got leftover green items from Christmas (not the stuff with Santas or angels on it) mix them in with whites and yellows for a fresh spring look.
  

• Look for items that are “affordable luxuries.” Starbucks built an empire using this strategy during a previous economic downturn. People don’t want to stop buying or treating themselves to a fun purchase. They just want to (or need to) spend less. Search out those irresistible goodies that don’t cost a fortune but will “scratch the itch” your customer has to buy something.
  

• Do not stop buying merchandise. You must keep buying fresh, seasonal goods for your store. Nothing will bring sales crashing like a store filled with stale, shop-worn, picked-over merchandise.
  

• Be strategic about your purchases. Do not overbuy. Choose merchandise that will coordinate with and freshen-up the products you already have on your floor.
  

• Keep bestsellers in stock. These are the items your customers count on you to have on-hand day in and day out. These items and categories are the mainstay of your business. It’s foolish to stop spending on bestsellers.
  

• It’s time for a good spring cleaning. Nothing says sagging economy like dingy carpet and burned out light bulbs. Make sure your store looks, smells and feels clean and fresh. Call in your whole team one night after closing and pass out the Windex and Mr. Clean.

To read more of Whizbang! Training’s “Tip of the Week” series or to subscribe to an e-mail version, visit www.whizbangtraining.com.