If you’ve been around for a while, you no doubt remember when the separation between apparel boutiques and home and gift boutiques was much wider than it is now. Since the pandemic, we have been on a fast track to see a lot more crossover between these two categories. In this episode, I’m excited to dive into this growing trend with Angela Schmook, VP of Sales and Marketing at Road Runners LLC, a company that represents numerous wholesale brands in every category from home decor to jewelry collections and gifts of all types.
Listen in as we delve into what apparel and home and gift boutiques can learn from each other, the common misconceptions between home and gift and apparel, current trends, and the different business practices that work for each. Angela also explains the difference between wholesale representatives and agencies, the advantages of working with a rep agency, and she shares her advice for retailers and insights on where she sees the overall industry heading.
We also talk about the upcoming home and gift show at Dallas Market Center, where you can find Angela next week!
Resources Featured In This Episode:
- Angela Schmook: Website
- Hubventory Home and Gift Week
- The Boutique Hub: Facebook | Instagram | Website
- Ashley Alderson: Instagram
- Summer School
- The Boutique Hub Membership
- Boutique Hub Black
- Retail Bootcamp
- Hubventory.com
>>Uniting Apparel and Home & Gift Boutiques– LISTEN NOW ON iTunes <<
>>Uniting Apparel and Home & Gift Boutiques– LISTEN NOW ON Spotify <<
See the Full Boutique Chat Podcast Website here
Watch the episode on YouTube:
Uniting Apparel and Home & Gift Boutiques
- Angela’s advice for retailers.
- What the current trends are in the industry.
- The different timelines between apparel and home and gift.
- The advantages to working with a sales rep.
- The opportunities for apparel and home and gift boutiques to work together.
- The difference in profit margins.
- What the most successful stores have in common.
- Angela’s journey in the industry.
Favorite Quotes from Angela Schmook
“We are right in the middle of a very interesting moment.” – Angela Schmook [7:30]
“We’re in this moment of caution.” – Angela Schmook [8:25]
“The larger your order, the larger your perks.” – Angela Schmook [16:15]
Join the Hub for more training, information, and connections.
www.theboutiquehub.com/join
Use the hashtag #AskAshley on Instagram, or tag her at @ajalderson or @theboutiquehub to suggest topics for the podcast and let us know what you thought about this episode!
Do you love the Boutique Chat Podcast?! Subscribe to our podcast and after that, leave us a review on iTunes Apple Podcasts here!
Original Air Date: June 13th, 2023
Do you love the details of Uniting Apparel and Home & Gift Boutiques? Let us know what you think about our show and help spread the word about the #BoutiqueChat Podcast.
Recent Posts:
- Back to School Marketing IdeasBack to school season is the second busiest shopping season of the year! How are you going to capitalize this year? This time of year is going to be here before we know it, so its time to get busy prepping! Back to school time is a perfect opportunity to host an event or run a sale to attract new customers for the busy shopping season. Lets get into our top back to school marketing ideas!
- What to Do When No One Buys: Pricing, Pitching & PivotingWhat if sales didn’t have to be about being pushy or intimidating, but instead about solving problems and making life better? Join us as we explore this concept with our guest, Andee Hart, who transformed her corporate sales expertise into a flourishing candle business during the pandemic. Andee’s inspiring journey is a masterclass in differentiation and tenacity, from how she successfully stood out in a crowded market to how she scaled her business to hundreds of boutiques.
- Top 10 Mistakes Retailers Make (And How Retail Bootcamp Helps You Avoid Them)Running a boutique business can be one of the most rewarding—and challenging—adventures. Whether you’re just starting your boutique or you’ve been in business for years, it’s easy to fall into common traps that hold your growth back. The good news? You’re not alone—and you don’t have to figure it out on your own either. That’s where Retail Bootcamp comes in. This proven boutique coaching program is designed to help boutique owners like you grow smarter, more profitably, and with a clear plan in place.