#Best Products To Sell On Amazon in 2021

[mikefaistinfo]

Interview: Mike Faist Isn’t Sure About This Whole Acting Thing

“I can’t tell if I hate acting or if I love it too much,” he said ahead of the debut of the Amazon series “Panic.” Coming soon, a major role in Steven Spielberg’s “West Side Story.” For now, he’s going to Ohio.

By Elisabeth Vincentelli Published May 27, 2021

Tall and lanky, looking as if he were born wearing Wranglers, Mike Faist cuts quite a striking figure in the Amazon Prime series “Panic”: His character, Dodge Mason, is a Stetson-wearing rodeo dude who breaks untamed horses, then soulfully gazes into their eyes.

That, however, is not at all how the character was written in the Lauren Oliver young adult novel that inspired the show, debuting Friday, in which Dodge and a dozen other small-town teenagers face off in a series of life-threatening challenges — think a naturalistic “Hunger Games” with more class war.

After shooting a pilot in 2018 in upstate New York (where the book is set), the production completely rebooted in Austin, Tex., a year later, and Dodge’s back story was changed to better fit the new locale. Suddenly, the school wimp who was interested in cards and magic had been turned into a Western archetype: the strong, do-right loner who doesn’t say much. Faist went with the flow.

“Ciphers can be really boring,” said Oliver, who also wrote the screenplay, “but he manages to capture the power inherent in a certain level of invisibility.”

Dodge is quite a departure for Faist, who is best known for his Tony-nominated performance as the tormented, cynical Connor Murphy in the Broadway musical “Dear Evan Hansen.” Blessed with a rangy charisma and a bone structure that appears to have been carved with a scythe, the actor, now 29, could have easily coasted in “Panic.” But his sensibility is closer to that of such atypical leading men as Adam Driver, and he modernizes a potentially boilerplate part.

“Mike really didn’t want to be a caricature, but I don’t think he ever could be,” said Jessica Sula, who plays Natalie, Dodge’s love interest in “Panic.” She recalled that when shooting resumed in Texas after a Covid-19-imposed pause, Faist chose to live in a trailer on a plot of land with his rescue dog, Austin.

“He’s just so fabulously ridiculous and wonderful,” she said of Faist, laughing fondly.

Faist’s own course has been ascendant since he dropped out of acting school at 18, and his plum role in Steven Spielberg’s highly anticipated “West Side Story” as Riff, the leader of the Jets, should put him on Hollywood’s speed dial when it debuts in December. (Shooting wrapped in September 2019.)

And yet the actor spent much of a recent conversation candidly admitting to ambivalence and incertitude. He spent some of the past year driving around the country with Austin and writing a screenplay. He has been turning down offers and is now selling his Brooklyn apartment and heading back to Ohio.

Faist was warm and laid back on a recent sunny morning in Park Slope, and he laughed a lot in what seemed to be protective self-deprecation as he pondered his future, professional and otherwise. These are edited excerpts from the conversation.

How did they spring the new Dodge on you?

It was still the same elements in terms of, “Oh, here’s the new guy,” but instead of, like, a weird magician, he’s now a … cowboy? I was like, “What do you mean, I’m now a cowboy?” They were like: “Yeah, yeah, you’ll be fine. Maybe try an accent.”

You do look pretty comfortable playing a horse whisperer.

I’d never worked with a horse in a production before. There were two of them: a very calm, gentle horse and a skittish one. We just ended up working with this skittish horse because it was actually doing stuff. The scene where the horse moves toward me was not planned or choreographed at all. They are, you know, unpredictable.

It might have been less intimidating than a sex scene. Is the one with Jessica Sula your first as an actor?

Maybe. I don’t know.

Wouldn’t you remember?

You’d think! I did do a romantic scene [onstage] in “A Month in the Country” with Taylor Schilling. I remember getting a pretty [expletive] review. [Laughs.]

Since the fall of 2018, you’ve gone back and forth between “Panic” and “West Side Story.” How did you handle these very physical projects?

For “West Side,” I found these Bruce Davidson photos of Brooklyn gangs from the late ’50s. If you look at their photos, these guys are emaciated, they have tattoos, and they look wired. Any money they had, they would pool and buy cheap wine and maybe they would have French fries or something. Then they were doing drugs. So I was like, “I need to lose some weight.” But my body was totally breaking down. Then I tried to bulk up as much as possible for “Panic” — just eating potatoes.

Did you do any kind of special training?

I started going to the Mendez boxing gym in Manhattan for “West Side.” I was working with John Rosado, who was raised in New York, Puerto Rican, badass. He was like, “I can’t believe I’m training a Jet!”

Your first big job was in the Broadway musical “Newsies,” which is quite dance heavy. Still, was it daunting to audition for “West Side Story”?

I put together a tape, and then they said, “We want you to come back in and dance.” I was like, “Is there any way you could not have me dance?” They were like: “What are you talking about? This is ‘West Side Story’!” The only saving grace is that Justin Peck [the choreographer] and I have similar body types: tall, nothing but arms and legs. They had their work cut out for them in order to get me up to snuff.

Why aren’t you in the upcoming “Dear Evan Hansen” movie alongside your former co-star Ben Platt?

I feel like I couldn’t do it. I started that when I was, like, 21, and was with it for five or six years. When you’re doing eight shows a week, it very much turns into relying on your technique and the job of it. And the show was such a zeitgeisty thing. It really took a lot out of me, and I didn’t really have it in me anymore.

With “Panic” and “West Side Story” behind you, what are you lining up?

Maybe this is so pretentious, but “West Side” was everything I had ever hoped to accomplish as an actor. It’s really crazy, but it was transcendental: either I didn’t feel like I was myself, or I was the most authentic version of myself. I can’t really tell which one. Having gone from having no money, wanting to just be a working actor — I don’t want to just be a working actor anymore. I had that experience. It [expletive] me up.

What did?

“West Side,” in the best of ways. I can’t unsee what I’ve seen. The pandemic nearly killed us and — what, I just want to be an actor? That’s ridiculous. [Laughs.] I don’t care enough. It’s a weird thing: I can’t tell if I hate acting or if I love it too much. It’s not like I don’t plan on doing it. I just don’t want to follow the trajectory of what the industry wants me to do.

Which is what?

Put on a cape and wear a mask. I need to take more agency because no one’s going to do it for me. It’s tricky, but it’s interesting and pretty exciting. I’m going to hang out with my family in Ohio and then start to figure out where I’m going to go. I would like to ultimately be of service and of use; that’s when I feel at my best.

You can find here: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/27/arts/television/mike-faist-panic-west-side-story.html

[stormclouds-chainmail]

[Image description

Image 1: a tweet by Elizabeth Ann West @EAWwrites on 19 May 2023 followed by their twitter bio.

Tweet text: I'm really sorry that a bunch of people were today years old when they learned about Al for fiction. But I've been publishing with it since December 2021. Others even longer. It's not going away. Amazon is invested in it and bringing it on their platforms.

Twitter bio text: Founder at Future FictionAcademy.com Author of 25+ best-selling Pride & Prejudice variations. Lover of all things geeky!

Virginia Beach, VA

futurefictionacademy.com

Joined March 2008

Image 2: a screenshot of a quote and source.

Julia was twenty-six years old... and she worked, as he had guessed, on the novel-writing machines in the Fiction Department. She enjoyed her work, which consisted chiefly in running and servicing a powerful but tricky electric motor... She could describe the whole process of composing a novel, from the general directive issued by the Planning Committee down to the final touching-up by the Rewrite Squad. But she was not interested in the final product. She "didn't much care for reading," she said. Books were just a commodity that had to be produced, like jam or bootlaces.

From 1984 (Nineteen Eighty-Four), by George Orwell.

Published by Secker & Warburg in 1948

Additional resources

Image 3: a Gordon Ramsay meme where he looks down at something and the end of sentence in the subtitles has been edited. The subtitles now read, "Delicious. Finally, some good fucking Orwell comparisons."

End description]

“Author of 25+ best-selling Pride & Prejudice variations”

Yeah, no.

[tameblog]

