tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78921529807334331422024-02-07T03:13:13.268+00:00ARTYSMITH2retail consultant, designer, visual communicator, educatorPeter Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18068264759280362274noreply@blogger.comBlogger205125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7892152980733433142.post-23707083152934321952019-04-08T16:11:00.000+01:002019-04-08T16:15:10.305+01:00STILL HERE, STILL GOING ...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikdVIVEp1UVJhyphenhyphennnsq4e5Om8NrSpLsmYdDx4FH4taeYWLwGsHzIszBxjEAYWQnHfw9UuNHSOoSMU5-AxrHs-HDJqo3fnM8Ns68QP8HJByxEU8HnMyImV-0AxK3FDAOgO1TNRJuuor0EjHA/s1600/STILL+HERE+08+04+19+crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1230" data-original-width="1229" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikdVIVEp1UVJhyphenhyphennnsq4e5Om8NrSpLsmYdDx4FH4taeYWLwGsHzIszBxjEAYWQnHfw9UuNHSOoSMU5-AxrHs-HDJqo3fnM8Ns68QP8HJByxEU8HnMyImV-0AxK3FDAOgO1TNRJuuor0EjHA/s400/STILL+HERE+08+04+19+crop.jpg" width="397" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">Hello,
it’s me … Still here, still going, still doing my thing! Its been a while, I know, but sometimes work
takes you along an exciting route and priorities change.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">I’ve
missed adding my musings to this blog but figure, even in this changing
landscape, there is still enough relevant retail tips on this site to help you
along your journey. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">The
retail world is more challenging than ever, but the opportunities still exist and
if you’re prepared to work hard and you don’t allow your heart to rule your
head, it’s there for the taking. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">I’m not
planning to be writing lots of new blog posts over the next few months as my
retail design consultancy is busier than ever but as the title says, I’m still
here and still going …<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">If you
need to contact me feel free, I’ll always answer your emails or calls.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;">Best
wishes</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 17.12px;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">Peter</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 19.9333px;"><span style="color: #666666;">#<b>retail </b>-consultant <b> </b>-<b>designer </b>-visual<b>communicator</b> -educator<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">tel<b> 07907 691711<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;">email<b> </b></span><a href="mailto:info@artysmith2.com"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;">info@artysmith2.com</span></b></a><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><a href="http://artysmith2.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/about-me-part-1.html">#aboutme – the story so far</a></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;"> </span></div>
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Peter Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18068264759280362274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7892152980733433142.post-1309248021100860562017-01-02T11:29:00.002+00:002017-01-02T11:29:28.850+00:002017 - GO WITH THE FLOW<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9x8oCfHSPtltJf2PcQiHcUaRUx16AYIBTQbRlyLUFPAJefAcIR9EwUEK757KI4egYhaeGQp94HQdCshCsXXEFe705dWB26nxKUTf5E8gfZ1hRJE09XIPDoYK50UqQOotacMFDq53bhqff/s1600/Retro-rides-roll-into-Toledo-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9x8oCfHSPtltJf2PcQiHcUaRUx16AYIBTQbRlyLUFPAJefAcIR9EwUEK757KI4egYhaeGQp94HQdCshCsXXEFe705dWB26nxKUTf5E8gfZ1hRJE09XIPDoYK50UqQOotacMFDq53bhqff/s400/Retro-rides-roll-into-Toledo-3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">It goes
without saying that 2016 will go down in the history books. The unexpected
became a reality, we experienced a lot of sadness but, there was plenty to inspire
us too!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">2016 is a
good reminder that even the best laid plans can fall apart but this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have any. </span></span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;">My approach
for 2017 is to keep my plans a more flexible and to focus on three things.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b>Attitude</b> –
If you really want to realise your dreams you need the right attitude, about
yourself, your approach to work and your life in general. And, to keep this in
place you need a few things to help you when the going gets tough! These could be a
collection of visual images, inspirational quotes or writing, a place to visit or, best of all, someone to talk to!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;">Goals</b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> – As
Antoine de Saint-Exupery wrote, “A goal without a plan is just a wish”. Setting
a few goals will give you something to aim for.
They can be short and long term goals but the main thing is that you have
something written down with a deadline. I always think Christmas is perfect example of
how a deadline should work. Christmas is a set (</span><span style="font-size: 17.3333px;">immovable</span><span style="font-size: 13pt;">) date, it brings with it
rewards and, above all else, it motivates people to make an
extra effort across all areas of their life and work. Wouldn’t it be great if
we could apply this enthusiasm to all our deadlines?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b>Action</b> –
Without action our goals will remain wishes. Starting a new project or task is the
easy bit. Finding the motivation to keep going is a whole lot harder so, make sure you have some help in place to keep you on track.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">I hope 2017 brings all your hopes and dreams to fruition…</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">Best wishes</span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 17.12px;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">Peter</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 19.9333px;"><span style="color: #666666;">#<b>retail </b>-consultant <b> </b>-<b>designer </b>-visual<b>communicator</b> -educator<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">tel<b> 07907 691711<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;">email<b> </b></span><a href="mailto:info@artysmith2.com"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;">info@artysmith2.com</span></b></a><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #666666;"><a href="http://artysmith2.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/about-me-part-1.html">#aboutme – the story so far</a></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;"> </span></div>
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<br />Peter Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18068264759280362274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7892152980733433142.post-67244917486009601632017-01-01T00:00:00.000+00:002017-01-01T00:00:11.796+00:00HAPPY NEW YEAR<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: x-large;"><b>It's time this year to</b></span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "courier new", courier, monospace; font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "courier new", courier, monospace; font-size: large;">have fun...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">be creative...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">never give up...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">stay calm...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">travel...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">dance...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">be social...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">live outdoors...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">sing as you go...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">spend time at the beach...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTHZDuAQE-MicwOE2gGoTcDuAQOa4FgDzTY4f2TZzxv0gHHdcnyRdwUI7nsMsN2ybNhGtblz7ovPsgAZawkGlNjzhEXvoG3a93WOM-FDAWcbRnPa9FnQ8VKK8ceOJOhZZxConx2sO4FnJH/s1600/1b5e1e67fd52a4d4ec8518a0fe033d2c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTHZDuAQE-MicwOE2gGoTcDuAQOa4FgDzTY4f2TZzxv0gHHdcnyRdwUI7nsMsN2ybNhGtblz7ovPsgAZawkGlNjzhEXvoG3a93WOM-FDAWcbRnPa9FnQ8VKK8ceOJOhZZxConx2sO4FnJH/s640/1b5e1e67fd52a4d4ec8518a0fe033d2c.jpg" width="403" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">& above all else, be kind...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">& make someone happy...</span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/fznw-AGoENo/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fznw-AGoENo?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: x-large;"><b>HAPPY NEW YEAR</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><i>best wishes & good luck for 2017</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><i><span style="color: #666666;"> </span><span style="color: #666666;">Peter</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 19.9333px;"><span style="color: #666666;">#<b>retail </b>-consultant <b> </b>-<b>designer </b>-visual<b>communicator</b> -educator<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">tel<b> 07907 691711<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;">email<b> </b></span><a href="mailto:info@artysmith2.com" style="color: #9a9a9a; text-decoration: none;"><b><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;">info@artysmith2.com</span></b></a><b><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #9a9a9a; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #666666;"><a href="http://artysmith2.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/about-me-part-1.html" style="color: #9a9a9a; text-decoration: none;">aboutme – the story so far</a></span></span></div>
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<br />Peter Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18068264759280362274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7892152980733433142.post-80224229083521458832016-12-28T10:45:00.003+00:002016-12-28T10:47:42.147+00:002017 LOADING<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx0H4fxp5P-df5edDnran7N5k675Ad6QR5ftvKZGsTvrxlmZ3GldpS1ui5PfhUGpznlKpL0K7a__fDXc5jk-tHoNwIOZnIH1hCMm2GvFGu1E84GA-7p6uf_-58yKv-0JSdjWDqq2s8YVQ5/s1600/31fc8bfbc2ee31a5c0d8418ed94de398.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx0H4fxp5P-df5edDnran7N5k675Ad6QR5ftvKZGsTvrxlmZ3GldpS1ui5PfhUGpznlKpL0K7a__fDXc5jk-tHoNwIOZnIH1hCMm2GvFGu1E84GA-7p6uf_-58yKv-0JSdjWDqq2s8YVQ5/s1600/31fc8bfbc2ee31a5c0d8418ed94de398.gif" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: x-large;"><i>Ready, steady...</i></span></div>
