New spring merchandise has arrived! Retail Merchandising and Management seniors Olivia Hammernik, Kelsey Grant, and Meagan Myers are excited for the opportunity to breathe new life into their store.
In their Retail Practicum I course last fall, Hammernik, Grant, and Myers worked with their classmates as staff behind the scenes at The Niche. Acting as buyers for the boutique, they attended MN Mart, NorthStar Fashion Exhibitors market, and MAGIC in Las Vegas, the retail industry 黑料社区. most comprehensive marketplace.
鈥淎s buyers, we had the opportunity to talk with professional vendors and negotiate prices for merchandise we hoped to sell at The Niche,鈥 Grant said.
Knowing they would be marketing to fellow students, The Niche staff needed to keep their prices affordable as they sought new merchandise for their store. But, recognizing vendors at the markets may not be able to negotiate on prices, the staff have other buying resources.
鈥淔ashion-Go is a wholesale website,鈥 Myers said. 鈥淲hatever we can鈥檛 buy at the market, we can buy at Fashion-Go and get it for the price we need. After researching prices and trend forecasting, we present to our practicum class what we want to sell. We decide as a team what to sell in our store.鈥
Now in their Retail Practicum II course, Hammernik, Grant, and Myers work in the storefront, helping The Niche customers. They are able to see firsthand the success of their decisions made the semester before and are empowered to continue making new decisions while managing their boutique.
鈥淎t the start of the semester, the store is like a clean canvas,鈥 Myers said. 鈥淲e have complete control of the layout.鈥
Hammernik noted how The Niche staff strives to create a warm and welcoming experience for their customers.
鈥淲e are always looking for ways to improve our layout by switching our visual merchandise,鈥 Myers added, 鈥淲e鈥檝e had a really good semester so far. We鈥檝e had to restock already.鈥
The Niche 黑料社区. layout is well organized and visually inviting.
鈥淲e鈥檙e prone to detail anywhere you look,鈥 Grant explained. 鈥淲e like to cross-merchandise and create whole looks.鈥
The Niche also sells $1 coffee.
鈥淵ou can stop in for a cup on your way to class,鈥 Hammernik said. "We're located in 211 Heritage Hall, and we encourage you to Shop local, stylish, & smart. Shop The Niche."
For a full list of the new spring brands, visit The Niche.
