SRP: $34.99
Vibrant and fun… the best of Summer has arrived!
Featuring four different designs, the Lines of Adventure Collection utilizes line art to inspire those seeking pure Summertime excitement. Each design can be placed on the garment of your liking! Whether you’re looking for long sleeve or sleeveless tops, or anything in between
Contact your sales representative or email [email protected] with questions.
At T.R. McTaggart we are celebrating our 50th anniversary in September. That’s right. 50 years of T.R. McTaggart history!
From the trunk of a car to a business with loyal customers across the United States, it’s been quite a ride!
The significance of a 50th anniversary is a time looking back and looking ahead.
We look back at serving you, our customers, and want to thank you for your loyalty. We’ve been through a lot of changes to keep up with trends and the industry, and hope to celebrate 50 more years of continued success!
According to Harvard Business Review, business anniversaries are “an ideal time to ask people to think together about why their work matters and how it should move forward.”
At T.R. McTaggart, we try to practice this often. Reaching the milestone of 50 years has made us think even more about where we were, where we’re going, and how we can serve our customers better going forward.
In celebrating our 50th anniversary, we would like to highlight some key points in our proud history.
T.R. McTaggart was founded in 1967 by Helen and Lyle McTaggart and their oldest son, Rod.
Lyle was dedicated to the hard work it takes to start a business, most of all because he had a family to support. This strong work ethic resulted in a sundries business that consisted of souvenirs and items you use when you are vacationing. Some examples included keychains, mugs, can coolies, shot glasses, and sand toys. These are items we still sell to this day! (But with different designs, of course!)
Lyle drove around Michigan selling these types of items from the trunk of his car. Oh, humble beginnings!
After taking customer orders, he would drive home to pack the orders and then deliver them. As the business grew, he started soliciting friends and family to help.
In the 1970’s, Lyle and Helen expanded the business to include transferred T-shirts with funny sayings printed on them. After adding shirts, however, they realized they had outgrown their garage!
In 1979, they moved the operation from Sterling, MI, to a commercial building in Standish, MI, 5 miles away. There they added a 4-head manual screen press and continued to add new products and lines to the sundries.
In 1980, Lyle and Helen decided they were ready to ease into retirement and Rod wanted to pursue other interests. So, they sold the business to their son/brother and his wife, Terry and Robin.
Lyle continued to sell on a route and two part-time sales representatives serviced other routes. In 1986, sales continued growing. It was time to add a full-time sales rep. and so John Rudberg was hired to service sales routes with a focus on clothing.
In 1987, McTaggart Wholesale merged with Forward Corporation, of which Terry was vice president. The merger solidified the strength of the business. Two years later McTaggart Wholesale moved into the new building Forward Corporation had purchased to house their corporate offices, home heat division, and bulk oil division.
All the while, McTaggart Wholesale continued to expand, adding commercial embroidery machines to offer more products to more customers.
In 1990, the business decided to expand from Michigan to become a nationwide business. McTaggart Wholesale began adding independent sales reps across the country, starting with states east of the Mississippi River. With new reps came new orders, helping the business to grow even more.
With the tech boom of the 90’s, technology was reflected in the business.
In 1996, McTaggart Wholesale changed its name to T.R. McTaggart to better reflect its success. As T.R. McTaggart moved into the technology age with graphics and the latest equipment, the name fit the company’s core building blocks: Trust and Reliability.
And that’s how T.R. McTaggart got its name!
The company didn’t change in name only that year.
In January 1996, the company opened its first permanent showroom outside of Michigan. The new showroom was opened at the Merchandise Mart in the Kennedy Building in downtown Chicago, IL. This led to a point in T.R. McTaggart’s history that included even more business expansion.
T.R. McTaggart’s history continued into the new millennia. In 2005, we purchased Kristin and Company Candles.
Kristin and Co. candles are hand-poured 100% soy candles. They are made here at T.R. McTaggart’s facility in Standish, MI, and have been a tremendous addition!
We are always looking to grow our offerings to our customers and serve them in even more ways.
In 2011, T.R. McTaggart expanded the resort side of the business. In addition to providing resort gifts and garments, we began creating our own original designs. Now T.R. McTaggart designs and manufactures unique garments for its customers.
The business started off small with four garments. In 2018, we offer over 21 garments exclusive to us!
That brings us to the present day. We are excited to celebrate over 50 years of successful business!
We have been a family-owned company since we started, from the trunk of a car to where we are today. Perhaps the personalized touch is the key to what has made T.R. McTaggart’s history span 50 years and counting! With great leadership and an excellent staff, T.R. McTaggart will continue to grow and operate with Trust and Reliability for our staff and you, our customers.
Thank you for 50 years of support. You are a part of our history and our story. We couldn’t have done it without you!
We are proud of our history and plan to continue serving you for years to come!
Have a project where you need a trustworthy and reliable partner? We would be more than happy to collaborate with you. Give us a call today or contact us! We look forward to making more T.R. McTaggart history with you!
Links:
What is the booster club’s best friend? T.R. McTaggart’s custom online shop! Uniforms are great for promoting your mascot, flying your colors, and creating a sense of team unity, but it’s also stressful being the one coordinating the ordering and distribution with so many other responsibilities. That’s why we take up some of the slack to make your life simpler. We have a custom online shop so team members, students, and fans of all ages can order gear and apparel and you don’t have to worry about collecting sizes, style requests, or money.
