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:

• 
  Turn Overstock Into Opportunity: How Max Retail Helps Boutique Owners Recoup Their Wholesale Costs
  Got past-season styles still sitting on your shelves? Max Retail helps boutique owners turn leftover inventory into cash—fast. With access to 400+ million shoppers across 20+ e-commerce sites, you can recoup your wholesale costs without slashing prices or risking your brand reputation. Read the full blog to learn how Max Retail is helping 2,500+ retailers like you sell smarter.
• 
  Holiday Merchandising Must-Haves for Small Business Owners
  Seasonal merchandising during the holidays can make a significant difference in your business’s success. It’s not just about offering the right products; it’s also about creating a festive and inviting atmosphere that draws customers in and encourages them to make purchases. In this blog, we’ll explore some holiday merchandising essentials for small business owners, along with tips on why they are essential for your success.
• 
  How to Get Rid of Unsold Inventory (Without Losing Profit!)
  If you’ve ever stared at a rack full of last season’s styles and thought, “What am I going to do with all this?” you’re not alone. Every boutique owner faces the challenge of managing slow-moving or unsold inventory. But the good news? That stock doesn’t have to collect dust or drain your cash flow. Inside… Read more: How to Get Rid of Unsold Inventory (Without Losing Profit!)