PrintRoundTable

Were you Prepared for Black Friday? What About the Next Few Weeks?

Filed under Distribution Label Solutions , General , Plastic Products

Black Friday is always the kickoff to the holiday shopping season, and also when many businesses get a taste of what is to come over the next few weeks. Many are seeing a shift in the way consumers are purchasing.  Instead of fighting in-store sales, customers are going online to purchase their sale items.  And now businesses are choosing to start their sales on Thanksgiving Day, as opposed to the traditional Friday.  And many people are just waiting until closer to Christmas to shop.  Regardless of how customers or businesses choose to purchase, being prepared for the holiday season is a must to keep your business running smoothly and staying profitable.   Retail businesses that use plastic cards and holders also need to keep a healthy supply in stock over the holidays; even more than normal.  Plastic gift cards are the easiest product to push, and they provide a high ROI for most companies, so letting them run out could put a huge strain on a business.  Not to mention they are ongoing marketing pieces that can be recharged and reused. During the holiday season, getting plastic cards printed can be a challenge, so the farther away from Christmas you order your cards, the better your turn times and pricing will be.  In fact, there are times when a business can place orders at the beginning of December, and not get their cards until January.  The demand is that high this time of the year, so ordering early is imperative. Gift card holders are more easily accessible and sometimes even have stock, or off-the-shelf, options to cut down on turn times and cost.   Another way to stay prepared is to stay stocked with every day, general supplies.  Online companies need to keep shipping labels, packing slips, and any other items needed to fulfill orders.  Nothing will shut down your business, and lose repeat business, faster than running out of shipping supplies.  Customers will not purchase again if they cannot get their orders on time.  Also having plenty of business cards, letterhead and envelopes on hand also helps with sales and office functions, keeping things running smoothly.   Marketing is very important to drive in business; however, the best marketing will not help if you do not prepare for the business coming in.  With just a few short weeks left in the holiday season, making sure you have the supplies you need will keep you up and running for a successful holiday season.

Boost Sales with Gift Cards and Matching Carriers this Holiday Retail Season

Filed under Full Color Plastic Card Printing , Plastic Products

It is that time of the year again; the time of the year when retail businesses gear up for their holiday season in hopes of growing from the previous year.  Businesses are already beginning their holiday campaigns.  In fact, with an estimated 42%* of consumers beginning their shopping even earlier than last year, and a predicted 3%* increase in sales, it is more important than ever to be prepared to serve customers.   One of the best ways to help your business keep up with the competition is by offering gift cards and gift card holders.  From the very small “mom and pop” shops to the largest retailers, offering gift cards to their customers has been a great way to grab sales for a great number of reasons.  First, offering gift cards gives customers the impression that you are current on technology.  You rarely see paper certificates any longer.  Second, it is an easy gift to give.  The old thinking of a gift card being “impersonal” has finally been thrown out the window.  More people actually prefer to get a gift so they can pick out something they know they will enjoy.  And finally, the third reason is a bit of a selfish one, but you have the opportunity to make more that the cost of the gift card.  For example, most customers end up spending MORE than their gift card.  And there are even handfuls that spend LESS than their gift card. These customers, who don’t spend the last bit of change on their card, normally throw the card away.  If you sold 1000 gift cards, and 250 of the cards had a quarter left on the card, your business just saved an additional $62.50! Both are wins for a business.    Gift cards and matching holders are a nice package that advertises your business. It is important to take advantage of that real estate, and design a functional, eye-catching card and carrier so customers will be enticed to buy them.  It really is worth the investment to have a professional design your collaterals so everything coordinates with your business and the image you want to convey to the world.  You don’t have to break the bank to get great results.   Choosing a program is as simple as contacting your cash register/credit card point of purchase provider.  Getting the correct specifications the first time will save time and cost in the long run.  If you have a machine that takes credit cards, then chances are you can accept gift cards with a few modifications.  Your point of purchase provider should help set that feature up for you should, and give you the information you need such as the OE Density the cards will need to work on your machine.  You can also discuss the specifications you need with the card company who will print your gift cards.  They will be able to explain the questions you need to ask your provider and even speak to them directly if you choose.     Finally, BE PREPARED! Do not wait until last minute to order your gift cards and gift card holders.  This is traditionally the busiest time for retail businesses and card printers alike.  Many forget to order their cards and pay a hefty premium to get them rushed to their business in time; especially for Black Friday!  Normally, the turn time could take anywhere from 5 to 15 days depending on the specifications you need.  You don’t want to be caught off guard and lose sales by simple not being prepared! *Statistics from 2012 Christmas Holiday Shopping Season Retail Sales, Job, Technology Predictions by Barbara Farfan, About.com Guide  

