Monday, March 18, 2013

New direction for SG!

We're moving back to our old building. But don't be disappointed. We're also staying in our new building. Scrapbook Generation will be a Springfield, Missouri store for as long as scrapbookers love to shop with us.

However, we are expanding in a new way. In late summer or early fall, Scrapbook Generation is "going big" with our online store. We've leased our old building next door and we'll soon have a 3,000-square-foot warehouse dedicated entirely to filling and shipping online orders.

Our goal? To eventually be one of the top online one-stop-shopping destinations for scrapbookers and cardmakers, providing our online customers with the same great products and personal service that we offer our local customers.

How we plan to reach that goal:
User appeal -- we'll unveil a new online storefront with nicely-sized images, helpful product descriptions, search capabilities, easy navigation from products to cart, secure checkout including a Paypal option, and mobile device-friendly browsing;
Paper collections -- we'll carry both collection packs and individual papers, plus all the embellishments that match the collection;
Shipping -- we'll have reasonable and competitive rates for both U.S. and international customers, plus free shipping in some instances;
Loyalty program -- we'll have an incentive program that will earn you rewards each time you shop;
Customer service -- we'll provide fast order processing and individualized attention;
Bonus -- from time to time, we'll have great sales and special promotions.

Brands we plan to carry in our online store:
• 7 Gypsies
• American Crafts
• Authentique
• BasicGrey
• Bazzill
• Bella Blvd
• Best Creation
• BoBunny
• Canvas Corp.
• Carta Bella
• Chic Tags
• Clearsnap
• Coredinations
• Cosmo Cricket
• Crafters Workshop
• Crafty Secrets
• Crate Paper
• Doodlebug
• Echo Park Paper
• EK Success
• Elle's Studio
• Eyelet Outlet
• Fancy Pants
• Farm House Paper Company
• Fiskars
• GCD Studios
• Glitz Design
• Graphic 45
• Hero Arts
• Hot Off the Press
• Imaginisce
• Inkadinkado
• Jenni Bowlin Studio
• Jillibean Soup
• Jolees
• K & Company
• KaiserCraft
• Karen Foster
• Lily Bee Design
• Little Yellow Bicycle
• Martha Stewart
• Maya Road
• Me & My Big Ideas
• Melissa Frances
• Moxxie
• My Little Shoebox
• My Mind's Eye
• October Afternoon
• Paper House
• Paper Loft
• Pebbles
• Petaloo
• Pink Paislee
• Prima
• Queen & Co.
• Ranger
• Reminisce
• Ruby Rock-It
• SEI
• Simple Stories
• Splash of Color 
• StencilGirl
• Studio Calico
• SugarTree
• Tattered Angels
• Technique Tuesday
• Teresa Collins
• Tim Holtz
• Tombow
• We R Memory Keepers
• Websters Pages

Products we plan to offer in addition to paper collections:
• cardstock
• adhesives
• pens and markers
• inks
• templates/stencils/masks
• cutting tools
• other tools
• alpha stickers
• bling
• flowers
• brads and eyelets
• washi tape
• twines and trims

Over the next four or five months, we'll be doing whatever needs to be done to turn the empty building into an efficient warehouse. Plans are to have it operational in time for all the new releases from summer CHA, which by the way, has been renamed Create-N-Connect. We'll be heading to Vegas in July to order part of our new online inventory!

We've already talked with some of the biggest vendors, and we're negotiating priority shipping so that the Scrapbook Generation online store (and our Springfield store) will be among the first in the country to receive new products.

We'll also be completely re-doing our online store itself. Stacey has gone as far as she can go with the company we're currently with. We're going to have a new store "built" for speed, security, and easy navigation. Like the warehouse, we're aiming to have the new online store operational in time for the summer releases, which should start arriving in late July, August, and September.

Like everything we've attempted, we're approaching this new venture with lots of planning, and we're taking it slow. That's worked for us always. Our current online store has taught us a great deal about what it takes to be successful in that arena. So don't expect us to have every item from every company from day one. It will take some time to build up the inventory. But once we do, look out! We'll be ready to run with the big dogs!

38 comments:

janet said...

Oh my goodness! I am super excited for you all. Now, that is SOME news. I have been looking and looking for a one-stop shop, and 'knowing' you all as I do, this may be a match made in heaven.

The best part of your store is that you ARE scrapbookers. You know the product, you interact with other scrappers and of course you already offer AMAZING classes and one-of-a-kind Sketch books.

I don't anyone could be happier about this news as me. I wish you all the very best of success with this venture. You deserve it!

Warm smiles
Janet
'cherrpicker'

Liz said...

As a Canadian customer who loves the product/kits you already provide - this is excellent news. I live in a large city which for some unknown reason cannot manage to keep a scrapbooking store for longer than a few months, so online shopping is all we have - so happy you will be opening up all your products online! Good luck with all the set up required.

Anonymous said...

Wow, I already loved you guys but this is AWESOME news...so glad I can support you all more from a long distance by adding in actually getting to shop with you all! You truly are the best! I wish you the best! Hope your mini vacations helped you rest up sounds like you have some busy days ahead of you!
Connie O

ZoezMom said...

Fantastic news, SG! So excited for all of you!

crimsoncat05 said...

this is such exciting news for you all, and for us scrapbookers!! I'll be waiting to see it in action, that's for sure!

Angela L. said...

