Webcams in the dressing rooms? Magic mirrors that show customers how they’ll look in new clothes without undressing? Instant communication with a salesperson to bring in more clothes if the first choices don’t fit so well? Text messaging your friends to get their opinion on the clothes you chose?

If you’re a clothing retailer, you should look at this article on InsideBayArea.com. All of the above and more are coming to a department or clothing store near you. The fact that huge tech firms like Cisco Systems and IconNicholson are helping to shape the future of retail is exciting to me. And it’s not just because of the “gee-whiz” factor.

An IconNicholson exec says the system the company developed the system to complement “the social nature of the way people shop, and kick that up a notch.” That should tell you how important it is to connect with all the text-messaging customers who can help spread great word of mouth about your store.

But the tech part has some great advantages as well. A Japanese department store chain uses a system like the one described above. It reports about a 50 percent drop in customer wait times for merchandise, and a 30 percent drop in the time workers spend looking for inventory.

It’s all so pricey now that no one quoted in the article would reveal how much it costs. But you can bet it won’t be too long before price points bring it all down to affordable levels.

If I had a clothing boutique, I’d consider adding webcams outside the dressing rooms so that so tech-savvy spenders could show off their clothing choices to friends you contact for them online. Or encourage them to use their cell camera phones to get their friends involved in the buying decision.

Come to think of it, this could work for gift shops, luggage stores, shoe stores or anyplace where merchandise might warrant a second opinion. It’s a small step toward blending the real and virtual worlds. And you don’t need a Cisco or IconNicholson to try it.

SAN DIEGO, June 27, 2007 – From basic checkout to powerful inventory tracking, the three new POS (point of sale) system bundles from TRIO Display can help any retailer stay competitive.

Beginning at $1,900 for an economy system, $2,775 for a basic system and $3,650 for a preferred system, each is available online at www.triodisplay.com/pos.

TRIO’s POS bundles are complete retail solutions that:

• Simplify and speed purchase transactions.
• Streamline inventory management.
• Improve cash control.
• Boost customer satisfaction.
• Pay for themselves through improved efficiencies.

The economy bundle integrates easily into an existing system or operates as a stand-alone station. It includes computer, flat display, cash drawer, receipt printer and barcode scanner. Also included is easy-to-use RegistWARE software that helps retailers manage inventory, customers, employees and money.

The basic bundle is a “pillar” system that can serve as the core of a complete multistation checkout. It includes computer, flat display, cash drawer, receipt printer and barcode scanner. The included QuickBook POS Pro software simplifies inventory tracking and reporting.

The preferred bundle delivers powerful inventory tracking, reporting and fully customizable product matrices. It is bundled with Keystroke POS software, a reliable solution for owner-operated retail stores. Keystroke offers speed and flexibility for multilane and multilocation businesses. The system can be easily upgraded to touch screen and comes with computer, flat display, cash drawer, receipt printer, barcode scanner, card reader and pole display.

Optional support plans are available for each POS bundle. All can be ordered online at www.triodisplay.com/pos. Retailers who seek assistance in configuring a POS system can get a quick response by completing and submitting the online questionnaire at www.triodisplay.com/pos/pos_custom.php. TRIO Display representatives also are available to answer POS questions at (800) 454-4844 from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Pacific time.

An informative article on POS system uses and configuration is available from the TRIO Display home page, www.triodisplay.com, by clicking the How To POS Guide link in the POS Systems section at lower right.

About TRIO Display
TRIO Display is a retail design and store-fixture company based in San Diego, California. TRIO specializes in planning and outfitting retail spaces that “look good and sell goods.” TRIO delivers effective, intelligent design that builds a relationship between brand and customer. TRIO clients include many professional sports-team stores, the Ronald W. Reagan Presidential Library and Museum Bookstore, and the RMS Titanic exhibit store. To order from the TRIO catalog, visit www.triodisplay.com/catalog or call 800-454-4844.

About Jeff Grant
With more than 20 years’ experience designing and outfitting successful retail spaces, TRIO Display president and chief designer Jeff Grant works with 1,000-plus merchants annually designing stores, supplying retail fixtures and displays, and dispensing advice, ideas and suggestions. He can be contacted at jeff@triodisplay.com.

I’m sure you’ve bought or received a branded gift card by now. They’re available everywhere, from bookstores to supermarkets to 7-Eleven stores. They’ve pretty much killed off gift certificates.

Until recently, I thought only large retailers offered these cards. In fact, Americans are buying as much as $50 billion a year in single-retailer cards, according to this article in the San Francisco Chronicle. But if you’re a smaller retailer, the technology involved represents a huge opportunity to offer your own branded gift cards.

All you need is the ability to process a credit card with a card reader and a gift/loyalty card to activate. These can be purchased through your current credit card processor and can be imprinted with your store name by a supplier such as Intuit.

