What I’ve Learned: Diane Harris

Published

9 years ago

May 24, 2016

Retailers tend to feel that if it’s working, why change
it? So, you will always see the same designers in the exact
same spots in the store. I have learned that when the same
food is on the menu, boredom sets in. Every visit to my store
is a different experience with a dose of familiarity. I like to
challenge my customers’ senses. You walk in the door and
it feels like home and then you turn around and “pow!” I
hear this a lot: “What’s different?” “Has the store always
been this color?” I am all about evolving. I tweak my décor
by adding a new chair or display case. The store’s signature
scent is different each visit. I add new designers monthly.
The packaging changes twice a year. I want people to come
in because they know it will be a visit filled with discovery. It
takes more work to keep the “fresh factor” up but I live for
the chance to go to shows and discover the next new thing. — Diane Harris, My House of Style, Birmingham, MI

This article originally appeared in the June 2016 edition of INSTORE.

Retiring? Let Wilkerson Do the Heavy Lifting

Retirement can be a great part of life. As Nanji Singadia puts it, “I want to retire and enjoy my life. I’m 78 now and I just want to take a break.” That said, Nanji decided that the best way to move ahead was to contact the experts at Wilkerson. He chose them because he knew that closing a store is a heavy lift. To maximize sales and move on to the next, best chapter of his life, he called Wilkerson—but not before asking his industry friends for their opinion. He found that Wilkerson was the company most recommended and says their professionalism, experience and the homework they did before the launch all helped to make his going out of business sale a success. “Wilkerson were working on the sale a month it took place,” he says. “They did a great job.”