As a booster club your number one priority is raising money for the group or team you are supporting. You don’t want to be bogged down with taking orders, collecting money, and delivering goods. This time should be better spent on higher-level issues!
An online store where patrons can easily order the products you offer is the solution. Last year 1.4 billion people bought at least one product online. Why not capture some of that market?
Our staff works closely with teachers, coaches, athletic directors, PTO’s, and other group leaders to develop a strategy for customizing your online store. Your members and fans want to wear your colors with pride, and you want it to be convenient for them to purchase your spirit wear. We have your custom solution for accomplishing this goal: Your custom online shop will make shopping a breeze!
Visit the Online Stores page on our website and contact a representative to get your shop set up. You decide the products that you want available on demand and we fulfill your customers’ orders from processing credit cards to shipping.
Team members and fans simply provide their email and create a password … and then they’re in, ready to shop! Or, to make things even easier, your customers can sign in with Google! Then your customers are just clicks away from a purchase.
You don’t have to guess at demand, so you can maximize profits by ensuring you always have enough apparel and don’t get stuck with unsold items. It can be tricky to know what will be the hit item, so a custom online shop is a safe way to approach sales. There is no added cost to set up your custom online shop with us, so it’s a win-win situation.
Q: How can you boost sales at your custom online shop?
A: Social media!
A whopping 68.3% of people online use social media. Another benefit of having a custom online shop is that you can market your store on social media – and your potential customers are already online! Instead of getting someone interested in an item, but requiring them to make an effort to make a purchase, you make the buying experience easy for them.
This will most likely increase sales. In fact, one case study found that social media increased sales by 714 percent.
These tips based on advice by Shopify and the Social Media Examiner are sure to boost business!
Try these tips and sales should take off in no time!
Give us a call at (800) 433-0983! Our friendly and knowledgeable staff at T.R. McTaggart is here to support you!
Links:
https://trmctaggart.com/online-stores/
https://www.shopify.com/blog/7900695-12-social-marketing-strategies-to-grow-your-online-sales
https://www.doz.com/marketing-resources/4-tricks-using-social-media-boost-online-sales
Getting new uniforms is exciting; it’s beginning of a year with new possibilities.
Since it’s back-to-school time, why not outfit your school, clubs, and sports teams with apparel provided by T.R. McTaggart! We’ll help you outfit your team so everyone’s looking great starting off the year. (And, by the way, they’ll continue to look great because our quality products stand up, wash after wash.) It’s a great way to start off the school year.
It seems like only yesterday when the kids were singing “school’s out for the summer!” Now it’s already “back-to-school time.” Time flies while you juggle your various obligations, and it’s even busier with the added hustle to buy pencils, notebooks, and calculators before the first day back.
It’s busy for parents and even busier for teachers and coaches finalizing lesson plans and extracurricular schedules while trying to find time to buy uniforms. Deciding on and ordering sports apparel and club T-shirts is fun, but it can also be stressful.
At T.R. McTaggart, we make the process of outfitting your team easy and hassle-free. After over 40 years of experience, we’ve fine-tuned a process to best serve our customers.
Gearing up for fall, it’s back-to-school shopping season and T.R. McTaggart is an expert at outfiting school clubs, groups, and teams.
We serve:
Outfit your team in style!
We can walk you through all of your many options. Provide us with your logo and art or our in-house graphic designers can design your logo and uniforms for you! We’re here to provide you the best apparel with the least amount of hassle.
At T.R. McTaggart, we have everything you need to outfit your team. Brands you trust, fabrics that breathe, and styles they’ll love to wear.
Here are 20 ideas to get you school ready!
Outfit your team utilizing dye sublimation, which allows you to get detailed in your design. Limiting color to limit cost doesn’t come into play like it does in screen printing. Hold a contest among club members and vote for this year’s uniform. Or, just want to get it done? Have us design it to fit the needs of your club!
Polos are classic, just like the game of chess. Embroider your school logo and your students’ favorite chess piece. God save the queen!
It’s noble to care for the environment by adopting a highway, encouraging recycling in the community, and studying biology to figure out solutions for the future of our planet. Living out your values in clothing is one more way to contribute. Check out our eco-friendly apparel to complement your club’s mission!
Matching jackets don’t make the man – or the group – but they sure add to their appeal. Have fun with it and go for a 50’s style made modern.
Does your club focus on community service? T-shirts are easy to put in the wash after planting trees, walking dogs at the shelter, or picking up highway trash.
Screenprint your favorite equations. Make sure to “factor in” all your students’ favorites. Or, be “irrational” and do something crazy like include your school’s name, logo, and large text spelling “M-A-T-H-C-L-U-B.” Outfit your team with “exponentially” exciting fabric and style possibilities! Your team might be “divided” on which options to select, but, whatever the consensus, we guarantee you’ll get the best “product”!
Choose a solid color and embroidery the National Honors Society logo with the name of your school directly below the logo.
Do your students have a favorite robot? We print detailed pictures on fabric at T.R. McTaggart! Or, hold a contest where students draw a robot and give us the design to print! Under the picture of the robot, include the name of the club and your school. Add the year too while you’re at it!