Sister publication Gifts & Decorative Accessories recently spoke with experienced retailer Carol Schroeder, co-owner of Orange Tree Imports in Madison, Wis., who shares advice on how to price products amid economic woes, plus how to propel the buy local movement and boost local small businesses. Good, Better, Best Q: Should we stock goods at lower price points during these tumultuous times? We’ve heard that shoppers are likely to be more cautious about their spending this year. A: These are indeed choppy waters for independent retailers to navigate, especially with the big unknown of tariffs on goods from certain countries. Customers may see prices creeping upwards due to these surcharges, and it’s hard to predict how that will impact their purchases. The safest way to protect yourself from big changes in shopping habits is to offer goods at a variety of price points. This classic approach, which became popular in department stores in the 1900s, is based on the concept of stocking three different quality levels – good, better and best – for your most popular categories of merchandise. An example would be tapers offered in a no-frills bulk pack, as a pair tied together with a ribbon, and as a gift box of hand-dipped candles made by a local artisan. This strategy is sometimes known as Goldilocks pricing, because it offers something for everyone. You might think that would mean that shoppers would choose the price level that best fits their budget, however consumer behavior is more complicated than that. The good option does of course appeal to customers who can only afford a no-frills product. But those who can afford the luxury level will often choose the better option because they don’t need the features of the best product – or because they are being economically cautious. In this case, the fact that you offer items at a higher price point makes them feel better about choosing the ones in the middle range. Of course there are those for whom price is no object. Pam Danziger of Unity Marketing, who has spent decades studying the ups and downs of the luxury market, recently noted that “in the current economic climate, affluent consumers are taking a more measured approach to luxury spending.” While often turning away from expensive products that evoke status, they are still frequently interested in buying products that are at a higher price due to their quality. There are also middle-income shoppers whose high-ticket purchases are aspirational, spending beyond their budget to show that they appreciate well-made, durable merchandise. As a retailer, you will find that one advantage to stocking the G-B-B price points is that you can learn from experience which level of goods sell best for you. Your shoppers will vote with their dollars, allowing you to concentrate your inventory purchases on the range that is strongest for you in today’s economic climate. Buying Local Still Important Q: Our area’s shop-local organization lost some key personnel during the pandemic and hasn’t been active lately. Is that a movement worth our time and effort? A: Take a look at the enormous gains made by online shopping – especially Amazon – during the five years since the start of COVID-19, and you’ll see the reason for the declines that many independent stores have experienced since the pandemic began. While it was predicted in 2021 that the majority of consumers would be prioritizing shopping at neighborhood stores and buying locally sourced products once it was safe to shop in person, that hasn’t turned out to be the case. Buying online is so easy, and with the availability of free and almost instantaneous delivery, two of the major pain points have been removed. How can we convince customers to come to brick-and-mortar stores? First and foremost, we need to offer a shopping experience that is worth their while. Coming into your store needs to be a convenient, efficient and enjoyable option. The goods we offer must be what they want to buy. You can welcome shoppers warmly and have a delightful ambiance, but that doesn’t mean anything if your inventory doesn’t include the items they expect you to have – along with the serendipitous discoveries that make shopping in person so exciting. There are also great advantages to our communities having locally owned stores that are unique to our area. Our businesses support the regional economy, create jobs and have a positive social impact. It is also better for the environment since buying locally sourced merchandise reduces transportation costs, both at the wholesale and the consumer level. The best way to tell this story, and to remind customers of its efficacy, is through the buy local movement. By joining together, we can get the word out much more effectively. Together with the Small Business Administration (SBA), American Express has contributed enormously to this effort through Small Business Saturday. This annual event champions shopping small nationwide on Thanksgiving weekend, with an estimated $200 billion spent at small businesses since its inception in 2010. But we need to work locally to make this a year-round effort. If you don’t have a buy-local organization in your area, reach out to your business neighbors to work together to promote this concept to the public. An existing chamber of commerce or town government might be willing to sponsor your group. Be sure to include restaurants as well as service businesses and retailers, since everyone benefits from more local customers. You’ll want to establish some goals for your organization. Perhaps you primarily want to educate and engage your community around the issue of shopping and dining locally. You might also want to sponsor some events or create window signs and a website. Even a shared hashtag can be an effective way to show that your business community is committed to working together to promote this shared goal. Our group started using #monroestreetmadison a few years ago, and there are now more than 10,000 Instagram posts linked to that. While there are no longer strong national buy-local organizations to turn to for leadership, you can find inspiration and actionable ideas from dozens of localized initiatives around the country – and the world. Researching statistics supporting the economic benefits of shopping local is also important so that you have current material for social media posts and press releases. In a shopping environment becoming increasingly dominated by online sales (especially Amazon), it’s essential that we let our customers know the many reasons why shopping local matters. !function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s) if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function()n.callMethod? n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments); if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0'; n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0; t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)(window, document,'script', ' fbq('init', '693453330863834'); fbq('track', 'PageView'); Source link

[ramestoryworld]

Sister publication Gifts & Decorative Accessories recently spoke with experienced retailer Carol Schroeder, co-owner of Orange Tree Imports in Madison, Wis., who shares advice on how to price products amid economic woes, plus how to propel the buy local movement and boost local small businesses. Good, Better, Best Q: Should we stock goods at lower price points during these tumultuous times? We’ve heard that shoppers are likely to be more cautious about their spending this year. A: These are indeed choppy waters for independent retailers to navigate, especially with the big unknown of tariffs on goods from certain countries. Customers may see prices creeping upwards due to these surcharges, and it’s hard to predict how that will impact their purchases. The safest way to protect yourself from big changes in shopping habits is to offer goods at a variety of price points. This classic approach, which became popular in department stores in the 1900s, is based on the concept of stocking three different quality levels – good, better and best – for your most popular categories of merchandise. An example would be tapers offered in a no-frills bulk pack, as a pair tied together with a ribbon, and as a gift box of hand-dipped candles made by a local artisan. This strategy is sometimes known as Goldilocks pricing, because it offers something for everyone. You might think that would mean that shoppers would choose the price level that best fits their budget, however consumer behavior is more complicated than that. The good option does of course appeal to customers who can only afford a no-frills product. But those who can afford the luxury level will often choose the better option because they don’t need the features of the best product – or because they are being economically cautious. In this case, the fact that you offer items at a higher price point makes them feel better about choosing the ones in the middle range. Of course there are those for whom price is no object. Pam Danziger of Unity Marketing, who has spent decades studying the ups and downs of the luxury market, recently noted that “in the current economic climate, affluent consumers are taking a more measured approach to luxury spending.” While often turning away from expensive products that evoke status, they are still frequently interested in buying products that are at a higher price due to their quality. There are also middle-income shoppers whose high-ticket purchases are aspirational, spending beyond their budget to show that they appreciate well-made, durable merchandise. As a retailer, you will find that one advantage to stocking the G-B-B price points is that you can learn from experience which level of goods sell best for you. Your shoppers will vote with their dollars, allowing you to concentrate your inventory purchases on the range that is strongest for you in today’s economic climate. Buying Local Still Important Q: Our area’s shop-local organization lost some key personnel during the pandemic and hasn’t been active lately. Is that a movement worth our time and effort? A: Take a look at the enormous gains made by online shopping – especially Amazon – during the five years since the start of COVID-19, and you’ll see the reason for the declines that many independent stores have experienced since the pandemic began. While it was predicted in 2021 that the majority of consumers would be prioritizing shopping at neighborhood stores and buying locally sourced products once it was safe to shop in person, that hasn’t turned out to be the case. Buying online is so easy, and with the availability of free and almost instantaneous delivery, two of the major pain points have been removed. How can we convince customers to come to brick-and-mortar stores? First and foremost, we need to offer a shopping experience that is worth their while. Coming into your store needs to be a convenient, efficient and enjoyable option. The goods we offer must be what they want to buy. You can welcome shoppers warmly and have a delightful ambiance, but that doesn’t mean anything if your inventory doesn’t include the items they expect you to have – along with the serendipitous discoveries that make shopping in person so exciting. There are also great advantages to our communities having locally owned stores that are unique to our area. Our businesses support the regional economy, create jobs and have a positive social impact. It is also better for the environment since buying locally sourced merchandise reduces transportation costs, both at the wholesale and the consumer level. The best way to tell this story, and to remind customers of its efficacy, is through the buy local movement. By joining together, we can get the word out much more effectively. Together with the Small Business Administration (SBA), American Express has contributed enormously to this effort through Small Business Saturday. This annual event champions shopping small nationwide on Thanksgiving weekend, with an estimated $200 billion spent at small businesses since its inception in 2010. But we need to work locally to make this a year-round effort. If you don’t have a buy-local organization in your area, reach out to your business neighbors to work together to promote this concept to the public. An existing chamber of commerce or town government might be willing to sponsor your group. Be sure to include restaurants as well as service businesses and retailers, since everyone benefits from more local customers. You’ll want to establish some goals for your organization. Perhaps you primarily want to educate and engage your community around the issue of shopping and dining locally. You might also want to sponsor some events or create window signs and a website. Even a shared hashtag can be an effective way to show that your business community is committed to working together to promote this shared goal. Our group started using #monroestreetmadison a few years ago, and there are now more than 10,000 Instagram posts linked to that. While there are no longer strong national buy-local organizations to turn to for leadership, you can find inspiration and actionable ideas from dozens of localized initiatives around the country – and the world. Researching statistics supporting the economic benefits of shopping local is also important so that you have current material for social media posts and press releases. In a shopping environment becoming increasingly dominated by online sales (especially Amazon), it’s essential that we let our customers know the many reasons why shopping local matters. !function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s) if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function()n.callMethod? n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments); if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0'; n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0; t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)(window, document,'script', ' fbq('init', '693453330863834'); fbq('track', 'PageView'); Source link

[alexha2210]

