The Goodie Basket of Impulse Purchases

by Pam Baker
(PearTreeJewelry)

I followed your tip awhile ago on having a goodie basket at my booth. I've done two weekend shows so far this year, and put out a little narrow bread basket with a bunch of older earrings, quickies that I wanted to clear out. You know the inventory that just won't go away! :D

These were just on cardstock, each in a ziplock for easy rummaging (and keeping clean!). My first events were not craft shows, but just small town street fairs, more about greeting neighbors and funnel cakes than spending money.

Almost 40% of my sales over the first weekend came from this basket, and while expecting little, the weekend took in $500 - huge for me!

I had far more items than the basket would hold, so just kept a "refill" box to restock the basket as space permits throughout the season. $10 is low for sterling components, but exceeds wholesale, and sure beats carrying the inventory for another year.

Customers loved the bargain. My little sign simply read, "Any Item $10, This Basket Only". I placed the basket right where customers would stand while I wrote up their sales.

Some would stroll by, glance in, and even when the main display didn't draw them in, they would catch sight of the $10 sign and stop! Or some, while waiting for me to write up their purchase, would notice the basket, and end up adding an item or two to their ticket! (Impulse buys, just like Walmart! :D)

I started last year with a larger box, but it took too much table real estate.

This smaller one actually seems to be more effective for some reason. It is about a foot long and narrow, placed it sideways with three "rows" of ziplocs standing upright like a deck of cards, for ease of flipping thru.

Some pickier shows frown on "Clearance" or "On Sale" signs, so my sign still abides by the rules, yet really seems to work!

The best part so far, has been that people seem to have a bit to spend this year, unlike last year. Even at my second event, basically miserable drizzly and cold both days with little traffic, I still took in at least a respectable amount in sales.

My hope is that this may be some indicator about the general economy looking up.

Pam Baker
Pear Tree Jewelry
Pear Tree Vintage