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Dear Old Dad Just because you don't carry "guy stuff" doesn't mean you can't make money on this holiday! Newspaper item: Anticipated PER PERSON spending on Father's Day up 58% to almost $100! You just gonna let them go to the mall and blow their budgets there? I do hope you're not planning on that $$ being spent somewhere besides in YOUR shop! We all know how HARD it is to find something for dear old Dad, Grandpa, son, son-in-law, etc. . . . so help your customers and yourself, and set up a gift area. Suggestion: Add a line to your consignor receipt (or create quarter-page handouts for your consignors) and to your HotLine phone message suggesting that they bring in the type of items we mention below. Don't forget the signage, at the display, in your foyer, in the dressing rooms to remind shoppers that it's coming and you have some ideas. Your shoppers will not come in seeking Father's Day gifts, perhaps, but once they're there, let them know you have them. Ideas for items if you're a womenswear shop: * Jewelry: Got any heavy gold chains? Heavy enough to look masculine and long enough to encompass a male neck or wrist? Tieclips, tacks, cufflinks? Masculine-looking pendants? Money clips? Keychains? * Accessories: Tote bags, briefcases, billfolds? Backpacks? Suspenders? Ball caps? Male-ish jewelry boxes? Sunglasses? Readers? * Clothing: How about those unisex T's, sweatshirts, and sweaters from Gap, Abercrombie + Fitch, and so on? Check jeans closely, I'll bet some are actually the male versions. . . ditto on "gym" shorts, Hawaiian and bowling shirts, jean jackets... and check your belts as well. * If you also carry a selection of household decorative items, check the list below. * For shopkeepers (and clientele!) with a sense of humor: Include, in your Father's Day Gifts area/ table/ swing shop: a couple of the sexiest pieces of lingerie from your womens' area. Who says Mom might not want to gift him with a black lace bustier and matching feather boa? Childrenswear shops: * Equipment for the kiddos, from a bike stroller to a play fort, balls to pool toys, sailboats to kites, anything that Dads could play with their kids with. * Equipment for the nuturing father: diaper bags that aren't so cutesy he wouldn't carry them, warm-up-the-bottle gear, nightlights so he doesn't stub his toes getting up for the 2AM feeding. * Classic board games, books, videos, that Dad might remember from his youth and be looking forward to introducing his kids to. * "Emergency kit": Make up a sample, then help your customer select her own pieces: an extra outfit for the kids when Dad has them and they get ice cream all over themselves, a warm jacket or sweater, a book or toy to keep the little ones busy, all in a canvas tote that he can leave in his car. Throw in, as a gift from your shop, a packet of wet wipes. (Remember to put your shop sticker on it!) Great gift for divorced dads with visitation rights. Household shops: * No problem here, in fact, set up several areas for the Chef (barbeque stuff, apron and mitts, obscure kitchen gear that only a gearhead would love), the Sportsman (themed decor, actual equipment, books on sports, binoculars), the Hobbyist (craft tools, organizer boxes/ shelves/ files), the Collector (glass insulators, tintypes, statuettes of men in occupations or sports) and so on. * Don't forget his den or office: duck decoys, outdoor prints, sports-themed stuff. Masculine-looking boxes for on top of his dresser, desk accessories, etc. Suggest a commuter cup or masculine mug which your customer can fill with teas, coffees, chocolates. * The Host: martini pitchers and glasses (margarita pitchers and chip-and-dip bowls?), coasters with a rugged theme of schooners or great disasters or wilderness scenes, giant salad bowls and tongs.   The keys to success here: * Letting your customers know you have these possibilities (bag-stuffers, reminder signs in the dressing rooms, banner or window sign, foyer poster, in addition to talking it up!) * Grouping them together in your swing shop area. Make this area look much more masculine than your shop, probably, normally looks, with props borrowed from your neighboring antique shop, an area rug from home, a vertical accent like a big vase of dried grasses or bamboo. Wrap empty boxes in Father's Day gift paper and use as risers. Make sure your signage in this area is motivating: "After all Dad does for you..." "What your husband likes best about you: you're THRIFTY!" "Save time, find Dad a present here. Save money, spend it on Mom." * Keeping this area fresh, neat, and full. Downsize it as you sell out, if need be. * Don't forget YOUR father, if you're lucky enough to still have him. Chances are, he is the one who gave you the confidence to be an entrepreneur!