Sister publication Gifts & Decorative Accessories recently spoke with experienced retailer Carol Schroeder, co-owner of Orange Tree Imports in Madison, Wis., who shares advice on how to price products amid economic woes, plus how to propel the buy local movement and boost local small businesses. Good, Better, Best Q: Should we stock goods at lower price points during these tumultuous times? We’ve heard that shoppers are likely to be more cautious about their spending this year. A: These are indeed choppy waters for independent retailers to navigate, especially with the big unknown of tariffs on goods from certain countries. Customers may see prices creeping upwards due to these surcharges, and it’s hard to predict how that will impact their purchases. The safest way to protect yourself from big changes in shopping habits is to offer goods at a variety of price points. This classic approach, which became popular in department stores in the 1900s, is based on the concept of stocking three different quality levels – good, better and best – for your most popular categories of merchandise. An example would be tapers offered in a no-frills bulk pack, as a pair tied together with a ribbon, and as a gift box of hand-dipped candles made by a local artisan. This strategy is sometimes known as Goldilocks pricing, because it offers something for everyone. You might think that would mean that shoppers would choose the price level that best fits their budget, however consumer behavior is more complicated than that. The good option does of course appeal to customers who can only afford a no-frills product. But those who can afford the luxury level will often choose the better option because they don’t need the features of the best product – or because they are being economically cautious. In this case, the fact that you offer items at a higher price point makes them feel better about choosing the ones in the middle range. Of course there are those for whom price is no object. Pam Danziger of Unity Marketing, who has spent decades studying the ups and downs of the luxury market, recently noted that “in the current economic climate, affluent consumers are taking a more measured approach to luxury spending.” While often turning away from expensive products that evoke status, they are still frequently interested in buying products that are at a higher price due to their quality. There are also middle-income shoppers whose high-ticket purchases are aspirational, spending beyond their budget to show that they appreciate well-made, durable merchandise. As a retailer, you will find that one advantage to stocking the G-B-B price points is that you can learn from experience which level of goods sell best for you. Your shoppers will vote with their dollars, allowing you to concentrate your inventory purchases on the range that is strongest for you in today’s economic climate. Buying Local Still Important Q: Our area’s shop-local organization lost some key personnel during the pandemic and hasn’t been active lately. Is that a movement worth our time and effort? A: Take a look at the enormous gains made by online shopping – especially Amazon – during the five years since the start of COVID-19, and you’ll see the reason for the declines that many independent stores have experienced since the pandemic began. While it was predicted in 2021 that the majority of consumers would be prioritizing shopping at neighborhood stores and buying locally sourced products once it was safe to shop in person, that hasn’t turned out to be the case. Buying online is so easy, and with the availability of free and almost instantaneous delivery, two of the major pain points have been removed. How can we convince customers to come to brick-and-mortar stores? First and foremost, we need to offer a shopping experience that is worth their while. Coming into your store needs to be a convenient, efficient and enjoyable option. The goods we offer must be what they want to buy. You can welcome shoppers warmly and have a delightful ambiance, but that doesn’t mean anything if your inventory doesn’t include the items they expect you to have – along with the serendipitous discoveries that make shopping in person so exciting. There are also great advantages to our communities having locally owned stores that are unique to our area. Our businesses support the regional economy, create jobs and have a positive social impact. It is also better for the environment since buying locally sourced merchandise reduces transportation costs, both at the wholesale and the consumer level. The best way to tell this story, and to remind customers of its efficacy, is through the buy local movement. By joining together, we can get the word out much more effectively. Together with the Small Business Administration (SBA), American Express has contributed enormously to this effort through Small Business Saturday. This annual event champions shopping small nationwide on Thanksgiving weekend, with an estimated $200 billion spent at small businesses since its inception in 2010. But we need to work locally to make this a year-round effort. If you don’t have a buy-local organization in your area, reach out to your business neighbors to work together to promote this concept to the public. An existing chamber of commerce or town government might be willing to sponsor your group. Be sure to include restaurants as well as service businesses and retailers, since everyone benefits from more local customers. You’ll want to establish some goals for your organization. Perhaps you primarily want to educate and engage your community around the issue of shopping and dining locally. You might also want to sponsor some events or create window signs and a website. Even a shared hashtag can be an effective way to show that your business community is committed to working together to promote this shared goal. Our group started using #monroestreetmadison a few years ago, and there are now more than 10,000 Instagram posts linked to that. While there are no longer strong national buy-local organizations to turn to for leadership, you can find inspiration and actionable ideas from dozens of localized initiatives around the country – and the world. Researching statistics supporting the economic benefits of shopping local is also important so that you have current material for social media posts and press releases. In a shopping environment becoming increasingly dominated by online sales (especially Amazon), it’s essential that we let our customers know the many reasons why shopping local matters. !function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s) if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function()n.callMethod? n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments); if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0'; n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0; t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)(window, document,'script', ' fbq('init', '693453330863834'); fbq('track', 'PageView'); Source link

[angusstory]

Sister publication Gifts & Decorative Accessories recently spoke with experienced retailer Carol Schroeder, co-owner of Orange Tree Imports in Madison, Wis., who shares advice on how to price products amid economic woes, plus how to propel the buy local movement and boost local small businesses. Good, Better, Best Q: Should we stock goods at lower price points during these tumultuous times? We’ve heard that shoppers are likely to be more cautious about their spending this year. A: These are indeed choppy waters for independent retailers to navigate, especially with the big unknown of tariffs on goods from certain countries. Customers may see prices creeping upwards due to these surcharges, and it’s hard to predict how that will impact their purchases. The safest way to protect yourself from big changes in shopping habits is to offer goods at a variety of price points. This classic approach, which became popular in department stores in the 1900s, is based on the concept of stocking three different quality levels – good, better and best – for your most popular categories of merchandise. An example would be tapers offered in a no-frills bulk pack, as a pair tied together with a ribbon, and as a gift box of hand-dipped candles made by a local artisan. This strategy is sometimes known as Goldilocks pricing, because it offers something for everyone. You might think that would mean that shoppers would choose the price level that best fits their budget, however consumer behavior is more complicated than that. The good option does of course appeal to customers who can only afford a no-frills product. But those who can afford the luxury level will often choose the better option because they don’t need the features of the best product – or because they are being economically cautious. In this case, the fact that you offer items at a higher price point makes them feel better about choosing the ones in the middle range. Of course there are those for whom price is no object. Pam Danziger of Unity Marketing, who has spent decades studying the ups and downs of the luxury market, recently noted that “in the current economic climate, affluent consumers are taking a more measured approach to luxury spending.” While often turning away from expensive products that evoke status, they are still frequently interested in buying products that are at a higher price due to their quality. There are also middle-income shoppers whose high-ticket purchases are aspirational, spending beyond their budget to show that they appreciate well-made, durable merchandise. As a retailer, you will find that one advantage to stocking the G-B-B price points is that you can learn from experience which level of goods sell best for you. Your shoppers will vote with their dollars, allowing you to concentrate your inventory purchases on the range that is strongest for you in today’s economic climate. Buying Local Still Important Q: Our area’s shop-local organization lost some key personnel during the pandemic and hasn’t been active lately. Is that a movement worth our time and effort? A: Take a look at the enormous gains made by online shopping – especially Amazon – during the five years since the start of COVID-19, and you’ll see the reason for the declines that many independent stores have experienced since the pandemic began. While it was predicted in 2021 that the majority of consumers would be prioritizing shopping at neighborhood stores and buying locally sourced products once it was safe to shop in person, that hasn’t turned out to be the case. Buying online is so easy, and with the availability of free and almost instantaneous delivery, two of the major pain points have been removed. How can we convince customers to come to brick-and-mortar stores? First and foremost, we need to offer a shopping experience that is worth their while. Coming into your store needs to be a convenient, efficient and enjoyable option. The goods we offer must be what they want to buy. You can welcome shoppers warmly and have a delightful ambiance, but that doesn’t mean anything if your inventory doesn’t include the items they expect you to have – along with the serendipitous discoveries that make shopping in person so exciting. There are also great advantages to our communities having locally owned stores that are unique to our area. Our businesses support the regional economy, create jobs and have a positive social impact. It is also better for the environment since buying locally sourced merchandise reduces transportation costs, both at the wholesale and the consumer level. The best way to tell this story, and to remind customers of its efficacy, is through the buy local movement. By joining together, we can get the word out much more effectively. Together with the Small Business Administration (SBA), American Express has contributed enormously to this effort through Small Business Saturday. This annual event champions shopping small nationwide on Thanksgiving weekend, with an estimated $200 billion spent at small businesses since its inception in 2010. But we need to work locally to make this a year-round effort. If you don’t have a buy-local organization in your area, reach out to your business neighbors to work together to promote this concept to the public. An existing chamber of commerce or town government might be willing to sponsor your group. Be sure to include restaurants as well as service businesses and retailers, since everyone benefits from more local customers. You’ll want to establish some goals for your organization. Perhaps you primarily want to educate and engage your community around the issue of shopping and dining locally. You might also want to sponsor some events or create window signs and a website. Even a shared hashtag can be an effective way to show that your business community is committed to working together to promote this shared goal. Our group started using #monroestreetmadison a few years ago, and there are now more than 10,000 Instagram posts linked to that. While there are no longer strong national buy-local organizations to turn to for leadership, you can find inspiration and actionable ideas from dozens of localized initiatives around the country – and the world. Researching statistics supporting the economic benefits of shopping local is also important so that you have current material for social media posts and press releases. In a shopping environment becoming increasingly dominated by online sales (especially Amazon), it’s essential that we let our customers know the many reasons why shopping local matters. !function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s) if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function()n.callMethod? n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments); if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0'; n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0; t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)(window, document,'script', ' fbq('init', '693453330863834'); fbq('track', 'PageView'); Source link

[tumibaba]