Peter Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18068264759280362274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7892152980733433142.post-6935406885418013022016-12-22T09:49:00.000+00:002016-12-22T09:49:35.013+00:00SEASONS GREETINGS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigYqefpLPVDaA3_scNyZPEvYbrypKAR6mJTSAD0XavsE8dEAxGUzmK5o90C_XceXigiD3PpcZUanm6YY1r_nzJyQpIscfy4oos2vhD34-LzQMsvqnCSkwgoDBj6MCwCBPqZX5uzDy9Jwy7/s1600/0b80299d6416a5b6f1b2e02496448218.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigYqefpLPVDaA3_scNyZPEvYbrypKAR6mJTSAD0XavsE8dEAxGUzmK5o90C_XceXigiD3PpcZUanm6YY1r_nzJyQpIscfy4oos2vhD34-LzQMsvqnCSkwgoDBj6MCwCBPqZX5uzDy9Jwy7/s640/0b80299d6416a5b6f1b2e02496448218.jpg" width="421" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;"><i>Wishing you all a</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;"><i> very merry Christmas and a</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;"><i> happy, healthy & peaceful</i></span></div>
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<i style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: x-large;"> New Year...</span></i></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;">Best wishes</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 17.12px;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">Peter</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 19.9333px;"><span style="color: #666666;">#<b>retail </b>-consultant <b> </b>-<b>designer </b>-visual<b>communicator</b> -educator<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">tel<b> 07907 691711<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;">email<b> </b></span><a href="mailto:info@artysmith2.com"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;">info@artysmith2.com</span></b></a><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<a href="http://artysmith2.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/about-me-part-1.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #666666;">#aboutme – the story so far</span></span></a></div>
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Peter Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18068264759280362274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7892152980733433142.post-88974701834734772592016-11-07T11:40:00.001+00:002016-11-07T11:42:34.969+00:00THINGS NOT GOING TO PLAN...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiarZQ8LShSpPEDj6naHD-s5oacjIYbKuIlwq6hvNhB0YxMmfZJoEbyS5plau1jHt2vDAXGJFhXwtV8jQeV_fijjmrxKbzEW0l10OeyFRYa-v_gSpdC4911uBnoWTJvtFDtfkSXLvLR3tpS/s1600/THE+MAN+WHO+MOVES+A+...+crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiarZQ8LShSpPEDj6naHD-s5oacjIYbKuIlwq6hvNhB0YxMmfZJoEbyS5plau1jHt2vDAXGJFhXwtV8jQeV_fijjmrxKbzEW0l10OeyFRYa-v_gSpdC4911uBnoWTJvtFDtfkSXLvLR3tpS/s400/THE+MAN+WHO+MOVES+A+...+crop.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Firstly, apologies to all those who regularly read my blog, you will
have noticed my absence over the last few weeks. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Sometimes things just happen and those well-conceived plans just fall
apart. For most of us, this is only temporary. It’s a bit like spinning
plates, inevitably some of them will fall and smash to pieces. It doesn’t
matter how good our master plan is, life has a habit of throwing in
unexpected stuff to throw us off plan and challenge us. When these things
happen it’s time to stop, evaluate the situation and prioritise the essential
stuff and not worry about the rest.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">The last few weeks have been a bit like that for me, nothing major but
lots of unexpected little things that have taken up more time than I would have
expected. A few years ago, this would have probably overwhelmed me, created
unnecessary anxiety and bought me to a standstill. Luckily for me, I
learnt over the years that if you keep positive and open minded things have a
habit of working out, often for the better!</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">My advice for anyone feeling overwhelmed by their workload or, even life
in general, is to prioritise, apply lots of common sense, stop aiming for
perfection and slowly chip away at your ‘to do’ list. Before you know it you'll
suddenly realise you’re in a better place than you could ever have imagined.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">During challenging times, there are a couple of quotes that I use to
inspire me. The first is by the American industrialist Henry Ford.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Obstacles are those frightful things
you see when you</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"> take your eyes off the goal.</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">And the second, by the Chinese philosopher Confucius.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">The man who moves a mountain begins
by carrying away small stones.</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">As a very wise man once said to me, tomorrow’s another day.</span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Onward and
upward…</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">All the best</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">Peter</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #666666;">#<b>retail </b>-consultant <b> </b>-<b>designer </b>-visual<b>communicator</b> -educator<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">tel<b> 07907 691711<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">email<b> </b></span><a href="mailto:info@artysmith2.com"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; text-decoration: none;">info@artysmith2.com</span></b></a><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<a href="http://artysmith2.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/about-me-part-1.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #666666;">#aboutme – the story so far</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Peter Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18068264759280362274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7892152980733433142.post-21334284677964368082016-09-26T10:45:00.002+01:002016-09-26T10:50:26.437+01:00TAKE 5 - TALKING POINT<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">It may be
fun, it may be quirky or, it may be just plain right odd, but sometimes shops need a talking point. An object, prop or feature that is just a bit out of the ordinary.
And yes, it may take up valuable sales space but, take it away and suddenly the
shop has lost its personality, the customer appeal has gone and it’s no longer the
unique and intriguing place it once was…</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZorv6TBTTEyn5g9hHFyAXuleox60imbq3UnG1GJ9PNWGkCXITDHMznxLZDoIztqhpIheq8Xx1JQhZA8sX7DX5DkwLOq6ecsRtvjZ16qqknO2hT3kdgUQNNwh4kal2EN1OacYpikFtr8NQ/s1600/GE183401_942long.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZorv6TBTTEyn5g9hHFyAXuleox60imbq3UnG1GJ9PNWGkCXITDHMznxLZDoIztqhpIheq8Xx1JQhZA8sX7DX5DkwLOq6ecsRtvjZ16qqknO2hT3kdgUQNNwh4kal2EN1OacYpikFtr8NQ/s400/GE183401_942long.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; text-align: left;">Step into </span><a href="http://www.anthropologie.com/uk/en/index.jsp" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; text-align: left;">Anthropologie</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; text-align: left;"> in Regent Street, London and you’ll find</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #666666;"> plenty to talk about…</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFOSJ7SyYPEeC17UfWlRcZVh7ttvrTvqJwdVcMGvW92X3iumchyvhHtTbM6h3gJK4YmzscwDpe_Rnj9zRIC0JeJhxSm1e8phVoV-z3mPMwRRw6g4TWWjpq97WV4OgQxiNa_Q2sOLR89kBr/s1600/eb495966e4892666cd29de7d03fc9632.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFOSJ7SyYPEeC17UfWlRcZVh7ttvrTvqJwdVcMGvW92X3iumchyvhHtTbM6h3gJK4YmzscwDpe_Rnj9zRIC0JeJhxSm1e8phVoV-z3mPMwRRw6g4TWWjpq97WV4OgQxiNa_Q2sOLR89kBr/s640/eb495966e4892666cd29de7d03fc9632.jpg" width="470" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">This pop-up
bar has one massive talking point, its name, in lights!</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWvL769BPBCJb2oie2CuHFTMNrMvD9dS7o6a_7rvZ8sA6tyiUdL_otojyk3NChzxCTKnzo2i503oPbPNgtZ046HPUpzgge2C2Yj-rhBMgCYXsEwSeX6Cz9P2ar57yMUZWvCZSRas1lTOSx/s1600/9451d61e4e050ec63dc2bbac1652f065.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWvL769BPBCJb2oie2CuHFTMNrMvD9dS7o6a_7rvZ8sA6tyiUdL_otojyk3NChzxCTKnzo2i503oPbPNgtZ046HPUpzgge2C2Yj-rhBMgCYXsEwSeX6Cz9P2ar57yMUZWvCZSRas1lTOSx/s400/9451d61e4e050ec63dc2bbac1652f065.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><a href="https://www.merci-merci.com/en/">Merci</a>,
Paris, a visual feast which will keep you talking for hours…</span></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkUp2pd0of3UZZo8e0y83Bos2cONkscKZIw4LEIlp3y6IYxQPNsSfJoT10yeIWplHSEH6HUEmRTX90ZmSeS6UpZecwZFl-2u5rHtiKUemCjWrnyeziDEz0r4WplRJVVlkeXDxr3FdVf-RM/s1600/41a90530d16e6096242950a8bc1bcd5b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkUp2pd0of3UZZo8e0y83Bos2cONkscKZIw4LEIlp3y6IYxQPNsSfJoT10yeIWplHSEH6HUEmRTX90ZmSeS6UpZecwZFl-2u5rHtiKUemCjWrnyeziDEz0r4WplRJVVlkeXDxr3FdVf-RM/s640/41a90530d16e6096242950a8bc1bcd5b.jpg" width="466" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;"><a href="http://www.scouthouse.com.au/">ScoutHouse</a> in Australia, just wouldn’t be the same without</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;"> this bike and cart…</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZojFAMfQv8zqhZZrad04EUKHtsumHTId0fza82Z-0fk33rvu-FITCVbdwvaVoBv-NagpWtJp17mIPvg-saXMihiTMcErIXgfNoWbhlfxfzaSGD-4lOtuE-kP2zvXKVpNvtHpLjIWwTfyb/s1600/f0a71cb41ea6399795d0b148d5e01411.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZojFAMfQv8zqhZZrad04EUKHtsumHTId0fza82Z-0fk33rvu-FITCVbdwvaVoBv-NagpWtJp17mIPvg-saXMihiTMcErIXgfNoWbhlfxfzaSGD-4lOtuE-kP2zvXKVpNvtHpLjIWwTfyb/s640/f0a71cb41ea6399795d0b148d5e01411.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">Fancy a
drink and a chat, meet you at <a href="https://www.winerepublic.com.au/">Wine Republic</a>, we'll</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">have</span></span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;"> plenty to talk about…</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #666666;">All the best<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #666666;">Peter<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #666666;">#<b>retail </b>-consultant <b> </b>-<b>designer </b>-visual<b>communicator</b> -educator<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">tel<b> 07907 691711<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">email<b> </b></span><a href="mailto:info@artysmith2.com"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; text-decoration: none;">info@artysmith2.com</span></b></a><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #666666;"><a href="http://artysmith2.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/about-me-part-1.html">aboutme – the story so far</a></span></span></div>
