Download Issue 74 Low-resolution - Gift Focus magazine

all the answers
Our experts tackle your retail-related queries
Jane Means is a gift wrapping expert and is
affectionately known as the Gift Wrap Guru. She travels
nationwide holding workshops, and has appeared on
various television programs and radio shows
providing advice on gift wrapping. Contact Jane on
T: +44 (0)1522 522 544 or E: info@janemeans.co.uk
Neil Coxon is the Founder and Managing Director
of ‘from you to me’, creators of award-winning gifts.
Previously he climbed the corporate human resources
career ladder, specialising in people, leadership and
organisational development. His passion for psychology
and relationships inspired him to create the ‘from you
to me’ journals of a lifetime and gifts to treasure.
Contact Neil on T: +44 (0)1225 866 225 or
E: neilcoxon@fromyoutome.com
Stephanie Jerome is the Founder of the Intelligent Retail
Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) programme and has
optimised many retail websites over the years. She
conducts her own research into techniques as a
specialist in SEO for e-commerce and retail. Contact
Stephanie on T: +44 (0)1635 517 923 or
E: sjerome@intelligentretail.co.uk for more information.
Barbara Aspin is the Business Development Manager
at SiteWizard.co.uk. She has 10 years experience within
the website design industry. SiteWizard.co.uk has been
trading for 15 years and has designed websites for
thousands of companies. Contact Barbara on
T +44 (0)1622 200 045 or
E: barbara.aspin@sitewizard.co.uk for more information.
Gift wrapping
I Qam considering offering a gift wrapping service in my
shop. What should I consider before introducing this?
Jane Means says: A gift wrapping service is a great incentive
to customers. It can prove very popular and make you stand
out from the competition. Pre-wrapped products will also
encourage Aimpulse buying.
From as little as £30 you can buy materials which should
include paper, tissue, cellophane (for awkward shapes),
scissors and ribbon. Choose plain wrapping in a good all
round colour such as turquoise or purple, which is suitable
for any age, gender or occasion, and accessorise it with
contrasting ribbons.
Starting a wrapping service can be nerve racking so
ensure you have lots of practice, or you may wish to
designate specific projects to a relevant staff member with
good wrapping skills. You can always wrap in a back room
and ask customers to pop back in five minutes if space or
confidence is lacking.
Ensure you market the service by the till, via newsletters,
website, Twitter etc and have a small display in your shop
window. You could also run promotional events where
wrapping is involved.
Price your service well with a starter price under £3 for
small items, and buy all of your materials wholesale.
Avoid a free gift wrapping service (otherwise you’ll be
wrapping sweets for kids) and introduce a minimum spend
or cap during peak periods. If budgets are tight, products
simply wrapped in tissue with some ribbon tied in a bow on
a paper carrier bag is appreciated.
For more in depth tips on starting a wrapping service,
visit www.janemeans.co.uk
Qgiftfocus
If you have a question about any aspect of the gift retail industry, simply write
to: Q&A special, Gift Focus Magazine, Broseley House, Newlands Drive, Witham,
Essex, CM8 2UL. Alternatively, send your queries to editor@giftfocus.com.
giftfocus 89
q&a special