Sister publication Gifts & Decorative Accessories recently spoke with experienced retailer Carol Schroeder, co-owner of Orange Tree Imports in Madison, Wis., who shares advice on how to price products amid economic woes, plus how to propel the buy local movement and boost local small businesses. Good, Better, Best Q: Should we stock goods at lower price points during these tumultuous times? We’ve heard that shoppers are likely to be more cautious about their spending this year. A: These are indeed choppy waters for independent retailers to navigate, especially with the big unknown of tariffs on goods from certain countries. Customers may see prices creeping upwards due to these surcharges, and it’s hard to predict how that will impact their purchases. The safest way to protect yourself from big changes in shopping habits is to offer goods at a variety of price points. This classic approach, which became popular in department stores in the 1900s, is based on the concept of stocking three different quality levels – good, better and best – for your most popular categories of merchandise. An example would be tapers offered in a no-frills bulk pack, as a pair tied together with a ribbon, and as a gift box of hand-dipped candles made by a local artisan. This strategy is sometimes known as Goldilocks pricing, because it offers something for everyone. You might think that would mean that shoppers would choose the price level that best fits their budget, however consumer behavior is more complicated than that. The good option does of course appeal to customers who can only afford a no-frills product. But those who can afford the luxury level will often choose the better option because they don’t need the features of the best product – or because they are being economically cautious. In this case, the fact that you offer items at a higher price point makes them feel better about choosing the ones in the middle range. Of course there are those for whom price is no object. Pam Danziger of Unity Marketing, who has spent decades studying the ups and downs of the luxury market, recently noted that “in the current economic climate, affluent consumers are taking a more measured approach to luxury spending.” While often turning away from expensive products that evoke status, they are still frequently interested in buying products that are at a higher price due to their quality. There are also middle-income shoppers whose high-ticket purchases are aspirational, spending beyond their budget to show that they appreciate well-made, durable merchandise. As a retailer, you will find that one advantage to stocking the G-B-B price points is that you can learn from experience which level of goods sell best for you. Your shoppers will vote with their dollars, allowing you to concentrate your inventory purchases on the range that is strongest for you in today’s economic climate. Buying Local Still Important Q: Our area’s shop-local organization lost some key personnel during the pandemic and hasn’t been active lately. Is that a movement worth our time and effort? A: Take a look at the enormous gains made by online shopping – especially Amazon – during the five years since the start of COVID-19, and you’ll see the reason for the declines that many independent stores have experienced since the pandemic began. While it was predicted in 2021 that the majority of consumers would be prioritizing shopping at neighborhood stores and buying locally sourced products once it was safe to shop in person, that hasn’t turned out to be the case. Buying online is so easy, and with the availability of free and almost instantaneous delivery, two of the major pain points have been removed. How can we convince customers to come to brick-and-mortar stores? First and foremost, we need to offer a shopping experience that is worth their while. Coming into your store needs to be a convenient, efficient and enjoyable option. The goods we offer must be what they want to buy. You can welcome shoppers warmly and have a delightful ambiance, but that doesn’t mean anything if your inventory doesn’t include the items they expect you to have – along with the serendipitous discoveries that make shopping in person so exciting. There are also great advantages to our communities having locally owned stores that are unique to our area. Our businesses support the regional economy, create jobs and have a positive social impact. It is also better for the environment since buying locally sourced merchandise reduces transportation costs, both at the wholesale and the consumer level. The best way to tell this story, and to remind customers of its efficacy, is through the buy local movement. By joining together, we can get the word out much more effectively. Together with the Small Business Administration (SBA), American Express has contributed enormously to this effort through Small Business Saturday. This annual event champions shopping small nationwide on Thanksgiving weekend, with an estimated $200 billion spent at small businesses since its inception in 2010. But we need to work locally to make this a year-round effort. If you don’t have a buy-local organization in your area, reach out to your business neighbors to work together to promote this concept to the public. An existing chamber of commerce or town government might be willing to sponsor your group. Be sure to include restaurants as well as service businesses and retailers, since everyone benefits from more local customers. You’ll want to establish some goals for your organization. Perhaps you primarily want to educate and engage your community around the issue of shopping and dining locally. You might also want to sponsor some events or create window signs and a website. Even a shared hashtag can be an effective way to show that your business community is committed to working together to promote this shared goal. Our group started using #monroestreetmadison a few years ago, and there are now more than 10,000 Instagram posts linked to that. While there are no longer strong national buy-local organizations to turn to for leadership, you can find inspiration and actionable ideas from dozens of localized initiatives around the country – and the world. Researching statistics supporting the economic benefits of shopping local is also important so that you have current material for social media posts and press releases. In a shopping environment becoming increasingly dominated by online sales (especially Amazon), it’s essential that we let our customers know the many reasons why shopping local matters. !function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s) if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function()n.callMethod? n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments); if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0'; n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0; t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)(window, document,'script', ' fbq('init', '693453330863834'); fbq('track', 'PageView'); Source link

[romaleen]

Sister publication Gifts & Decorative Accessories recently spoke with experienced retailer Carol Schroeder, co-owner of Orange Tree Imports in Madison, Wis., who shares advice on how to price products amid economic woes, plus how to propel the buy local movement and boost local small businesses. Good, Better, Best Q: Should we stock goods at lower price points during these tumultuous times? We’ve heard that shoppers are likely to be more cautious about their spending this year. A: These are indeed choppy waters for independent retailers to navigate, especially with the big unknown of tariffs on goods from certain countries. Customers may see prices creeping upwards due to these surcharges, and it’s hard to predict how that will impact their purchases. The safest way to protect yourself from big changes in shopping habits is to offer goods at a variety of price points. This classic approach, which became popular in department stores in the 1900s, is based on the concept of stocking three different quality levels – good, better and best – for your most popular categories of merchandise. An example would be tapers offered in a no-frills bulk pack, as a pair tied together with a ribbon, and as a gift box of hand-dipped candles made by a local artisan. This strategy is sometimes known as Goldilocks pricing, because it offers something for everyone. You might think that would mean that shoppers would choose the price level that best fits their budget, however consumer behavior is more complicated than that. The good option does of course appeal to customers who can only afford a no-frills product. But those who can afford the luxury level will often choose the better option because they don’t need the features of the best product – or because they are being economically cautious. In this case, the fact that you offer items at a higher price point makes them feel better about choosing the ones in the middle range. Of course there are those for whom price is no object. Pam Danziger of Unity Marketing, who has spent decades studying the ups and downs of the luxury market, recently noted that “in the current economic climate, affluent consumers are taking a more measured approach to luxury spending.” While often turning away from expensive products that evoke status, they are still frequently interested in buying products that are at a higher price due to their quality. There are also middle-income shoppers whose high-ticket purchases are aspirational, spending beyond their budget to show that they appreciate well-made, durable merchandise. As a retailer, you will find that one advantage to stocking the G-B-B price points is that you can learn from experience which level of goods sell best for you. Your shoppers will vote with their dollars, allowing you to concentrate your inventory purchases on the range that is strongest for you in today’s economic climate. Buying Local Still Important Q: Our area’s shop-local organization lost some key personnel during the pandemic and hasn’t been active lately. Is that a movement worth our time and effort? A: Take a look at the enormous gains made by online shopping – especially Amazon – during the five years since the start of COVID-19, and you’ll see the reason for the declines that many independent stores have experienced since the pandemic began. While it was predicted in 2021 that the majority of consumers would be prioritizing shopping at neighborhood stores and buying locally sourced products once it was safe to shop in person, that hasn’t turned out to be the case. Buying online is so easy, and with the availability of free and almost instantaneous delivery, two of the major pain points have been removed. How can we convince customers to come to brick-and-mortar stores? First and foremost, we need to offer a shopping experience that is worth their while. Coming into your store needs to be a convenient, efficient and enjoyable option. The goods we offer must be what they want to buy. You can welcome shoppers warmly and have a delightful ambiance, but that doesn’t mean anything if your inventory doesn’t include the items they expect you to have – along with the serendipitous discoveries that make shopping in person so exciting. There are also great advantages to our communities having locally owned stores that are unique to our area. Our businesses support the regional economy, create jobs and have a positive social impact. It is also better for the environment since buying locally sourced merchandise reduces transportation costs, both at the wholesale and the consumer level. The best way to tell this story, and to remind customers of its efficacy, is through the buy local movement. By joining together, we can get the word out much more effectively. Together with the Small Business Administration (SBA), American Express has contributed enormously to this effort through Small Business Saturday. This annual event champions shopping small nationwide on Thanksgiving weekend, with an estimated $200 billion spent at small businesses since its inception in 2010. But we need to work locally to make this a year-round effort. If you don’t have a buy-local organization in your area, reach out to your business neighbors to work together to promote this concept to the public. An existing chamber of commerce or town government might be willing to sponsor your group. Be sure to include restaurants as well as service businesses and retailers, since everyone benefits from more local customers. You’ll want to establish some goals for your organization. Perhaps you primarily want to educate and engage your community around the issue of shopping and dining locally. You might also want to sponsor some events or create window signs and a website. Even a shared hashtag can be an effective way to show that your business community is committed to working together to promote this shared goal. Our group started using #monroestreetmadison a few years ago, and there are now more than 10,000 Instagram posts linked to that. While there are no longer strong national buy-local organizations to turn to for leadership, you can find inspiration and actionable ideas from dozens of localized initiatives around the country – and the world. Researching statistics supporting the economic benefits of shopping local is also important so that you have current material for social media posts and press releases. In a shopping environment becoming increasingly dominated by online sales (especially Amazon), it’s essential that we let our customers know the many reasons why shopping local matters. !function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s) if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function()n.callMethod? n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments); if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0'; n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0; t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)(window, document,'script', ' fbq('init', '693453330863834'); fbq('track', 'PageView'); Source link

[monaleen101]