Outfit your team for success! Look on Pinterest for inspirational quotes or have your students vote on one. Put your high school name on the back.
T-shirts are comfy for long practices after school, especially the week before opening night. Choose a soft cotton/polyester blend.
Jerseys are the standard wear to outfit your team. Jersey fabric allows for movement, skin to breathe, and sweat to be wicked away. All the things you need in a design and fabric to do your best on the court!
Outfit your team for the field! But don’t forget about practice and warm up gear. Your team is only in their game uniform a dozen times or so. Do you have them outfitted for practice?
Outfit your team to allow maximum movement in the rink.
Be sure to select something besides 100% cotton so it doesn’t cling to wet suits.
Everyone should have comfortable pants that let them move – and move fast!
Breathe easy! Outfit your team in comfortable apparel they can move in.
Look professional for competitions and you’re sure to get I’s (a little practice also helps). And look dapper on the track or in the stands cheering on the football team.
Look professional and grab those I’s. Then wear your polos to the State competition. Go for a black polo so students can also wear them to concert performances.
Yes, it’s all about looking professional and going for I’s! Take your school colors and choose the more neutral color for the polo and the bolder color or highlight color for the main embroidered text.
A music-note pattern as the backdrop with your school’s name makes a great way to transport music accessories. A tote with beach balls and waves with your school’s name in the clouds is perfect for the swim team. No excuses for forgetting to bring a soft pencil or a swim cap!
Pens are one of the best investments for businesses. Want to increase your attendance to band concerts? Print concert dates on the pens and distribute them. Every time someone jots a note they’ll be reminded of your upcoming concert!
Great for swimmers and other sports to keep the sun at bay. Wish them success, but don’t let them be blinded by success!
Are you a teacher on the fence about uniforms?
“Does the chess club really need matching T-shirts?” you ask yourself. It’s a nice thought, but with prep work for all of your regular classes, adding another item to your to-do list for the extracurricular clubs you advise seems like a nice sentiment but unpractical – especially if you don’t want to do a half-hazard job.
At T.R. McTaggart, we understand. That’s why we can help you set up a convenient online shop. Students or parents simply log on and order items that are sent directly to them!
Build unity and promote your club to encourage other students at school to join the fun!
You don’t have to be a peacock to be proud of your colors. Show some school spirit by sporting your colors today!
Reach out to us for help to outfit your team and all of your clubs. Call us at (800) 433-0983, contact us, or stop by today to get ready for school back in session!
Links:
https://trmctaggart.com/products/sports-school-spirit/
https://trmctaggart.com/online-stores/
https://www.teamworkathletic.com/taa/sub-category/index.jsp?categoryId=cat2100029
June 21st marks the official first day of summer and rings in the season of weddings, family reunions, and summertime events. Hosting a great summertime event can be made even better with great gifts and party favors to top off the festivities. With the day’s excitement prolonged, everyone will go home with a smile. But how do you choose gifts and favors to host great events they’ll love and remember?
Gifts and party favors will enhance these events. Today we’ll discuss how to select gifts and party favors they’ll adore.
Summertime is traditionally party time. The sunshine provides the perfect setting for weddings, family reunions, corporate retreats, team building, holiday gatherings for the 4th, and more! As summer approaches, the days are getting longer and people are staying out later, soaking up the daylight well into the evening.
Summertime is primetime for:
Customized gifts and party favors for your wedding are a special, personal way to say “Thank you” to your guests, especially those who traveled a long distance. Creating gifts and party favors is also an opportunity to get creative!
Reflect on the memories you’ve already shared with your spouse to be. Do you love hiking in the woods? Take an Instagram selfie with a waterfall in the background for a coaster image.
Choose from a wide selection of glassware and customize it with the couple’s names, location, date, as well as clip art depicting city location, place where couple met, marriage themes (i.e. hearts or a bride and groom decoration on a cake), or something unique to the couple (i.e. skiing if it’s an activity the couple likes to do together).
Wedding planning is also a time to be practical while having fun with it. Hosting a reception at the beach? Get flip flops in your wedding colors!
Wedding ideas:
Family reunions are a great time to create momentos you can give to your family members to honor their heritage and feel part of a larger family. T-shirts and mugs with your family surname and date of the event make the day extra special for everyone. You can hold each other closer to home until your next reunion!
Personalized items are perfect for reunions because it gives each family member a piece of history. This can encourage younger members of the family to ask questions and inquire about their ancestry.
It’s also a time to celebrate family!
Did your grandparents emigrate from Ireland? Add a plaid background or a shamrock to surround your last name on a ceramic mug. Did your ancestors pack their bags in Poland? Make the flag the background of a banner featuring the family name. Moved from Mexico? We have almost every color to choose from seen by the human eye. Select bright cheery colors traditionally painted on house walls to give your tote bags a background color reminiscent of home.
You get the idea!
Tell your team you care by giving them a momento at the extended weekend. Supply items that will come in handy during the retreat and at the office.
Meeting in a cabin in the woods? Distribute hand sanitizer, flashlights, and water bottles. It can be lots of fun getting together with co-workers outside of work, but in cramped quarters it’s nice to give your employees the amenities of home. This keeps everyone in a good mood.
Summertime is the perfect time to plan a picnic and outdoor activities for your employees. It’s a great way to get to know each other better, form stronger bonds, and ultimately work better together when everyone returns to the office.
