For many people, opening their own bricks and mortar or online store is the ultimate form of entrepreneurial independence. Erayo helps make that dream a reality by providing the tools, resources and contacts anyone needs to be an independent retailer. In the past, retailers had to rely on costly trade show buying trips a few times a year to source competitive merchandise, but now independent boutiques and specialty-shops can source unique, trend-right merchandise from their computers.

Erayo fiercely believes in the importance of maintaining a strong, vibrant and growing community of independent retailers and designers. Everything the company does is designed to support or grow independent retailing. So in honor of Independence Day, Erayo offers you the following 8 tips to ensure successful retailing:

1.       Convey a cohesive store concept to your customers. Everything from your store design, product selection, business cards and service should tell your story. But a clear concept doesn’t mean a narrow selection of products. On the contrary, within defined boundaries, there’s plenty of room for creativity.

  Designed by Bosmat Antebi for www.shoofra.co.il

2.       Try to differentiate your shop with several distinctive items that other shops don’t carry. This will increase customer traffic even if customers ultimately end up purchasing merchandise that other shops also carry.

 

3.       Embrace constructive criticism and welcome all feedback from your customers, whose comments can often be extremely insightful. A comment like "this is beautiful, but not for me" more than once, could be a sign that a certain line doesn’t fit your clientele - the sooner you realize that, the better.

 

4.       Know the stories behind your featured designers so you can arouse emotional response from your customers.

Patricia Nicolas Jewelries

      5.       As part of your employee training, encourage them to visit other local stores. It will give them the opportunity to observe other sales pitches and stores’ atmospheres.  

6.       Keep your staff busy even when the shop is empty. Bored employees provide bad service and customers feel uneasy in a store where sales clerks are not engaged.

 

7.       Keep up with the trends and what’s happening in the industry—talking about the Paris fashion scene or what a certain celebrity is wearing will instill confidence in your clients.

      Iris Design

8.       Choose your packaging wisely. Even an inexpensive item can be packaged in an enticing way. A creative package allows the consumer to relive the excitement of the new item when opening the package at home. 

 Luka Wall Graphics

The primary job of the package is to attract the attention of the consumer by creating a visual experience before even touching the product. The next step is to create a desire to check it and finally purchase. Another very important aspect of designing the package is giving the consumer a second emotional experience while opening the package at home and reliving the excitement.

Designer Gal Barash is originally an industrial designer which is shown through his all work process. While using mechanical dynamics to create his stylish jewelries, the package is as exciting as the jewelry itself: When a customer purchases one of Barash's jewelry, it is placed in an aluminum box while its cover is made of transparent glass. The box is filled with little colorful plastic pieces Gal gets from a plastic bag recycled factory. Those plastic bits are used for decoration and presentation in Gal's packaging but also for protecting the jewelry. The final touch is placing the box in an anti-synthetic bag that is originally used for electronic elements.

We proudly present – NEO!

Hard to believe that the Neo brand is only two years old, since they have got a lot of attention in the global design scene: featured in design magazines, sold in museums around the world and exhibited in shows such as Maison Objet and the Summer Fair.

Neo is based in Rome, Italy, specializing in women's accessories, jewellery and home decoration. The three designers: Rosanna Contadini, Isabella Nardone and Analia Restrepo are making all of the products themselves in their intimate aesthetic studio where they also present the designs. Rosanna took us to a guiding tour in her studio presenting the items in her typical passionate manner.

"Neo" is short for Neoprene, the industrial material used for diving suits and equipment. Designers have shown a lot of interest in Neoprene in the last years, but Rosanna Contadini, with no doubt made quite an echo in that field. The main reason that makes the Neo products so surprising and popular is the contrast of combining such an industrial material, taken from entirely different association world, with the fashion industry, resulting in aesthetic, soft and trendy items.

The three designers use old traditional techniques and apply the new material to create jewellery, bags and objects such as bowls and cushions. The Neoprene threads are hand-knitted, twisted and woven together while emphasizing its advantages to create flexible, lightweight and silky smooth items.

A Statement Necklace, the one big thing a woman needs to dazzle and attract all the right attention. Although it’s been hanging around for some time now, the statement necklace is becoming more popular as it is so versatile to wear.  

The large piece of jewelry can be worn with a simple outfit functioning as backdrop: a little cocktail dress or jeans and t-shirt.

Mix it up and create one giant necklace by layering many different ones you already own. Everything goes – pearls, glass, gems, buttons, chains, charms, gold and silver. It’s the ultimate freedom of expression.  Just be aware not to combine it with an additional big jewelry like earrings - the chaos will become too much to handle.

Let the Goliath necklace do all the talking, known to be a conversation piece it’s a great chat starter at any summer party. Remember, the right combination makes a woman look confident and stylish:  "This old thing? I don’t remember where I got it." 

