Swap Meet Magazine Oct. 2021 EMAG

6 • OCTOBER 2021 • SWAP MEET MAGAZINE... READ BY 75,000 VENDORS NATIONWIDE
40 Years
1981-2021
SWAP MEET MAGAZINE
Published by:
Forum Publishing Co.
383 East Main Street
Centerport, NY 11721
Tel: 631/754-5000
Fax: 631/754-0630
forumpublishing@gmail.com
www.SwapMeetMag.com
SALES & MARKETING
Gregory Brown
Harry Makris
Tom Richards
Scott Savitt
Marti Stevens
OFFICE MANAGER
Leah C
PRODUCTION
Lisa Maresca-Smith
CREDIT DEPARTMENT
Kristine Hines
CIRCULATION
Discount Reading Svc.
LITERARY SALES
Rachel Spearman
COLOR PRODUCTION
Anchor Imaging
PRINTING
Composing Room
ART DIRECTION
Gregory Stevens
Marti Stevens
SWAP MEET is published monthly at
$75/year USA, $125/year foreign.
Entire contents copyright ©2021
Forum Publishing. Publisher assumes
no responsibility for contents herein.
First and third class postage paid at
Centerport, NY. Bulk mail paid at
Shirley, NY and additional locations
under private mail indicia.
Halloween Kicks
Off Holiday Sales
AS we enter the home stretch of the fourth quarter this is the time that we as
retailers know that anything is possible from this month through the end of the
year.
BETWEEN much of the economy’s re-opening coupled with higher than
expected sales numbers for back-to-school there is reason for optimism as we
come to the holiday season.
OUR moderately priced merchandise stores are poised for success as consumers
are looking for quality and value. If you have the right mix in your stores you will
be positioned well for profiting from this. If you’re not properly stocked then this is
the time to reevaluate your product mix and prepare.
FOR many of us Halloween is a major boost in sales that kicks off the holiday
season. All retailers should be taking advantage of the sales opportunities by
making sure they add a mix of Halloween goods as all it takes is a small section of
your store. Perhaps adding some seasonal goods to an end cap or at your cash
registers to add impulse purchases and increase sales.
ALWAYS be creative with your displays this year, incorporating the holidays and
Thanksgiving as well, which kicks off holiday buying for shoppers. Make sure that
you’re rotating your displays and merchandise and more importantly adding
new and current merchandise to your mix. Remember the key rule of retailing: If
it didn’t sell last year it ain’t going to sell this year, especially with the inch of dust
on it.
HERE are some obvious things to do this time of year. Make sure you are
accepting credit and debit cards as most shoppers have shifted away from cash.
If you’re already taking credit cards you should audit your costs of processing
and see if you can improve your rates with your current provider or interview a
new one. Another key thing to do time-wise is to review your inventory and stock
up with updated merchandise as well as trendy items to engage your shoppers.
ABOVE all, make sure that your selling space is festive and invites shoppers. If
you and your staff get into the spirit your customers are sure to follow. And happy
customers spend! Go the extra mile and make your store and your goods exciting
including your window displays. Your first job is to get your shoppers to come in
and browse.
WE’D like to thank all of readers and advertisers for their support over the last
four decades. We always strive to bring you the latest industry information and
wholesale suppliers and appreciate your support.