The Benefits of Offering Custom Gift Cards and Carriers in Retail and Department Stores

Filed under Full Color Plastic Card Printing , Plastic Products

Custom gift cards and carriers are definitely a big draw for customers at retail and department stores. They give the option of giving a great gift that allows the recipient to choose what they want.  Many retail stores offer several different departments such as  jewelry and accessories (such as belts and purses), clothing, power tools, fitness equipment,  appliances and even food products, making a plastic gift card that much more appealing as there are many different items to choose from. You do not have to offer many different products in order to take full advantage of gift card printing.  A store that sells only perfume still has a wide array of brands to choose from. Purchasing a gift card for someone really does take the guesswork out of getting a gift, and you guarantee the person will like what they get. Investing in a plastic gift card program can be a bit challenging if you are not sure what direction to go.  A “must have” is a complimentary, or matching, gift card carrier.  This is your wrapping for a gift card and should be as inviting, if not more so, than the actual card.  Investing additional funds into the design of the custom gift cards and carriers, as well as a possible gift card envelope, will enhance your corporate image and entice your customers. A retail store can go one step further and offer several different designs give customers the option to further customize their gift. Designs could be directed towards certain events and greetings, such as "Happy Birthday" or "Congratulations", as well as artistic designs that may be more visually appealing than those that just have the department store name on the front. Including the department store's logo and / or brand colors into the design is a good way to tie it all together, while also reminding the recipient where the card is from. A business doesn’t have to be large to have such a program.  Even little “mom and pop” shops can take advantage of a gift card printing program.  The trick is to only stock cards that you know are appealing to your customers and will get sold.  Most companies offer a minimum of 250 cards, which is a perfect “starting out” inventory.  You can expand that offering once you feel confident that customers will start buying.  The goal is to grow sales, while keeping costs down.  For as little as a dollar a card, you can reap huge benefits and keep your customers, and new ones, coming in the door.  

Custom Gift Cards for Holidays, or Any Other Time of the Year, to Boost Sales

Filed under Full Color Plastic Card Printing , Plastic Products

The biggest occasions for gift card printing are usually the major holidays in the United States-- Christmas and birthdays. However, there are several other holidays throughout the year that can also be a great gift card giving occasion. For these instances, businesses need to be ready with custom gift cards that have an eye-catching design and are ready for almost any celebratory event at any time of year. Thanksgiving It may not be known as a common gift giving holiday, but the idea behind Thanksgiving is "giving thanks", which can easily be done through gift cards. Encourage customers to give gift cards to their teachers, children’s sports coaches, neighbors, co-workers, or anyone who has given them a helping hand throughout the year.  Also, because “Black Friday” is the day after Thanksgiving, that may be even more incentive to get customers into your location. Easter Many parents give their children an Easter basket or candy during Easter. As a healthier alternative to candy, offer custom gift cards to your business. Many times, children will never eat all the candy they receive, so a "shopping spree" at your business could be a fun way to continue the spring and Easter season.  Valentine’s Day Another holiday that is a prime time for gift giving is Valentine’s Day.  Restaurants, spas, retail stores and hotels can take advantage of offering plastic gift cards to their customers.  Whether your customers are more traditional with cards, flowers and candy or more of an adventurist with trips or spa days, it is a win-win for everyone. “Professional” Holidays This is another smaller group of holidays that was created for showing appreciation for the men and women who handle different positions in the workforce. Jobs can often times be stressful and many employees would appreciate a token of appreciation for everything they do each day.  These is a great B2B opportunity that will help build future partnerships. Quirky Holidays Other holidays that aren't commonly celebrated, like Half Birthdays or "Housiversaries" (when a person first purchases their home) can be a fun way for customers to show someone how much they appreciate them. Offering these fun ideas can inspire customers who may have not thought of it on their own. No matter the holiday, a business should offer several different types of custom gift card designs that could be applicable for almost any situation. There is always a time to give a gift card…and for customers to spend it in your establishment!  

