I just found out that Williams-Sonoma is opening a new test store at Lenox Mall in Atlanta, GA—a PBteen Store (Pottery Barn Teen store).

According to a recent study conducted by a leading market research firm on teen spending, this demographic segment spends about $5400 a year. What does this mean for you? Well, if you're not currently selling products that cater to this market, it may be a potential growth strategy for you in 2009.

So the next logical question is: what can you sell that teens want to buy? Inc. Magazine wrote an interesting article on teen buying psychology. In it, the writer says, "…businesses can discover large, lucrative niches by orienting themselves toward a particular teen lifestyle—jock, artsy, hip-hop, and so forth."

Take some time and think it over. Is there a segment of the teen market that you can cater too, but aren't?

I just read an interesting article in the New York Times about how Teen Vogue is setting up a trendy, temporary inline store where young girls can come together to try on clothes, sample makeup, receive free snacks and hang out with friends.

The store will have stylists that advise visitors on fashion, make-up and shoes—then the stylists will actually "whisk" the teens to stores in the mall where the products can be purchased.

The magazine is not charging clients to go to the store. The goals of the store are three-fold: promote the Teen Vogue brand, add value to existing top clients and sell new clients ad pages.

It's a brilliant marketing strategy—it'll help the magazine, help the stores sell more and drive more traffic to the mall. A win-win for everyone!

I was doing some research today, and stumbled on a website dedicated to helping entrepreneurs with time management. It says, "studies have shown that a person working on a messy desk will spend, on average, one and a half hours a day either being distracted by things in their view or looking for things… and that's seven and a half hours a week."

I have noticed that as I get busy (for me, deadline time, but in your case it might be the holiday season) my desk tends to get very messy. I felt inspired to clean my desk today, and I thought it might inspire you too!

I wrote my last blog post about the power of positive thinking, and I received lots of emails from retailers thanking me for writing about something uplifting. So I decided to write about it again.

You can have your best year ever despite what's going on in the economy—it's simple and here's how:

1. Accept that our economy goes up and down over the years. It's a cycle and we haven't reach the end of the world, or whatever some of the doomsayers have been spreading. The economy is in a down cycle now, but it doesn't mean that you have to be in one.

2. Release all fear. Fear is a negative emotion that only attracts more negativity, so start being positive about your life and business. Write down your goals, repeat them daily in your mind and visualize them. Imagine yourself looking at your profit and loss statement at the end of the year—create a specific number in your mind and visualize that number on the paper.

3. There is a solution to every problem. I truly believe that every challenge has a solution, even though you may not know what the answer is immediately. In those cases, all you have to do is believe that you will achieve the end result. The number of doors that will open will amaze you.

4. Be grateful for all that you have. When you focus on what you have in your life, it fills you with happiness and positive thoughts. The more positive thoughts you have will attract more positive thinking, people and situations to your life.

Earlier today I received an email with the subject line, "Patricia, are you feeling the fear?" It was from a marketing expert who's talking about how some people may be feeling fearful or uneasy about the economy.

I have always believed that your actions are a direct manifestation of your thoughts. In other words, if you're thinking, "I know my store is going to have a successful holiday season," then you'll be 100% focused on making that thought a reality.

Here's a three step plan for having a positive holiday season.

1. From now on, don't allow yourself to think negatively. If a negative thought begins to enter your mind, replace it with a positive one. (Your brain is 100x more likely to remember a positive thought than a negative one.)

2. Write your goals down. This will help you to focus and bring them to fruition.

3. Dream big. It's just as easy to dream big as it is to dream small.

You have the power to determine your future! You're not at the mercy of Wall Street.

I hope you are already a positive thinker. I know I am and it's had powerful results.

Today's guest post is from Nancy Tanker, writer for Specialty Retail Report.

Make this year the year you resolve to go beyond the ordinary with your holiday displays—the year you try new approaches and take risks with unique fixtures and props that will stop your customers in their tracks.

Forget the traditional holiday reds and greens and pick a new palette this year! Check out this spinner for mini-stockings that sits atop a reindeer-footed table that virtually screams holiday cheer. The pink color scheme adds a level of delight and whimsy where traditional holiday colors would have dulled this festive presentation. (the 1 in the image below)

Visual merchandiser Steve Lippert (any-ideas@hotmail.com) sent us these photos of a few displays he recently designed for a jewelry retailer, using faux sushi, chopsticks and other props designed to highlight the unexpected—to make the customer do a double-take. (If sushi in a jewelry display doesn't qualify as unique, we don’t know what does.) (2 below)

Steve used Styrofoam, glass beads, ribbons and paint—materials available at any craft store—to create this striking look.

Along the same lines, these bracelets are displayed in rice that Steve glazed to add shine, and the fan and umbrella combine a feminine look with fanciful whimsy—just the right tone for a jewelry purchase made on impulse. (3 below)

For this display, Steve started with a plastic hollow egg and planter materials from a craft store then added paint, twigs and vines to create this just-hatched look. Talk about bringing a product to life! (4 below)

This year especially, head out to the craft store with an eye for the unsual. Stop by the home improvement store to pick out some props that will make your customers think, "What in the world is that?" and you'll be well on your way to getting their attention.

If you give your customers the unexpected, you can expect additional sales.

I was reading an interesting article in our local newspaper today about how some retailers are turning to special offers that entice customers to the store and keep them loyal when times get tough.

Dunkin Donuts is now offering 99 cent lattes on weekday afternoons from 2-5; a local apparel retailer is offering 50% off the purchase of a second pair of jeans; and Wal-Mart and KB Toys Inc. are offering a big selection of toys priced at $10.

Last week I was out shopping for invitations for my daughter's birthday. My local stationery store had posted a chalkboard to announce the store "special of the week." When I inquired about it, they told me that they just started to choose a line of the week and to offer a discount that ranges from 10% to 25%.

Why is a special offer of the week a good idea, especially in light of the current economic conditions?

1. Gives you a reason to contact your customers.
2. Gives your customers a reason to come into the store and spend money now.
3. Gives you the opportunity to sell your customers something else once they enter the store.
4. Keeps them coming back to your store instead of the competition's store now and in the future.