Typically, dancewear stores are stocked and designed for female dancers—many of them a kaleidoscope of pink or softer, feminine hues. But more retailers are making it a point to cater to male dancers, who are tapping into everything from hip hop and jazz to modern, ballroom and, yes, ballet. While this market is rarely more … More »
Some customers may not be as familiar with the scissors leap as they are with an arabesque, but gymnasts who come to your store will know what leotard they need to execute a specific move. Offering necessities to local gymnasts—long-sleeve or tank-style leotards (many now in flashier hologram, metallic or crushed velvet), along with wrist … More »
Think about it—your largest group of dancewear customers are not even dancers themselves. That’s right. Dance moms make up the biggest category of people shopping at your store. So how do you make sure you provide the best shopping experience for these special customers? First of all, consider the age of these shoppers—dance moms aren’t … More »
As great as any retailer’s product selection may be—seasonally or around the big back-to-school or holiday rush—retailers have to constantly find new ways to keep the traffic (and sales) up throughout the year, particularly during slower periods like summer or post-holiday. Having a sale has traditionally been a way retailers drive traffic into a store. … More »
Intuition is a great asset in some situations, but it’s not always the best business partner. As much as we celebrate people who go by “gut feelings” or “instinct,” it’s a much safer bet to make decisions based on hard data when you have it available. And that’s where today’s point-of-sale systems excel in helping … More »
Preparing and stocking for recital season takes retailers months, even a year, of preparation. As recital dates approach, everything needs to be in place, so that dancers find their required gear—leotards, costumes, pointe shoes, hair accessories and beyond—at their fingertips. It’s an exciting season for retailers, too. While back-to-school usually generates the biggest revenues, recital … More »
Retailers share what goes into a successful pointe decorating event. At pointe shoe decorating events, old pointe shoes get a new life—and stores create memorable experiences for their customers. Dancers who embellish outdated pairs—which a store can display for all to see or which the customer takes home—will not only have fun but forever associate … More »
If managing inventory for back-to-school and holidays isn’t enough to keep dance retailers busy, competition season requires its own special attention. Costumes, shoes, tights, bags—these items and more are what ballet, jazz, hip-hop, tap and contemporary dancers need once competitions roll around. Typically, checklists from local studios are the starting point. Retailers can then do … More »
Sure, gift cards almost sell themselves during the holidays, but retailers have recognized there’s more profit potential to be tapped in these plastic pieces. U.S. consumers bought an average of 6.5 physical gift cards last year, up from 5.9 the previous year, according to a recent First Data study. And all these gift cards are … More »
When to mark down items can be a tricky business. New seasonal inventory and shifting trends can determine that it’s time to bring prices down on certain items, and then there are those pieces that just won’t sell. Keeping stock too long takes up precious shelf or rack space needed for newer or seasonal items … More »