Custom Gift Cards for Amusement Parks, Hotels and Vacation Destinations

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When most people think of custom gift cards, they may be thinking of those purchased at retail businesses or service-based businesses, such as beauty salons or cleaning services. However, custom gift cards to amusement parks, hotels, or vacation destinations can also be a great option for those who want to give an experience-based gift to a loved one or friend. Businesses can take full advantage of offering a plastic gift card to one fun destination in order to improve sales at their own business. There is some flexibility for a business as to what custom gift card offering they could provide to the recipient. These options could be left up to the amusement park, hotel or other destination. For instance, the custom gift card could be offered for purchasing admission tickets only. Amusement parks may also allow their custom gift cards to be used in amusement park gift shops, food stands, and for other additional purchases in the park that the recipient may want.  The more one business offers, the more the other can gain.  For instance, a new movie theater may want to offer a gift certificate to a nearby restaurant with any ticket purchase in order to get customers to buy tickets. Having a flexible gift card that can be spent in gift shops or at restaurants and food stands is also a great idea, as the recipient may already have admission tickets or season passes. Most gift card recipients appreciate the flexibility that comes with gift cards, so in most cases, the more options that are available to them, the better. Besides the amusement park gift card itself, it is important for the purchaser to consider other expenses, such as lodging, travel expenses, and food. For instance, a family may not appreciate a gift card to an amusement park that is 400 miles away if they do not have the additional cash flow to travel there.  However, if you are a hotel, and offer free admission tickets and discounted lodging, you may have a winning combination. Plastic card printing has really expanded into all businesses in some capacity, and these types of co-op programs not only bring in new customers, but builds wonderful business relationships for years to come.  

Greenhouses and Nurseries Utilizing Custom Gift Cards

Filed under Full Color Plastic Card Printing

Custom gift cards are a great option for any business in the retail or service-based sector, but a gift card to a certain industry may be the perfect  "not so common" gift.  Greenhouses and Nurseries are businesses that people don't normally associate gift cards with; however, these two specific industries can take advantage and increase their sales just like any other retail store. Some options include targeting new homeowners who may really enjoy a gift card to a greenhouse or nursery, especially if their new home could use a lot of landscaping or outside maintenance. Besides giving a custom greenhouse gift card to a new homeowner, there are several other customers that would enjoy such a gift, like gardening enthusiasts or current homeowners. There are several different items that can be purchased with a greenhouse gift card. Depending on the particular greenhouse or nursery business, some of these include gardening tools, flowers, potting containers, watering supplies, trees, pest control, and much more. Quite obviously, the selection is going to vary between each business. Some greenhouses may specialize more in a certain type of style or inventory, like flowers or trees. Before buying a custom gift card to these types of businesses, it's important to find out what type of products and selection they offer to make sure it will fit the recipient, and his or her individual needs. Greenhouse custom gift cards can also be a good option when hiring out labor to do a landscaping or gardening project. If they have a set budget, that amount can be put onto a gift card to make sure that the employees stay on budget. This helps keep costs low and make everyone more aware of the total costs of supplies and plants or trees that are needed. Additionally, most gift cards are reloadable, so if the project goes over budget, it usually isn't a big issue to add more funds onto the card.  So whether it is a gift for a friend or customer, or a way to keep track of expenses for a project, Greenhouse/Nursery industry should take advantage of custom gift cards for their business.