Exciting times for JoAndCo

Exciting times for Joandcoagencies!

Hello Everybody,

I have finally decided to leave Firetrap Females. It has been a hard decision for me to make as it has been my baby for the last thirteen years, nurturing and developing it, but now the time is right for me to put all my energy into something new!

I am planning to open my own West End showroom with new brands which I feel will be successful within your stores, and I am very excited about this as I believe that the market place is changing - new ways of working are necessary.

I have been meeting companies and people over the last few weeks, and once I have decided and confirmed all the brands I will represent, I will let you know.

You did not think that you had seen the last of me did you?!!!

In the meantime, I would like to thank you for all your business over the years and wish you a very happy and successful New Year!

All the very best for 2011,

Joxx.

On the 12th Day of Christmas!

On the 12th day of Christmas my true love sent to me, Twelve Drummers Drumming and Top Tip Number Twelve!

Merry Christmas!!!!!

We wish you a Merry Christmas; 
We wish you a Merry Christmas; 
We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. 
Good tidings we bring to you and your kin; 
Good tidings for Christmas and a Happy New Year. 

On the 11th day of Christmas!

On the 11th Day of Christmas, my true love sent to me, Eleven Pipers Piping and Top Tip number Eleven!!

GIFT WRAPPING!!!






Gift Wrapping ideas - check out the pictures!!

On the 10th Day of Christmas!

On the 10th day of Christmas my true love sent to me, ten lords a leaping and top tip number Ten!

Gift List!






Gift List:

Have a list with pictures and price points of various gift ideas for last minute presents for all different types of females!

Let all the staff have a copy, so that they can refer to it when friends/boyfriends and husbands pop in over the next two days!

The Secret is to have thought of as many ideas as possible, as last minute gifts purchases are always in a rush

With having pictures you can show the customer and get a quick sale!

On the 9th day of Christmas my true love sent to me!

On the 9th day of Christmas my true love sent to me, nine ladies dancing and top tip number nine!

De-stress and Relax!!!!!


You are most likely to be exhausted at this stage in the run up to Christmas!
Dont forget to look after yourself, at Jo and Co we recommend:

A gin and tonic is a highball cocktail made with gin and tonic water poured over ice. It is usually garnished with a slice or wedge of lime, or lemon. The amount of gin varies according to taste. Suggested ratios of gin-to-tonic are 1:1, 1:2, 1:3, and 2:3.

Have a long, hot soak with a fragrant bubble bath or add a few drops of essential oil such as lavender to a spoon of full fat milk (acts as an emulsifier)  and disperse in the bath just before you get in.  Breathe in the lovely relaxing aroma.  Have a candle lit to create a calming ambience, some chill-out music (listening to Mozart is suppose to be good for the brain!) and turn off your phone!

On the 8th day of christmas

On the 8th day of Christmas my true love sent to me, Eight Maids a Milking and Top Tip number Eight!

Customer service!

customer service tips 

1. When the customer approaches the sales counter with a product to buy always be cheerful and helpful
2. It may not always be possible but try to build a rapport with the customer.
3. While wrapping the item ask if there is anything else you can help the customer with.
4. If your store has a loyalty program ask the customer if he/she would like a loyalty card. This could help to entice the customer to return for repeat business.
5. Inform the customer that if the product bought does not fit then they can return it and exchange it for the correct size.
6. Always thank the customer. Most people appreciate being thanked after they have spent money purchasing products.

I am sure that you do all of these tips, but when it is busy it can be hard to, but it will encourage repeat custom!

On the 7th Day of Christmas!

On the 7th Day of Christmas my true love sent to me, Seven Swans a Swimming and Top Tip number Seven!

Keep your shop open!!!!!

Keep your shop open, invest in a snow shovel, get extra fan heaters for the changing rooms and have a dry mop to hand for sludgy foot-prints.

Snow has landed in the South and we cant cope with it. 

It is the weekend of shopping in pairs, so offer, Hot chocolate and brownies to keep all hubbies and boyfriends de-stressed. 

They will then be more likely to say; 

"Yes it looks lovely" 

"of course you should buy it"

Kerching!!

On the 6th Day of Christmas, my true love sent to me!

On the 6th Day of Christmas my true love sent to me, Six Geese a laying and Top Tip number Six!