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Peter Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18068264759280362274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7892152980733433142.post-83296049285234673522016-09-20T19:14:00.002+01:002016-09-22T08:52:02.939+01:00YOU'D BETTER WATCH OUT...<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #666666;">You’d better not cry, you’d better not pout, I’m
telling you why,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #666666;"> Santa Claus is coming to town…</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlhV2pymqJJg9uI3bCdMz25hkzZ3plUK_s8fG-QbaHPnLI5Dmbk32nxRNO2l61wK7jylhyphenhyphenG-qB6ka50wM35nDmTv_djpKjrx0gulQWH3RMzBDZvobEva_cTYtVVkGa6VVmQDSWU1TgamTf/s1600/YOU%2527D+BETTER+WATCH+OUT...+21+09+16+sq.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlhV2pymqJJg9uI3bCdMz25hkzZ3plUK_s8fG-QbaHPnLI5Dmbk32nxRNO2l61wK7jylhyphenhyphenG-qB6ka50wM35nDmTv_djpKjrx0gulQWH3RMzBDZvobEva_cTYtVVkGa6VVmQDSWU1TgamTf/s400/YOU%2527D+BETTER+WATCH+OUT...+21+09+16+sq.jpg" width="391" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #666666;">Just saying…</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #666666;">All the best<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #666666;">Peter<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #666666;">#<b>retail </b>-consultant <b> </b>-<b>designer </b>-visual<b>communicator</b> -educator<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">tel<b> 07907 691711<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">email<b> </b></span><a href="mailto:info@artysmith2.com"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; text-decoration: none;">info@artysmith2.com</span></b></a></span><br />
<a href="http://artysmith2.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/about-me-part-1.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #666666;">#aboutme – the story so far</span></span></a></div>
Peter Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18068264759280362274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7892152980733433142.post-59185502305345773172016-08-31T14:56:00.000+01:002016-09-02T08:35:20.900+01:00RETAIL MASTERCLASS - MAKE CHRISTMAS COUNT...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ9dOiuwdOJbMYcyePoB3xjAOPymOVGVNifCDAB0EtDCu3nhMY5Xsl4YKo_gYx4Nw8EERuFqo89-DzSSEIe2j85ePXexryzriI-yubhhV_WawIfiIuY_a9ZU-Nur5H4mQ3gJPU2uCBj859/s1600/CHRISTMAS+2016+sq+31+08+16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="397" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ9dOiuwdOJbMYcyePoB3xjAOPymOVGVNifCDAB0EtDCu3nhMY5Xsl4YKo_gYx4Nw8EERuFqo89-DzSSEIe2j85ePXexryzriI-yubhhV_WawIfiIuY_a9ZU-Nur5H4mQ3gJPU2uCBj859/s400/CHRISTMAS+2016+sq+31+08+16.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;">This time
last year I had just finished writing a series of blogs in readiness for the
run up to Christmas. Judging by the response I had they were very well received,
so this year, I’m taking it a step further. In September I’m running a series of
online Christmas workshops to help retailers achieve maximum sales and profitability during the
most important retail season of the year.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">I’m going
to take you through all the crucial steps to enable you to put together a
successful Christmas retail campaign. The course will be delivered in easy to follow steps and will focus your efforts to </span><span style="font-size: 17.3333px;">achieve</span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> maximum results. Starting in
late September and finishing at the end of October, by the start of November you will be well placed to launch your own professional Christmas campaign.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 17.3333px;">You will be able to work at your own pace and it will only involve a few hours a week. Although, as with everything in life, the more you put in the more you will get out. </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;">And, we
won’t just be relying on achieving those all-important sales once the Christmas
campaign is launched </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 17.3333px;">because</span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;"> we will engage customers as we go along. Christmas
shopping is already underway, lets help it along a bit. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;">Apart
from creating the campaign itself, we will also look at what you need to do
to make sure your shop is fully shoppable and the layout is taking full advantage of every possible sales
opportunity.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">So why not
be part of our retail club, share best practice with your colleagues and create
something you’ll be truly proud of. In a few weeks’ time I’ll be sending out
invites to the free introductory session but, places are limited. I want to
keep the group size small so each participant gets the individual help and
assistance they need to create a successful Christmas campaign. If you want to
sign up early drop me an email, tweet me or send a text and I’ll add you to the list.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">This is
your amber warning. Christmas </span></span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 17.3333px;">is a crucial time for retailers. A good Christmas trading period will have a significant impact on what happens in 2017. </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;"> If you want to maximise sales and profitability this
year don't leave it until its too late, be prepared. Make Christmas count…</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #666666;">All the best<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #666666;">Peter<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #666666;">#<b>retail </b>-consultant <b> </b>-<b>designer </b>-visual<b>communicator</b> -educator<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">tel<b> 07907 691711<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">email<b> </b></span><a href="mailto:info@artysmith2.com"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; text-decoration: none;">info@artysmith2.com</span></b></a><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #666666;"><a href="http://artysmith2.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/about-me-part-1.html">#aboutme – the story so far</a></span></span></div>
<br />
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<br /></div>
Peter Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18068264759280362274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7892152980733433142.post-16775608430495639732016-08-22T17:30:00.001+01:002016-08-23T09:01:12.031+01:00COLOUR - PURE AND SIMPLE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu3TKOSxDOZPrTm1-XuRIUYY8cPdDa31l4HXkJBhXMw07PAklqm0-u9ozr6rJH_QvoRBaeLGWV8Xuxfsu8hccXsRzuGYcmTlHduxrwwsYicb43CtCeNw_BrO25a3GyVVolUXBDagWfuQ1g/s1600/COLOUR+22+08+16+crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu3TKOSxDOZPrTm1-XuRIUYY8cPdDa31l4HXkJBhXMw07PAklqm0-u9ozr6rJH_QvoRBaeLGWV8Xuxfsu8hccXsRzuGYcmTlHduxrwwsYicb43CtCeNw_BrO25a3GyVVolUXBDagWfuQ1g/s640/COLOUR+22+08+16+crop.jpg" width="456" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">I’ve said
this before and I’m about to say it again, colour is one of the easiest and
most effective ways to attract customers.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">It’s
quite simple really, it doesn’t need to be over complicated, in fact one colour
will do. I’m not advocating that you should adopt this technique all the time,
unless you’re a niche retailer, but it’s great if you want to spark new customer
interest in your shop.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">So, if
you’re about to change you shop window, refresh your in store display or, create
visual content for your digital marketing, here’s my thoughts...</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Colour –
one will do!</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">C</span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">oordinate
– your colour selection as close as possible.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">E</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">dit –
choose your products carefully and use only those products that fit your colour
brief – you don’t need lots and its </span><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">OK</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">, if not good, to repeat products.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">B</span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">ackground
– decide on your background and how to create it, for instance, painted
backboard, paper drop (using </span><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">fade-less</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> paper, of course), fabric, flat not
gathered.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Display - </span></span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">plinths and props should be painted or covered</span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> to match</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">T</span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">exture – often overlooked but this will add creative style to your finished visual.</span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">Pick a colour, any colour...</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #666666;">All the best<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #666666;">Peter<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #666666;">#<b>retail </b>-consultant <b> </b>-<b>designer </b>-visual<b>communicator</b> -educator<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">tel<b> 07907 691711<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">email<b> </b></span><a href="mailto:info@artysmith2.com"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; text-decoration: none;">info@artysmith2.com</span></b></a><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #666666;"><a href="http://artysmith2.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/about-me-part-1.html">#aboutme – the story so far</a></span></span></div>
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</div>
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</div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></span></div>
