THE CHICAGO MARKET: LIVING AND GIVING ANNOUNCES FEBRUARY 2009 RETAILER OF THE MONTH

Program Recognizes Outstanding Retailers Each Month

 
CHICAGO, IL (February, 200) – The Chicago Market: Living and Giving™ is proud to announce the February 2009 Retailer of the Month honoree. The ROTM program is designed to acknowledge exceptional retailers who are making a difference in the gift industry, as well as to provide inspiration to other retailers who can benefit from the winners’ stories.
 
Congratulations to the February 2009 Retailer of the Month, John and Sarah Ranes of The Frame Workshop of Appleton, Inc. in the Fox Cities, Wisconsin.
 
Retailer of the Month: February 2009

Store Name:  The Frame Workshop of Appleton, Inc.
Owners: John and Sarah Ranes Website:  www.theframeworkshop.com Location:  Fox Cities, Wisconsin
 Years in Business:  31

Throughout the years The Frame Workshop has grown and changed with the times. They started with just frames and have grown to include other complimenting items.
 
John notes that, “Quality, uniqueness, and historical traditions are typically more important to us than price points.” Some products they like are: wooden German collectibles, home décor lines, Christmas ornaments and even Trollbeads from Denmark—the store’s changing inventory is all based on the changing taste of the customer.
 

Changing product mix based on customer buying patterns is no mean feat! A little help, in the form of a good Point of Sale (POS) system came to the rescue for John and Sarah. According to John the benefits of a POS system include inventory control, pricing, and sales reports to help fuel your efficiency and growth.  There are also key reports that tell you what your top selling products are within any designated time frame, not to mention market buying reports and geographical customer maps.
 
 “Those reports are enlightening,” John explained. “Frame shop or gift shop, I don’t believe one can grow a retail business today without the benefits of a point of sale software program”.
 
Before they can keep track of inventory John and Sarah have to get business to their store! Over the years they have had in store events such as Christmas Open Houses with artist signing events, trunk shows and even a birthday party for the store!
 

Instead of a 30th anniversary party for the store, The Frame Workshop elected to have a birthday party themed event complete with cake and presents. “We commissioned Inge-glas of Germany a top line, to make us a very simple blown glass reflector ornament “to reflect back on 30 years of business”.” Each ornament was a shiny silver and white and glitter swirled design and presented in a shaved wooden box imprinted with the Anniversary details on the top.  “This was extremely well received,” John said, “and of course reinforces one of our stronger gift lines.”
 
Whether it’s technical innovation or a personal touch John and Sarah have created a store with lasting power. Although The Frame Workshop has been around for over 30 years the store itself has changed with the customer so that it’s always relevant and personal. As John puts it, “Evolving is important”.
 
For more information about John and Sarah Ranes and The Frame Workshop please visit www.theframeworkshop.com.
 
Each month a different retailer is to be featured. To nominate someone you know for Retailer of the Month e-mail Sara Hall, buyer relations manager, at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
 
For more information on Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc. (MMPI) or The Chicago Market: Living and Giving, please visit www.shopchicagomarket.com or call 800.677.6278 (MART).