Sister publication Gifts & Decorative Accessories recently spoke with experienced retailer Carol Schroeder, co-owner of Orange Tree Imports in Madison, Wis., who shares advice on how to price products amid economic woes, plus how to propel the buy local movement and boost local small businesses. Good, Better, Best Q: Should we stock goods at lower price points during these tumultuous times? We’ve heard that shoppers are likely to be more cautious about their spending this year. A: These are indeed choppy waters for independent retailers to navigate, especially with the big unknown of tariffs on goods from certain countries. Customers may see prices creeping upwards due to these surcharges, and it’s hard to predict how that will impact their purchases. The safest way to protect yourself from big changes in shopping habits is to offer goods at a variety of price points. This classic approach, which became popular in department stores in the 1900s, is based on the concept of stocking three different quality levels – good, better and best – for your most popular categories of merchandise. An example would be tapers offered in a no-frills bulk pack, as a pair tied together with a ribbon, and as a gift box of hand-dipped candles made by a local artisan. This strategy is sometimes known as Goldilocks pricing, because it offers something for everyone. You might think that would mean that shoppers would choose the price level that best fits their budget, however consumer behavior is more complicated than that. The good option does of course appeal to customers who can only afford a no-frills product. But those who can afford the luxury level will often choose the better option because they don’t need the features of the best product – or because they are being economically cautious. In this case, the fact that you offer items at a higher price point makes them feel better about choosing the ones in the middle range. Of course there are those for whom price is no object. Pam Danziger of Unity Marketing, who has spent decades studying the ups and downs of the luxury market, recently noted that “in the current economic climate, affluent consumers are taking a more measured approach to luxury spending.” While often turning away from expensive products that evoke status, they are still frequently interested in buying products that are at a higher price due to their quality. There are also middle-income shoppers whose high-ticket purchases are aspirational, spending beyond their budget to show that they appreciate well-made, durable merchandise. As a retailer, you will find that one advantage to stocking the G-B-B price points is that you can learn from experience which level of goods sell best for you. Your shoppers will vote with their dollars, allowing you to concentrate your inventory purchases on the range that is strongest for you in today’s economic climate. Buying Local Still Important Q: Our area’s shop-local organization lost some key personnel during the pandemic and hasn’t been active lately. Is that a movement worth our time and effort? A: Take a look at the enormous gains made by online shopping – especially Amazon – during the five years since the start of COVID-19, and you’ll see the reason for the declines that many independent stores have experienced since the pandemic began. While it was predicted in 2021 that the majority of consumers would be prioritizing shopping at neighborhood stores and buying locally sourced products once it was safe to shop in person, that hasn’t turned out to be the case. Buying online is so easy, and with the availability of free and almost instantaneous delivery, two of the major pain points have been removed. How can we convince customers to come to brick-and-mortar stores? First and foremost, we need to offer a shopping experience that is worth their while. Coming into your store needs to be a convenient, efficient and enjoyable option. The goods we offer must be what they want to buy. You can welcome shoppers warmly and have a delightful ambiance, but that doesn’t mean anything if your inventory doesn’t include the items they expect you to have – along with the serendipitous discoveries that make shopping in person so exciting. There are also great advantages to our communities having locally owned stores that are unique to our area. Our businesses support the regional economy, create jobs and have a positive social impact. It is also better for the environment since buying locally sourced merchandise reduces transportation costs, both at the wholesale and the consumer level. The best way to tell this story, and to remind customers of its efficacy, is through the buy local movement. By joining together, we can get the word out much more effectively. Together with the Small Business Administration (SBA), American Express has contributed enormously to this effort through Small Business Saturday. This annual event champions shopping small nationwide on Thanksgiving weekend, with an estimated $200 billion spent at small businesses since its inception in 2010. But we need to work locally to make this a year-round effort. If you don’t have a buy-local organization in your area, reach out to your business neighbors to work together to promote this concept to the public. An existing chamber of commerce or town government might be willing to sponsor your group. Be sure to include restaurants as well as service businesses and retailers, since everyone benefits from more local customers. You’ll want to establish some goals for your organization. Perhaps you primarily want to educate and engage your community around the issue of shopping and dining locally. You might also want to sponsor some events or create window signs and a website. Even a shared hashtag can be an effective way to show that your business community is committed to working together to promote this shared goal. Our group started using #monroestreetmadison a few years ago, and there are now more than 10,000 Instagram posts linked to that. While there are no longer strong national buy-local organizations to turn to for leadership, you can find inspiration and actionable ideas from dozens of localized initiatives around the country – and the world. Researching statistics supporting the economic benefits of shopping local is also important so that you have current material for social media posts and press releases. In a shopping environment becoming increasingly dominated by online sales (especially Amazon), it’s essential that we let our customers know the many reasons why shopping local matters. !function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s) if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function()n.callMethod? n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments); if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0'; n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0; t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)(window, document,'script', ' fbq('init', '693453330863834'); fbq('track', 'PageView'); Source link

[iamownerofme]

Sister publication Gifts & Decorative Accessories recently spoke with experienced retailer Carol Schroeder, co-owner of Orange Tree Imports in Madison, Wis., who shares advice on how to price products amid economic woes, plus how to propel the buy local movement and boost local small businesses. Good, Better, Best Q: Should we stock goods at lower price points during these tumultuous times? We’ve heard that shoppers are likely to be more cautious about their spending this year. A: These are indeed choppy waters for independent retailers to navigate, especially with the big unknown of tariffs on goods from certain countries. Customers may see prices creeping upwards due to these surcharges, and it’s hard to predict how that will impact their purchases. The safest way to protect yourself from big changes in shopping habits is to offer goods at a variety of price points. This classic approach, which became popular in department stores in the 1900s, is based on the concept of stocking three different quality levels – good, better and best – for your most popular categories of merchandise. An example would be tapers offered in a no-frills bulk pack, as a pair tied together with a ribbon, and as a gift box of hand-dipped candles made by a local artisan. This strategy is sometimes known as Goldilocks pricing, because it offers something for everyone. You might think that would mean that shoppers would choose the price level that best fits their budget, however consumer behavior is more complicated than that. The good option does of course appeal to customers who can only afford a no-frills product. But those who can afford the luxury level will often choose the better option because they don’t need the features of the best product – or because they are being economically cautious. In this case, the fact that you offer items at a higher price point makes them feel better about choosing the ones in the middle range. Of course there are those for whom price is no object. Pam Danziger of Unity Marketing, who has spent decades studying the ups and downs of the luxury market, recently noted that “in the current economic climate, affluent consumers are taking a more measured approach to luxury spending.” While often turning away from expensive products that evoke status, they are still frequently interested in buying products that are at a higher price due to their quality. There are also middle-income shoppers whose high-ticket purchases are aspirational, spending beyond their budget to show that they appreciate well-made, durable merchandise. As a retailer, you will find that one advantage to stocking the G-B-B price points is that you can learn from experience which level of goods sell best for you. Your shoppers will vote with their dollars, allowing you to concentrate your inventory purchases on the range that is strongest for you in today’s economic climate. Buying Local Still Important Q: Our area’s shop-local organization lost some key personnel during the pandemic and hasn’t been active lately. Is that a movement worth our time and effort? A: Take a look at the enormous gains made by online shopping – especially Amazon – during the five years since the start of COVID-19, and you’ll see the reason for the declines that many independent stores have experienced since the pandemic began. While it was predicted in 2021 that the majority of consumers would be prioritizing shopping at neighborhood stores and buying locally sourced products once it was safe to shop in person, that hasn’t turned out to be the case. Buying online is so easy, and with the availability of free and almost instantaneous delivery, two of the major pain points have been removed. How can we convince customers to come to brick-and-mortar stores? First and foremost, we need to offer a shopping experience that is worth their while. Coming into your store needs to be a convenient, efficient and enjoyable option. The goods we offer must be what they want to buy. You can welcome shoppers warmly and have a delightful ambiance, but that doesn’t mean anything if your inventory doesn’t include the items they expect you to have – along with the serendipitous discoveries that make shopping in person so exciting. There are also great advantages to our communities having locally owned stores that are unique to our area. Our businesses support the regional economy, create jobs and have a positive social impact. It is also better for the environment since buying locally sourced merchandise reduces transportation costs, both at the wholesale and the consumer level. The best way to tell this story, and to remind customers of its efficacy, is through the buy local movement. By joining together, we can get the word out much more effectively. Together with the Small Business Administration (SBA), American Express has contributed enormously to this effort through Small Business Saturday. This annual event champions shopping small nationwide on Thanksgiving weekend, with an estimated $200 billion spent at small businesses since its inception in 2010. But we need to work locally to make this a year-round effort. If you don’t have a buy-local organization in your area, reach out to your business neighbors to work together to promote this concept to the public. An existing chamber of commerce or town government might be willing to sponsor your group. Be sure to include restaurants as well as service businesses and retailers, since everyone benefits from more local customers. You’ll want to establish some goals for your organization. Perhaps you primarily want to educate and engage your community around the issue of shopping and dining locally. You might also want to sponsor some events or create window signs and a website. Even a shared hashtag can be an effective way to show that your business community is committed to working together to promote this shared goal. Our group started using #monroestreetmadison a few years ago, and there are now more than 10,000 Instagram posts linked to that. While there are no longer strong national buy-local organizations to turn to for leadership, you can find inspiration and actionable ideas from dozens of localized initiatives around the country – and the world. Researching statistics supporting the economic benefits of shopping local is also important so that you have current material for social media posts and press releases. In a shopping environment becoming increasingly dominated by online sales (especially Amazon), it’s essential that we let our customers know the many reasons why shopping local matters. !function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s) if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function()n.callMethod? n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments); if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0'; n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0; t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)(window, document,'script', ' fbq('init', '693453330863834'); fbq('track', 'PageView'); Source link

[shelyold]

