Brilliant Innovators in a Time of Crisis

In continuation of the series of informative blogs from industry partners, we hope that this will provide ideas about ways you can stay connected while most of us are staying at home.

Here are additional ways that retailers can continue to serve customers, and provide products their customers seek:

1. Movements to spread kindness

• While kids are at home, arts and crafts are a fun activity that fuels their imagination and can also spread positive messaging. Fern's Garden has come up with a creative way to share kids' artwork by displaying encouraging messages in their store windows and on social media
• Roberts Floral, a florist in North Dakota, has delivered over 975 vases to local nursing homes and retirement communities as part of their OPERATION LOVE to brighten someone's day
• Pierre the Penguin is showing virtual visitors around The Corning Museum of Glass and the museum store in Corning, New York. Pierre, a handmade glass figure (who is available for purchase), is keeping in touch with patrons and bringing positivity to the museum store's social media

2. Self care is always in season

• Beaver Bark Gifts & Garden Center is bringing humorous photos and memes to their social media pages to promote their curbside pick up, delivery options, and newest blossoming buds
• Parable Christian Store of St. Joseph in Michigan has launched a series of Facebook videos showing pandemic care packages available to purchase. The care packages are full of thoughtful gifts from lotions to use after a day of hand sanitizer, Easter goodies for the upcoming holiday, greeting cards to send to loved ones, office supplies for the new way of working, and so much more you never knew you needed
• Without even having to go to the spa, Burke Williams Day Spa and Massage Center is offering at-home self care ideas to help you feel your best. #SkincareSundays show you simple tips to bring you the luxury of a spa experience

3. Timely, practical product needs

• Ampersand Shops is increasing its social media outreach with timely and relatable posts about work from home office supplies. Their page is typically full of inspirational table settings for entertaining, but they have also incorporated products that customers need during this time
• Trudy's Hallmark in Houston, Texas knows spring cleaning is trending and has promotions for all the supplies you'll need. They have been promoting their Bulls Eye Power Nozzle, which turns your regular garden hose into a pressure washer and spray away the pesky pollen and it'll make your patio perfect for dining with your family

4. Seasonal product needs

• The Frame Workshop of Appleton, Inc. is offering hydroponic gardening kits. You can grow your own herbs like basil, oregano, and mint and eventually use while you master a new recipe for dinner
• If you're looking for more hands-on gardening, then Caan's Floral is offering Facebook Live workshops to build fairy gardens. By purchasing a kit in advance and joining the workshop, kids can build their own whimsical garden and watch it grow over time
• If you want to add even more to your garden, Dragonfly Shops & Gardens in Orange, California is selling suncatcher kits. Choose from nine bead colors to create a fanciful chime that dresses up your outdoor space for seasons to come. New inventory is hitting their site frequently to offer fun new activities to keep us all occupied

Bringing your community together virtually is a such a great way to help us get through these difficult times. We, at Las Vegas Market, hope everyone stays safe and takes the necessary precautions to remain healthy while we all try to navigate this uncharted territory. Until we meet in person again, we encourage you to let us know if you’ve implemented new practices, strategies or programs to support your retail business that you would like to share with others.

Please email our Director of Content & Communications, Cindy Hodnett, at chodnett@imcenters.com. 

Contributed by: retailers, IMC staff