If you’ve been in business for more than a few years, the odds are your accessory department – your veils in particular – need some pruning.
With so many new styles coming out every year and likely more than a few designers on your books, your once-cultivated collection now has you feeling like:
If this is you, you’re in the right place! Before you head out the door to Chicago or New York this fall, carve out some time for these easy projects that will help you reclaim control over your accessory department.
Project #1 Shop from your own store
Your entire team can get involved with this fun “shopping” activity, which you can do before the trade shows, doesn’t cost a dime, and is almost certain to increase your veil sales:
- First, run a report of every veil you own that has not sold at least twice since last fall.
- Next, gather your team around a few empty garment racks with all those non-selling veils nearby.
- Then, vote on which of these categories each veil falls into. Feel free to print and use these fun PDFs!
4. Finally, put everything away according to the vote:
- OMG Love veils go back on your sales floor.
- Meh veils go “in the back” for a few weeks (to see if anyone misses them).
- Bye, Felicia veils get put on sample sale or donated.
Let me know how this goes! I bet you will start to close more veil sales by shopping your own store and cleaning out what isn’t selling 🙂
Project #2 Consolidate Lines
When it comes to accessory lines, less is more. Fewer lines to manage = more time to do what you love.
If your team has ever gotten confused about which designer made a specific veil, or given out incorrect lead times, rush fees, or customization options, then it might be time to think about consolidating.
The first step is to determine which of your current accessory lines you should keep. Make a list of what is most important to you when you work with a designer.
Consider this list of questions to get you started:
- Is their collection fully customizable so everything can be mixed and matched?
- Is their pricing correct for my business model and my brides?
- Are they easy to work with?
- Is their collection innovative, yet extremely sellable?
- Do their core values match my company’s core values?
Now, consider which of your lines meet your criteria and which don’t.
If it’s time to part ways with a line, run a bestseller report for their styles, then reach out to one of your remaining designers for their (confidential) help. A good partner will tell you how they can help, which styles they can replace, and how they will support you through the process if you decide to move forward.
Project #3: If you don't need it, don't buy it!
Let’s be honest. It’s dangerously easy to impulse-buy accessories. We all do it, whether we’re shopping for groceries at Target (why yes, I DO need this Halloween-themed doormat!) or we’re shopping at trade shows for our businesses.
Buying accessories this way can lead to too many lines, overlapping styles, and an excess of trendy pieces that leads right back to the grumpy cat at the top of this post! 😂
I hope the following tips will empower you to maintain the progress you’ve made cleaning and consolidating your assortment when you head to the trade shows this fall.
Tip 1 | Don't overbuy "trendy" designs
Remember that while many brides want to try the latest trendy designs, most will not purchase them.
Don’t let sales people (even mine!) convince you that you need more than one giant bow veil this season. 🎀 😉
Wait until you’ve seen how all of your accessory designers have addressed the trend, pick your favorite one, and pass on any others.
Tip 2 | Check with your existing designers first
Whatever is on your accessory wishlist this season, check with your existing designers before you shop a new line.
The odds are, one of your current designers will have what you’re looking for, saving you the headache of onboarding and managing yet another line.
Don’t be shy to send your wishlist or inspo photos to your sales rep throughout the year…you never know, you might end up with a style made just for you!
Tip 3 | Know what isn't selling.
You can shop smarter if you understand why certain styles aren’t selling for you.
Take a look at your results from Project #1. Can you identify any patterns or similarities across the styles that didn’t make it back onto your sales floor?
Your Stylists are a treasure trove of information here, so ask for their thoughts.
Any patterns you can identify will be helpful in your quest to avoid buying more accessories that will end up in next year’s “Meh.” or “Bye, Felicia” pile.
There you have it, my top three ways to reclaim control over your accessory department before you head to bridal market this fall. I hope this was a helpful post and, as always, chat with us if there is anything we can do to support you.
xo,
