Feature Article:

It's All in the List
 By: The Scrapbooking.com Staff

For those of you that are trade show survivors, you may already realize the benefits of shopping from a list. Just like grocery shopping, where you pick up the extras to complete your favorite recipe, trade show shopping should always begin with a list. Look around your store and find the "holes" in your inventory.

Are you missing a color of solid cardstock or finding that people are always asking for gray, a deeper red, a softer purple? Does your inventory parallel what scrapbookers are seeing in magazines and online? Are you current with the latest trends? Take a walk through your store with project samples or the latest advertisements and see if there is anything your store is missing. Make notes of product manufacturers or product ideas that you think will fill the "holes" in your inventory.

Do you need new stickers that cover a certain hobby, pastime or sport for your clients? If you've had multiple requests for a particular theme, make a note and look for products that will specifically meet your customers' needs. Keep in mind the scrapbooking ability of your customers as you make decisions about new products.

Is there an adhesive need that your customers have? If so, visit several of the adhesive booths and see if they have a way to meet your demands. If you've always carried one brand only, maybe its time to branch out and see what other adhesives you might be missing. Or compare new developments with your trusty standby. You may find a new "glue" to hold things together. Look for adhesives for specific purposes, as they may be the best product to offer your customers. New glues abound for metal embellishments. Find the best one and offer it as a complementing product in your embellishment section. A great selling point for you: It's been tested and approved by you!

As you look through product lines, be wary of snap decisions; especially if this is your first trade show. It's easy to get overwhelmed and spend way over your budget. Consider just walking through the show with your list the first day and identifying those booths that will meet specifications for your shopping needs. Collect catalogs and let them know you are going to think it over and you'll return to place an order. Take everything back to your room and determine what products fit your list. Then place your order to meet your needs...hopefully with this system in place you can allow yourself one or two frivolous, just for fun, buys that tickle your fancy or will excite your customers.

Holiday items are going to abound at this show, but again, look for Fall, Halloween and Christmas products that meet your customers wants and desires. The hottest embellishments may not be appropriate for your clientele if the majority are beginners who barely know what a photo mat is for, much less an eyelet!

If you have a digital camera, request photos of booth samples when you make purchases. That way when the product arrives you'll have a reminder of how it looked and why it sparked your interest. Also, this can serve as a great way of letting your customers know what you're expecting.

List shopping is an ideal way to enjoy the trade show experience. Look to Scrapbooking.com Magazine's Retail Newsletter in the weeks to come for more great trade show preparation ideas. Remember to keep your customer's needs as your number one priority as you shop to become their scrapbook supply resource... and keep Scrapbooking.com Magazine as your retail resource!