Despite what it may seem like, there are no tricks to sound business sense when it comes to operating an antiques shop. The good thing, according to noted antiques expert Wayne Jordan, is this: “What works today in the antiques business is what has always worked: Learn everything there is to know about your business, develop a plan, work the plan diligently and adapt as you go along.” Read More +
Tag Archives: antiques business
Antique Dealers: Don’t give up on email marketing
Email marketing is part of a process, and if you don’t employ the process step-by-step, you’ll get anemic results. The process is simple, but “the devil is in the details.” Read More +
Simple steps for training antique sales associates to succeed
Well-prepared and engaging retail sales associates are so uncommon these days that with a little effort, your store can quickly gain a reputation for outstanding customer service. Read More +
Behind the Gavel: Customers are looking for a reason to buy from you
Naysayers claim that brick-and-mortar stores are nothing more than museums, where tech-savvy customers go to touch, feel and test products before buying them online (a practice called “showrooming”). That’s bullhockey. Read More +
Get your antiques-related business listed for free in the Antique Trader 2013 Industry Directory
The Antique Trader staff is currently gathering information from antiques and collectibles (and related) businesses for inclusion in the 4th annual industry directory of antiques and collectibles. Antiques and collectibles businesses can get listed in the directory free of charge. Read More +
Behind the Gavel: Flea market vendors show why price matters
For the 45th year, the tiny Blue Ridge Mountain town of Hillsville, Va., (population 2,600) was engulfed by a half-million visitors to the annual Labor Day Flea Market and Gun Show to peruse the wares of more than 2,000 flea market vendors. Read More +
Behind the Gavel: Four ways to dispose of dead antiques inventory
As promised in Wayne Jordan’s last column, which defined “dead inventory,” here are four easy ways to dispose of dead antiques inventory that don’t involve giving it away to the local thrift shop or carrying it to a flea market. Read More +
Behind the Gavel: Why dead inventory can kill your antiques business
When most of one’s inventory is unsalable, profits plummet and customers begin to shop elsewhere. Unless a quick remedy is found, such shops face inevitable bankruptcy. Read More +
Antiques shop surveillance tools should be on everyone’s radar
The National Association for Shoplifting Prevention reports that more than 10 million people have been caught shoplifting in the last five years. Inventory shrinkage becomes a very big expense for antiques dealers. Here’s what dealers can do to protect themselves from becoming a theft victim. Read More +
Why are estate sales booming when antiques shops struggle to pay rent?
In almost every market, the number of traditional antiques stores continues to dwindle while other marketing channels — estate sale companies, auction companies, consignment stores and online venues — continue to grow. Read More +