<br />Peter Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18068264759280362274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7892152980733433142.post-54621081353500644062016-08-15T11:42:00.001+01:002016-08-15T11:42:20.831+01:00TAKE 5 - SHOP COUNTERS<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwbJWFvKOIH_OSpaAPulbblvvuXCfzhDyTkGBJWdz-Bv5vOdMXxc7M0bc8nzLzhNQmKJ4jZSUUBqhVYJQEuH7KRnAgbOHwQcLhxj1IjsDEWcAACC56mJ88Li8p1_h4VtF_EkoMlLDtmS7n/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwbJWFvKOIH_OSpaAPulbblvvuXCfzhDyTkGBJWdz-Bv5vOdMXxc7M0bc8nzLzhNQmKJ4jZSUUBqhVYJQEuH7KRnAgbOHwQcLhxj1IjsDEWcAACC56mJ88Li8p1_h4VtF_EkoMlLDtmS7n/s1600/3.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;">It’s been
a while since I put one of these together so, why not start with the
all </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;">important shop counter. There’s been much research done on shop counters
such as, the best position in store, design, size, etc. Other than the counter’s location, which is the most important
consideration, visibility has to come next.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">Shop
counters need to be sitting quietly in the background and not interrupting the
customers natural flow but, that doesn't mean they can't be seen. The shopping process needs to run as smooth as possible. Customers need to know where they should go
to pay for something, without having to search or ask!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">Design
aside, my final main point would have to be that counters need to be clear of
clutter. This includes impulse buys, there are better places to tempt your customers with add-on purchases. The shop counter
is probably the final interaction you will have with your customer so make it a good one. Give your customers space to place their bag and take out their purse/wallet and, allow plenty of space to
package the purchased items with due care and consideration.</span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">Here’s a
few shop counters I found earlier, good and bad!</span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKhWOmT0zWgnX34mWgZqeOhJ6akGk5PdJT0W-WwP05IikUS-v36PGCaD6nOZOyScJf3YU41Z_WdRtfrnY5CpOCqSv2KzTf7NILZJhLBDMliOzNL0PT2ynHkUoRSYYi3J6ccpetPIO8sp5j/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKhWOmT0zWgnX34mWgZqeOhJ6akGk5PdJT0W-WwP05IikUS-v36PGCaD6nOZOyScJf3YU41Z_WdRtfrnY5CpOCqSv2KzTf7NILZJhLBDMliOzNL0PT2ynHkUoRSYYi3J6ccpetPIO8sp5j/s640/1.jpg" width="421" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">Perfect, nothing more to add...</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0j0veVeKqQ6WWcSKFcO3BBkNjZvyIEnjYTCuyUZeSDS1MxfxiZfWL-1l280zlE7hbxpR8Rmbx6b5bLL69XQXGr8QbBNXKnE9fvGV2Sw6oZmxqe58KOsLNEJWu8WkNPZOP1vIeSAY2-nBM/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0j0veVeKqQ6WWcSKFcO3BBkNjZvyIEnjYTCuyUZeSDS1MxfxiZfWL-1l280zlE7hbxpR8Rmbx6b5bLL69XQXGr8QbBNXKnE9fvGV2Sw6oZmxqe58KOsLNEJWu8WkNPZOP1vIeSAY2-nBM/s1600/2.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">Sorry
Millie & Mox, too much going on and, where do I queue?</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOwjIEPoOIqhc7dWywMLlrdDvdrtWZNwreoDmBWGLV-prg-67csvxNiLwoKRJU3rDha7T7kiDnP1T3Kjt9j-2WZjPF7pRfGJUJQ6YSSJtwrgAihRYxEZ1fjLK5ltPF-cbqalGvXla-EVti/s1600/7e6cb6689a057fb56d0a0b2747794cc2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOwjIEPoOIqhc7dWywMLlrdDvdrtWZNwreoDmBWGLV-prg-67csvxNiLwoKRJU3rDha7T7kiDnP1T3Kjt9j-2WZjPF7pRfGJUJQ6YSSJtwrgAihRYxEZ1fjLK5ltPF-cbqalGvXla-EVti/s400/7e6cb6689a057fb56d0a0b2747794cc2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">Another great
example and the mirror is a bonus…</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1C0eD9BpsdGkRSU80qUFwZbQ-4zbm0EiUZc_9-I6Nse6CKMPrrd08iQl9uFjviQBeeJzFumGHv6tNM-cgu6Vh_UobQiZivj1i9LZfywWS79oF2hmAew67Yvzj-BQbn9h2B7nMzQw_EjdS/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1C0eD9BpsdGkRSU80qUFwZbQ-4zbm0EiUZc_9-I6Nse6CKMPrrd08iQl9uFjviQBeeJzFumGHv6tNM-cgu6Vh_UobQiZivj1i9LZfywWS79oF2hmAew67Yvzj-BQbn9h2B7nMzQw_EjdS/s1600/5.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">May seem
like a good idea but this is far from being customer friendly…</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmxPlAl73YFUocf3_akMnsTCmiEHk5qi0AvoSQY6a_6Mp50Aw2_PWgy7ZV5oVumKh86KVx_34BRZY9kpF2YLnH0jBo7R-tgAQhZbmdOYZ1r7FB8_tKGtxuDihWnez-B_in6YMhukMFjWKQ/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmxPlAl73YFUocf3_akMnsTCmiEHk5qi0AvoSQY6a_6Mp50Aw2_PWgy7ZV5oVumKh86KVx_34BRZY9kpF2YLnH0jBo7R-tgAQhZbmdOYZ1r7FB8_tKGtxuDihWnez-B_in6YMhukMFjWKQ/s640/4.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">It’s the merchandising
style that makes this work…</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #666666;">All the best<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #666666;">Peter<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #666666;">#<b>retail </b>-consultant <b> </b>-<b>designer </b>-visual<b>communicator</b> -educator<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="color: #666666;">tel<b> 07907 691711<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">email<b> </b></span><a href="mailto:info@artysmith2.com"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; text-decoration: none;">info@artysmith2.com</span></b></a><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<a href="http://artysmith2.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/about-me-part-1.html"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #666666;">#aboutme – the story so far</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Peter Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18068264759280362274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7892152980733433142.post-24581654928485644882016-08-12T16:05:00.003+01:002016-08-12T16:05:46.955+01:00STORYBOARD - WORK IN PROGRESS 21<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxcTaGGOCEaiAVSkpV_i6L-XBOQl3Ws-2UyeU4k_yd56bjWJZQYefBVQZANTEoSVSZB_ztEQFmzWvBMYd20Fc_iE6IiP0AZGsShdd_u6uXbpLMb1M7CXV0-K8gVZIR4E7Qgw6asYNPzBoC/s1600/21+WORK+IN+PROGRESS+12+08+16+crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxcTaGGOCEaiAVSkpV_i6L-XBOQl3Ws-2UyeU4k_yd56bjWJZQYefBVQZANTEoSVSZB_ztEQFmzWvBMYd20Fc_iE6IiP0AZGsShdd_u6uXbpLMb1M7CXV0-K8gVZIR4E7Qgw6asYNPzBoC/s640/21+WORK+IN+PROGRESS+12+08+16+crop.jpg" width="498" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #999999;">design</span><span style="color: #666666;">project</span><span style="color: #999999;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #999999;">inspiration
is everywhere, enjoy your weekend…</span><span style="color: #666666;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #666666;">All the best<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #666666;">Peter<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #666666;">#<b>retail </b>-consultant <b> </b>-<b>designer </b>-visual<b>communicator</b> -educator<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="color: #666666;">tel<b> 07907 691711<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">email<b> </b></span><a href="mailto:info@artysmith2.com"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; text-decoration: none;">info@artysmith2.com</span></b></a><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<a href="http://artysmith2.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/about-me-part-1.html"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #666666;">#aboutme – the story so far</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Peter Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18068264759280362274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7892152980733433142.post-17375412672095081802016-08-08T11:39:00.000+01:002016-09-19T09:28:47.123+01:00ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmEMpRzoimrzoLapLYPxgU20daNesO7lBOaIhCla-4h6UF-hjdhlFb1TnF2MoxjG9c2v37DlhWJRe-p8pVQnrIKBqa406NKPidFIBpUAExNVOzCTLPnJFAlLdEFLUP-u6XosEVDRe7OmN8/s1600/72d30154b72d85f92a0c31f3ce04dd7b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="351" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmEMpRzoimrzoLapLYPxgU20daNesO7lBOaIhCla-4h6UF-hjdhlFb1TnF2MoxjG9c2v37DlhWJRe-p8pVQnrIKBqa406NKPidFIBpUAExNVOzCTLPnJFAlLdEFLUP-u6XosEVDRe7OmN8/s400/72d30154b72d85f92a0c31f3ce04dd7b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">There you
have it, I’ve gone and done it and mentioned the word, Christmas. Just as most people are still enjoying their summer I bring Christmas into the mix. Well, I’m not the first person to mention this, Selfridges launched their Christmas shop last week and although a few disgruntled customers were not keen, or happy, according
to Selfridges, the shop has been well received and their Christmas
season has got off to a flying start.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">By the
early part of 2016 the big retailers will have their Christmas plans in the bag
and ready to roll out at their chosen date but, for many independent retailers, Christmas doesn’t get considered until much later in the year. This is
unfortunate because early planning can make a considerable difference to sales, especially when you consider the percentage of annual turnover achieved in the those last few important months
of the year.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">As much
as you may not want to hear this, Christmas is well and truly on the way and it's time to get </span><span style="font-size: 17.3333px;">planning so, h</span><span style="font-size: 13pt;">ere are a few things to consider.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<li><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;"><b>Customers</b>
– what do they expect, what do they usually buy and, why come to you to make those purchases?</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;"><b>P</b></span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;"><b>roduct
plan</b> - what will be your core offer this Christmas, new products, new ranges,
theme?</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;"><b>Merchandise</b>
– how much new stock will you be buying in and, how will you schedule delivery
to help manage cash flow?</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;"><b>C</b></span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;"><b>hristmas
campaign</b> – what’s your theme or retail campaign going to be this Christmas and, when
will you launch it?</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;"><b>M</b></span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;"><b>arketing</b>
– what will you do to promote it, how will you do it and, when? This should include things like,
shop window and in store theme, launch event, social media posts, print media and so on...</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;"><b>Stand out</b>
– what will do that’s different and makes you stand out from the crowd?</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;"><b>P</b></span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;"><b>lanning</b> –