And it wouldn’t hurt if you had a POS (point of sale) system. A POS will integrate with your card processor, making it one-screen simple to accept or sell a card, and to tell customers their card balances.

As the article says, places like radiator shops aren’t great candidates for branded gift cards. But for everyone else–from florists to boutiques to wine shops–these cards show that you’re part of the trend, that you can compete with the big guys. It’s just a small piece of plastic, but don’t underestimate its power to yield large rewards.

By Eric Fairbanks
No retailer can thrive without a good cash management system. Historically, the primary function of a cash management system has been to prevent theft. At its most rudimentary this could be that flea market classic, a lockable metal cashbox, but most retailers now use at least a digital cash register, with more and more turning to the robust functionality of a full-featured point-of-sale (POS) system.

Benefits of a POS System
• Simplify and speed purchase transactions.
• Streamline inventory management.
• Improve cash control.
• Boost customer satisfaction through shorter lines.
• Pays for itself through improved efficiencies.
• Analyze sales trends and buying habits, which improves marketing.

POS Hardware: Tough, Durable, Dependable
The basic point-of-sale system is composed of a cash drawer, computer, receipt printer, barcode scanner, and flat screen display.

Your local business regulations might dictate that every register use a pole display. This is the small LED read-out, usually on a short mast, that shows the customer the price of the transaction. Not only will a pole display keep you compliant, but it’s also a good business practice.

The reader speeds credit card transactions, and some can read any other information delivered through a magnetic stripe card such as gift cards and driver’s licenses.

You might want to include an attached magnetic stripe or credit card swipe reader. The reader speeds credit card transactions, and some can read any other information delivered through a magnetic stripe card such as gift cards and driver’s licenses. This will speed the transaction process and enable better sales tracking.

A smart option to pursue might be a touch screen LCD. Touch screens make transactions quicker and cut down on operator error. Despite costing a little more than conventional flat displays, they realize economies of efficiencies that may make the extra investment worth your while.

POS hardware sold through a reputable dealer should give years of flawless service. What drives the system, though, is the software, and the software will be the most important consideration when it comes to making your buying decision. Here’s a quick overview.

POS Software: Many Choices, One Right Answer
The system is run by one of the many software programs specially designed for retail cash management, and is the core of the entire POS system. Point-of-sale software (also sometimes referred to as “retail management software”) can range from simple code that totes up quantity, cost, and sales tax to powerful, robust programs integrating inventory tracking, gift card programs, accounts receivable and payable, and even payroll. With the thousands of POS software programs available to choose from, you’ll find the perfect POS solution for your business, but it could take time.

Can this software grow with your business? Can it serve multiple stations?

One aspect to think about is the scalability of the software. (“Scalability” is a handy tech term describing the ability of a system to expand.) Can this software grow with your business? Can it serve multiple stations? Will the inventory management tool integrate with your e-commerce website (you will be building one, right?) to provide real-time inventory reports? Obviously, when you’re choosing a POS system it’s important to take the long view.

Signing on for a service contract is a good idea. A dead POS system leads directly to lost sales you can’t afford. Most POS companies will offer on-site technical support. If your system goes down, a tech will come out and get it up and running.

It’s better to buy your POS system as a hardware/software package to ensure that all the components work together. Mix and matching hardware and software isn’t a good idea since not all scanners and credit card readers are compatible with all computers and POS software. Buy a package and you’re assured that everything works together, and with the right software to command it.

Given the complexity of finding the right POS for your business, it is very important to consult a POS professional before making a purchase. In fact, we will not sell one of our POS systems without having the retailer speak to our staff POS expert first. Learn more about our complete line of POS systems here or call 1 (800) 454-4844 to speak to our staff POS expert.

Buying health insurance can be confusing enough. But selling it, it seems to me, has always been even more confusing. No insurance company seems to have a winning formula for retail.

Most Americans get their health insurance through their employers. For those who don’t, it usually takes a trip to an insurance sales office or an in-home visit from an agent. Policies also can be purchased online or by phone, of course. But none of the above is an experience to look forward to.

I’ve seen Blue Cross retail stores in a few strip malls, and none looked too inviting. But according to this article in the Jacksonville Daily Record, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida (BCBSF) are finally getting retail right in a destination mall.

It seems like BCBSF picked up some clues from the Apple stores. Customer entering are greeted by a concierge, “and in front of them is a plethora of information about health insurance,” the article says.

There’s a demo bar for learning how plans work in real-life situations (reminds me of Apple’s Genius Bar); a kids’ area; a seminar area; Internet kiosk; and a magnetic “Wall of Solutions” that makes it easy to post important news and updates. “Everywhere you turn there is information,” a BCBSF marketing rep says.

