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JbNormandog

JbNormandog

SGF, Supreme Grumble Framer
Joined
Apr 8, 2004
Posts
3,751
Loc
NJ
Some months that have been slow for us have been crazy this year for no explainable reason.

We have been open and are about a third of the way through our 3rd year and have seen nice growth compared to the previous year.

So far this December we are doing OK, not amazing and I will only have to stay late a day or two this coming week.

Today a saturday, NOTHING!!! Had lots of pick ups but no new framing at all.

Now I can keep taking orders comfortably until tuesday and then after that it comes down to whatever is left in stock moulding but somewhere along the line my rush, rushed by without stopping in to drop anything off.

Anyone else having a just OK december. Kudos to all of you that are slammed, there was another post that made me think about the slowness of today of all days.

I am not complaining, I am happy with the growth and crazy busy off months I have had not to mention that with a month old at home and less than normal sleep the slower pace came at an ok time.

Ok back to work, just thought I would chime in.
 
I hear you JB loud and clear.
The holiday season for picture framing is not what it used to be. I've been in this business for over 25 years and each year gets seems to be less on Dec. sales. It's not just you ! My sales reps have said the same thing.
I too am up in sales than last year, that's a good thing. I do believe that demographics have a lot to do with it and that larger metropolitan areas might not do as well as smaller ones this time of year. In the large metro areas you have every store imaginable to shop from, the choices are huge.
It is getting more difficult carving out a niche but the niche is what will keep you going!
I had a great Jan. last year and am hoping for the same in 2007.
 
Same here. I've only been open since March, so this is my first holiday season. I'm not impressed. November was down from August-October, and December is shaping up to be about the same as November. Not a single visitor today, except for pickups. I'm probably not going to take framing orders for Xmas at this point, but I have photo frames, framed art, and other giftware people could purchase.
 
if I look at the numbers, it seems we might match last year's, which was good.

But, if I consider that 2 jobs alone were about $14000, it does seem that this December (volume / number of jobs) is definitely less than last year.

Today (Saturday) was not bad, but the last 2 Saturdays were quite slow, but Mondays were much better. So, if I were to see a trend, people are framing less on Saturdays in December, but more on Mondays and during the week. Whatever that means...:confused:
 
Don't you think that most people assume that it's way too late to bring anything in for a Christmas delivery? Just a thought.

Amy
 
Amy McCray said:
Don't you think that most people assume that it's way too late to bring anything in for a Christmas delivery? Just a thought.

Amy
Click to expand...

Well, we did have one woman come in today around 4 pm, hoping she could get something framed by Xmas. I told her I could do it, if she was ok with what I had in stock. But she left without placing the order, saying she had to think about it. I think she didn't like the price, but that's too bad, my price was as good as anyone's. And she won't get anyone else to say they can do it.
 
Pulling a rabbit out of our hat....

I've been getting a lot of referrals from Michael's the past couple of weeks, after calling them to say we're still taking Christmas orders, since they stopped a couple of weeks ago, and they won't even cut a mat for people right now! Some good orders, too. I've taken in several the past couple of days, with what I have in stock and ready-mades and thelast-minute customers are sure grateful for it! And a good introduction for us, to people who "didn't know we're there"...they do now!

The Christmas "rush" sure started slow, though, I was afraid we wouldn't have one at all, slowest I can remember, and according to our sales reps, everyone in our area, not just us. But it really picked up the past couple of weeks. Whew!

November was horribly slow, and being our first Christmas in this shop, don't have history to compare it to. But halfway through December, we've already doubled November's entire month, and priomises to be our best month of the year, since we stepped in January 1st of this year. Fingers crossed we keep up the momentum into the New Year!
 
I kind of welcome this trend. I know it didn't used to be quite this way. I remember dad taking on help just for the holidays and still working around the clock the entire month of December. When we did mass production, we seemed build frames all year for inventory just for Christmas.

I hear often how Nov and Dec makes up 30% of many retailers yearly sales. I personally don't want that. I don't want to order materials in March for Christmas or hire "seasonal" help in Sept and Oct just to let them go in Jan. I also don't want the rest of months averaging 7% of my yearly sales. Nothing about that sounds appealing.

I'd rather be more flat and stronger year around than some out of this world bump in Nov and Dec. Of coarse my sales are still double my Jun and Jul (it might be my 2 orders for $957,105). I'd be just as happy to improve those months as Christmas.
 
With all hands on deck* we anticipate the last minute customers; the workshop, from about 2 weeks ago, ceases to frame stuff for sale in the shop and our own ready-mades and ceases to be working 3 - 4 days ahead and goes to 1-2 days ahead.

Stuff for the shop is made well in advance.

This means we can still cater for those that are ignorant about our trade and will return as a result of being catered for, but would not have if we could not have made their deadlines, which, when they become informed and educated customers, they will realise were pushing it a bit!

Saturday will be our last opening day before Christmas therefore our last day for collection for Christmas. Therefore everything for collection for that day will be done on Friday latest.

Therefore I am 'free' on Sarurday for REAL rush jobs and I know I will get them - but also I will maximise sales on our matted stuff .... "Would you like that framed?"

"Well, yeah - it would be nice, but I need it today!

"OK - pick a moulding"

How long does it take to turn a long bit of wood in to a square one (etc) The hard bit is done - it's matted - and if it's from here it won't be plain single mat either - never!


*All hands are NOT on deck though - I'm a shambles this Christmas!
 
Only open for 5 years. First 4 I could only offer last minute customers the option of a quicky frame or a card saying "you have a framed picture at the FrameWorks, come get it in January!"

This year way down in numbers. Hoping that the last minute folks show up! Thought the extra week between thanksgiving and xmas would bring more customers, but haven't seen them yet.
 
I am on pace to be about 20-30% up for Dec but have not had a great retail month. I owe the increase to a commercial job. The retail biz has been flat or just slightly better than LY, but that aint saying much.

I would agree completely with a couple of other statements made here already. I don't think framing is as popular a holiday gift as it was 5 years ago. There is way too much competition for the holiday dollars and frankly many easier ways to get your shopping done. We require 2 trips. Most people don't have time for one.
 
And here I was thinking it was just us.... This is our 3rd holiday season framing and I am definitly not as swamped as i was last year. Still going to be here late a few nights this week, and weve been busy framing all year, but i was wondering "what happened?"
 
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