how will you keep your campaign fresh throughout the run up to Christmas?</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;"><b>S</b></span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;"><b>ales/profitability</b>
– what are your projected sales and gross profit?</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">This is not an exhaustive list but my advice is, don’t leave it until the last minute, give yourself time to plan
ahead and a chance to achieve your goals. So, what do you want for Christmas? </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #666666;">All the best<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #666666;">Peter<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #666666;">#<b>retail </b>-consultant <b> </b>-<b>designer </b>-visual<b>communicator</b> -educator<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">tel<b> 07907 691711<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">email<b> </b></span><a href="mailto:info@artysmith2.com"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; text-decoration: none;">info@artysmith2.com</span></b></a><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<a href="http://artysmith2.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/about-me-part-1.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #666666;">#aboutme – the story so far</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Peter Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18068264759280362274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7892152980733433142.post-23229217242090157012016-08-05T14:39:00.008+01:002016-08-05T14:41:37.573+01:00IN THE MIX - #WEEKEND<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #666666;">In the
mix this weekend…</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuOvX6qz71PqNDIO2GfiZ0K_369XkhnweSjQZlQWeZDgT8qMhCuFuTqeyKQrd4BzT6cZsMWKknC3A0FcUCyYQihHyMLgYqzutc2hDlhEAjPRFS-JWjiIwkGE4a7SRGzlB30nndzCKWcp1n/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuOvX6qz71PqNDIO2GfiZ0K_369XkhnweSjQZlQWeZDgT8qMhCuFuTqeyKQrd4BzT6cZsMWKknC3A0FcUCyYQihHyMLgYqzutc2hDlhEAjPRFS-JWjiIwkGE4a7SRGzlB30nndzCKWcp1n/s1600/1.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">the world will be watching…</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHbmUVm_Ko03JBothDpBPfT_zUsDTrQhNcvXvY0ZaAQekpWjW_AsTDHEio6j98WP0lRHqR75f3ghYSOMCsMTD7kODUdlTGOKb2RC1aqX2WDkG1wJuNYF-o0j55hNUirIeXRVbn-g1vTFJA/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHbmUVm_Ko03JBothDpBPfT_zUsDTrQhNcvXvY0ZaAQekpWjW_AsTDHEio6j98WP0lRHqR75f3ghYSOMCsMTD7kODUdlTGOKb2RC1aqX2WDkG1wJuNYF-o0j55hNUirIeXRVbn-g1vTFJA/s1600/2.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">and so will we, in the garden…</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;">with drinks…</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBtSY-sr8vqT-VfM7ka-AzAsKOfY5yteMr0EPDOLfbMJnVyG8Kro1XFFZ25vsloOFjMr8fQidub-ikPe6rqoEmRsJBgZIqRheTcnpOIku0gTgDTyBgH3-KZchVmrFJiklzXQx1iJCK-0UX/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBtSY-sr8vqT-VfM7ka-AzAsKOfY5yteMr0EPDOLfbMJnVyG8Kro1XFFZ25vsloOFjMr8fQidub-ikPe6rqoEmRsJBgZIqRheTcnpOIku0gTgDTyBgH3-KZchVmrFJiklzXQx1iJCK-0UX/s1600/4.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">shared with friends & family…</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho6lgUWS_uhi1XqZxjn6-UdH3P0Zv5sIzlVfMDIvaAGB05ZJa2jqVl9dMiFwP4G8kyHC-icBaVrrcomIpxhXCqrNbUmEtu73zvAYdBswJji7qhyphenhyphenVEGLrJa61LvG4N0wj8RVGkOwjL0u1ow/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho6lgUWS_uhi1XqZxjn6-UdH3P0Zv5sIzlVfMDIvaAGB05ZJa2jqVl9dMiFwP4G8kyHC-icBaVrrcomIpxhXCqrNbUmEtu73zvAYdBswJji7qhyphenhyphenVEGLrJa61LvG4N0wj8RVGkOwjL0u1ow/s1600/3.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">under the candlelight…</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/ru0K8uYEZWw/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ru0K8uYEZWw?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">with plenty of this…</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ghPLClTwZO5cAuvvKumaT2fBGv4uBpNV3rYlHOwhYJaUWm4xI_sMbZNuPCZuDQaGcEJ7D-y8H0OvFWU8uXQMKBGX3R279iJT03tCD6DqQta9lDwzafZ-pbDh8z2spS-7szzxPC9wR5UY/s1600/26675c2c50bf97687da44c78ecc02105.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ghPLClTwZO5cAuvvKumaT2fBGv4uBpNV3rYlHOwhYJaUWm4xI_sMbZNuPCZuDQaGcEJ7D-y8H0OvFWU8uXQMKBGX3R279iJT03tCD6DqQta9lDwzafZ-pbDh8z2spS-7szzxPC9wR5UY/s1600/26675c2c50bf97687da44c78ecc02105.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">followed by this…<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><b>enjoy your weekend and, don’t stop
the feeling…</b></i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #666666;">All the best<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #666666;">Peter<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #666666;">#<b>retail </b>-consultant <b> </b>-<b>designer </b>-visual<b>communicator</b> -educator<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">tel<b> 07907 691711<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">email<b> </b></span><a href="mailto:info@artysmith2.com"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; text-decoration: none;">info@artysmith2.com</span></b></a><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #666666;"><a href="http://artysmith2.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/about-me-part-1.html">#aboutme – the story so far</a></span></span></div>
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<br />Peter Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18068264759280362274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7892152980733433142.post-70966273049469196892016-08-02T11:16:00.000+01:002016-08-02T11:18:28.776+01:00MEASURE FOR MEASURE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8mMdCm3pR4F_3g7S5o5paLYCOezZHbI1QeXfBhJ1CyK3_4F2PzpB8o_LWpIfMUYvmmzeUsBOvrqa1_VKw96bvKJTEetcTC2zYCJMLXpd232WIKByQ0jEOYtyu0iPddYm6YuqWKkRwB6W0/s1600/MEASURE+FOR+MEASURE+crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="399" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8mMdCm3pR4F_3g7S5o5paLYCOezZHbI1QeXfBhJ1CyK3_4F2PzpB8o_LWpIfMUYvmmzeUsBOvrqa1_VKw96bvKJTEetcTC2zYCJMLXpd232WIKByQ0jEOYtyu0iPddYm6YuqWKkRwB6W0/s400/MEASURE+FOR+MEASURE+crop.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">Social
media is such an intrinsic part of our lives now that we forget how relatively new it is. It’s not so long ago when marketing your retail
business usually involved making the most of your shop window and, maybe a bit of
print advertising or editorial. How things have changed!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">Customers these days expect to know everything about a business, good or bad and, social media is an important facilitator in this process. This makes it an
extremely effective mechanism for marketing a retail business and communicating
with customers. But, 21st century retail is without doubt a 24/7 operation and, this alone, creates many challenges, especially for independent
retailers.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">If you’re
a small business and possible newcomer to social media, how does this work for
you? </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">Looking across the many social
media channels there are some key influencers with many thousands, if not millions,
of followers who have the power to bring, what seems like, overnight success to a business.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">But, is
it just about the numbers? I think for small retailers it should be about
customer engagement and building a following of customers that are genuinely interested
in your company. This may not immediately result in the thousands of followers you would
like but, it will give you a dedicated customer base. In the long run, this will be worth so much more to your business.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">You can't do it all so choose
your social media channels wisely. Don’t just chase the numbers, instead, focus on the creative side of your business. Take some decent
photographs to use on your social media platforms. Visual content is worth so much more than just words and, remember, retail is dynamic, not static,
innovation and creativity are key, get these right and the people will follow…<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #666666;">All the best<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #666666;">Peter<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #666666;">#<b>retail </b>-consultant <b> </b>-<b>designer </b>-visual<b>communicator</b> -educator<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">tel<b> 07907 691711<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">email<b> </b></span><a href="mailto:info@artysmith2.com"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; text-decoration: none;">info@artysmith2.com</span></b></a><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #666666;"><a href="http://artysmith2.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/about-me-part-1.html">#aboutme – the story so far</a></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; text-decoration: none;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; text-decoration: none;">*shop images <a href="http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/uk/index.jsp">Urban Outfitters</a></span></div>
