5 Trends that will Shape 2024

Small business owners have survived an incredible amount of change over the past few years, and that is a trend that won’t slow down in 2024.

So, what can we expect from the next twelve months?

Retail business continues to change, and customer expectations are changing with it. To stay ahead of the curve and thrive in 2024, embracing change will be key to your success. Staying on top of the trends that will shape business in the coming year is more important than ever. I know it can be hard to keep track of upcoming trends with everything you have going on. That’s why I’ve put together five of the top retail trends for 2024 so you can focus your time and attention where customers will care the most.

These are the top five trends I believe will have the greatest impact on the way we work in the coming year.

  1. ONLINE SHOPPING

If you are an internet user, it’s hard not to notice that online shopping has exploded. When you consider that 76% of US adults shop online, according to the latest Marist Poll, it’s the biggest trend shaping the retail landscape. E-commerce is here to stay.

As many consumers shift to online shopping, it’s time to consider improving your company’s online game. First thing to do is make sure your business is easy to find online. Update your Google business listing as well as Yelp, Bing & LinkedIn. At the least, it will improve your searchability. Next, make sure your website is compatible with mobile phone viewing. If your site isn’t easy to navigate from your phone, it’s time to modernize.  Get a few of your retail items online. Business tools within Facebook and Instagram allow you to add items to your shop. Then when you post, you can tag merchandise so people can easily shop your posts. I’ve done this with photo frames and gift items with good success.

Adding online custom framing to your offerings is getting easier with solutions that allow framers to compete with larger e-commerce retailers.  Although there are many to consider, I chose FrameVue from Lifesaver Software. I added a button to my website that takes shopper to the FrameVue site where customers can upload an image, choose frame options and see a digital mock-up. This is an easy turn-key solution to getting started into e-commerce with minimal effort and expense.

A takeaway from this is that if your frame shop doesn’t have a mobile friendly website and you’re not selling on social platforms, then you’re already behind the curve.

  1. SUSTAINIBILITY

One of the stand-out trends for the coming year is consumer’s demand for sustainable products and packaging. According to Shorr’s Sustainable Packaging Consumer Report, 76% of respondents say they’ve made a conscious effort to purchase more sustainable products in the past year. Combine that with the whopping 86% say they are more likely to purchase from retailers if the products are sustainable and that’s a trend worth adopting.

A few moulding manufacturers are leading the way in their commitment to sustainable products. Larson Juhl recently earned the Forest Stewardship Council and the Program Forest Certification Systems Certification for responsible environmental actions. Dave Rose, Senior Director of North American Sales said “We are committed to supplying materials from well-managed, sustainable forests that meet the world’s highest social, economic and ecological standards. Working together, we can ensure that the beauty of today’s forest lasts for many tomorrows to come.” That’s just good for everyone.

The consumer demand is there, and smart retailers are taking notice. As a purveyors of forest products, we all should consider including sustainable policies to our business plan. Recycling discarded packaging material is just the beginning. Consider these other ideas too.

Small business sustainability starts at the source. Choose products from supplies with strong commitments to ethical, social and environmental manufacturing. Mark those sustainably grown mouldings & matboards samples and promote them to your customers. That’s a good start to making a real difference.

  1. IMMERSIVE CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE

Customers crave experience beyond all else and that trend is continuing in 2023. Price point and quality play a part, and that means a smart opportunity for custom framers. Consumers are searching for an interesting way to experience the process of choosing, purchasing, and enjoying the goods and services they spend our money on.

Custom framing can plan an important role here. Traditionally, customers would have to come in the store to explore options, but now with the advance of technologies like visualization software, the emphasis has shifted to be more consumer focused. If you are focused on making the customer experience more enjoyable and the design process streamlined and more transparent, the more successful you will be. The good news is that there are several tools that make it easy to take advantage of this new technology.

Shoppers can “try on” different frame design options thru Larson Juhl’s Framing Studio. It’s free to use and easy to upload an image and play with different mat and frame designs.

Lifesaver Software’s cloud-based version has visualization built in. You can take a picture of any frame and it will convert it for you in to the FrameVue ap. Others include France based Virtual Framer that has a robust set of features that are worth a serious look as does SimulArt.

