Hello Everyone,

Did everyone catch the latest edition of the GHC News and Views?  If not, you can check it out here: http://lnk.nxr1.com/cs/vc.jsp?c=325951&u=cjijabfe

This month's edition featured videos on design and display.  I have noticed across the channel that many of you are searching for display ideas for the upcoming (or should I say, already upon us) holiday season.

Have you found any great tips?  If not, do you have any to share?  With the Halloween festivities in full swing how is everyone decorating for this fun Holiday?  Any fun in-store events?  I know I just love attending anything that has to do with Halloween.

This year I am volunteering at a Haunted House at a local theatre.  For three nights I'll be manning the witches brew table as well as leading kids into the unknown, i.e. I will be a tour guide through the haunted house!

Fun things like this bring crowds!  They can get the attention of your local media too, and they can even mean sales!  So why not throw a haunted house this October?  Or if you think it might be too late to get something like that together, why not a fun Halloween event where customers can bring their kids in the store on Thursday the 30th (the day before Halloween) dressed up in their greatest and you can hand out candy.

Better yet, why not ban together with other retailers near you and organize a Halloween trick or treat event!  I have fond memories of going to our local mall for these types of events when I was a kid.  And my mother almost always ended up buying something along the way.  Think about it.  It's a great way to get customers in your doors and to have fun and be active in your community.

A great example of retailers banning together is the story of Sue Sacks and her fellow retailers who banned together this year in a cooperative marketing effort to increase all of their sales.  You can catch her story here: http://www.giftandhomechannel.com/channel/vod/303/

Well, that's all for me this week.  Again, use this Holiday season not only to have an excuse to decorate and to bring in sales, but to participate in your community!  I guess it's the Community Manager in me, but it really is a time to get together.  Let's not loose sight of that this Holiday season.

Until next time...

Happy Blogging,

Jessica