Peter Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18068264759280362274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7892152980733433142.post-68165127611930358402016-07-29T15:57:00.000+01:002016-08-05T12:59:19.405+01:00IN THE MIX - #WEEKEND<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;">An eclectic mix of stuff going on this weekend…</span> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3AcLNp28JdO2um5fy0KvWgCaejHxps5IUCV1LMPZl73nCke3FsmcKqHrF7NqeEdJphrex5kWTpb0P2voyfeKXbKoUo0UfL3hnsjgtBmvT7gV_zOouOvEmdIkYagvXvhKbFG2vdvO6hvKq/s1600/Jolly-Roger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3AcLNp28JdO2um5fy0KvWgCaejHxps5IUCV1LMPZl73nCke3FsmcKqHrF7NqeEdJphrex5kWTpb0P2voyfeKXbKoUo0UfL3hnsjgtBmvT7gV_zOouOvEmdIkYagvXvhKbFG2vdvO6hvKq/s1600/Jolly-Roger.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">A bit of swashbuckling…</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;"><a href="http://www.swanagepiertrust.com/default.aspx?p=piratefestival"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span id="goog_1730171954"></span>swanage</span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">pirate</span><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">festival</span></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"><o:p></o:p></a></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHqWe4nWoQ4KNtr6aDc7AgW1pJIBhy5ZVGZ32dOpC9q7wwz9HBvOEoQWplAzpBfQ3EvP1VeoGj6dPZp8JQbgOnow3BM2HJTXGvCLUIDm2i7wn7rwz1vKaYVXQ7oFsSY-eWzK3bBYGKOt7v/s1600/share.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHqWe4nWoQ4KNtr6aDc7AgW1pJIBhy5ZVGZ32dOpC9q7wwz9HBvOEoQWplAzpBfQ3EvP1VeoGj6dPZp8JQbgOnow3BM2HJTXGvCLUIDm2i7wn7rwz1vKaYVXQ7oFsSY-eWzK3bBYGKOt7v/s400/share.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">night at the cinema…</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #999999; font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.jasonbournemovie.co.uk/#rzUG6k7DWBSVX4j1.97">jasonbourne</a></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVuAaawZLX81YQpBnJ-uLndPxtbfQso4CVkdrMP05yYUWv8JmNGT2HJa6xQhp4XRZAwci495lqrIj4RzbFwhdIIt2hcfPes6qbnEe6E-s9GckJceQVLPV3DXlk5BFtZhHNiBvW2m60P20z/s1600/8c783bdf2534af6fa709da86ceb08529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVuAaawZLX81YQpBnJ-uLndPxtbfQso4CVkdrMP05yYUWv8JmNGT2HJa6xQhp4XRZAwci495lqrIj4RzbFwhdIIt2hcfPes6qbnEe6E-s9GckJceQVLPV3DXlk5BFtZhHNiBvW2m60P20z/s400/8c783bdf2534af6fa709da86ceb08529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">hanging garden lights…</span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.brookleisure.co.uk/test-category/solar-lights/12-sphere-string-garden-solar-lights-with-sensor-shabby-chic-style-garden-lights">brookleisure</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNSNX2Bi5DKGUx8E0u_K4MX4cqAtb15dWvODtw_IjJvAWNHd-qt-yYoely4hetFnYiaPLeIr6N2FSqBvVtxSDIuFlE62ZzxLyEu_iGVOE2qxr2ZUn_stkcZ-FypyhpAF0vQlCSlrleW1Xd/s1600/swanagefireworks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNSNX2Bi5DKGUx8E0u_K4MX4cqAtb15dWvODtw_IjJvAWNHd-qt-yYoely4hetFnYiaPLeIr6N2FSqBvVtxSDIuFlE62ZzxLyEu_iGVOE2qxr2ZUn_stkcZ-FypyhpAF0vQlCSlrleW1Xd/s400/swanagefireworks.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">flash bang Saturday…</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #999999; font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://andyfarrer.co.uk/">andyfarrer</a></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA2u1Ya1UDjknYa6iXj8c92zEmQ8Myp96ooiliaeGX5-CMpkUVN20YmJ5fxK6gZISeSr7N4khyR_upbsqcpvgdVIG1bAaPfgVxaxTD2L2Mnf3d7Cr6FzWena19oIluJ6UPGtsf_pQT3rmu/s1600/CROP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA2u1Ya1UDjknYa6iXj8c92zEmQ8Myp96ooiliaeGX5-CMpkUVN20YmJ5fxK6gZISeSr7N4khyR_upbsqcpvgdVIG1bAaPfgVxaxTD2L2Mnf3d7Cr6FzWena19oIluJ6UPGtsf_pQT3rmu/s1600/CROP.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">carnival Sunday…</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6n58jUxMdL_FF3F3eGKsCwNpSo7VPvDuovsvnDyZSMStoWAcxlRsQlhwUlyvV5IojMdtZi6O6gJoUKvBTZeuXXcy758t4X44a0tMIeed6err2ofsNwqJjwWpOrQk0hcd7xcl-bh6NtZ-t/s1600/ad21abf9f3013598ea3af1b4b9903940.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6n58jUxMdL_FF3F3eGKsCwNpSo7VPvDuovsvnDyZSMStoWAcxlRsQlhwUlyvV5IojMdtZi6O6gJoUKvBTZeuXXcy758t4X44a0tMIeed6err2ofsNwqJjwWpOrQk0hcd7xcl-bh6NtZ-t/s640/ad21abf9f3013598ea3af1b4b9903940.jpg" width="427" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">and time for this…</span></span><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/CmwRQqJsegw/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CmwRQqJsegw?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">feeling good…</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #999999;">inspiration
is everywhere, enjoy your weekend…</span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #999999; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #666666;">All the best<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #666666;">Peter<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #666666;">#<b>retail </b>-consultant <b> </b>-<b>designer </b>-visual<b>communicator</b> -educator<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">tel<b> 07907 691711<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">email<b> </b></span><a href="mailto:info@artysmith2.com"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; text-decoration: none;">info@artysmith2.com</span></b></a><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<a href="http://artysmith2.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/about-me-part-1.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #666666;">#aboutme - the story so far</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></span></div>
Peter Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18068264759280362274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7892152980733433142.post-1397677035726672702016-07-25T12:08:00.001+01:002016-08-03T17:19:25.618+01:00READY, STEADY, GO...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkGsDIH-MCMvAp8svTqxFTbk9xJMzDa3jL3pg5oTB1cIKsZNjmqvjOy2hrnsjezMIz03XsFW5orRSS0hQHsK9AXmeq-2aBlJfjcSbLH12voVFfTy69XqxIP8JcQ9ga73xHTdZknZ4aO-sA/s1600/READY+STEADY+GO+1+crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkGsDIH-MCMvAp8svTqxFTbk9xJMzDa3jL3pg5oTB1cIKsZNjmqvjOy2hrnsjezMIz03XsFW5orRSS0hQHsK9AXmeq-2aBlJfjcSbLH12voVFfTy69XqxIP8JcQ9ga73xHTdZknZ4aO-sA/s640/READY+STEADY+GO+1+crop.jpg" width="283" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">Remember
what a feel good year 2012 was in the UK. We started off with the golden jubilee celebrations of
our Queen, quickly followed by the Olympics and Paralympics, how could you fail
not to be inspired? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">I
remember all too well when it it was first announced that the UK would host the
2012 games. Lots of people were dismissive thinking, we’d never pull it off, it
would be too expensive and, we could never compete with the enormous budget
afforded the 2008 games in Beijing. Well all the doubters were thankfully proved
wrong.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">It’s
all too easy to right something off, even without trying which,
let’s face is it, is the easiest and laziest option. Well on 5<sup>th</sup>
August 2016 the games begin again and there’s every opportunity to use this unique
and inspiring event to help promote your business.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">Whether or not you’re interested in sport, what the Olympics should remind us, is,
determination and hard work bring results, aiming high is the only option, never giving up even
when everything is stacked against you and, most importantly, inspiring others.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">If
you’ve got a retail business then it’s time to get involved, even if it’s on a very
small level because, you will be linking into some serious grand scale global marketing.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">There’s
a wealth of strap lines you can use to build a retail campaign around and,
quite honestly, this is one event you could make fit just about any retail
business. One important word of warning though, you need to avoid using any of
the official Olympic logos. The Olympic brand is highly protected and it’s
very easy to infringe copyright laws. Avoid using the obvious like, the
Olympic rings, Olympic and Paralympic logos (past and present) and, its best to steer clear from using the word Olympic in anything you might do! But, before you get too
dismissive, brainstorm a few ideas, be inventive and some original thinking might just produce something that surpasses all expectations.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">My
advice, as always is, don’t waste this window of opportunity, it’s the last big
event before Christmas (more about that next week) so, o</span></span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;">n your
marks, get set...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #666666;">All the best<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #666666;">Peter<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #666666;">#<b>retail </b>-consultant <b> </b>-<b>designer </b>-visual<b>communicator</b> -educator<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">tel<b> 07907 691711<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;">email<b> </b></span><a href="mailto:info@artysmith2.com"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; text-decoration: none;">info@artysmith2.com</span></b></a><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; text-decoration: none;"><a href="http://artysmith2.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/about-me-part-1.html">#aboutme – the story so far</a></span></span></div>
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<br />Peter Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18068264759280362274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7892152980733433142.post-35460698937883816672016-07-22T16:32:00.000+01:002016-08-12T16:01:39.508+01:00STORYBOARD - WORK IN PROGRESS 20<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #666666;">design</span><span style="color: #999999;">project</span><span style="color: #666666;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #999999;">enjoy
your weekend…</span><span style="color: #666666;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #666666;">All the best<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #666666;">Peter<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #666666;">#<b>retail </b>-consultant <b> </b>-<b>designer </b>-visual<b>communicator</b> -educator<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">tel<b> 07907 691711<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;">email<b> </b></span><a href="mailto:info@artysmith2.com"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; text-decoration: none;">info@artysmith2.com</span></b></a><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<br />
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<a href="http://artysmith2.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/about-me-part-1.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #666666;">#aboutme – the story so far</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Peter Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18068264759280362274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7892152980733433142.post-57022194972323020922016-07-19T10:09:00.002+01:002016-07-19T10:09:45.393+01:00WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzqpmiZPBAGGJui-w68-GQG7VU9C49un4-iJIvbvGkwlcz0b-phn0lWjLhYRBkoAGE15kfa6NbhUBXYmtRTUep2aKvDj45I2U-SLu70CgT_ncVN37CpBSCQF6xeTTysaP5lYRcKE5TyzkH/s1600/POSITIVE+LIFE+crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="397" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzqpmiZPBAGGJui-w68-GQG7VU9C49un4-iJIvbvGkwlcz0b-phn0lWjLhYRBkoAGE15kfa6NbhUBXYmtRTUep2aKvDj45I2U-SLu70CgT_ncVN37CpBSCQF6xeTTysaP5lYRcKE5TyzkH/s400/POSITIVE+LIFE+crop.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">So much
has happened over the last few weeks. In the UK, we had the shock exit from Europe,
high profile resignations in the government and, a new prime minister. We’ve been
shaken to the core by other world events, the horrific shootings in Orlando and
the terrible and heartbreaking attack in Nice on the beautiful French Riviera.