Small talk!!!!!
small talk can also be the lead-in to a sales pitch, and help establish common ground between the sales associate and the customer. 

Retail associates need to establish a rapport with a customer quickly. Offering to provide assistance and asking pertinent questions are effective openers and can usually help the associate gauge the customer's interest. 

Maintaining the customer's interest, and developing a relationship takes a little more work.

Build on the questions in a gently way, to show interest and understanding.

Show an interest in your customer. Greet each customer when he or she walks in; if you’re busy, smile and nod. Ask customers about themselves, their interests, and their family. They enjoy spending money with someone who cares

Small talk - very important!

On the Fifth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me...

On the Fifth Day of Christmas my true love sent to me, Five Gold Rings and Top Tip number Five!!!

Music!!
music plays an important role in enhancing your store atmosphere, reinforcing your brand image and ultimately ensuring that your customer has a positive retail experience.

History of Background music:

Count Keiserlingk commissioned Bach to write the Goldberg Variations, background music intended to help him sleep, he demanded that it be "calm and somehow cheerful".

Joandco are not suggesting Bach, but choose wisely!

Background music puts you on a lower level of consciousness. Silence gives you time to reflect, and if you reflect you might start to worry. 

On the Fourth day of Christmas!

On the fourth day of Christmas my true love sent to me.... Top Tip number Four!!

Good Housekeeping








You may have fabulous merchandise to sell, but if you give the customer even one reason to assume that store cleanliness is not a priority, they will take their wallets elsewhere.

Shoulders to Knees
Customers notice the majority of "merchandising" between their shoulders and knees. Make those areas a priority of cleanliness.

Front Door Assumption
Is the glass clean and free of fingerprints? Customers will make the assumption if the front door is dirty the rest of the store may be the same.

Keep your shop clean! Encourage them to spend money with you!

On the third day of Christmas my true love sent to me - "Top Tip number Three"

Top Tip Number Three!

SMILE
A warm, friendly, approachable face is what is needed in Retail, it creates a feeling of well-being and helps to relax people, this is what you want in your shop




Smiling is infectious,

You can catch it like the flu.
Someone smiled at me today,
And I started smiling too.

“Everyone smiles in the same language.”

On the 2nd Day of Christmas, my true love sent to me; Two Turtle Doves and Top Tip Number Two

"Top Tip Number Two!"

Tend to your Windows!
As a retailer, your display windows are literally your windows to the world. They are the face that you present to passersby, the first impression you make with customers, and the easiest way to draw attention away from your competitors.

Lighting is also key. Invest in clever, bright lighting, day and night. You can create a certain mood or spotlight a particular item.

One of the most important things is not to confuse anybody with a crowded space. Uncluttered, clean and simple displays looks more professional than a table crowded with random items. Don't try to sell everything at once, you can show something else next time.

And last but not last, keep the public interested and intrigued by changing your display regularly and often. They will want to return and see what's new.

WINDOWS!!!!! Keep them clean and use them!!!

On the "First day of Christmas" - Top Tip Number one!

"On the First Day of Christmas joandco sent to me, Top Tip number one and a Partridge in a Pear Tree"




SMELL  Smell can alert us, entice us, even relax us. Researcher Dr. Alan Hirsch (1991) says "even concentrations so weak that they are below the threshold of consciousness, still affect peoples' moods subconsciously."

• Over 70% of our emotions are based on things we smell.

• A woman's sense of smell is keener than a man's

         "The sense of smell helps us respond to those we meet, can influence our  mood, how long we stay in a room, who we talk to and who we want to see again." 

         Smell can alert us, entice us, even relax us. Researcher Dr. Alan Hirsch

         Smell - Can entice the customers, relax them, increase the time they spend in your shop and make them return!

Grapefruit and Ylang-ylang - A great combination for retail.

Coming soon... The Twelve days of Christmas- Jo And Co Agencies Top 12 Tips

Soon to arrive on Jo And Co Agencies Blog.....
"The Twelve days of Christmas  -Top Tips!"

Check again for the first posting on December 12th

Blog training session

I feel like a complete Luddite as i sit here trying to become a master blogger, however, some of it is sinking in and i have managed to complete a few Blogs, yippeeeee!

It must be down to my expert trainer - MVJ

click here to visit his website