Sister publication Gifts & Decorative Accessories recently spoke with experienced retailer Carol Schroeder, co-owner of Orange Tree Imports in Madison, Wis., who shares advice on how to price products amid economic woes, plus how to propel the buy local movement and boost local small businesses. Good, Better, Best Q: Should we stock goods at lower price points during these tumultuous times? We’ve heard that shoppers are likely to be more cautious about their spending this year. A: These are indeed choppy waters for independent retailers to navigate, especially with the big unknown of tariffs on goods from certain countries. Customers may see prices creeping upwards due to these surcharges, and it’s hard to predict how that will impact their purchases. The safest way to protect yourself from big changes in shopping habits is to offer goods at a variety of price points. This classic approach, which became popular in department stores in the 1900s, is based on the concept of stocking three different quality levels – good, better and best – for your most popular categories of merchandise. An example would be tapers offered in a no-frills bulk pack, as a pair tied together with a ribbon, and as a gift box of hand-dipped candles made by a local artisan. This strategy is sometimes known as Goldilocks pricing, because it offers something for everyone. You might think that would mean that shoppers would choose the price level that best fits their budget, however consumer behavior is more complicated than that. The good option does of course appeal to customers who can only afford a no-frills product. But those who can afford the luxury level will often choose the better option because they don’t need the features of the best product – or because they are being economically cautious. In this case, the fact that you offer items at a higher price point makes them feel better about choosing the ones in the middle range. Of course there are those for whom price is no object. Pam Danziger of Unity Marketing, who has spent decades studying the ups and downs of the luxury market, recently noted that “in the current economic climate, affluent consumers are taking a more measured approach to luxury spending.” While often turning away from expensive products that evoke status, they are still frequently interested in buying products that are at a higher price due to their quality. There are also middle-income shoppers whose high-ticket purchases are aspirational, spending beyond their budget to show that they appreciate well-made, durable merchandise. As a retailer, you will find that one advantage to stocking the G-B-B price points is that you can learn from experience which level of goods sell best for you. Your shoppers will vote with their dollars, allowing you to concentrate your inventory purchases on the range that is strongest for you in today’s economic climate. Buying Local Still Important Q: Our area’s shop-local organization lost some key personnel during the pandemic and hasn’t been active lately. Is that a movement worth our time and effort? A: Take a look at the enormous gains made by online shopping – especially Amazon – during the five years since the start of COVID-19, and you’ll see the reason for the declines that many independent stores have experienced since the pandemic began. While it was predicted in 2021 that the majority of consumers would be prioritizing shopping at neighborhood stores and buying locally sourced products once it was safe to shop in person, that hasn’t turned out to be the case. Buying online is so easy, and with the availability of free and almost instantaneous delivery, two of the major pain points have been removed. How can we convince customers to come to brick-and-mortar stores? First and foremost, we need to offer a shopping experience that is worth their while. Coming into your store needs to be a convenient, efficient and enjoyable option. The goods we offer must be what they want to buy. You can welcome shoppers warmly and have a delightful ambiance, but that doesn’t mean anything if your inventory doesn’t include the items they expect you to have – along with the serendipitous discoveries that make shopping in person so exciting. There are also great advantages to our communities having locally owned stores that are unique to our area. Our businesses support the regional economy, create jobs and have a positive social impact. It is also better for the environment since buying locally sourced merchandise reduces transportation costs, both at the wholesale and the consumer level. The best way to tell this story, and to remind customers of its efficacy, is through the buy local movement. By joining together, we can get the word out much more effectively. Together with the Small Business Administration (SBA), American Express has contributed enormously to this effort through Small Business Saturday. This annual event champions shopping small nationwide on Thanksgiving weekend, with an estimated $200 billion spent at small businesses since its inception in 2010. But we need to work locally to make this a year-round effort. If you don’t have a buy-local organization in your area, reach out to your business neighbors to work together to promote this concept to the public. An existing chamber of commerce or town government might be willing to sponsor your group. Be sure to include restaurants as well as service businesses and retailers, since everyone benefits from more local customers. You’ll want to establish some goals for your organization. Perhaps you primarily want to educate and engage your community around the issue of shopping and dining locally. You might also want to sponsor some events or create window signs and a website. Even a shared hashtag can be an effective way to show that your business community is committed to working together to promote this shared goal. Our group started using #monroestreetmadison a few years ago, and there are now more than 10,000 Instagram posts linked to that. While there are no longer strong national buy-local organizations to turn to for leadership, you can find inspiration and actionable ideas from dozens of localized initiatives around the country – and the world. Researching statistics supporting the economic benefits of shopping local is also important so that you have current material for social media posts and press releases. In a shopping environment becoming increasingly dominated by online sales (especially Amazon), it’s essential that we let our customers know the many reasons why shopping local matters. !function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s) if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function()n.callMethod? n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments); if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0'; n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0; t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)(window, document,'script', ' fbq('init', '693453330863834'); fbq('track', 'PageView'); Source link

[iammeandmy]

Sister publication Gifts & Decorative Accessories recently spoke with experienced retailer Carol Schroeder, co-owner of Orange Tree Imports in Madison, Wis., who shares advice on how to price products amid economic woes, plus how to propel the buy local movement and boost local small businesses. Good, Better, Best Q: Should we stock goods at lower price points during these tumultuous times? We’ve heard that shoppers are likely to be more cautious about their spending this year. A: These are indeed choppy waters for independent retailers to navigate, especially with the big unknown of tariffs on goods from certain countries. Customers may see prices creeping upwards due to these surcharges, and it’s hard to predict how that will impact their purchases. The safest way to protect yourself from big changes in shopping habits is to offer goods at a variety of price points. This classic approach, which became popular in department stores in the 1900s, is based on the concept of stocking three different quality levels – good, better and best – for your most popular categories of merchandise. An example would be tapers offered in a no-frills bulk pack, as a pair tied together with a ribbon, and as a gift box of hand-dipped candles made by a local artisan. This strategy is sometimes known as Goldilocks pricing, because it offers something for everyone. You might think that would mean that shoppers would choose the price level that best fits their budget, however consumer behavior is more complicated than that. The good option does of course appeal to customers who can only afford a no-frills product. But those who can afford the luxury level will often choose the better option because they don’t need the features of the best product – or because they are being economically cautious. In this case, the fact that you offer items at a higher price point makes them feel better about choosing the ones in the middle range. Of course there are those for whom price is no object. Pam Danziger of Unity Marketing, who has spent decades studying the ups and downs of the luxury market, recently noted that “in the current economic climate, affluent consumers are taking a more measured approach to luxury spending.” While often turning away from expensive products that evoke status, they are still frequently interested in buying products that are at a higher price due to their quality. There are also middle-income shoppers whose high-ticket purchases are aspirational, spending beyond their budget to show that they appreciate well-made, durable merchandise. As a retailer, you will find that one advantage to stocking the G-B-B price points is that you can learn from experience which level of goods sell best for you. Your shoppers will vote with their dollars, allowing you to concentrate your inventory purchases on the range that is strongest for you in today’s economic climate. Buying Local Still Important Q: Our area’s shop-local organization lost some key personnel during the pandemic and hasn’t been active lately. Is that a movement worth our time and effort? A: Take a look at the enormous gains made by online shopping – especially Amazon – during the five years since the start of COVID-19, and you’ll see the reason for the declines that many independent stores have experienced since the pandemic began. While it was predicted in 2021 that the majority of consumers would be prioritizing shopping at neighborhood stores and buying locally sourced products once it was safe to shop in person, that hasn’t turned out to be the case. Buying online is so easy, and with the availability of free and almost instantaneous delivery, two of the major pain points have been removed. How can we convince customers to come to brick-and-mortar stores? First and foremost, we need to offer a shopping experience that is worth their while. Coming into your store needs to be a convenient, efficient and enjoyable option. The goods we offer must be what they want to buy. You can welcome shoppers warmly and have a delightful ambiance, but that doesn’t mean anything if your inventory doesn’t include the items they expect you to have – along with the serendipitous discoveries that make shopping in person so exciting. There are also great advantages to our communities having locally owned stores that are unique to our area. Our businesses support the regional economy, create jobs and have a positive social impact. It is also better for the environment since buying locally sourced merchandise reduces transportation costs, both at the wholesale and the consumer level. The best way to tell this story, and to remind customers of its efficacy, is through the buy local movement. By joining together, we can get the word out much more effectively. Together with the Small Business Administration (SBA), American Express has contributed enormously to this effort through Small Business Saturday. This annual event champions shopping small nationwide on Thanksgiving weekend, with an estimated $200 billion spent at small businesses since its inception in 2010. But we need to work locally to make this a year-round effort. If you don’t have a buy-local organization in your area, reach out to your business neighbors to work together to promote this concept to the public. An existing chamber of commerce or town government might be willing to sponsor your group. Be sure to include restaurants as well as service businesses and retailers, since everyone benefits from more local customers. You’ll want to establish some goals for your organization. Perhaps you primarily want to educate and engage your community around the issue of shopping and dining locally. You might also want to sponsor some events or create window signs and a website. Even a shared hashtag can be an effective way to show that your business community is committed to working together to promote this shared goal. Our group started using #monroestreetmadison a few years ago, and there are now more than 10,000 Instagram posts linked to that. While there are no longer strong national buy-local organizations to turn to for leadership, you can find inspiration and actionable ideas from dozens of localized initiatives around the country – and the world. Researching statistics supporting the economic benefits of shopping local is also important so that you have current material for social media posts and press releases. In a shopping environment becoming increasingly dominated by online sales (especially Amazon), it’s essential that we let our customers know the many reasons why shopping local matters. !function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s) if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function()n.callMethod? n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments); if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0'; n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0; t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)(window, document,'script', ' fbq('init', '693453330863834'); fbq('track', 'PageView'); Source link

[januishstory]