My thoughts and prayers go out to all people affected by such atrocities.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">When something
so dreadful and unexpected happens we’re left with the sensation of uncertainty
and our mood becomes unsettled. At such times as these we need to dig deep
and find our inner strength.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">Running
a business requires a certain amount of strategic planning but sometimes, even
when we expect the unexpected, we get caught off guard and all plans are abandoned. It becomes all too easy to focus on the bad and let negative feelings
monopolise our thoughts. Uncertainty
calls for strong leadership, game changers, innovators, problem solvers and
positive motivators.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">This is
absolutely the right time to deliver happy stories to your customers, show your
strength and keep the work environment a happy and calm place to be!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">Next week,
it’s business as usual and time to start planning for that big event at the end
of the year (not going to mention the word just yet) but, for now, stay </span><span style="font-size: 17.3333px;">focused</span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> on the positive, avoid the negative and, </span><span style="font-size: 17.3333px;">attract</span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> more of the good
stuff.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #666666;">All the best</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #666666;">Peter<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #666666;">#<b>retail </b>-consultant <b> </b>-<b>designer </b>-visual<b>communicator</b> -educator<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="color: #666666;">tel<b> 07907 691711<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">email<b> </b></span><a href="mailto:info@artysmith2.com"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; text-decoration: none;">info@artysmith2.com</span></b></a><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><a href="http://artysmith2.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/about-me-part-1.html"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; text-decoration: none;">#aboutme – the story so far</span></a><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br />Peter Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18068264759280362274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7892152980733433142.post-58943408925211830602016-06-17T17:25:00.002+01:002016-07-04T09:55:16.620+01:00KEEP GOING...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0OYHoF5ihljij-j2qaEd5WKwqpaLn6yBQwuSZWMbAC8_W3OTQoZTiGGV5GulNOsGZT-fb1hVXrdH4Acr18gCIyfEu213VuytsPHKv0AQrZbUylZkOf5P5j5pqUmV87w4PQ8TenO1EKirI/s1600/SUCCESS+IS+NOT...+crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0OYHoF5ihljij-j2qaEd5WKwqpaLn6yBQwuSZWMbAC8_W3OTQoZTiGGV5GulNOsGZT-fb1hVXrdH4Acr18gCIyfEu213VuytsPHKv0AQrZbUylZkOf5P5j5pqUmV87w4PQ8TenO1EKirI/s400/SUCCESS+IS+NOT...+crop.jpg" width="399" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">At some
point or another we all hit those moments in life where everything becomes a bit
of a struggle. We’re either over worked, anxious, fed up with the
daily grind or, all this and more. You know what it’s like, some days you wake up and feel you can take
on the world and others, you just feel would be better if you stayed in bed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">We all
cope with these situations in different ways but, what time and experience has taught
me is this, if you can find something within yourself to trigger the desire to
keep going, the down times pass, the self belief returns and things just get
better and better. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">Personally, when I hit these times I look for something inspirational to read or
completely break a\way from what I’m working on and do something that I know will make me smile. I am a great believer that from time to time it's </span><span style="font-size: 17.3333px;">important</span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> to break the routine, if only to</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">re-educate our brain.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">When you're the boss of the business, above all else, the secret is to keep
going, don’t give up, don’t stop and surround yourself with
people and things that will inspire you in those moments when you need them most.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">I’m off
for a couple of weeks for an unplanned family break so, if you’re a regular visitor
to this blog please forgive the absence, but be sure, I’ll be back...</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbwuhe0770MiGZ6u7t3mr14L-c0C-XjJnDTBqD-nbdHm_h1eCwM7VFv9JU6zD0zyRgWA7JEMJ5xFPt2JC3lF4084zGhF3o2AIvaHl4s73EUgBLmvU9csf0K9EI8BTHQ5XIvCkHF8hyphenhyphenjqqf/s1600/e9138f3f23b08a99f815a07caaa192ed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbwuhe0770MiGZ6u7t3mr14L-c0C-XjJnDTBqD-nbdHm_h1eCwM7VFv9JU6zD0zyRgWA7JEMJ5xFPt2JC3lF4084zGhF3o2AIvaHl4s73EUgBLmvU9csf0K9EI8BTHQ5XIvCkHF8hyphenhyphenjqqf/s1600/e9138f3f23b08a99f815a07caaa192ed.jpg" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #666666;">see you in July...</span></span></i></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;">All the best</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #666666;">Peter<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #666666;">#<b>retail </b>-consultant <b> </b>-<b>designer </b>-visual<b>communicator</b> -educator<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">tel<b> 07907 691711<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;">email<b> </b></span><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; text-decoration: none;"><a href="mailto:info@artysmith2.com">info@artysmith2.com</a></span></b></span></div>
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<a href="http://artysmith2.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/about-me-part-1.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #666666;">#aboutme – the story so far</span></span></a></div>
Peter Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18068264759280362274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7892152980733433142.post-51110791353907695802016-06-01T10:22:00.001+01:002016-06-01T10:23:04.397+01:00SHOP FLOOR<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHCenUWp_Zvf_D9wiCGThql-5-K-qzGIMptdLSPl5nZXXJ1EBWmYlicUyKbh5G29WAx8g9nC_FhalU5s7R2LAxo4d1kN-5fTNU7lnSRQncAzd9rQx0J5X3C1ezNanGZnMSMJB1z8bTys7w/s1600/SHOP+FLOOR+31+05+16+crop+RESIZE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHCenUWp_Zvf_D9wiCGThql-5-K-qzGIMptdLSPl5nZXXJ1EBWmYlicUyKbh5G29WAx8g9nC_FhalU5s7R2LAxo4d1kN-5fTNU7lnSRQncAzd9rQx0J5X3C1ezNanGZnMSMJB1z8bTys7w/s1600/SHOP+FLOOR+31+05+16+crop+RESIZE.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">It’s
one of those things that often gets overlooked, the shop floor. At worst, the
floor will be cluttered with boxes or stock waiting to be loaded onto shelves, hindering the customer journey and desire to shop. At best, it will provide the perfect backdrop
to enhance the whole retail offer and define a clear direction for the
customer to take.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">I am
old enough and, may I add wise enough, to remember the days when department
stores created pathways of vinyl flooring embedded between areas of dense pile wool carpet. Here merchandise would be proudly displayed to tempt us to step
off the path, linger on the soft luscious carpet and hopefully buy what's on offer. At the time, it was all part of
the </span><span style="font-size: 17.3333px;">strategy</span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> used by retailers to try and tempt us to spend our cash. Strangely enough, what I remember most was
the smell. This incredibly expensive carpet, usually specially woven in 70cm wide strips and then sewn together, had a particular smell and, it never seemed to wear out so stayed there for decades. How things have changed and, how much more do we now understand about customers shopping habits.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">Shop
flooring is not just about appearance either, some finishes will speed us up
while others will slow us down. What
works best is creating a floor that is dramatic enough to make a statement but doesn't overpower the merchandise. Shop floors definitely shouldn’t be bland. I’ve
seen far too many white goods sitting on speckled grey vinyl floors, who thought that would be a good idea, yuck!</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;">The time has come to set the stage and give a bit more attention to the one thing that takes the most battering
in your shop, the floor.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #666666;">All the best</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #666666;">Peter<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #666666;">#<b>retail </b>-consultant <b> </b>-<b>designer </b>-visual<b>communicator</b> -educator<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">tel<b> 07907 691711<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;">email<b> </b></span><a href="mailto:info@artysmith2.com"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; text-decoration: none;">info@artysmith2.com</span></b></a><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; text-decoration: none;"><a href="http://artysmith2.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/about-me-part-1.html"><span style="color: #666666;">#aboutme – the story so far</span></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Images clockwise from top left - <a href="http://www.crownandcrumpet.com/">Crown and Crumpe</a>t, <a href="http://www.jomalone.co.uk/">Jo Malone</a>, <a href="http://www.katespade.co.uk/">Kate Spade</a>, <a href="http://www.alexandermcqueen.com/gb">Alexander McQueen</a>, <a href="http://shop.weekday.com/gb/">Weekday</a>, <a href="http://www.cielitoquerido.com.mx/">Cielito Querido Cafe</a> </span></div>
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Peter Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18068264759280362274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7892152980733433142.post-58259975758191901582016-05-23T17:54:00.002+01:002016-05-24T11:08:49.271+01:00TOUCHY FEELY<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi053fqiB7Kejeglyk8CjWQXzMP2CAXbN0jPZB3QAmZ-mJFddLKoKRSdDULPe7tjR4rVFK6h82Oirr4-4eaUm5hXc7pVJKAthr3vwkgj0qK1SJgssVxL4LHRgIX3H7QM82GHGx5vMZgjGmm/s1600/TOUCHEY+FEELY+23+05+16+crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi053fqiB7Kejeglyk8CjWQXzMP2CAXbN0jPZB3QAmZ-mJFddLKoKRSdDULPe7tjR4rVFK6h82Oirr4-4eaUm5hXc7pVJKAthr3vwkgj0qK1SJgssVxL4LHRgIX3H7QM82GHGx5vMZgjGmm/s400/TOUCHEY+FEELY+23+05+16+crop.jpg" width="396" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">Stripped
back interiors have been around for a while now, particularly in retail and café society. This style still seems to be as popular as ever and
personally, I think it works. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">I may
be a bit of sucker for industrial finishes but, why I think this works in retail is
because of the combination of texture, natural colour palette and great
lighting, which shows up every crack and surface finish. This all helps create
character and sets the tone for great retail product. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">We are
very used to seeing this interior style in fashion, lifestyle stores and super
cool urban cafes but its appeal stretches even further and would suit any
number of retail stories.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">I think
it works best when the contrast is well defined between interior finish and
product. There is something very appealing about the contrast of new against
old, shiny against matt, rough texture against smooth and decay against new. It’s
a very touchy feely approach but in retail this is a good thing, instantly
creating an atmosphere that is sadly lacking in many shops<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">Of
course, this stripped back look isn’t just about hacking off a bit of plaster;
it needs some serious design input and greater flexibility in the shop fittings. We
have to remember that retail is about change, the interior needs to be able to reflect this and visually demonstrate change without the need to completely
refurbish. Ultimately, this comes down to some all encompassing retail campaigns
and inspiring visual merchandising. Without the ability for simple change or
enhancement of the shop interior, as with any strong theme, customers will soon
tire of the look.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">Personally,
I don’t think this interior style is going away anytime soon and, although I
don’t want to see it everywhere, I’m more than happy to see it flourish for
some time to come.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #666666;">All the best<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #666666;">Peter<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #666666;">#<b>retail </b>-consultant <b> </b>-<b>designer </b>-visual<b>communicator</b> -educator<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">tel<b> 07907 691711<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;">email<b> </b></span><a href="mailto:info@artysmith2.com"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; text-decoration: none;">info@artysmith2.com</span></b></a><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #666666;"><a href="http://artysmith2.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/about-me-part-1.html">#aboutme – the story so far</a></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; text-decoration: none;">shop images - <a href="http://www.stvincents.co/">St Vincents</a>, concept store</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17.3333px;">, Antwerp</span></span></div>