Big exciting things are happening - the extraordinary jewellery brand Miss Bibi has joined Erayo.

Misbibi is led by the enchanting idea of miniature world. The concept of small world with small people, accessories and scenes is so nostalgic and innocent, it brings a smile to everyone's face and takes us all back to our childhood - and the story begins: "Once upon a time, in a little town of Monte-Carlo, lives a girl Brigitte Giraudi, also commonly named Missbibi." Graduated from "Central Saint Martines College" with a specialization in film and animation, she was involved in the creation of miniature sets for animation movies. Then, one day, Brigitte conveyed her inspirational Lilliputians universe into the world of jewelry. So was born the first collection of miniaturized objects to wear - INTRIG. It takes its inspiration from a famous detective game 'Cluedo' and transforms miniature objects and toys into fine pieces of jewellery: phone ring, high heels shoe ring, little book necklace and working tools.

Miss Bibi other collection is the "Ready-Made" line in reference to the work of Marcel Duchamp emancipates common objects from its ordinary condition, by diverting a product from its traditional utility function into jewels: can opener earrings, penneh necklace and zipper necklace.

Missbibi's jewellery is an attempt to divert the everyday life through its recreational approach and its meticulous attention to small details. In this formal world, the real and the imaginary intertwine. These creations drive us into a sentimental journey often making foray into this extra small magic world. Missbibi's presentations and displays are designed in the same spirit and it contributes to the captivating feeling of it. 

Missbibi's brand was born on 2006, based in Monaco and sold throughout the world. Missbibi's jewels were viewed in many international magazines such as: elle, marie clair, Femina, Fashion Mag, Accessories+.

When we’re ready to decorate our home, the immediate thought is of textiles: drapes, curtains, beddings, carpets, and others. But, the secret to making your home look great is in its walls.

Wall Stickers are a big trend that has been growing and evolving in the last few years. The stickers have even peeled off the walls and ceilings and jumped onto furniture, windows, mirrors, dishware and even credit cards! The stickers are usually made of vinyl and are easy to stick and remove without leaving any marks.

"Within minutes, you can transform the look of a living or office space: choose your space, plan the design you'd like to make, and literally, just peel and stick. And when you're tired of your design, say after years, a month, maybe a day – the decals are removable." Says Tamar Sela from Studio Luka. http://www.erayo.com/LUKA/

Wall stickers are an affordable way to express yourself while decorating. Sometimes, they can even be cheaper than paint! They’re highly recommended if you are renting because they don’t damage the walls. Depending on your style and mood, you’ll be sure to find a color or pattern that suits your taste. From retro patterns to modern shapes, characters and animals, the sky (or ceiling) is the limit.

Wall stickers are very popular in kid’s bed and play rooms. Every age is characterized differently and parents want to change the style and colors in their child's room very often, it’s the ultimate place to start and enjoy. Not to mention it is much easier to decide and experiment in someone else's room than your own.

"No elegance is possible without jewels" says Patricia Nicolas, Erayo's new addition. Patricia has been hailed as  “the next big jewelry designer” by publications such as Daily Candy,  Elle, Vogue, Glamour, Marie Claire as well as having designs worn by A-list celebrities such as Sienna Miller, models Ariadne Artiles and Eugenia Silva, and singers Puff Daddy and Paulina Rubio. 

Her style and her touch are young, vibrant and full of life. It's so enjoyable to look at, imagine how fun it'd be to wear.

Nicolas was raised in Madrid amongst a strong influence of jewelry designers, as her family has been designing and manufacturing jewelry since 1945. With this insight and influence, her passion and talent for jewelry design has continued to grow over the years: "I would draw my father a sketch for a new jewelry design and ask if he would construct it and after a great deal of nagging he would finally agree to make it."

Having finished her studies in Boston, Patricia returned to Spain eager to start working on her new ideas. In order to develop herself further, she moved to London and finished her studies at Central Saint Martines College of Art and Design where she began to create her new collection. Much of Patricia's inspiration comes from the culture of cities such as London, Paris and Madrid, which constantly fascinate her. She uses traditional and contemporary materials such as gold, semi-precious stones, suede as well as many new and exclusive materials, which she constantly strives to discover and develop. The elegant chic jewelries are sold at stores such as Harrods and Selfridges.

http://erayo.com/Patricia-Nicolas

Who says dreams can’t come true? As a little girl, Mimi dreamed of owning her own fashion boutique. And now, working as an attorney, a model, and running her own online boutique - she is balancing it all and living her dream. "Whether our fashion sense makes us a victim of trends or a pioneer ahead of the times, is up to us, our tastes, our budgets and our choices."

While she was growing up, Mimi remembers being attracted to accessories and fashion items, especially those that are hand-made. She was always fascinated by the world of fashion and made sure she was updated with the latest trends and styles.