Sister publication Gifts & Decorative Accessories recently spoke with experienced retailer Carol Schroeder, co-owner of Orange Tree Imports in Madison, Wis., who shares advice on how to price products amid economic woes, plus how to propel the buy local movement and boost local small businesses. Good, Better, Best Q: Should we stock goods at lower price points during these tumultuous times? We’ve heard that shoppers are likely to be more cautious about their spending this year. A: These are indeed choppy waters for independent retailers to navigate, especially with the big unknown of tariffs on goods from certain countries. Customers may see prices creeping upwards due to these surcharges, and it’s hard to predict how that will impact their purchases. The safest way to protect yourself from big changes in shopping habits is to offer goods at a variety of price points. This classic approach, which became popular in department stores in the 1900s, is based on the concept of stocking three different quality levels – good, better and best – for your most popular categories of merchandise. An example would be tapers offered in a no-frills bulk pack, as a pair tied together with a ribbon, and as a gift box of hand-dipped candles made by a local artisan. This strategy is sometimes known as Goldilocks pricing, because it offers something for everyone. You might think that would mean that shoppers would choose the price level that best fits their budget, however consumer behavior is more complicated than that. The good option does of course appeal to customers who can only afford a no-frills product. But those who can afford the luxury level will often choose the better option because they don’t need the features of the best product – or because they are being economically cautious. In this case, the fact that you offer items at a higher price point makes them feel better about choosing the ones in the middle range. Of course there are those for whom price is no object. Pam Danziger of Unity Marketing, who has spent decades studying the ups and downs of the luxury market, recently noted that “in the current economic climate, affluent consumers are taking a more measured approach to luxury spending.” While often turning away from expensive products that evoke status, they are still frequently interested in buying products that are at a higher price due to their quality. There are also middle-income shoppers whose high-ticket purchases are aspirational, spending beyond their budget to show that they appreciate well-made, durable merchandise. As a retailer, you will find that one advantage to stocking the G-B-B price points is that you can learn from experience which level of goods sell best for you. Your shoppers will vote with their dollars, allowing you to concentrate your inventory purchases on the range that is strongest for you in today’s economic climate. Buying Local Still Important Q: Our area’s shop-local organization lost some key personnel during the pandemic and hasn’t been active lately. Is that a movement worth our time and effort? A: Take a look at the enormous gains made by online shopping – especially Amazon – during the five years since the start of COVID-19, and you’ll see the reason for the declines that many independent stores have experienced since the pandemic began. While it was predicted in 2021 that the majority of consumers would be prioritizing shopping at neighborhood stores and buying locally sourced products once it was safe to shop in person, that hasn’t turned out to be the case. Buying online is so easy, and with the availability of free and almost instantaneous delivery, two of the major pain points have been removed. How can we convince customers to come to brick-and-mortar stores? First and foremost, we need to offer a shopping experience that is worth their while. Coming into your store needs to be a convenient, efficient and enjoyable option. The goods we offer must be what they want to buy. You can welcome shoppers warmly and have a delightful ambiance, but that doesn’t mean anything if your inventory doesn’t include the items they expect you to have – along with the serendipitous discoveries that make shopping in person so exciting. There are also great advantages to our communities having locally owned stores that are unique to our area. Our businesses support the regional economy, create jobs and have a positive social impact. It is also better for the environment since buying locally sourced merchandise reduces transportation costs, both at the wholesale and the consumer level. The best way to tell this story, and to remind customers of its efficacy, is through the buy local movement. By joining together, we can get the word out much more effectively. Together with the Small Business Administration (SBA), American Express has contributed enormously to this effort through Small Business Saturday. This annual event champions shopping small nationwide on Thanksgiving weekend, with an estimated $200 billion spent at small businesses since its inception in 2010. But we need to work locally to make this a year-round effort. If you don’t have a buy-local organization in your area, reach out to your business neighbors to work together to promote this concept to the public. An existing chamber of commerce or town government might be willing to sponsor your group. Be sure to include restaurants as well as service businesses and retailers, since everyone benefits from more local customers. You’ll want to establish some goals for your organization. Perhaps you primarily want to educate and engage your community around the issue of shopping and dining locally. You might also want to sponsor some events or create window signs and a website. Even a shared hashtag can be an effective way to show that your business community is committed to working together to promote this shared goal. Our group started using #monroestreetmadison a few years ago, and there are now more than 10,000 Instagram posts linked to that. While there are no longer strong national buy-local organizations to turn to for leadership, you can find inspiration and actionable ideas from dozens of localized initiatives around the country – and the world. Researching statistics supporting the economic benefits of shopping local is also important so that you have current material for social media posts and press releases. In a shopping environment becoming increasingly dominated by online sales (especially Amazon), it’s essential that we let our customers know the many reasons why shopping local matters. !function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s) if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function()n.callMethod? n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments); if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0'; n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0; t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)(window, document,'script', ' fbq('init', '693453330863834'); fbq('track', 'PageView'); Source link

[deepestmusicfire]

Is T-Shirt Business Profitable?

The t-shirt business has become very popular over the years, with many entrepreneurs venturing into this business. Whether you are planning to start an online store, operating a print-on-demand business, or collaborating with t shirt manufacturers in Chennai, it is crucial to know about the profitability of this business. Let us see the possible profits, problems, and the best ways to be successful in the t-shirt business.

Understanding the T-Shirt Business Market

The global market for custom t-shirt printing was worth $3.64 billion in 2020 and is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 9.7% from 2021 to 2028. Growing demand for customized clothing, corporate branding requirements for companies, and the growth of e-commerce websites have driven the growth t shirt manufacturers in chennai .

Most Important Factors That Make T-Shirt Business Lucrative

Low Initial Investment

Establishing a t-shirt business involves little investment as compared to other sectors.

Online businesses can be started on platforms such as Shopify, WooCommerce, or Etsy with minimal initial investment.

Scalability & Growth Potential t shirt manufacturers in chennai

Quick scalability is enabled by a good digital marketing campaign.

Collaborating with Chennai t shirt manufacturers provides mass production at reduced costs, which raises the profit margins.

High Demand for Customized Designs

Niche-based t-shirts (sports, quotes, pop culture, corporate branding) are highly sought after.

Print-on-demand services lower inventory holding requirements.

Multiple Revenue Streams t shirt manufacturers in chennai

Besides selling on your own website, you can utilize Amazon, Flipkart, and Instagram Shops.

Influencer and brand collaborations create further revenue streams.

Challenges in the T-Shirt Business

Though profitable, the t-shirt business has its own challenges:

High Competition – The market is filled with thousands of sellers.

Quality Control Issues – Working with trustworthy t shirt manufacturers in Chennai ensures high-quality standards.

Marketing Expenses – Placing paid ads and influencer campaigns demands a well-thought-out budget.

Stock Management – Keeping excessive designs leads to unsold merchandise.

Methods to Make Your T-Shirt Business Successful

Identify a Profitable Niche

Steer clear of generic designs; opt for niches such as gaming, fitness, music, or social issues.

Use Google Trends, social media statistics, and competitor analysis to conduct market research.

Partner with Trustworthy Suppliers

Good quality fabric and print quality are also essential to bring repeat buyers.

Printers in Chennai have various printing techniques such as screen print, DTG (Direct to Garment), and sublimation print.

Spend on Branding & Design

Creative, original designs sell more than common prints.

Branding such as a creative logo, packaging, and personalized thank-you notes increase loyalty.

Take Advantage of Social Media & Influencer Marketing

Partner with fashion influencers and micro-influencers to promote your products.

Utilize compelling content such as reels, TikToks, and behind-the-scenes footage to engage your audience.

Utilize Print-on-Demand for a Risk-Free Business Model

Print-on-demand removes the risks associated with inventory and offers customizable designs.

Services such as Printful, Printify, and TeeSpring easily integrate with online stores.

Optimize for SEO & Paid Ads

Get higher on search engines by making relevant keywords your website's best friend.

Run specific Facebook and Google ads to target the correct audience.

Real-Life Example of a Successful T-Shirt Business

A young entrepreneur from Chennai started a niche t-shirt business targeting Tamil pop culture and cine reference. By partnering with local Chennai t shirt manufacturers, he was able to manufacture good-quality tees at a low cost. Through efficient Instagram promotions and influencer partnerships, the brand achieved ₹10 lakh revenue in six months.

Final Verdict: Is the T-Shirt Business Profitable?

Yes! The t-shirt business can be extremely profitable with the right strategy, supplier relationships, and marketing strategy. But it needs creativity, market research, and quality focus. If you're setting up, having the best t shirt manufacturers in Chennai as your partners can provide you with a quality and pricing edge.

Are You Ready to Begin Your Own T-Shirt Business?

Reach out to the best t shirt manufacturers in Chennai today to access the highest quality apparel and turn your designs into reality t shirt manufacturers in chennai.