Another tool that’s perfect of aspiring designers is Apple’s Artrooms. Users can immerse themselves in the interior design experience by uploading their picture and see the art on the wall of a realistic room settings.

  1. NATURE INSPIRED DESIGN

A design trend I have my eye on is Nordic Nature. The trend’s palette of wood textures combined with crisp white creates a modern, organic feel reminiscent of Scandinavian design. We began to see this trend emerge last year when moulding manufactures brought forth collections of natural woods with dry finishes.

Angela Incelli, the owner and principal designer of Les Bois Interior Design assures me that nature themes are not going anywhere. “We are seeing a lot of people move the outside in,” she says. “They want natural items in their house—baskets or plants or natural wood tables. We see a lot of live-edge tables or big stumps used as an end table. Having those outdoor elements coming into the house really feeds our soul.”

The theme of incorporating nature in interior spaces will continue to be predominant in fabrics and frame finishes too. 2023 will bring warmer colors inspired by nature, like softer greens and blues that add a soothing feel to spaces.”

To make the most of the natural trend, look for opportunities to make nature-inspired statements in your business. Showcase this popular look in store displays to inspire customers. You’re a center for design after all. Feature the natural finished frames front and center on your sample wall where customers can easily see the new offerings. Design inspiration doesn’t have to be limited to inside the store, use trendy product pictures in your marketing efforts. They make great material for social posts and email campaigns.

  1. MEANINGFUL OBJECTS

As consumers crave more authenticity in an increasingly chaotic world, this next trend is one that holds the most promise for framers. The last few years have taught people to prioritize joy and cherish things that hold deep meaning. It could be a father’s baseball card collection or antique maps, but people have developed a strong desire to surround themselves with objects that hold deep meaning. “Quiet greens and calming blues can combat a tumultuous political landscape, but ultimately it’s the objects we fill our homes with that hold the most power to ease our anxieties,” says Jean Lin, the founder of design firm Colony in New York.

This is great news for framers. Well-loved art collections and vintage souvenirs already make up a large portion of framing orders. We are well positioned to take advantage of the trend for authenticity. Show off past project photo to get people inspired. Update store displays to capture this trend.

Taking Care of Business

After several record-setting difficult years for small businesses, 2024 could be your opportunity to breathe new life into your company. Think about ways to elevate and grow your business that will bring in new customers and keep them coming back.

 

How to be Successful on Small Business Saturday

(In the Year of Covid 19)

This year has seen several unpredictable ups and downs for frame shop owners. One positive trend that has appeared to remain a constant is unstable world is consumers desire to support local. Many shoppers are seeking opportunities to shop small and support businesses in their communities. But how do you achieve successful results for Small Business Saturday while keeping your staff and customers safe?

I’ve put together a list of marketing ideas for framers to capitalize on the shop small movement. Here are some ideas to consider that go beyond in-store promotions.

Be Unique: Shoppers appreciate the uniqueness of small shops, so don’t feel like you have to compete with the big retailers. Be yourself while you show off what makes your business unique. Find creative ways to tell your story through videos on social media, merchandising in your store, and project photos to inspire custom framing.

Offer Referral Program. Invite customers to help your business grow by offering a referral program. Happy customers want to see your success and are willing to write on-line reviews and refer friends. Offer free upgrades, bonus discounts, or accumulate points for future perks. Google My Business allows you to share a link to write a review. Include the link in an email inviting customers to support your small business.

Partner with a Non-Profit. You can help your community and build good-will by highlighting a local charity for a Small Business Saturday promotion. You could collect donation items or share a percentage of each sale for food banks, animal rescue organizations, senior or children’s programs. Choose one that is meaningful and share your reasons in a short video to your social media platforms.

Live Broadcast. Build an audience of new buyers by broadcasting a Facebook Live video. Be.Live is an easy to use way to schedule and create your live broadcast. Keep your focus by creating a list of talking points highlighting custom framing ideas, gift ideas or other items from your shop. Customers can get a look at your shop from home, then schedule an appointment, purchase on-line or answer any other call to action you include.

Say Thanks. Small Business Saturday gives you an opportunity to say Thank You to the customers that have made your business successful. Send a note in the mail. Offer $20 off their next custom framing order. Call your top 20 customers to just say thank you. Offer small gifts to in-store shoppers. Show your genuine gratitude and grow customer loyalty.