Although she studied law and accounting and has a successful career as a trial lawyer, she never gave up on her childhood dream and began her online shop in 2004. Following a long vacation in Cape Town, Mimi felt she was ready to start her own business. It was while lying on the beach when she designed her first bracelet.

That single bracelet was a success and helped her realize she was heading in the right direction: passerby’s on the street saw the bracelet and bought it for 3 rand. Later that evening, Mimi went to a dinner party and received many complements on her new bracelets. She spent the rest of her vacation making jewelry, shopping for unique items and writing her business plan.

In addition to working full time as a trial lawyer, she always makes time for her boutique. Mimi tells me that it took her 4-5 years to get the business going and now she has dedicated an additional room in her house to her shop, where she takes private shopping appointments and hosts shopping parties.  

Marketing is done through blogs, local advertising, word of mouth, and various professional associations. As a boutique owner, Mimi tells us that marketing is with no doubt her biggest challenge.

I asked Mimi how she forecasts the next trends and what to offer her clients. Mimi tells me she learns about trends through her travels, fashion websites, British TV, magazines and especially from her past modeling experience. "I focus on items that will work year around, and I am looking for small range of products from each designer, mainly up and coming designers."

While browsing through the boutiquemix website, I asked Mimi what was her best selling item. Surprisingly enough, the bamboo bags featured on her homepage are consistently the strongest sellers.

Mimi shops for most of her designs while travelling. Sourcing online is another method that Mimi uses and she likes that on Erayo she is able to find a large selection of talented designers. Her favorite designer on Erayo is Iris design and after receiving her order she was pleasantly surprised when the items looked even better in person.

In our interview she said something about Erayo that I just have to quote: "It's like one great big shopping Mecca for wholesalers!"

Designed by Bosmat Antebi for www.shoofra.co.il

Window displays are like a 3-D billboard, they can make items P.O.P like nothing else. You only have a few seconds to grab people's attention, to make them stop and to lure them into your store. Although window displays have become sophisticated and complex, you can still create a successful and creative window display within your resources and budget.

Designed by Jessie Nir for Sigal Dekel

We’ve put together the best and useful tips that will help you create a perfect window display:

1. Be "creative". Of course, you can hire the best window-dresser that money can buy, but you can also find young talents and artists, design and art students with a fresh updated way of thinking.
2. Maximize the height and depth of your window space. Place items at different places to catch the passerby's attention- whether from up close or across the street.
3. A clean, eye catching, lively teasing window display will entice people to enter your store. Less is more, try not to overdo it.
4. Work with your wholesalers and suppliers. They will be happy to provide you with graphic material, Point Of Purchase stands and ideas. In addition to getting all sorts of free goodies, you’ll be able to promote a line you carry.
5. Have a theme- even give your new display a story title. Keep it in mind and let it guide you. That way you won't lose your head in the process and stay focused.
6. Create a scene within the story: some kind of twist, surprising association and use sense of humor - that is the time and place to be bolder. The best window displays have the viewer do a double take.
7. Stay on top of holidays, special occasions and dates.
8. Remember the importance of lighting, it’s a key ingredient. Complementing day and night - even when the store is closed is important. Marketing never sleeps.
9. Promote your best sellers and offers: don’t choose "limited edition" items.  
10. Colors: Either stay within one color scheme or pick opposites. Green & Red, or Yellow & Purple. Mix it up!

Designed by Bosmat Antebi for www.shoofra.co.il

Designed by Jessie Nir for Sigal Dekel

It is rich yet warm, and gold is now more precious than ever. Perhaps it's due to the rising cost of gold that we now become gold diggers and want it all to glint. One flashy gold item is all you need to match with everything else, even bright strong colors such as pink, green and blue. It might seem a bit 80's, but the final look will work just fine. Metallics have been on trend for the past few years now, and they don’t seem to be going anywhere soon. Shifting from the harsh metallics (dark bronze, deep pewter, bright pink) of the past few years to soft gold, is one great way to update your wardrobe. And don’t be scared of mixing metallics either! We’re seeing lots of gold handbags with silver hardware- a great way to mix and match your own personal style.

Erayo is proud to present Pa Design, a fabulous and exciting design company located in Paris and owned by Pierre (P) and Assia (A). The company's exciting history began with Tlaloc Vase, which consists of suction- cups containing 7 tanks used to hold flower stems

From this vase, the company has been able to move forward in developing new and exciting designs that are innovative and fresh. Pa designs are about the strength of the idea that structures it, the charm of its forma, its colors and its materials, the quality of its realization and its price modesty.

Indeed, the name Pa design comes from the fact that they are against the idea that design is only a style - this object is design, this place is design... A tiny thing that makes the object different and that makes your eyes sparkle. The object speaks to us, day after day, we live with it, it is like a friend.

"Editing an object needs a very important time and energy investment which keeps us from developing as many projects as we would like."

Enjoy Pa Design!