It’s the season for trade shows and other travel, which means you hopefully  will have time to visit shops in another part of the country (or world).  That does make it a bit of a “busman’s holiday” — a phrase which was coined 110 years ago to indicate a person doing the same thing on vacation that they do in their work life.  But isn’t one reason that we are shopkeepers because we love shopping?

Here are a few tips about what to look for when you visit a store in another community. Product and display ideas are of course at the top of the list.  If you find an item you are excited about, buy a sample rather than writing down the source information.  And if you are inspired to take a picture of a display, please ask permission.

Asking permission can often lead to an enjoyable conversation, especially if your store is located far enough away that you are not a competitor. We have few opportunities in this business to meet our peers, and if you start by introducing yourself and saying what you admire about the shop you are visiting, you will usually be warmly welcomed.

Another thing to look for is what the store has on clearance.  To me reading a sale shelf like reading a good book — I can see what was ventured and not gained, and what trends may be on the decline. Even broken or damaged sale items tell a story of which products may get shopworn easily.

I also like to see what cross-merchandising the store is doing, and if any items have been grouped together as sets.  The idea of combining a bread bowl with a bread mix, for example, might be an obvious one.  But chances are good that one store has thought of it and another has not.

If there are signs about special events I like to take note of them, and perhaps even to ask which have been most successful  If the store is on Facebook and Pinterest, I will sign on to follow a shop I admire.  These social media make it easy to continue your store visit even after you get home from your busman’s holiday.

Happy Retailing,

Carol “Orange” Schroeder