Shopkeepers! Stylish Gift

Christmas may only come once a year, but shoppers are always on the lookout for stylish, attractive gifts.
After all, think of the steady stream of birthdays, anniversaries, weddings and special occasions (like celebrating a new job or moving to a new home) for which the done thing is to turn up with a gift in hand.

It is these events that have made the gift market such a hugely lucrative business. Just look at the amount of space the large department stores offer to their ranges (especially in the run-up to Christmas) and the number of websites which specialise in gift purchases.

However, if you're just a small boutique in the centre of town, how can you possibly compete with the High Street and web-based giants?

Well, while your store may be smaller, and you possess nothing like the buying clout of your bigger rivals, it can work to your advantage.

When buying a special gift for a loved one, buyers appreciate a personal touch and that's something that no matter how hard they try, department stores and Internet sellers can't offer.

Offering fashionable gift and retail packaging can add a dash of style to your shop, and it's the sort of special detail that will have your customers coming back for more.

Thick, high-quality shopping bags printed with the logo of your store can be a highly effective marketing tool. It gets your brand out there and increases potential customers' knowledge of your business and the sort of clientele you attract.

And you'll be surprised how many men you can attract to your store with the offer of in-store gift wrapping! It is an easy and simple service to provide, and one that will make your enterprise really stand out.

All the essentials that you'll need to stylishly pack gifts are available online and, if you buy in bulk, at a reasonable cost. Again, you can pick up gift boxes, crepe paper and presentation bags in the livery of your store to help spread the word.

If you are a specialist wine or whisky store, ordering in smart bottle bags and boxes can add value to your purchases, and offer a quick solution to gift buyers who may be rushing around to find a last-minute present.

Overall, gift wrapping and the provision of stylish and liveried shoppers is an easy way to differentiate yourself from your competitors, and the High Street giants, while offering something extra to your customers.