Join the Movement. American Express started the Shop Small movement 10 years ago and provides support materials for small business owners. You can register your business on the Small Business Saturday map and request free marketing materials here: https://www.americanexpress.com/us/small-business/shop-small/

Crisis Survival Guide

10 Things to Do Now to Make Your Business Stronger

It’s been said that there are two types of businesses – those that have had tough times & those that are going to have tough times. A worldwide pandemic and forced government shutdown should qualify as the most difficult business challenge most have ever faced. No doubt about it.

Despite overwhelming circumstances, there are still opportunities if we shift our thinking just a bit. We have the powerful ability to change our situation simply by shifting how we think about it. Instead of dwelling on how bad things could get, try asking What can I do now to prepare for a stronger recovery? These are 10 things to do to get through this and actually come out in better shape on the other side.

  1. Take Action

In a crisis, the single most important thing you can do is take action. Sometimes we can be a little like a deer in the headlights, not quite believing what is going on, frozen on the spot. The problem is that if we don’t leap into action, things will always get worse and they will get worse quickly. If you’ve had to temporarily shut your store due to the virus crisis, take a day, cry it out and then get back to business.

Some ideas include reorganizing the shop, redo store displays, to take time to fine tune your marketing message. The important thing to remember is don’t just stand there. There is work to do.

 

  1. Deal with facts not fiction.

In the middle of a tough time it is really easy to start freaking out based on the worst case scenario, as opposed to what actually is. It’s important to get all of the information about what is going on and to only deal with facts, regardless of what is going on in your head. Most of the things we worry about never actually happen, so don’t let your imagination get ahead of the reality of the situation.

For me, that means catching up on the news once a day for 5 minutes, then turn my attention back to my family, business planning & self-care.

 

  1. Take this time to cement your relationship with your existing customers.

In a weirdly ironic way, when times are tough, many businesses actually stop servicing their existing and loyal customer. A depressed mood descends on the business and this in turn affects customer service. That’s why businesses in this negative space lose far more customers than they should, which of course only makes matters worse. Now is the time to build bulletproof relationships with each and every customer you are fortunate enough to have. You need to be communicating with your customers, engaging them, finding out what is going on in their world and most importantly of all, becoming very clear on what your customers need from you.

For your customers, that may be reassuring them you’re taking steps to be there when they need you. Share something that will make them laugh. Teach them tips for arranging a gallery wall or how to install art at the right height. Give them a happy distraction from reality and inspire them with a little bit of hope so that when they need framing, they will remember you.

 

  1. Use this situation to rethink your business.

Tough times are crossroads in our business and they provide an opportunity to make hard decisions about what is working and what is not. This is the perfect time to stop and really reflect on your business and make the changes that deep down you know you need to make. Lean in, grab a notepad and pen and begin a S.W.O.T. analysis. List all the strengths your business possesses; your expertise, assets, reputation and more. Next acknowledge your weaknesses. This gets a little tougher. List the deficiencies in your business and things that you don’t do well. Follow that with a list of opportunities that may include possibilities of new revenue streams, e-commerce or a new category of customers. Finally, list the threats your business faces. It could be cash flow issues, supply chain, rising costs, etc.  This exercise provides you the insights needed to adjust your processes to increase the performance and efficiency of your business.

 

  1. Get ready to chase business.

During tough times, business development can also grind to a halt and we all know that this spells disaster. As hard as it may be, when times are tough, you have to ramp up your business development and push through the hard times. Winning a few new projects, or finding some new clients might just prove easier than you think and it will go a long way to making you feel better. To begin, ask yourself: Who do you serve? and what do they need?

Answer those questions and you’ll get closer to identifying new customer markets and the products and services they will need.

 

  1. Be careful whom you spend your time with.

Negative people need drama like it’s oxygen. It is more important than ever to avoid the harbingers of doom, those people who are negative all the time, they only ever focus on what they haven’t got as opposed to what they have and so on. Don’t let yourself get caught up in the negativity vortex. Keep away from people who are like this and find the positive, proactive and energetic business owners who are too busy getting on with it to get caught up with misery brigade. You can follow me on Instagram at @glasgow-meg for daily positive messages and video tips to encourage you though this crisis.

