Macy’s Loss Can Be Your Gain

Macy’s Inc. has decided to discontinue their gift wrapping service at most of their locations. Like other chains including J.C. Penney, they are slowly eliminating this customer service from their business.

Since Nashville Wraps caters to small and medium businesses like yours, we believe their loss can be your gain. Offering a gift wrapping service will set you apart from these impersonal, big box giants.

Pam Danziger, President of Unity Marketing, agrees and believes Macy’s decision is a mistake, “Customers will pay more for quality service. That extends to walking out the door with a perfectly wrapped gift, ready for giving.”

Celebrations Gallery & Shoppes in Pomfret Center, CT is one Nashville Wraps customer who knows the value of branding a unique gift packaging style for their customers. They are located in an 1885 Queen Anne Victorian home and were voted the #1 Readers’ Choice art gallery and gift shop in their area.

Celebrations Gallery & Shoppes offers an eclectic collection of original fine art, jewelry, glass, pottery, and sculpture by over 35 regional artists, artisans and designers. In addition to art, Celebrations also carries a wide selection of specialty tea retail items plus chocolate, bath & beauty products, stationery and unique home decor in all price ranges.

Owner Jean Barton states, “From day one we have been creating our festive wrapping – whether it is a gift for yourself or for a loved one. People recognize our colorful packaging. For new customers it surprises and pleases them. In fact, the sight of the packaging brought one woman buying a small item for herself to tears as she exclaimed, ‘For me?!?!’ Repeat customers come because they appreciate the care we give to wrapping their items.”

When asked about what helped them grow their business through the Recession, Jean said “Providing excellent customer experiences, always being positive, plus providing ‘reasonably’ priced items so everyone can walk away with a purchase.”

Jean recommends finding a look and sticking with it and making sure it’s presented nicely every time. She encourages gift shops not to skimp over time, otherwise people will begin to notice. They may vary the colors of the tissue, shred, and ribbons seasonally, and of course for the holidays, but it is always fun and festive! She also makes sure each purchase leaves with their custom printed label.

“Gifts without thoughtful wrapping can be seen as no gift at all – a mere transaction,” says Brandtrust (Chicago, Ill.) who specializes in helping businesses understand customer motivations and expectations for brand loyalty.

“The most basic role of gift wrap is to help build anticipation for the recipient – a form of delightful deception meant to heighten the emotions,” states Brandtrust’s recent report on the emotional importance of gift wrapping.

Your gift wrapping service offers more than a convenience to your customers. It also offers a positive, emotional experience for the recipient. More importantly for your business, it sets you apart from the competition.

See our blog on Free Gift Wrapping for Your Business?

Buffie Baril
Internet Advertising Manager
Nashville Wraps