The Future Uniform Store:
A Three-Part Series

By Jackie Rosselli

This month, UniformMarket begins a series of articles examining the state of today’s uniform stores and the changes they are undergoing to assure success and viability.

Part 1 will focus on the technological changes going on that affect the way a uniform store conducts business. In Part II, we’ll take a closer look at the brick and mortar store and what it is doing to attract customers in terms of store design. Finally, we’ll take a look at where the industry is in terms of inventory and product mix, and what the future may hold in these areas.

Initially appearing online, some topics in the Series will be expanded and run in the Spring & Summer 2007 edition of Made to Measure

Part 1: The Store and Technology: Moving From Automated to Integrated

Background. A mere decade or so ago, when a customer purchased an item in a uniform store, the employee would manually write up the sale. If you wanted to track your stock, you would count, one by one, the items in your inventory. Needed to talk with a customer? You’d call them on the phone. Invoices were sent via mail. And while the fax machine was all the rage, few had ever heard of the Internet, let alone imagine its potential to influence the purchasing decisions of customers.

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Planning Success

By Joseph Greco, M.S.O.D.

Why does planning seem to be one of those good ideas about which we recognize the value but don’t do frequently or effectively enough? Possibly because when things are going well you don’t think you need to. But don’t wait for problems to arise first. It may be too late when it becomes apparent that customers are consistently not very happy, or losses occur or business is lost and we are forced to refocus. The better strategy is to plan while things are going well. There’s a metaphor that drives this home. If you’re canoeing five miles up river from Niagara Falls and you have a problem with your boat there’s plenty of time to paddle to the bank and make a repair. But if you are one hundred yards away from the Falls, hearing their roar, there’s not much you’ll be able to do before taking the plunge.

As a small business owner, I realize it’s tough to operate the business day to day and take time out to plan. We remember the cliché that if you don’t take time to plan, you are planning to fail. I’m here to tell you that planning meetings can be beneficial, profitable and fun, especially when morale can be enhanced among your associates.

Which resources are available to utilize when the pressure is not severe so you can keep your ship on a successful course? Periodic planning and alignment sessions would be a beneficial tool. These should be conducted possibly every six months but don’t wait more than one year between sessions.

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A Bum Wrap: The Eton Jacket and its Origin

By Debra Hindlemann Webster

Ever wonder how different styling options became industry norms? Take, for example, one of the more commonly desired apparel offerings, the eton jacket.

In the mid 15th century, Henry VI (the “scholar king”) firmly established the English educational system. One of its most notable schools was Eton College, (pronounced “eton” as in cretin, not “eton” as in futon). Located on the Thames River in southeast London and across from Windsor Castle, some of the most accomplished Britons in history have been educated there, including the Duke of Wellington, author Percy Bysshe Shelley, and Prime Minister Sir Robert Walpole. Despite the presence of several fine English academic institutions, Eton stands above the rest in many categories, particularly in terms of its uniform.

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UNIVATOR AWARDS:
Last Call For Entries

Has your company entered this year’s UNIVATOR Awards competition? While you may still do so, time is quickly ticking away. Don’t let your chance to be recognized for your accomplishments slip away too.

The UNIVATOR is the only industry awards program that puts the emphasis where it belongs – on you, the creators, designers, manufacturers and distributors of uniforms and corporate apparel. Why enter? Simply put, because you deserve the kudos.

As in the past, this year’s winners will be featured in the January online issue of UniformMarket, as well as the Spring/Summer edition of Made to Measure Magazine. A press release announcing the results will also be issued to various media outlets, thereby increasing your exposure and marketing possibilities.

There are no elaborate entry forms to complete, or cumbersome rules to follow – you need only answer a handful of questions on the online entry blank, and send the supporting materials of your choosing (photos, narratives, etc.) to be considered for an award. What matters most is your ideas, your success stories, your innovation on a given product or concept.

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ONLINE ENTRY FORM.... available here

UniformMarket Store System Welcomes New Users

The following companies have launched new web sites using the UniformMarket Store System:

	Primo Uniform www.primouniform.com
Sites Coming soon....	MP Uniform, PA Uniform Junction, CO At Work Uniforms, AL Lark Uniforms, WI and others...

Looking to improve your web site and online customer service?