In addition, “We wanted to provide our customers with a real warm and welcoming atmosphere. Everything from the color scheme to the furniture and the design of the store is very inviting.”

BCBSF really did its homework before opening the store, which is now its most visible marketing tool. “The store has taken the fear out of the process,” the rep says.

I’m glad he said that. It’s kind of an unspoken rule that customers experience a certain amount of fear before entering a retail store for the first time. It’s your job as owner to cut the “fear factor.” If a giant insurance company can do it, so can you.

Looking for a good reason to improve the design of your retail store? Here’s a good one: Online purchases are slowing as consumers return to shopping in the bricks-and-mortar world.

A Harvard Business School professor paraphrased in this New York Times article really hit the nail on the head for me: “…as physical stores have made the in-person buying experience more pleasurable, online stores have continued to give shoppers a blasé experience. In addition, online shopping, because it involves a computer, feels like work.”

The research cited in the article confirms what I’ve been thinking for a while. Shopping online is great for some things, not so great for others.

For example, booking travel reservations online is so easy now that many people like me don’t go into travel agencies anymore. But if an agency’s website advertises travel accessories like passport holders, luggage straps and guidebooks, I’m more likely to stop in. That’s when well-trained staff could snag me into an unadvertised cruise or other promotion.

I also like Borders Books and Circuit City, where I can order online and come into the store to pick up my purchases. And when I get there, I often find interesting products I hadn’t noticed online.

But enough about me. What the article should tell you is that even though online shopping isn’t going away, consumers still want to shop in retail stores. It’s your job to draw them in and keep them in through great store design.

Need some help figuring out how to start to upgrading your store? Glad you asked. Just click here to get the ball rolling.

The fact that Dell just started selling PCs in Wal-Marts verifies to me that the demise of retail is greatly exaggerated. “Some customers like a more interactive experience,” a Dell senior VP says in the article. “They like shopping, and they want to go retail.”

When my brother and I were kids, we loved assembling model cars with our dad. When we finally could build one without his help, we were thrilled. Apparently, we’re not alone in this “guy thing” about scale-model cars.

My brother’s 2-1/2-year-old grandson can’t keep his hands off the Shake ‘n Go cars he got for his last birthday. And a friend who owns a ‘39 Chevy also has a display case full of model cars he made or bought.

I bring up all of this because I see that a smart retailer has capitalized on the love affair of boys and their four-wheeled toys. The author of this article on bloggingstock.com predicts a rosy future for RIDEMAKERZ, calling it a “new retail concept” that “has the ability to capture that elusive boy sector. And the dad sector too.”

RIDEMAKERZ is a place where boys (and girls, I’m sure), can build a custom toy car. They get to select the chassis, wheels, rims, spoilers and other parts. They can even turn it into a remote-controlled vehicle complete with audio.

While the cars don’t seem to be as intricate as the models we built, they are pretty cool-looking. And not too expensive, starting at $12 and topping out at about $35. They give kids the instant gratification we never got while assembling our model cars (not that patience isn’t a good thing). What a concept, indeed.

Not surprisingly, about one-third of the company stock is owned by Build-A-Bear Workshop, the wildly successful stores where kids can make their own stuffed toy bears.

I’ve always thought the Build-A-Bear idea was fantastic, getting kids and parents involved in an activity both enjoy in a fun retail environment. The BAB stores are well-thought-out destinations with a every aspect from the front window to the bear “birth certificate” designed to draw customers in. Build-A-Bear and RIDEMAKERZ have outstanding websites, too–a great example of synergy between bricks-and-mortar and virtual merchandising.

The marriage of BAB and RIDEMAKERZ seems like a natural fit. Only one RIDEMAKERZ store is open now, with more planned. I can’t wait to try it out. I don’t have any grandchildren yet, so maybe I’ll take my brother.

Contact: Jeff Grant
800-454-4844
858-539-7550

SAN DIEGO, June 13, 2007 – Retail storeowners who want to know everything about gondola shelving systems before they buy can get educated quickly at triodisplay.com.

The online article “Gondola Shelving Demystified” explores how to plan, buy and accessorize gondolas, a durable, versatile and affordable display option for retailers. Available at www.triodisplay.com/learngondolas, the article is one of many TRIO offers on retail store planning and design.

“We believe owners should know as much as possible before they invest in the equipment needed for a successful retail space,” said Jeff Grant, president of retail design and store-fixture company TRIO Display.

“Our site is one of the few that provide case studies and design guides. They help our customers make informed decisions before they order from our online catalog. We cover everything from the storefront to the entryway to flooring, lighting and background music.”

