Q&A: Loyal customers mean holiday sales at Everett gift shop
Published 9:15 am Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Judy Matheson owns J.Matheson Gifts and J.Matheson Kitchen & Gourmet in Everett. She recently took the time to answer a few questions about how the company’s holiday season is shaping up.
The Storefront is closed this week, but we’re featuring Q&As with local business owners. Come back later for more.
Q: Describe your business in a few sentences:
A: Two unique stores offering a vast array of quality merchandise, such as home decor, children’s educational toys, handcrafted jewelry and the best card selection around. In the Kitchen Shop we have everything needed for the beginner to the professional chef. We also offer cooking classes which include many of the Northwest top chefs.
Q: What’s your top-selling item this year, and why?
A: Interestingly enough, it is a game called Bananagrams. It is well priced and everyone from 7 to 97 and has been an enormous hit and difficult to keep in stock. The Kitchen Shop has several unique items that are great for stocking stuffers. The two items that stand out are the Green Gourmet Stainless Eco-Friendly Non-Stick Cookware (PTFE & PFOA-FREE). Also, the Progressive Julienne and Slicer all in one, which is compact and dishwasher safe has been a real hit. It takes the place of a large mandolin, which takes up a great deal of space and has many blades.
Q: What sort of sales trends do you generally see around the holiday season?
A: Customers are looking for the unique and unusual and we spend a great deal of time traveling to many trade shows through the year to find items to satisfy their needs.
Q: What has business been like this season?
A: We feel fortunate that we have a loyal following and we have seen a positive increase in sales this season.
Q: What have you found to be the best way to promote your products?A: Customer interaction with employees, word of mouth, newspaper advertising and e-mail.
Q: If you had to write a wish list for your business with next year in mind, what would be at the top?
A: To see the economy continue to rebound to benefit small business everywhere.
Know a small business you think we should write about? Contact Herald writer Amy Rolph at arolph@heraldnet.com.
