August Issue

• It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas
  - Editorial
• The Baby Boutique
  - What's hot for tots in 2010
• Up the Garden Path -
  - Quality assurance, high-design and originality . . . gardens are calling the shots
• Make it a Wrap
  - First impressions do count, which is why beautifully wrapped gifts are so enticing.
• Get Sharp
  - News from the sharp side.
• Festive Forecast
  - What's hot for this Christmas season?

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Is it just me, or are the months slipping by quicker than ever before? It only seems like yesterday that I was covered in glitter and battling Christmas tree branches to produce our 2009 Christmas front cover. I found myself in a glittered position once again last month – though not nearly as extreme as last year – when shooting our festive cover. I was more than delighted to inform our photographer, Paul Gilbert, that most Christmas gift wholesalers live and breathe Christmas product year-round. “So they've barely had time to recover from seeing the in-laws before they delve into Christmas once again!” was his response. He was notably impressed with such dedication and commitment nonetheless.

By the time this issue reaches your store, many of you will be gearing up to attend the Spring Gift Fair in Auckland. Many wholesalers I've spoken to of late are eagerly awaiting the earlier Spring Fair, they informed me. “Flights are so reasonable nowadays that it's easy to hop on a plane and fly to Auckland for the fair,” one wholesaler pointed out. “And I think because of the early dates, because the worst of the winter season is over by the end of August, and because everyone gets quite excited about the Christmas rush ahead, there's automatically a renewed sense of optimism for wholesalers and retailers alike when the Spring Gift Fair rolls around.”

On the topic of renewed optimism, having suffered through a dreadful tummy bug a few weeks ago, I opted for a ‘controlled' spot of retail therapy as a wee pick-me-up. Sylvia Park in Auckland was my point of call. My visit to Just Jeans, although not a gift store, was a mood-booster for two reasons – one being the discovery of a jacket at less than half price, and secondly the customer service skills of the young sales girl who attended me. I wasn't welcomed into the store with a “Hey mate, how's it going?” (unlike similar retail stores I've visited on more than one occasion). Instead I received a polite “Good morning” and a warm smile. When I asked for a little help, the young lady was open and honest – interested without being too pushy, and she made polite chit-chat without trying to become my best friend (it was no speed-dating experience). Before I knew it I had my bargain purchase in hand and was waltzing out of the store beaming – my day was made. If Just Jeans in Sylvia Park stocked supermarket items, I'd shop there every week!

Whilst many things are still beyond our control in such a wavering economic climate (such as the inevitable GST rise), fostering great customer relations skills – in all areas of life, not just work – is surely worth its weight in sales and warm fuzzy feelings.

Till next time,
Dyani

Dyani Ellwood
dellwood@astonpublishing.co.nz