Which team-building activities do you have planned? Playing Frisbee or golf? Give your employees a customized Frisbee and golf ball to take home.
The Fourth of July is a time to celebrate our nation’s Independence, but it’s also an occasion to get together with family.
Gifts and party favors can add liveliness (and convenience!) to the holiday. Keep your beverages cold with a foam drink insulator. Your drinks won’t become warm in transit from home to the fireworks downtown.
Have another idea for a customized gift or party favor? Chances are we can accommodate here at T.R. McTaggart! Give us a call and let us know what you have in mind.
T.R McTaggart provides a host of customized gifts and apparel for all of your summer event needs.
We personalize a wide variety of apparel, including:
We carry personalized items across multiple categories. This includes:
Additionally, we offer eco-friendly options! This includes products made of recycled and/or organic materials, and even biodegradable items.
Thinking ahead shows you care about your friends, family, and employees. With minimal effort, you’ll create something that people appreciate more than you probably realize.
Hosting a great summertime event is a manageable task. With a little pre-planning you can have customized gifts and party favors from T.R. McTaggart to celebrate the summer with a personal touch.
Hosting a great summertime event is exciting but can be stressful. But our staff is here to help make it easy! Contact Us today or call us at (800) 433-0983.
T.R. McTaggart’s expertise in helping planners provide unique gifts and party favors will help make your event enjoyable and memorable. At T.R. McTaggart, no job is too big or too small. We look forward to helping make your summertime event special and a day to remember!
Links:
http://www.promoplace.com/trmctaggart
Take your branding to the next level with a branded work uniform! The benefits of outfitting your crew with a branded work uniform cannot be overstated.
Brand exposure is vital. After all, how can a customer make a purchase from you if they don’t know you exist? A great way to accomplish this is through your company’s direct representatives: your employees!
Reasons branded work uniforms are important:
Why is brand recognition important? Let us count the ways!
While the exact value of a brand can be elusive, it’s well established that creating and maintaining a strong brand presence is important.
Interbrand decided to make figuring out a brand’s worth more of a science than an art. The brand consulting company released its 2017 Annual Best Global Brands Report. Its methodologies show that top brands are worth millions.
Values are in millions of dollars:
See the Interbrand list for all 100.
OK, so it might take a lot more than branded work uniforms for your company to beat out Apple for the #1 spot in 2018. But branded work uniforms are a huge start. And smart.
Take a cue from some of these top companies. Apple is known for its blue shirts with the white apple logo on the Apple sales floor and “Genius Bar” in their stores. Order a hamburger and fries at McDonald’s and the person taking your order and handing you your bag or tray has the double arch embroidered on their branded work uniform.
Coca-Cola, Disney, Nike, Pepsi, and others have taken things a step further and have gotten the general public to, in a way, wear branded work uniforms too! If you find yourself in a crowd you’ll see people wearing vintage-looking T-shirts with soft drink logos prominently written across the chest. Nike swishes assert themselves on T-shirts, shorts, hats, and shoes as not just a label, but as an integration of the logo into the design of the clothing.
Mickey Mouse is the most recognized brand and Disney made #14 on the list of top brand worth. Not too shabby! Every bit helps.
Before you order those branded work uniforms, however, first take stock of the other modes of advertising your company uses. Advertising must be used consistently across channels. Make sure it sounds like it’s coming from one voice. This ensures branding avoids customer confusion about who you are and what you sell.
In order for a business to grow, 77% of B2B marketing leaders claim branding is critical to success.
Strategize long term and sales will follow.
While selling products and services is the ultimate goal of business, 89% of B2B marketers say gaining brand awareness is the most important goal, with sales the second most important. Indeed, 72% of brand managers agree that building an audience should be prioritized over sales. Once you’ve established yourself as a trustworthy brand, your audience will convert to customers.
On average, 5 to 7 brand impressions are needed for someone to remember your brand.
So when your employees are out and about wearing branded work uniforms, they would only have to be seen wearing the garment 5 to 7 times by a potential customer to make a brand impression! That’s not to say that the same potential customer would spot the exact same employee every time, but collectively you get the picture of what branded work uniforms can do to promote your business!
If you build your brand, the sales will come! B2B companies with strong brands generate a higher Earnings Before Interest and Taxes (EBIT) Margin than other companies, all things equal.
You might have struck success connecting your brand to your audience. Congratulations!
However, now isn’t the time to put things on autopilot! You have to keep your audience; that means maintaining a strong relationship with it.
In a world where 42% of consumers say they distrust brands, what’s a business to do? You guessed it! Branded work uniforms. The public views advertisements on apparel and accessories worn by actual people as more trustworthy. After all, the message is being delivered by a real person, not an actor or slick print ad.
Brands that present themselves in a consistent way are 3 to 4 times more likely to establish brand visibility. Consistent brand presentation increases revenue, on average, by 23%.
Color increases brand recognition by up to 80%. At T.R. McTaggart, we have a wide selection of colors that allow us to match your brand’s logo colors perfectly to create a consistent experience for customers. The quality of our clothing will also enhance your brand’s reputation (or future reputation!) for quality.
Tips for creating a strong brand:
Here are some traits of “alpha” brands. Try to check as many boxes as possible when strategizing for your brand.
