What's New... A Catalog That's What!

Wow! It has been a crazy summer. I have gotten the files for our recent catalog off to the printer. I am excited to say that we have added so many Eco-Friendly products. From hangers, to floor fixtures, to retail packaging... it really is all there!

Now we wait for our stock to come in from all of the various manufacturers. The next step is to evaluate the needs of our customers and start determining the most efficient way to truck all of our items from all over the world, to us, producing the least amount of emissions. What a learning process!

Everyone at Barr Display is really on board! The apprehension was definitely there at first. When we started our recycling program... it started off slow. But now, I can barely keep the 50 gallon can empty. The phone calls from customers have started to trickle in and now the sales staff seems to understand that there are some strong green needs out there. We shall see.

I took great care in this recent catalog, that the Eco-products are easy to distinguish and that there is some information that explains the "green" of the product. I was amazed to find that many of our manufacturers that cannot produce a product from recycled materials are being Green in many other ways. Whether they have set standards for their manufacturing process or contributing to 1%FTP, they do something and that is what matters.

I hope that all of the retailers out there understand that it doesn't mean you have to re-build what you have. Actually, that is wasteful. Simply by implementing small changes in your business, you are doing something that is not only green, but responsible. If everyone takes one little step forward... imagine the change that would cause! And of course, those moving forward with a new business, being able to start clean and go green is a great way to go.

For Barr Display, this year I wanted to ensure that I could get as many green products into as many hands as possible. This still leaves the issue of the actual printed catalog. With as many copies as we print, we have to become more responsible than we have in the past. A printed catalog is a necessity in our business. Don't you like to look at a beautiful, full color catalog when you are spending your hard earned money? We have cleaned our lists, spent the extra money ensuring that every single catalog mailed is delivered. Reduced the weight of the paper. Changed the look and layout so that it is desirable to view... Now that the 2009 Catalog is finished... I start on the 2010 catalog. With that will come recycled content paper, an even cleaner list and we will also be adding a pdf version of the catalog to the website so you can opt out of a printed catalog if you would rather have it digital.

Either way, our next green step is to just keep moving forward. Continue refining our purchasing policies and look at everything as a whole. Continue to offer our customers the best green products possible.

Wow! What a busy summer it has been. It is so hard to believe that in less than a month, all of my crazy hard work will be out there for the world to see!

Oh... and want a fabulous look sustainable bamboo hanger... these babies are beautiful! (Damn I take good photos of inanimate objects!)

Eco-Friendly Retail Packaging

I know, it seems like a very weird entry, but one of the things I do is sell retail packaging. In becoming the Marketing Manager at Barr Display, one of the things that has fallen into my lap is determining what products will be carried in our line of products. Then it is my job to determine how they will be marketed in both our print catalog and online.

As with every aspect of my world, it is my goal to paint it green. I think the more we put out there products that are available that are eco-friendly, the more people will realize that they actually have options that are environmentally responsible. It is also my belief, that many people want to be green, but just don't know how. And that is where I come in.

One of the product lines that needed to be re-vamped for competitive pricing purposes, was retail packaging. This includes the boxes, gift wrap, and shopping bags that a business might use to get you out of the store with your purchased goods. Sure... we are seeing the mass transition from "paper or plastic" to "I have my own thank you", but that's the grocery store. Now, if you are like me, I take my bags into every store. Even a clothing store. Why not?

Not all customers find carrying their own bag into your lingerie or hockey card store as pleasurable as I would, and that's ok as long as retailers can offer something eco-friendly. To my wild surprise, our current retail packaging line-up is in stellar position to take over the retail packaging world. Our boxes are made from 100% recycled board, our tissue paper is made from minimum 25% recycled fibers and some with 100%, our gift bags are made with between 50% and 100% post consumer content and all materials that are printed are printed with soy based inks for easy return to the Earth during the breakdown process. Even some of our plastic bags offer 25% post consumer waste and I have found that all of my manufacturers recycle what they can in the plants, as well as follow as many green practices as they possibly can.

So... how do I explain to the customers of the world why my packaging costs $5-$30 more per case than some of my competitors? Well, if the above hasn't convinced them, then how about this: All of my manufacturers are good ole' US of A manufactures. I can go to China and get my boxes and bags, just like everyone else seems to be. In one case, I received pricing back for the basic items and my cost was half. Half! And that includes putting it in a container and shipping it for 40 days, via freight liner to my door. However, not only were these boxes not made of any recycled materials, but they were not even recyclable. What a waste! All of my products are 100% recyclable.

If you are choosing items for your retail space, think about what you can truly offer to your customers as well as to yourself.