 

  1. Be prepared to try “NEW”.

When what you are doing isn’t working it makes sense to try something different. Now this sounds logical, yet I have watched so many businesses slowly go bust simply because they kept doing the same thing, right to the end. We have to be prepared to do new things, try ideas outside of our comfort zone and look to other for advice.

 

  1. Invest in your business.

This is the very best time to invest in your business. It is time to polish up your social media strategy, upgrade the website, come up with a new corporate image, invest in new technology and really anything else that will make your business look more impressive and run more impressively when business resumes.

 

  1. Invest in yourself.

Just as I believe that it is an important time to invest in your business it is more important time to invest in yourself. This means learning new skills through books, seminars, online training, mentoring, coaching, really whatever it takes.

 

  1. Learn from the experience.

This can be such a cliche but it is true. Most of us are really good at beating ourselves up for things that go wrong but there really isn’t much to be achieved from this. Far better to take a step back and learn from the experience. What can we do now to make things better? Focus on the positive lessons. Nothing is so bad that some good can’t come out of it.

10 Things to Do When Things Get Tough

It’s been said that there are two types of businesses – those that have had tough times & those that are going to have tough times. A worldwide pandemic and forced government shutdown should qualify as the most difficult business challenge most have ever faced. No doubt about it.

Despite overwhelming circumstances, there are still opportunities if we shift our thinking just a bit. We have the powerful ability to change our situation simply by shifting how we think about it. Instead of dwelling on how bad things could get, try asking What can I do now to prepare for a stronger recovery? These are 10 things to do to get through this and actually come out in better shape on the other side.

 

  1. Take Action

In a crisis, the single most important thing you can do is take action. Sometimes we can be a little like a deer in the headlights, not quite believing what is going on, frozen on the spot. The problem is that if we don’t leap into action, things will always get worse and they will get worse quickly. If you’ve had to temporarily shut your store due to the virus crisis, take a day, cry it out and then get back to business.

Some ideas include reorganizing the shop, redo store displays, to take time to fine tune your marketing message. The important thing to remember is don’t just stand there. There is work to do.

  1. Deal with facts not fiction.

In the middle of a tough time it is really easy to start freaking out based on the worst case scenario, as opposed to what actually is. It’s important to get all of the information about what is going on and to only deal with facts, regardless of what is going on in your head. Most of the things we worry about never actually happen, so don’t let your imagination get ahead of the reality of the situation.

For me, that means catching up on the news once a day for 5 minutes, then turn my attention back to my family, business planning & self-care.

 

  1. Take this time to cement your relationship with your existing customers.

In a weirdly ironic way, when times are tough, many businesses actually stop servicing their existing and loyal customer. A depressed mood descends on the business and this in turn affects customer service. That’s why businesses in this negative space lose far more customers than they should, which of course only makes matters worse. Now is the time to build bulletproof relationships with each and every customer you are fortunate enough to have. You need to be communicating with your customers, engaging them, finding out what is going on in their world and most importantly of all, becoming very clear on what your customers need from you.

For your customers, that may be reassuring them you’re taking steps to be there when they need you. Share something that will make them laugh. Teach them tips for arranging a gallery wall or how to install art at the right height. Give them a happy distraction from reality and inspire them with a little bit of hope so that when they need framing, they will remember you.

  1. Use this situation to rethink your business.

Tough times are crossroads in our business and they provide an opportunity to make hard decisions about what is working and what is not. This is the perfect time to stop and really reflect on your business and make the changes that deep down you know you need to make. Lean in, grab a notepad and pen and begin a S.W.O.T. analysis. List all the strengths your business possesses; your expertise, assets, reputation and more. Next acknowledge your weaknesses. This gets a little tougher. List the deficiencies in your business and things that you don’t do well. Follow that with a list of opportunities that may include possibilities of new revenue streams, e-commerce or a new category of customers. Finally, list the threats your business faces. It could be cash flow issues, supply chain, rising costs, etc.  This exercise provides you the insights needed to adjust your processes to increase the performance and efficiency of your business.