Uniform options that are anything but uniform:
No matter what industry your business hails from, we’ve got options to dress your employees appropriate to your sector and consistent with your brand image.
We offer a wide variety of quality brands to choose from. Contact us to find out how we can accommodate your brand needs.
T.R. McTaggart’s expertise in providing high-quality branded work apparel for nearly any industry can help your business’ bottom line. We provide stylish and durable branded work apparel to help take your branding to the next level. Contact Us today or call us at (800) 433-0983.
Links:
https://trmctaggart.com/products/corporate/
http://www.sportswearcollection.com/?site=CRGHPGYDZS
https://www.trimountain.com/products
https://www.augustasportswear.com/#H
https://www.lucidpress.com/blog/25-branding-stats-facts
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-donaldtrump-idUSTRE7AK2IT20111121
https://www.tourolaw.edu/lawreview/uploads/pdfs/27_2/9.pdf
https://onbrand.me/state-of-branding-report-2017
https://www.circle-research.com/wp-content/uploads/B2B-Branding-Research.pdf
http://interbrand.com/best-brands/best-global-brands/2017/ranking/
For shop owners, especially business owners of gift and resort shops, creating an effective product display can be the catalyst for an increase in sales. Utilizing these smart product display tips that work will help your items fly off the shelves – or racks –before you have time to restock!
These tips are most relevant to shops selling:
Want your problem to be that you can’t replace things on the shelf fast enough?
Try out these tips for an effective product display:
Before you start creating your masterpieces, you need to get in your customers’ shoes and understand the flow of your store. How are they experiencing it? How will they come across your displays? Think about how the display relates to and reacts to traffic flow to ensure you are placing key items where customers are sure to see them.
There are three main types of store layouts. In reality, many stores are a combination of:
This is a typical layout for grocery stores and dollar stores because it most efficiently uses every square inch of space. Add displays at the end of the aisles, called the endcaps.
Also called a “mixed” floor plan, a lot of clothing and jewelry stores use this layout. Angular floor plans use space less efficiently than straight floor plans, but the space is more aesthetically pleasing. While grocery stores are functional and use a straight layout, fashion is more about style and so the space supports this value. Place featured displays in areas that people are funneled to based on your layout.
Shelving is set up to create a loop for customers to walk through. Think of a museum exhibit. Loop floor plans use the space the least efficiently but it feels luxurious walking through the space. No one has to worry about knocking over breakables in a store packed to the brim. Your products are also the most visible to customers.
Right where they turn right, that’s where you want your display. While there are exceptions, most people tend to turn right when they walk into a store. Knowing this, you will want to make an effective product display to catch their eyes as they walk away from the entrance into the space.
With merchandising, it’s not just an effective product display that matters. First you need customers to see them! This is why it is important to design your floor plan to create an easy flow throughout the store to draw customers to your displays.
It’s human nature that we want to make sense of our surroundings. Choosing a theme is satisfying because it ties things together. Think of curating effective product displays like a fashion show of product vignettes rather than outfits in a collection (although they might also be outfits!)
Think in threes. It’s a satisfying number and it’s an odd number. Asymmetry ensures your customers’ eyes are always moving, exploring your products, and never getting bored. An effective product display keeps the customer looking at products.
High markup items are smart items to highlight because you’re using your space to advertise something that brings in the most profit. For example, there’s really no reason to market something like table salt, a product that’s cheap with a low profit margin. People buy it anyway and, for those who don’t, it won’t gain you much to bring in new salt-consuming customers!
Luxury items are also strategic because they encourage large purchases and, even if people don’t purchase the item, people will enjoy looking at an attractive item and it’s aspirational. Your visitors will buy other products and perhaps buy the display next time!
An effective product display puts like or complimentary items together. For example, you could set up a kitchen display with coffee, tea, cloth napkins, and cups and saucers. A display featuring items that go together can makes purchasing everything they need easy for customers.
Under or next to your display, arrange items so they’re easy to find. Arrange apparel from lightest to darkest, and smallest to largest. Keep extra stock close at hand so you can quickly replenish stock if a size runs out in your display.
Anything that can aid customers in picturing themselves using the product or having it in their homes is helpful. That’s why people love to sample food and try on clothes. It convinces them that they will enjoy eating the salsa or wearing the sweater.
Perhaps a mannequin displays a swimsuit and there are sandals sitting on top of sand and seashells. Customers can picture what the apparel looks like when worn and the real sand links fantasy to reality.
Enlist employees to wear the clothes you’re selling. Shoppers are more likely to purchase items – and pay more for them – if someone is modeling the clothing, rather than just looking at a stack of T-shirts on a table – even if they are perfectly board folded. Have your employees become a walking, effective product display!
You’re a brick and mortar location, which means that you can appeal to senses beyond site. And you’ll have a leg up on the competition if you can appeal to all five.
It’s ideal that people can feel the fabrics, but what else can you do to capitalize on your access to the other senses?
Play calming music so customers aren’t in a rush or rock songs that appeal to the demographic of your shoppers. Timely holiday music also inspires and invigorates shoppers.
There’s a reason realtors bake bread when they show houses to prospective buyers. You don’t need to make your store smell like “home,” but a pleasant scent will encourage customers to stay longer. Burn a Kristin & Company candle to make the space refreshing (Vanilla is a scent that appeals to almost everyone.).