The article on gondolas discusses how to:

- Measure for shelf height and depth
- Select the right types of shelves
- Add accessories for a professional look that helps motivate customers to buy

TRIO’s wide range of gondola and retail shelving includes standard and curved steel gondola shelves, tempered-glass shelves, economical duron bullnose shelves and backroom/storage shelves. Aisle, end, and wall units include base, uprights and shelves. Gondola accessories include hooks, fences, baskets and dividers.

TRIO’s gondolas are adaptable for many retail and commercial applications such as pharmacies, liquor stores, sporting goods stores, auto parts outlets, stationery stores and anywhere a strong, attractive shelving system is required. TRIO’s online catalog of gondolas is at www.triodisplay.com/gondolas.

TRIO staff is available to help owners plan the layout of their retail store, assist with selecting accessories and give estimate of cost including shipping. Staff can be reached weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Pacific time at 800-454-4844.

About TRIO Display
TRIO Display is a retail design and store-fixture company based in San Diego, California. TRIO specializes in planning and outfitting retail spaces that “look good and sell goods.” TRIO delivers effective, intelligent design that builds a relationship between brand and customer. TRIO clients include many professional sports-team stores, the Ronald W. Reagan Presidential Library and Museum Bookstore, and the RMS Titanic exhibit store. To order from the TRIO catalog, visit www.triodisplay.com/catalog or call 800-454-4844.

About Jeff Grant
With more than 20 years’ experience designing and outfitting successful retail spaces, TRIO Display president and chief designer Jeff Grant works with 1,000-plus merchants annually designing stores, supplying retail fixtures and displays, and dispensing advice, ideas and suggestions. He can be contacted at jeff@triodisplay.com.

I’m fascinated that so much good retail-store design advice is coming from India. Maybe it’s because U.S. firms outsource all that tech work to the subcontinent. The privileged classes there now have more disposable income. And they like to spend it in great-looking stores where they can buy an international selection of products they find on the Internet. That’s my take, anyway.

This article in The Times of India shows how good store design spans cultures. “…design is a very important element. Shopping today is about creating an experience and these themes are aimed at making our stores destination points for customers,” says the head of Dockers India.

I also like what the author says about how retail spaces “act as a silent salesperson by motivating a customer to buy.” That has been one of the core beliefs of my design strategy for several decades.

The Internet has enabled everyone in retail to learn great design. I try to run a daily Google News search on the keywords “retail store design.” That’s how I found this article. I suggest you do the same with your favorite search engine. You’ll get a fresh perspective on the latest design trends.

If you haven’t clicked through to the article yet, I’ll leave you with a few a gems from Shantanu Saha, head of Indian design firm Idiom. They certainly can be applied to U.S. retailers as well:

“Retail personality cannot be condescending to someone who might not appear to be a potential customer.”

“While a foreigner would be most comfortable in an unassisted environment, warm service is of utmost importance in the Indian retail space.”

Who knew there’s such an emphasis on retail store design in India? Not me. But that’s what I like about this business: You never know where your next great idea will come from.

Jane Shepherdson, one of the most important women in British fashion, isn’t just a clothing expert. She’s also a retail store merchandising guru. In an interview with Australia’s Inside Retailing Online, she gives a bonanza of great ideas for any retailer. She practices them at Topshop, the women’s clothing store chain she helped turn around.

I really like what she has to say. If your store could use a boost in the sales and merchandising areas, I suggest you read the interview. Here are a few nuggets of wisdom she offers:

- To keep shoppers coming back, create what Shepherdson calls “fashion Disney”–an entertaining shopping experience…”It’s up to the retailers to provide an experience that’s a bit more fun than just the average ‘pile it high, sell it cheap-type experience.”

- “Obviously people will stay in your store longer if it’s exciting to look at, it’s interesting, it’s tempting–there are unexpected things within it.”

- “To me it makes such perfect sense that if you want people to come and spend time in your store and spend a lot of money with you, you have to equally put in a lot of effort into making it a fun experience.”

- Constantly innovate, try new things and move forward.

- Take risks–you have to frighten yourself.

- Be ruthless, don’t buy anything you aren’t proud of. Customers should be able to trust your choices.

- Always offer great value. Greedy margins can actually devalue your business. Respect your customer. “My retail philosophy is, if your customers love something it will be profitable. So always ask, ‘Will they love it?’ not ‘What will it cost?’ ”

- Be creative with visual merchandising and shop windows.

- Create links with design colleges–they’re a great source of ideas.

- Don’t work in a vacuum – you end up recycling the same things.

- Don’t be afraid to try something new–everything is worth a try. Keep pushing the boundaries…

- Keep the product mix changing to reflect changing customer demand.

- Don’t be afraid of running out of stock.

I couldn’t have said it better myself. That’s why I let Shepherdson say it all. Take a look at the Topshop website, too, to see how she practices what she preaches.