Here is a snip from the article, see link at bottom for the whole thing…
As small retailers, it’s even more important that we have the inventory in stock. It’s another one of those customer service elements that can separate us from the big guys.
A bit ago, I wrote about the need for newness. And that’s true. You need to offer new products for your customers. But if you’re going to discontinue a line, make sure it’s for the right reasons as follows:
1. The manufacturer is discontinuing the line
2. The line isn’t selling
3. The line duplicates another line you’re carrying that’s selling better
Secondly, make sure you have the products in the store. Bulk up on your best sellers so you never run out. Do you know how to access your inventory position on your computer system? Do you know how to look at product turns or weeks of demand to determine how much inventory you should be carrying? If not, let me know, and I’ll call in one of my merchandising experts to give the basics of managing inventory.
Get the right products in your store and ensure they are always there. After all, if you don’t have anything to sell, then you don’t have a business.
February 1, 2008 at 5:04 pm
So true Myst, When I first joined I started with 1800 had a 10 show week and had to order 1200 more right away. I say this because I was as Rena says ’scared pea green’ about the 1800. I have never been concerned since and my clients know I have it usually.
After you have been in awhile, it is much easier to know what your existing clients need and I cant stress enough how a program like Direct Track,or any of the others help. Even though I was resistant to take the time to load the thing. Once I did it has been a life saver!
February 16, 2008 at 5:10 pm
Hey Myst, I would love for you to show me and others about inventory, what should I have, what really sells, etc. Got a link?
thx, Jeni
February 16, 2008 at 8:09 pm
Hi Jeni! What really sells really depends on your clients base. For example some people live in warm clients where they rarely see an Ivory 100 or Ivory 104 and others live where they rarely see the sun and rarely see beige skin tones. Places with greater humidity may have more Combination/Oily clients wheras places with dry heat or cold winters may have more normal dry customers. So you really have to continue to adjust and calibrate your inventory for your clients. Of course there are the things that always sell.. TimeWise, Oil Free Eye Make-up Remover, etc. But even with TimeWise I stock one more heavily than the other.
February 19, 2008 at 7:58 am
thx Myst, yes, it does depend on client base, and some of the women here really love the day radiance. So I have alot of that in stock. Everyone seems to love the mascara, the oil free eye make-up remover, and sometimes, depending on the weather, the age fighting eye cream.
I tell the young people that I meet, between ages of 16 and 20, I use the formula one toner for my skin, arms, behind ears, etc, to keep feeling fresh when out in the hot weather. the humidity and heat here in Kentucky is outrageous in summer.
thanx again for your reply, have a great week
February 19, 2008 at 8:04 am
hey all, does boulevard keep up with the new things mk brings out ie: quad eyeshadow, or limited editions? Would love to know
February 19, 2008 at 2:07 pm
Yes it does.
February 23, 2008 at 7:01 pm
does anyone have the address to boulevard I can’t seem to find it and want to look at it .
Thanks
Bren
February 23, 2008 at 8:14 pm
try mainstsoftware.com. That should take you to the boulevard site.
February 24, 2008 at 5:08 am
Thanks foreverpink I found it. I am using pinkoffice right now I wanted to look at this one and see which one i like better again thanks.
February 24, 2008 at 7:41 am
how do you like pinkoffice? I had been using boulevard for years and when my computer went haywire, I lost all my files. (Yeah, I know I should have backed up my files but what can I say, Im hardheaded
.
So I got a new computer and decided that I would try something that was webbased. I started with ascendlive which is the accounting part of pink office and I really like it. Now I am going to try pinkoffice, but I havent done it yet.
It seems like between the two programs Blvd has customer service that is more accessable (sp). I have had a hard time getting in touch with the ascend people most times which is a bummer if you are having problems with the program.
How has it been for you?
February 24, 2008 at 4:30 pm
haven’t had any problems, however I have heard good things about boulevard so I thought I would take a look at it. I have ascend too and need to go and imput everything however I haven’t done that. I think they might all be about the same, I have never tried to get intouch with pink office however the do have online support but it is closed when I am working. They do offer na free trail. And I don’t think it is that expensive. So take the free offer and see.
February 25, 2008 at 5:44 am
ok. Boulevard is a good program as well. customer service was always helpful. It does not have the accounting part like ascend does but it can keep up with every transaction that you can possilbly make in Mary Kay.
The only reason I switched is because I wanted to give a web based program a try since my computer quit on me and I did not have my old info anymore to put into my new computer.
February 25, 2008 at 10:14 am
forever look on there pinkoffice.com and they are having alive webinar on Wednesday I believe. I think that might be helpful. I have the ascend however like I said I am a littl lazy I need to just do it and i will. Well have a great day.
Bren
February 25, 2008 at 1:42 pm
I didn’t like Ascend because you have to reenter everything. I like the concept but would rather just set up Quicken/MS Money to track everything for me when it downloads transactions from my bank.
February 25, 2008 at 3:49 pm
yeah, i saw the webinar but i will be at work and i dont think i can do it from work. using quicken sounds like a good idea too pynkmyst, did not think about that one.
so far i am liking it though, we will see