Planning effective product displays is your chance to get creative. If you don’t feel comfortable creating a display, perhaps you have an employee who has a flare for artfully displaying products. Tap into it!
You should change displays every month. You don’t want your customers to get bored. And you want to highlight new merchandise. A window display also indicates to passers-by that you have new inventory – and that they should check it out! For someone who hasn’t visited the store, a different display might catch their eye. The more effective product displays, the more chances to pique potential customers’ interests.
Wherever your travels take you, be mindful of how others are utilizing displays and think, “Could this serve as a creative and thrifty product display in my shop?”
Instead of hitting the highway, take the back roads and stop by small towns. If they have more than a church and a bar, they’ll likely have imaginative store displays you won’t see anywhere else. However, you don’t have to drive 500 miles to be inspired. You can also check out trade magazines or Pinterest to get ideas.
If you have a print or digital ad campaign, marry your store displays with it. Customers want a consistent experience across your brand. So, give it to them! Your brand should tell a story. Each display is a chapter in the book!
Have Fun!
Don’t be intimidated, have fun with shapes, colors, textures, and props. If you have fun making a whimsical display, it will show to your customers.
While selling strategy is important, behind the message needs to be a quality product. If you convince customers your shirts are high quality but they go through the wash only to look threadbare, clients are not going to become return clients! T.R. McTaggart provides products that your patrons are sure to love and quality you can trust will bring them back.
T.R. McTaggart has expertise in providing retailers nationwide with quality apparel and products that sell. Contact Us or call us today at (800) 433-0983 to talk about how we can help your store meet your customers’ high expectations. Use these product display tips that work and see where your results take you. Happy selling and we look forward to working with you!
Links:
https://fitsmallbusiness.com/visual-merchandising-guide/
https://www.retaildoc.com/blog/7-ways-to-transform-retail-store-displays-into-sales-merchandising
https://www.thebalancesmb.com/creating-attractive-displays-2890497
Sometimes when you’re trying to expand your business and boost profits, getting outside input can spark new ideas and motivate yourself to improve. You might even step out of your comfort zone and try something new with your business. Conferences and top retail events are a great place to learn new things, keep up with business practices, network – and have a good time while you’re at it! But what are the retail events you should attend?
There are plenty of great conferences that every retailer should attend. We’ve featured some of our favorites.
This year is the best year as any to attend a conference that can help improve your bottom line. After all, why not start increasing your profits today?
Running a business takes more than providing excellent customer service or the highest-quality products. Though this is helpful! You also need to keep up to date with trends in the retail industry, reach out to your peers, and always strive to learn something new to improve your business.
It’s an exciting time for retail. Keep abreast of the hard challenges and new opportunities by attending a retail conference. While it might seem frivolous to take time off with looming deadlines and a seemingly endless flow of work, conferences can pay off big time in terms of what you gain.
So, stay current by packing a suitcase and having a willingness to meet new people and try something new!
There are so many conferences and so many seminar topics to choose from. Are you interested in technology? Design? Marketing? Digital strategy?
Does your business consist of e-commerce? Logistics and delivery? Straight-up retail?
Whatever your interest, you are spoiled for choice!
OK, not exactly. But go to the conference with a smile and bring a genuine interest in meeting people and learning about new developments in the industry. Conferences are the perfect place to network. So, take advantage of this opportunity!
Name: Roscommon Business Expo
When: Annually in May (this year’s event has passed, but it’s never too soon to prepare for next year!)
Where: CRAF Center
City: Rocsommon, MI
Website: http://business.hlrcc.com/events/details/hlrcc-business-expo-05-16-2018-358
What: A business and recreation expo featuring what Higgins Lake, Roscommon, and surrounding communities have to offer.
Contact Irene Jantz for more information:
(989) 846-9577 or (800) 433-0983
Name: Wild Birds Unlimited Annual Conference
When: June 30 – July 1, 2018
Where: Devos Place
City: Grand Rapids, MI
Website: https://devosplace.org/schedule/wild-birds-unlimited-2019-annual-conference
What: Leadership conference featuring backyard bird feeding products and focused on improving vendor knowledge about available technology that will help improve outreach and overall product sales.
Contact John Rudberg for more information:
(989) 846-9577 or (800) 433-0983
Name: Las Vegas Souvenir & Resort Gift Show
When: September 25-28, 2018
Where: Las Vegas Convention Center
City: Las Vegas, NV
Website: https://www.lvsouvenirshow.com/270/las-vegas-gift-show-home.htm
What: The largest show of its kind. This show offers a selection of products that will help your shop stand out among the competition. Thousands of lines of souvenirs and resort products all under one roof!
Contact John Rudberg for more information:
(989) 846-9577 or (800) 433-0983
Name: Showcase Iosco Business Expo
When: October 13, 2018
Where: Tawas Area High School, Tawas City, MI
What: Trade show style event that provides area businesses, non-profits, and civic clubs an opportunity to present what they do and why. Businesses can display and sell products and explain services; non-profit organizations will have the opportunity to present their mission and describe their target population; and civic clubs can explain their goals, challenges, and needs to the community.