<br />Peter Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18068264759280362274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7892152980733433142.post-41051864021308755572016-05-16T11:25:00.002+01:002016-05-16T11:29:33.823+01:00LEADING LIGHT...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOJuV0_mEMRhxUrv6YMc4d5kfp7nP922qWL3w3uNHqk-6jSk39jVvq2dWSLIGcwCpHys8zkMHRvxhTaRPocaqllRMz_u-cCKwEaTJST-cltU6SCimbwT9izGDR6UHt5XH7pPKHmnbSVVsj/s1600/LEADING+LIGHT+16+05+16+crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOJuV0_mEMRhxUrv6YMc4d5kfp7nP922qWL3w3uNHqk-6jSk39jVvq2dWSLIGcwCpHys8zkMHRvxhTaRPocaqllRMz_u-cCKwEaTJST-cltU6SCimbwT9izGDR6UHt5XH7pPKHmnbSVVsj/s640/LEADING+LIGHT+16+05+16+crop.jpg" width="466" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">Did you
know, we humans are a bit like moths, attracted to the light. When you put this
into the context of a retail store you will understand how important good
lighting is to highlight merchandise and influence customer flow.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">In my humble opinion, good
lighting should come above everything else when it comes to the design of your shop interior
and windows. The shop is your stage and, as in the theatre, lighting can
transform even the starkest and most unimaginably boring space into something
dramatic and full of life. Of course, one big advantage of traditional theatre
is the starting point is a dark box. It's relatively easy to light a shop interior or shop window at </span><span style="font-size: 17.3333px;">nighttime</span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> but in the cool light of day things can be a
little bit more tricky. IKEA spotlights just won’t cut it!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 17.3333px;"><span style="color: #666666;">Unfortunately, for many smaller retailers, lighting is usually way down the list when it comes to spending money on their shop interior. And, if your shop is flooded with natural daylight you will probably need to invest more money in good quality lighting to achieve any real effect. The last thing you want is a blanket of flat light; even some of the better supermarkets have stopped doing this.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">When it
comes to merchandise, lighting can raise the profile of a product, bring out
the colour and texture and, make it desirable. Well designed lighting will set
the scene, create atmosphere, make the space feel bigger, more intimate, more
interesting.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">Another
benefit of a well designed lighting scheme is that you can influence the way shoppers circulate
your store and where they stop. Brighter walkways will encourage customers into
the space, as opposed to darker ones. We really are attracted to the light!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">There
are many forms of lighting and you should always get professional advice if you
want to get the best return on your investment but, I can assure you, it will
be worth it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">Window
lighting – a really good example of lighting used as both a decorative prop and
to illuminate the product, looking good anytime of the day or night.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;">A</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">ccent lighting – this discreet lighting is used to great </span><span style="font-size: 17.3333px;">effect</span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> to highlight the merchandise on the
table and bring it life. The added bonus of the neon on the back wall creates
an extra bit of customer communication. This is right up my street!</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">Come
this way – this decorative ceiling light proves there’s more than one
way to influence customer flow and, this one works!</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">Discreet lighting – this isn’t about the lighting source but the effect. This lighting
design really brings out the colours and texture of the bread. You just want to
eat it. From a retail perspective this has to be one of my favourite lighting schemes!</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">Decorative lighting – sometimes it’s just about the fitting and, let’s face it,
this isn’t just any light fitting, wow!</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">Shelf lighting – shelving will always create shadows so its a good thing to use
discreet under shelf lighting. But hey, who wants to be discreet, why not
illuminate the whole shelf!</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;">Prop
lighting – it’s all in the name, </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;">just look
at me...</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">Decorative accent lighting – the perfect combination of decorative lighting to
draw attention and accent lighting to highlight the merchandise underneath. A
sure winner...</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">Back
lighting – always effective when you’ve got similar shaped products to show off
as this type of lighting will tend to silhouette the product and
accentuate the shape.</span></span></li>
</ol>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">Like I
said at the beginning of this post, we are drawn to the light so, use it well...<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #666666;">All the best<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #666666;">Peter<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #666666;">#<b>retail </b>-consultant <b> </b>-<b>designer </b>-visual<b>communicator</b> -educator<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">tel<b> 07907 691711<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;">email<b> </b></span><a href="mailto:info@artysmith2.com"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; text-decoration: none;">info@artysmith2.com</span></b></a><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<a href="http://artysmith2.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/about-me-part-1.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #666666;">#aboutme – the story so far</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Peter Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18068264759280362274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7892152980733433142.post-78106837764220917042016-05-09T07:30:00.000+01:002016-05-09T11:24:22.419+01:00BAG IT...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcfOkw-VixahKxexOIMLQVNeMaT0HGUZbh04o4oR5nfa9WZPPO1-vS-fjAxT0ALc_6Ij14js7uN4wHW5YQil0usxKBKTrNt16DalCHH6xnXQyDOstZTZVguzT_vwo0JKNKa9wQeZF-yrzU/s1600/BAG+IT+09+05+16+4a+crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcfOkw-VixahKxexOIMLQVNeMaT0HGUZbh04o4oR5nfa9WZPPO1-vS-fjAxT0ALc_6Ij14js7uN4wHW5YQil0usxKBKTrNt16DalCHH6xnXQyDOstZTZVguzT_vwo0JKNKa9wQeZF-yrzU/s400/BAG+IT+09+05+16+4a+crop.jpg" width="395" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">With
the continuous rise in social media as one of the main go to marketing tools, it seems we’ve
almost forgot the communicating power of a quality paper carrier bag.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">The inevitable
demise of the plastic carrier bag, and about time too, almost makes it feel as if the
carrier bag has lost its appeal with smaller retailers. Of course, from a customer’s
point of view this isn’t the case at all, shoppers love well designed, quality paper
carriers. </span><span style="font-size: 17.3333px;">Carrying</span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> a smart paper bags says, look at me I’ve been shopping and I’ve got the bag to
prove it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">Back in
the eighties I know many people who collected them, and a couple who used to
take their best ones out whenever they went on a shopping trip. Carrier bags had become status symbols.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">Working
in London over the last few days I could not help but people watch as I stood
on Regent Street and, it seems, we’re still fascinated by the type of shopping bags
people carry. Shoppers look at other shoppers' carrier bags, they just can’t
help it. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">So retailers, don’t underestimate the importance of the carrier bag. It adds value to the customer shopping experience and strengthens your brand identity. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">A good
carrier bag will communicate your brand and make you stand out from the
crowd. Carrier bag design, like all good packaging, is worth the investment. It says a lot about who you are and the values your company stands for.
This is one place in your retail strategy where you shouldn’t cut corners.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzUWdjhbuXAhzUsYOSIx8fcS56iPGZ8iV_frO9378gQKSWMVSOuKsIr-Pvff0oh27PZ54-rf6J9Mr9bQW1F2BnRUuiXYwaDq8Dphsb8YOEwlvA1bXtNsVLyd6Eb_pSsiuQZpb8cdj4hWfH/s1600/BAG+IT+09+05+16+4b+crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzUWdjhbuXAhzUsYOSIx8fcS56iPGZ8iV_frO9378gQKSWMVSOuKsIr-Pvff0oh27PZ54-rf6J9Mr9bQW1F2BnRUuiXYwaDq8Dphsb8YOEwlvA1bXtNsVLyd6Eb_pSsiuQZpb8cdj4hWfH/s400/BAG+IT+09+05+16+4b+crop.jpg" width="391" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #666666;">All the best<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #666666;">Peter<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #666666;">#<b>retail </b>-consultant <b> </b>-<b>designer </b>-visual<b>communicator</b> -educator<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">tel<b> 07907 691711<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;">email<b> </b></span><a href="mailto:info@artysmith2.com"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; text-decoration: none;">info@artysmith2.com</span></b></a><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<a href="http://artysmith2.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/about-me-part-1.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #666666;">#aboutme – the story so far</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Peter Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18068264759280362274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7892152980733433142.post-74563885654655763982016-05-02T07:30:00.000+01:002016-05-02T10:30:20.878+01:00PUTTING ON A FRONT...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOIPZGMVQmCOVd-1R1Gezc1qjroIoc3rPSPxua9Yrafv8X5DqMSV-HiH8rG5wa8MFCclQVnNwSn1-chpao2Jy1MzoohLKVfSPAR6X0UKAUwb4iO54xWE40Wm_-EOmNuDaG6gBCaCJc3XAm/s1600/PUTTING+ON+A+FRONT+02+05+16+crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOIPZGMVQmCOVd-1R1Gezc1qjroIoc3rPSPxua9Yrafv8X5DqMSV-HiH8rG5wa8MFCclQVnNwSn1-chpao2Jy1MzoohLKVfSPAR6X0UKAUwb4iO54xWE40Wm_-EOmNuDaG6gBCaCJc3XAm/s640/PUTTING+ON+A+FRONT+02+05+16+crop.jpg" width="432" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">There’s
no doubt these days that trying to get your retail business noticed is harder
than ever, whether its via the internet, in print media or on the high street.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">Ten years ago the high street hardly ever got a mention in the media, now its a regular occurrence and, usually for
bad not good. This week alone we have seen the collapse of another two big established retail businesses in the UK, BHS (British Home Stores) and Austin Reed. We will have to
wait and see whether or not these businesses will be rescued, but if not, I'm certain the
gap created by their demise will eventually be filled.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">Whatever
else is happening on our high streets and online too, one thing is certain,
the high street will always be an important part of our urban landscape.
Online business will continue to grow but physical bricks and
mortar shops will continue to develop and remain an essential part of any
successful retail offer.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">With this
in mind, consider the importance of your shop front and what
impression this delivers to your customers. Without stating the obvious, sparkling windows is a good start, fresh
paintwork is another and a few extra touches like lush planting and maybe a seat of </span><span style="font-size: 17.3333px;">some</span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> sort will show you care. To coin a phrase, every little helps...<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">I don’t
think it’s ever been more important as now to put on a good show when it comes
to your shop front. You may be an expert at visual merchandising with the best shop window displays in town but, let’s face it, if your shop front is looking tired and dated its
going take away essential customer appeal. As footfall in our towns decreases getting
customers to cross your threshold is more important than ever!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">The
devil is in the detail, particularly in retail so, with the warmer weather
approaching now is a good time to do some spring cleaning, spruce up your shop front
and remind your customers, you’re not just here but, you’ve got something
exciting to offer...</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #666666;">All the best<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #666666;">Peter<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #666666;">#<b>retail </b>-consultant <b> </b>-<b>designer </b>-visual<b>communicator</b> -educator<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">tel<b> 07907 691711<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;">email<b> </b></span><a href="mailto:info@artysmith2.com"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; text-decoration: none;">info@artysmith2.com</span></b></a><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #666666;"><a href="http://artysmith2.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/about-me-part-1.html">#aboutme – the story so far</a></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; text-decoration: none;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Featured shops</b> - <a href="https://couvertureandthegarbstore.com/">Couverture & The Garbstore</a>, <a href="https://uk.vilebrequin.com/en">Vilebrequin</a>, <a href="http://www.jomalone.co.uk/">Jo Malone</a>, <a href="https://www.kreationjuice.com/">Kreation Organic</a>, Simple, <a href="http://www.sukha-amsterdam.nl/">Sukha Amsterdam</a></span></span></div>
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Peter Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18068264759280362274noreply@blogger.com0