BEST news ever!!! I have been waiting for this type of news from Scrapbook Generations because time after time, I have longingly glared at the photos of the vast assortment of products that your store carries. While I know that I could have called anytime to have something added onto my kit, it's just so difficult when wanting to know exactly what I can get and how much it would cost me.... Your "online" store will be my "first stop shopping place"!!!!

Scrapthat said...

It's funny you would say this because about 3 times in the last month I have thought that you SHOULD have an online store! I had thought that you did and when I realized you didn't I thought...why don't they? THEY SHOULD! :D
Best of luck in this and all future endevours! :D

Stacey said...

This is such happy & exciting news! I already told Stacey in regards to PL that I'd like to purchase product from you whenever I can. SO happy this is going to be an option for so many of my favourite brands!

Lynette Jacobs said...

YAY...that is the best news ever. I will support you all the way from South Africa.

Janet's Joy said...

I am very excited about this!! Yay!!!

Gloria said...

To hear that my favorite Scrapping Shop is going to be BIG TIME available online makes this Monday a Rainbow Day!! I have grieved over & over that my trips to Springfield have basically ended. Now the grieving has ended, and I am rejoicing to have access to all things delightful - except the face-to-face conversations with Debbie & Karin. Of all the changes/surprises you could give us, this one is the absolute BEST!! Thank you!

Anna C said...

Wonderful news! Good luck!

Kim M said...

I am beyond excited. I live in another state and when I have seen you post pics fromt the store with all your new product, I have always wished that you would have all that available to order online. For me, it is a dream come true. All the great products I love from a source that I have come to know and trust. Can't wait to place my first order!!

Kim E said...

This is extremely exciting news!! I've been hoping you would expand the online store since I found you girls over a year ago. I will for sure make this my go to spot first!

Love your amazing kits & clubs and I'm super happy for this new direction. Wishing you all the best in this new venture, can't wait!!

Kathy Bechtel said...

So happy to hear the news! As an out-of-town customer who just never can get down there often enough, I am excited about being able to shop from home. Now if you could just figure out how to have those classes online too!

Nanabells said...

That's exciting, and since you are just starting, I would like to make a suggestion. I still like to mat my photos and/or use a solid cardstock sometimes. I would love it if you could somehow link the appropriate solid colors to the collections so that I could choose the right shade of blue. Maybe this is not always possible, but I have seen a similar option on some site. I have an Archivers here, and I really love to go and look at the paper in person, but sometimes it's just easier to shop on line :-) I know it's going to be an awesome store!!

Amy Roller said...

Sounds like a big task, but a great one!..let me know if you need another helper. : ) happy for you and that you continue to grow in so many ways!
Amy Roller

Anonymous said...

I can't wait! The scrapping community needs a one-stop-shop like this. YEEEHHHAAAAA!!!!!

Kelly

AJCs mom said...

Since you're not coming to MS I guess this is the next thing. I can't wait!

Scrappinwendi said...

Thank you SO SO SO Much!! You just made this scrapbooker very happy!

Stacy said...

This is great news. I love SG and will love being able to have a one stop shop! Can't wait! Good luck with this new adventure.

M Salazar said...

So thrilled as all I usually do is online shop. Would love to shop and support a great store with wonderful people! Looking forward to it!

Anonymous said...

So happy to hear this great news! I am already one of your online shoppers...so the expansion sounds wonderful!

Kim E said...

I am absolutely thrilled, this is fantastic news!! Can't wait!

TinaGAle said...

How exciting! I'm sure it will be as successful as SG. You ladies are the best! I'm excited as a long distance customer.

Debra Lovell said...

O M G!! This is great news....You guys rock! Best Wishes... :)

Robin Kay T said...

Truly if anyone can accomplish this mighty task, it is you all! Everything you've done, since I've been buying product from you, has been professional and fun. I love the fact that you want to take care of your long-distance customers as much as your in-store customers. And we love you for it!
So thanks for the happy news!
Love from California

Beth said...

How exciting!!!!
That brings smiles to my face!!!
Congrats and good luck:)

Beth said...

That is awesome...so exciting and great news!
Congrats and good luck!

Amy Day Creates said...

Very excited!!!! I love you all!!!

ouspeedster said...

I am soo thrilled! Since my move from Springfield and having you so close to Alabama where I have learned a new appreciation for on line shopping, I know where my Go-to-shopping stop will always be- SG! I can hardly wait. By the way see you in April!!!

Katrina Hunt said...

You know I love this!! So happy for you all and let me know if you need help!!! Hugs, Katrina

Scrapbook Generation said...

Thanks to each one of you for your comments about our new venture. We're just overwhelmed at the enthusiasm! Now it's time to get to work to make it all happen. -- Debbie

Tammy Tutterow said...

So excited for you! And how exciting for the global scrap community that they can experience how amazing Scrapbook Generation is!

antonia said...

Yea, will you be shipping at reasonable rates to Australia?

Christel said...

oh my this is exciting and wonderful news! I look forward to being able to shop on your new online store. I've always wished I could shop at Scrapbook Generation so this is the next best thing! *happy dance*

Anonymous said...

Can I suggest a "make this layout" button for featured layouts? In other words, one click shopping to order all the paper and embellishments for a particular layout. That way mobile users don't have to wait for multiple pages and images to load to complete an order. :)

I am looking for a great online company that has kind customer service and great variety, with shipping that doesn't break the bank. Looking forward to seeing what wonderful things you can do!! :)

Linda Eckels said...

Congratulations to you all! This will be a great move (and a lot of work, I know). I am so happy to be able to shop at the store any time I want to and this will be a great addition to an already great company!

 
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