[cleverhottubmiracle]

Welcome back to Haul of Fame, your must-read beauty roundup for new products, new ideas, and an exclusive piece of Target beauty news. Included in today’s issue: Amouage, Atwater, Beekman 1802, The Center, Credo Beauty, Dazzle Dry, Dolce & Gabbana, D.S. & Durga, Elemis, Eva NYC, Face Haus, Hourglass, Ilia Beauty, Kylie Cosmetics, L’Oréal, Literie, MAC, Makeup By Mario, Makeup Eraser, Mother Science, Naturium, Ole Henriksen, Phlur, Proper, RŌZ, Solawave, Sulwhasoo, Urban Decay, and those girls on TikTok who chant about their hairstyle.But first… Stories about makeup “dupes” are copies, too. In the 1990s, Seventeen told us how to use Wet ‘n’ Wild’s $5 nude lip liner instead of MAC’s cult Spice shade; by 2005, E.l.f. gloss had an unofficial MySpace fan page comparing it to Lancôme’s Juicy Tubes. This is not a new thing.What’s fresh is brands embracing their status as a dupe machine, instead of coyly denying it. Enter MCoBeauty. The Australian brand officially launched in 2020, but its retail ancestor, ModelCo, has been around since 2002. (Remember their aerosol spray tan?) Last March, it entered 1300 Kroger supermarkets and quickly gained a reputation for its fast sell-throughs. Today, the brand expands into 1200 Target stores.MCoBeauty also has a new team member: former Real Housewife and current TikTok streamer Bethenny Frankel. The entrepreneur and influencer is the brand’s first-ever Chief Value Officer, where her duties include internal pricing audits along with public-facing social media posts. Frankel went live on TikTok to slam Walmart’s “Wirkin” dupe as “not elite” and “sloppy.” So why is she joining a brand known for copycat practices? Frankel says it’s simple: “Because brands that create affordable products with similar quality to the luxury ones make us realize how much we are being ripped off,” she told me. She calls MCoBeauty’s makeup “prestige dupes” that “give you the excitement and feeling of a luxury good” but cost less than a Sweetgreen protein bowl. For her first order of business, Frankel guided MCoBeauty through a “price restructuring” to ensure their Target offerings stayed under $15. Her partner in the project was MCoBeauty’s CMO Meridith Rojas, who founded the influencer event network Digitour in 2019. (Viacom acquired a stake of that company in 2019; she moved onto the cosmetics world in July of last year.) To secure the Target deal, Rojas showed up for her meeting with half her face in “$500 worth of makeup” and the other half in MCoBeauty dupes. She challenged Target’s beauty buyer to tell the difference. They could not. “There’s no longer any shame in buying a copy,” Rojas insists, “as long as the quality is there.”Of course, copycats can sometimes inflame copyrights. MCoBeauty was sued twice in 2021, first by Tarte for allegedly duping its Shape Tape concealer, and then by Aussie brand Chemcorp for a lash and brow dye set. Both times, the suits were settled out of court.Today, MCoBeauty shows no signs of slowing down its mirror-mirror strategy. The brand’s most popular products include Hydrate & Glow drops — packaged in the same silhouette as Glow Recipe’s Watermelon Glow drops — and Flawless Glow, a near-clone of Charlotte Tilbury’s Flawless Filter illuminator. Three months ago, a Reddit thread asked for “a definitive list” of MCoBeauty dupes, which also elicited comparisons to Dior Beauty, Drunk Elephant, and Laneige. Here’s a visual.Rojas says MCoBeauty is in the top three cosmetics brands at Kroger right now, edging out other affordable phenoms like Nyx and Covergirl. They also boast “some of the highest repeat purchase rates” on Amazon Beauty. Why are they winning? Rojas said, “People don’t just want a cheaper version of a luxury product. They want the applicator to feel like the ‘real’ thing. They want the heaviness of a glass bottle. And they want women like Bethenny who know what they’re talking about, and can buy whatever they want, but choose this because it’s the best value.”In that way, MCoBeauty is gunning for an equity of experience — the feel of the bottle, the swipe of the sponge tip, even the baby pink glimmer of the label — that might give them an edge as new and existing affordable brands double down on making dupes. It’s early January, which means brands are super-excited to drop the super-thick, “barrier-protecting” moisturising creams that you likely already own. In case you’d like more options, voila:Ilia Beauty launched its Barrier Build moisturiser on Jan. 7. It’s $64 and “clinically proven to reduce the look of redness, strengthen the skin barrier, and hydrate all day.” Mother Science introduced its Molecular Genesis Barrier Repair Moisturiser on Jan. 7 with malassezin, synthetic “growth factors,” copper peptides, and a $68 price tag. Ole Henriksen debuted its Après Skin Multi-Use Rich Rescue Crème on Jan. 7. Besides boasting two accent graves in its name, the moisturiser has “Scandinavian superberry oils” to treat distressed, dry skin. It’s $48.On Jan. 7, Credo Beauty made its bodycare debut with a wash, a serum, and a cream. All are infused with fermented sugar kelp extract harvested from Atlantic Sea Farms in Maine, along with sea water and spirulina. The products are $34 to $52 and took a decade to develop, thanks to the retailer’s stringent environmental guidelines. Elemis’s Pro Element Green Fig Cleansing Balm hit Sephora on Jan. 7. It’s $69 and claims to boost collagen while melting away makeup. Makeup Eraser launched its Silver-Infused Collection on Jan. 7. The tiny makeup scrubbers have pure silver threads for “advanced exfoliation” and “antibacterial properties” for $22.Fitness entrepreneur Amanda Kloots debuted a supplement brand called Proper on Jan. 7 with five color-coded categories (for example, immunity is orange and stress relief is lilac) that retail for $28 each. The brand is backed by The Center, the incubator fund that also counts Make Beauty, Prequel, and Saltair as members. Sulwhasoo has made its First Care serum available in a jumbo bottle for Lunar New Year; the package is stamped with a python-embossed pattern. It’s $170 at Sephora and Bloomingdale’s, and represents Year of the Snake’s ethos of renewal. Yes, you still need sunscreen in the winter. Atwater has a new one, called Skin Armor, with SPF 50, zinc oxide, and green tea extract. It’s $42. Solawave debuted its Red Light Special facial at Face Haus. It uses the gizmo brand’s infrared Skincare Wand to enhance results. Liz Flora called it: Milky body products are taking off. The latest is Naturium’s first-ever body serum, which launched as a D2C exclusive on Jan. 10. The bottle costs $22, boasts “plumper, firmer-looking” results, and uses Urea extract, which can help lock in moisture. I’ve tried it; it’s super-smoothing.Also in lactose land, Beekman 1802 has a new Milk Froth micellar water-gel that debuted on Jan. 6 for $29… but that brand is literally based out of a goat dairy in upstate New York, so it tracks a little more naturally.On Jan. 4, Kylie Cosmetics debuted Natural Blur, a powder foundation that comes in 30 shades and claims 30-hour endurance. (But again, please wash your face before you go to bed!) The formulation is great. It’s creamy, not cakey, and easy to blend. Naked dressing moves to the makeup bag? On Jan. 6, MAC texted its followers to “send nudes,” then dropped its Nude Collection, a cute range of lip shades in every colour of bare skin. Makeup By Mario rolled out its SuperShine lip gloss on Jan. 7. It comes in 11 shades and promises “glass-like shine” for $26. Hourglass is seeing red — but definitely not blood. The Venice, California company debuted its Phantom glossy balm in Red 0, a vegan scarlet shade that doesn’t contain any carmine, a popular cosmetic dye that comes from little cactus bugs. It’s $38, which seems expensive but apparently doesn’t deter fans: The brand says a Phantom gloss is sold every 30 seconds. Yes, it is time to start thinking about Valentine’s Day beauty launches. Dazzle Dry dropped its Lovestruck trio on Jan. 10 with $22 shades of metallic ruby, bubblegum pink, and shimmery silver. RŌZ debuted Evergreen Style Cream on Jan. 6, though both Emma Stone and Zoe Saldaña wore it to the Jan. 5 Golden Globes. It retails for $32 and claims the hold of a gel with the flexible and soft feel of a cream. The “slicked-back bun” chant of 2024 is now a product pipeline for 2025. L’Oréal Elnett’s Slick Back Cream arrived on Jan. 3; it’s the first new product from the Elnett franchise in over 10 years. The cream costs $16, and reinforces both the “slick-back” TikTok trend and the power of proper grammar. Without the hyphen, “slick back”sounds a bit like a lotion to make your lats and traps slippery. That could be really sexy, but perhaps not germane to a tight chignon.Nous dropped a dry shampoo on Jan. 7 with SPF 30 for scalp and strand protection. It’s $28 and comes with a powder-puff applicator that seems de rigueur for the category now. But can you recycle it?Like a college freshman right before sorority rush, Eva NYC decided to completely reinvent itself for 2025. The affordable haircare brand dropped seven new products on Jan. 8, including shampoos, conditioners, a split-end serum, and a dry shampoo. Everything is under $20 and can be found at Target and CVS.Phlur got a fragrance credit at the Golden Globes red carpet on Jan. 5. Rachel Brosnahan wore the brand’s new Golden Rule eau de parfum, which has mandarin orange, coconut milk, and jasmine notes. Back in the indie sleaze era, Paper magazine used to give every celebrity cover a fragrance credit along with fashion credits, ostensibly to keep advertisers happy. I believe this practice was the brainchild of editorial director Mickey Boardman and marketer Drew Elliott, who now helms lots of important stuff at MAC. Literie’s latest home fragrance candle, Sleeping in Yoga Class, launched Jan. 6. It’s $45 and smells like lavender. PR agency The Lede Company, whose portfolio includes celebrities, consumer goods and celebrities who sell consumer goods, announced its representation of D.S. & Durga on Jan. 6. This seems smart for a fragrance brand so buzzy, it’s practically a breakout Sundance actor. Demi Moore gave Lede a shoutout in her Golden Globes acceptance speech; they also represent Clinique and Glow Recipe. On Jan. 8, Dolce & Gabbana launched Devotion For Men. The fragrance is $121, with notes of coffee, lemon, and patchouli that is “inspired by the Sicilian tradition of adding a twist of lemon to a cup of espresso.” It’s easy to rag on D&G for their truly over-the-top messaging, and reasonable to shun them for their past behaviour. Still, this is a very nice way to describe a scent!Just in case you didn’t get your nativity scene fill over Christmas, Amouage has amped up its frankincense content. On Jan. 7, they introduced Purpose 50 Exceptional Extrait, a super-concentrated formula that contains 50% fragrance concentration. If the Little Drummer Boy can’t wait you up, try this $520 aroma.Did you see Urban Decay’s cameo in Doechii’s brilliant “Denial is a River” video? The Sabrina Carpenter school of sponcon reigns supreme! Source link