 

  1. Get ready to chase business.

During tough times, business development can also grind to a halt and we all know that this spells disaster. As hard as it may be, when times are tough, you have to ramp up your business development and push through the hard times. Winning a few new projects, or finding some new clients might just prove easier than you think and it will go a long way to making you feel better. To begin, ask yourself: Who do you serve? and what do they need?

Answer those questions and you’ll get closer to identifying new customer markets and the products and services they will need.

 

  1. Be careful whom you spend your time with.

Negative people need drama like it’s oxygen. It is more important than ever to avoid the harbingers of doom, those people who are negative all the time, they only ever focus on what they haven’t got as opposed to what they have and so on. Don’t let yourself get caught up in the negativity vortex. Keep away from people who are like this and find the positive, proactive and energetic business owners who are too busy getting on with it to get caught up with misery brigade. You can follow me on Instagram at @glasgow-meg for daily positive messages and video tips to encourage you though this crisis.

  1. Be prepared to try “NEW”.

When what you are doing isn’t working it makes sense to try something different. Now this sounds logical, yet I have watched so many businesses slowly go bust simply because they kept doing the same thing, right to the end. We have to be prepared to do new things, try ideas outside of our comfort zone and look to other for advice.

 

  1. Invest in your business.

This is the very best time to invest in your business. It is time to polish up your social media strategy, upgrade the website, come up with a new corporate image, invest in new technology and really anything else that will make your business look more impressive and run more impressively when business resumes.

 

  1. Invest in yourself.

Just as I believe that it is an important time to invest in your business it is more important time to invest in yourself. This means learning new skills through books, seminars, online training, mentoring, coaching, really whatever it takes.

  1. Learn from the experience.

This can be such a cliche but it is true. Most of us are really good at beating ourselves up for things that go wrong but there really isn’t much to be achieved from this. Far better to take a step back and learn from the experience. What can we do now to make things better? Focus on the positive lessons. Nothing is so bad that some good can’t come out of it.

 

Harnessing the Power of Exclusivity

Ordering my usual grande non-fat, no whip mocha at Starbucks this morning got me thinking. Starbucks has built a powerful brand selling a very familiar product, not too far removed from framers selling picture frames. If framing entrepreneurs can model themselves after one of the most successful brands in business, we could strengthen our own companies in the toughest marketplace in recent history.  So what is it about Starbucks business model that is worth adapting to your frame shop?  Exclusivity!

 

Consider what John Moore, a former marketer at Starbuck said about the ordering process:

“While it may take a little longer to figure out how to order your double tall, half-caf, vanilla, nonfat latte, once you do, there’s a feeling of belongingness, that you’re part of the “club”.

 

Whether it’s an exclusive ordering process like Starbucks, a club membership like Costco, or a sense of community like Harley Davidson creating a feeling of exclusivity is the best way of successful branding of your art and framing business.

 

The power of exclusivity is often overlook and underutilized by framers focused on discount coupons to compete. But the truth is that it is the best way to penetrate a very tough marketplace and is best used when competition is fierce. Custom picture framing is exclusive by definition; limited distribution, sold at select stores and at a higher price. The major benefit of this is that customers tend to attach a higher perceived value to products like this which in turn allows for higher profit margins.

How can framers harness the power of exclusivity? Although it’s not nice to exclude people, you can be exclusive in your business. Here are a few tips to keep you focused.

 

Carve out a niche – Identify a target customer group, and not just one, make a list of several groups that need framing services.

 

Create a need – Think ahead to solves needs they haven’t realized yet. For example, golfers needing hole in one scorecard framed, or student pilots completing their first flight.

 

Invent ways to invite friends – Consumers that value exclusive memberships take pride in that exclusivity and will likely invite a few friends to join in.

 

Establish value for your framing services – Over the top frame displays, strong store merchandising and great website photos are a terrific way to create value by building trust.

 

Back it up with substance – Making sure every step of the sales process is executed to the best of your ability is the key. Deliver more that you promise is always the best policy.

 

Considering the success major brands like Starbucks, Costco and Harley Davidson have seen in a difficult economy, we should be encouraged by their commitment to offering a high quality product at a premium price.  By following their example and harnessing the power of exclusivity framers can enjoy enduring success.