with hunger-inducing names like Bistro, Picnic, Alfresco and Trattoria - Lunch a la Mode bags are the answer to the chic, busy woman’s prayers.  Beautiful, sophisticated, functional bags hide a sustainable little secret:  a lunch compartment!

Lunch a la Mode by Amber Pollard provides a simple, yet unmet need for the businesswoman who wants to bring her own lunch without the style-devoid brown bag. 

The bags are classy and timeless in style – a woman could carry hers year round for decades.  but what’s really neat about them is that they include an insulated bag for your lunch that includes an ice pack & beverage holder.

Each of the 4 styles for Fall come in three color choices.  Prices range from $135 – $230 wholesale.  Minimum purchase of 2 bags/per color/style, total $750.  Amber is offering FREE shipping with your first order – OR – a FREE Picnic hobo with minimum purchase of $1500 (thanks for your generous offer, Amber!).  just mention the Proprietress when placing your order.

as what i hope is a busy shopping weekend kicks off (everyone just got paid & your store is full of new goodies, right?!), i would like you to reflect on how you are rewarding your loyal clients.

there are many ways to say “thank you” and increase your odds of earning repeat business.  one of my favorites is a frequent buyer program.  these programs come in different shapes and sizes.  i’m sure you’re all familiar with frequent flier programs through the airlines.  how about the punch cards at the cafe that earn you a free coffee?  these programs are in place so that you will be enticed to come back to the same airline/cafe/whatever over and over.

the same rationale applies to boutiques.  let’s say that yours is one of a few darling shops in the area.  you can figure that most shoppers will hit all of them while making the rounds.  so how can you encourage them to depart with their disposable income at YOUR shop?  i say a frequent buyer program can certainly help.

i implemented the License to Splurge program at ooma.  the details were simple:  for every $300 spent, the client would earn $20 in splurge money.  and let me tell you:  they la-la-la-LOVED it.  my POS system automatically tracked the points for me – so it was always fun to say “oh goody!  you get $20 off because you earned your reward last time”.  this usually prompted squeals of delight and a rationale to buy something else.

when creating a rewards program – i like the idea of keeping it simple and attainable.  if i had set my limit at $1000 – it would take much longer to acheive  and most people may never earn a reward.  faster, quicker turnaround keeps the program churning.

the purchase requirements should also match your average price.  if you sell greeting cards at $5 a pop – then a $300 cap seems outrageous.  in this case a quantity might work better (buy 11 cards and get the 12th for free).

The program is generally part of a computerized POS system (i didn’t know i had mine until after 2 years – so check your manual!) – but if you don’t have the capability, there are plenty of 3rd party companies that can create a program for you.  If nothing else, a simple punch card always works (though i always seem to lose them!  i prefer the shops track for me).

what are some ways that you are encouraging loyalty with your clients (other than the obvious:  fab merch and service)?

hey lady!  check out Davey Lady….lots of fun stuff.  i was immediately attracted to her handbag collection - which includes one -of-a-kind pieces (a rarity in this mass produced world).  seriously!  she only uses fabric ONCE for each bag style so that it remains unique.  i think that’s pretty darn cool.  the only bummer is that most people will then miss out on this bag:

and that’s pretty dreamy.  but from the looks of her site – she has a great eye for design and fabric – so i’m sure there are others that will catch your fancy.  the leather bags are divine as well (i especially like the shimmery clutches).

so how does a store place an order with a OOAK designer?  simple.  just contact the designer, Lisa Davey, and she will either send you jpegs of her available fabrics – or if you are in the Bay Area – she’ll pop in and show you in person (you gotta love old fashioned service like that).  her w/s prices are available upon request (retail prices range from $45 – $220).

but wait!  that’s not all!  she is a one woman designing machine.  there’s belts!  jewelry!  baby clothes!  dog accessories!  oh, if only i had the time.  check out her website to see the breadth of her design prowess.

For those of you who are new to my blog, i can’t say enough nice things about Carlo Casareo.  He was my brilliantly creative and resourceful window display artist at my former boutique, ooma.  He has agreed to impart his wisdom to my readers in the form of a monthly guest blogger.  So without further ado – introducing Carlo’s WOW!

DISPLAY IT WITH FUN

The least amount of display often makes the biggest statement, especially when you are challenged with everything but the available merchandise in stock.

 One way to let your customers know that you have new merchandise is to change your top shelf display presentations. I often find top shelf displays an important expression of your merchandise assortment, not only because it conveys a “show me” attitude but it is what your customers see from a distance.

 Props can be improvised from whatever is on hand – be creative and resourceful, and keep in mind: Display it with FUN!

 Below is a series of top shelf displays I created for an accessories department. Using some fresh fallen branches from the park and wooden blocks, I was able to effectively compose a display for hand-made silk scarves.

Think outside the box and give your merchandise some style, if it’s worth repeating – repeat it several times over and always provide some element of surprise. Below are some display samples I styled using scarves and neck ties.

Wow Carlo!  you’ve elevated the scarf to a form of art!  bravo and thanks again for the great tips and inspiration.

i’ve always been obsessed with combining colors.  i enjoy mixing odd pairs, bright with subdued, jewel with neutral and so on.  inspiration for color combos can be found virtually everywhere –  wrapping paper, fabrics, gardens, toys, magazines, groceries, cosmetics, museums,  – and especially your own closet.

i used to paint one room in my bedroom a different color each season (yes – four times a year) and then change various accessories, throw pillows and the like.  i wanted my room to reflect my mood.  often my need to change came by seeing something that sparked an interest in a new color combination.

whether styling an outfit with your existing merchandise, determining unique color combos for your displays, or simply deciding on a color scheme for your store (logo, etc) – color is a very important and malleable trait.

because i’m so in love with color – i’m going to begin doing monthly posts about a scheme i dream up or that gets me excited.

so here’s my color palette for August:  chocolate, pumpkin, magenta, light mustard, graphite.

lovely things shown include:

• rowen pillow : Crate & Barrel
• feelin’ groovy : Flor
• acco wallpaper : Twenty2
• camille pendant : Seascape Lamps
• vintage orange chair:  eBay
• raindrop mirror:  pottery barn
• paints:  Benjamin Moore

this palette reminds me of candy, though it was inspired by the richness of impending fall and the aura of back-to-school shopping sweetness.  these colors translate beautifully in a room, a shop – and especially an outfit!

what do you think?  what color combos are you into right now?