Website: http://www.tawas.com/events/showcase-iosco/
Contact Irene Jantz for more information:
(989) 846-9577 or (800) 433-0983
Name: Mt. Pleasant Business and Community Expo
When: October 11, 2018
Where: Comfort Inn & Suites Conference Center, Mt. Pleasant, MI
What: This annual trade show and networking event offers local businesses and the community the chance to see the latest and greatest in the Mt. Pleasant Area market place. The Expo is designed to be a fun community event that provides highly interactive exhibitor booths featuring demonstrations, free samples, games, prizes, items for sale, and other engaging activities!
Website: https://www.mountpleasantwow.com/event-detail/business-and-community-expo/
Contact Irene Jantz for more information:
(989) 846-9577 or (800) 433-0983
Name: MISHRM Conference & Exhibition
When: October 17-19, 2018
Where: Grand Traverse Resort, Traverse City, MI
What: This conference geared toward HR Professionals offers educational sessions designated to provide practical and applicable information to help you be successful. Attendees can expect to be challenged and inspired by what the conference has to offer. This year’s conference provides participants a variety of opportunities that makes it a “must event” for HR Professionals to attend.
Website: http://mishrmconference.org/index.html
Contact Irene Jantz or John Rudberg for more information:
(989) 846-9577 or (800) 433-0983
[email protected]
[email protected]
Name: Gaylord Business Expo
When: October
Where: Gaylord, MI,
Website: https://www.gaylordchamber.com/search-results?m=31&l=15&t=business%20expo
What: Networking event that features over 70 local businesses. Attendees learn about products and services offered and have the opportunity foster lasting relationships with other businesses within the community.
Contact Irene Jantz for more information:
(989) 846-9577 or (800) 433-0983
Name: Special Olympics Conference
What: T.R. McTaggart is a proud partner with the Special Olympics. Please contact Irene Jantz for upcoming event information and how you can become involved with this great organization.
(989) 846-9577 or (800) 433-0983
Name: IGES
Sieverville
When: November 3-6
Where: Sieverville Convention Center, Sieverville, TN
Pigeon Forge
When: November 4-7, 2018
Where: LeConte Center, Pigeon Forge, TN
What: A can’t-miss souvenir gift show for retailers in the industry looking for top-quality items at wholesale prices. With many opportunities for networking, many past attendees have created long-lasting relationships while finding new suppliers exhibiting at the show.
Website: https://www.iges.us/
Contact John Rudberg for more information:
(989) 846-9577 or (800) 433-0983
Name: Smoky Mountain Gift Show
When: November 4-7, 2018
Where: Gatlinburg Convention Center, Gatlinburg, TN
What: Features an unrivaled networking opportunities and product selection, including wholesale destination souvenir, innovative resort and tourist merchandise, souvenirs, t-shirts, lake, mountain and lodge, ski-themed products, logo products, shell items, jewelry/fashion accessories, toys/games and more.
Website: https://www.smokymtngiftshow.com/373/smoky-mountain-gift-show-home.htm
Contact Mitch Porvin for more information:
(954) 510-9090
Name: Business Expo and Taste of Boyne
When: November
Where: Boyne Mountain Resort Civic Center, Boyne Falls, MI
What: One of the largest business networking events Northern Michigan has to offer. This event features over 70 exhibitor booths and more than 1,000 people attending. This exciting expo includes great food, networking, music, business exhibits, and more!
Website: http://www.boynechamber.com/events/details/business-expo-and-taste-of-boyne-137
Contact Theresa Cramer for more information:
(989) 846-9577 or (800) 433-0983
Name: Arkansas Recreation & Parks Association Conference and Trade Show
When: November 7-9, 2018
Where: Benton Event Center, Benton, AR
What: An event that brings together recreation, park, and leisure services professionals for networking opportunities, exhibits, music, food, and fun!
Website: https://arkarpa.org/conference/2018-annual-conference-and-tradeshow/
Contact our office for more information: (800) 433-0983
The team at T.R. Mctaggart wishes you a safe trip and happy learning for all the events you attend! Enjoy a change of pace while learning invaluable information. Remember to make the most out of your experience, meet new people, make connections that will benefit your business, and have fun!
If you are interested in attending a conference, but want information or advice about which conferences may best benefit your business, contact one of our knowledgeable and friendly sales reps for the 411.
Planning for a wedding can be hectic and stressful. To help relieve that stress, T.R. McTaggart can help make choosing and purchasing party favors your guests will love one less thing to worry about. Selecting wedding favors guests will cherish comes down to personalization. Second to personalization, those personalized wedding favors that are utilitarian will take the cake!
Many guests have travelled a long way to make it to the wedding. Personalization extends the day and evening by giving them something they can take home and remember the event by. Personalized wedding favors are the way to go!
We chose these 20 personalized wedding favors because they met a couple of important criteria. First, personalization is key. Second, it’s also great if the gift is something people can use … If your wedding favor is both, you’ve got a winner!
20 wedding favors guests will cherish:
1. Lip balm
2. Water bottles
3. Sunglasses
4. Portable stadium blankets
5. Flip flops
6. Umbrellas
7. Tote bags
8. Luggage tags
9. Instagram coasters
10. Bottle openers
11. Beverage insulators
12. Shot glasses
13. Mugs
14. Candy-filled mugs
15. Plant in a cup
16. Nuts
17. Mug cake
18. Kristin and Company candles
19. Key chains
20. Regional souvenirs
Why are these personalized wedding favors perfect for your wedding?
