RETAILER ASK THE WHAT’S YOUR STRATEGY FOR BEATING THE SUMMERTIME SALES BLUES?
“This year, we’re doing four events and giveaways and trying out a few new things, like instead of sim- ply having a re-string day, now customers will have to post a picture of them- selves in the shop before getting the free re-string done.” Randy Luna, Founder Guitars Boutique Guaynabo, Puerto Rico
“Guitar Haven is located in the small beach town of Grand Haven, Michigan, so summertime is actually our ‘busy’ time. During the summer months we stock up on ‘grab and go’ goodies. Ukuleles and our logo-branded wearables remain the hot-sellers. Egg shakers, stickers and local bands’ music help fill the tourists’ bags with memories of their trip.” Jon Shears, Owner Guitar Haven Grand Haven, Michigan
“Plan ahead. If foot traffic is expected to slow, make your list now of those projects that have been on the back burner — like cleaning out that back room, replacing those loud T-20/T-12 fluorescents with LED tubes, figuring out those maintenance adjustments, deep cleaning those floor displays, and updating those photos on your website. It’s all about attitude: you can moan that customers are thin, or you can get excited that you’ll finally get those nagging project monkeys off of your back!” Derek Sharp, Owner Supersonic Music & TreeHouse Custom Drums Lawrence, Kansas
“To paraphrase Eddie Cochran: ‘There ain’t no cure for the summertime [sales] blues.’ So, to beat the summer sales doldrums, we put our empha- sis on education and re-charging for the fall. For instance, this summer we have a couple of fun and accredited clinics for music directors in our calendar, a three-day Ed Rep University for our school service team and our company picnic.” Lewis Shender, President PM Music Center Aurora, Illinois
54 I MUSIC INC. I JUNE 2025
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