Personalized wedding favors tip: We looked for things that are practical and can be used long after the wedding.
1. Lip balm
In their colorful balls they almost look like candy, but inside it’s practical lip balm. Who knew putting on lip balm could be this fun? Also consider types with sunscreen depending on the climate.
Keep your guests hydrated! Water bottles are something everyone should use. Whether it’s plastic or vacuum-sealed metal, water bottles come in handy!
3. Sunglasses
Having a destination wedding in Hawaii? Going to Malibu to get hitched? No matter where you are, if it’s summer, shades are an item that will make your guests comfortable and it’s something they can use throughout the season. Find shades to match your wedding colors!
Keeps your guests warm at outdoor events and doubles as a useful souvenir. Add the last name of the couple and the date in an elegant font to personalize.
5. Flip flops
Find your wedding colors! Then have the couple’s names and/or wedding date printed on the side straps. Perhaps the last names of the couple: one on either side. First names work too!
6. Umbrellas
A practical item that almost everyone needs and almost everyone loses somewhere. Just hope you don’t have to use them that day! Get the folding kind so people can conveniently stow them in their suitcases.
7. Tote bags
Emblazon with the couple’s name, place, and wedding date. Other bag options include drawstring bags, drawstring backpacks, or grocery tote bags. Fanny packs are also back in style this year!
Personalized wedding favors tip: We looked for things that would make your guests feel special.
8. Luggage tags
Luggage tags are great for destination weddings. Add a digital image to personalize it. Consider an Instagram photo. When all of your guests get to the same hotel with matching tags, it builds a camaraderie among friends and relatives who don’t know each other. This is especially nice if not everyone on both sides of the family has met.
You’ve taken hundreds of beautiful shots of sunsets. Don’t just look at them for two seconds never to appreciate them again! Instead, make them into a coaster. If you’re the couple, take some fun but sweet shots of yourselves. Or, if you’re having the wedding in your city, take shots of touristy things so that out-of-town company have something to take home as a souvenir of both the wedding and the city. It will remind them of their fabulous time in your town and link it to the moment in time when you said your vows.
Personalized wedding favors tip: Everyone eats and drinks!
10. Bottle openers
Bottle openers are utilitarian. Unless wine and beer go completely twist off, people will need these. Cheers!
Great to use at the wedding – and ever after.
12. Shot glasses
Shot glasses are the ultimate souvenir. Your friends who collect them will thank you. Your guests may raise a glass at your reception, but who are you to stop them if they want to continue to celebrate your union? Find your wedding colors and write the couples’ last names and wedding date.
13. Mugs
Everyone uses mugs. While they’re drinking their morning coffee they can remember the special day. Make one with you and your spouse’s names on them. Perhaps you could even feature a picture of you and your future spouse drinking coffee on the side?
Even better!
15. Plant in a cup
Plants represent growth and new life. It’s the perfect metaphor for a wedding. Consider a potted plant, vegetable, or herb. Succulents also make for great desk decorations. Your guests will thank you! <http://www.promoplace.com/trmctaggart/p/TVLDC-GXBNO/bamboo-blossom-kit>
16. Nuts
Take a ceramic cup, fill with mixed nuts, and wrap with cellophane and tie a bow with jute twine. Nuts are always a hit and the mug can be used later for beverages, pencils, or a re-fill of nuts!
Personalized wedding favors tip: Fun and practical win the race for some of the best party favors.
17. Mug cake
Make a cake in ceramic mugs using the microwave. It doubles as a container for cake and then it can be used for your guests’ coffee for years to come! Or, of course, they can always make more cake in the mug too! Make sure the mug you select is microwave safe.
18. Kristin and Company candles
Choose an earthy aroma or a scent correlated with the season you’re celebrating. Customize with a label including the couple, place, and date. Try something exotic like lemongrass sage!
19. Key chains
Label the key chain with the couple’s name and snappy saying. For example, a millennial pink keychain with “Sunny with a chance of rosé” on Martha Stewart’s wedding ideas website is classy and funny at the same time. What can you come up with? Also consider key chains with flashlights or that double as bottle openers. Then they’re personalized and serve two functions! Extra points!
Personalized wedding favors tip: A little thought goes a long way.
20. Regional souvenirs
Everyone wants to bring a souvenir home. Why not make it extra special? Make it specific to the city of the ceremony.
Seemingly mundane or generic items can be made elegant and special if you add an extra touch. For example, add a fern leaf and ‘thank you’ tag to an item to make it distinct.
How to make your wedding memorable for you and your guests
Personalized wedding favors allow guests to bring the fun home and serve as everyday reminders of cherished memories.
In sum, great wedding party favors:
1. Make it personal
2. Make it utilitarian
3. Get extra points if it’s useful at the wedding and at home!
Need assistance selecting wedding favors that your guests will cherish? We’re here to guide you every step of the way. From design through production, we’ve got your personalized wedding favors covered. We know how important the big day is and our friendly, professional staff is here to make your day that much more special!
T.R. McTaggart has years of expertise in providing high-quality and affordable party favors, including personalized wedding favors. We’ll help make sure your wedding’s party favors are party favors your guests are sure to love! Contact Us today to order your wedding favors.
