Another Idea: Goodie Bags!
It seems like every party, nowadays, has to have favors or goodie bags. Not just for children's birthday parties anymore, they're given to wedding guests, anniversary participants, and now: your shop!
How about a goodie bag for Hallowe'en time? Whether you deal in kidstuff or clothing or home items, hand out little baggies of treats for a few days around the holiday. What could you have in it? A few individually wrapped candies, of course, maybe a plastic spider ring or other small (safe, if you're giving these to children as well as adults!) toy, and a business-card sized admission ticket to your 8AM Thanksgiving Friday special event.
Make up goodie bags to have on hand for special occasions: You find out it's her birthday, or that he got the new job he was hoping for. Little Timmy shows you his first loose tooth... anytime you want to say more than "Congratulations." A bit of jewelry, a mini-toy, and your business card, stamped on the back with Best wishes! Redeem this for 20% off any one item, anytime. Or maybe you're having a promotional event, a fashion show, or a season debut: Make up goodie bags for the first 50 attendees.
Reward special customers: If you have a bridal department, a goodie bag of a tiny perfume sample, a "bride" pin, and a coupon for a free garter and bridal purse with purchase of a wedding gown will thank brides-to-be for trying on a dress or two. If someone buys a dining room set, they get a goodie bag with a scented candle, a packet of colorful paper cocktail napkins, and an invitation to the cooking demonstration next month.
Goodie bags are fun, too, for consignors. A sample of a cleaning product, a stain-removal brochure such as our Out Out Darned Spot layout, a tiny sewing kit and a mint or two... and of course your business card. Limit these to the first several weeks after you've mailed out your "bring in the new season" postcards as an incentive to get in early.

Kate discusses Why this is "out of the box" thinking: When was the last time someone gave you a little, pretty gift just because? Think your recipient will mention it to her friends, co-workers, and family? You betcha! For just pennies, you can surprise and delight your customers. THAT will never happen at the mall! For more ideas for promotional events there's109 Promotional Ideas Especially for Resale available from TGtbT. 

Staffers Leery of Store Computer get FREE lessons on how to use it...and the one sitting dusty at home
Christine, one of our participants at Sharing, responded to a question about training older staff who are computer-phobic:
I've gone through similar trials with "never-touched a computer" women. First thing I told them was that there is very little chance that they will "break" something or "blow up" the store. Secondly, almost all "oops" can be fixed and lastly, their job will be so much easier that they will have more fun.

I went to the local Senior Center and talked with the woman who teaches computer skills to their members. For a $100 shopping credit, she worked with each woman (there were 2) for 2 hours individually on computer basics and then spent three hours with them as they worked. I spent an hour with her in advance showing her the basics of our system. Best money I ever spent!

These women were so excited that they joined the Senior Center, take advanced computer classes and love it so much they beam. They bought computers for their homes and E-Mail like crazy. One wants to learn E-Bay so I've given her a few of my odder items laying around to work with. She gets 25% of what they sell for...we shall see!

Kate discusses Why this is "out of the box" thinking: Whenever you can turn "training" into a job perk, it's win-win! YOU get staffers who are better assets to your business, they get fun and education. Other ideas: sending salespeople to fashion shows and trade shows, bringing staffers with you to NARTS meetings and seminars, "treating" a pricer to a day at the mall on your payroll...as long as useful notes on pricing and styles shown comes back! For more info on dealing with staff, there's Staffing your Store: Tips to Do it Well available from TGtbT. 

Direct motivation means leaving some spending money!

Cathy of Smarty Pants in Indiana, shared this terrific idea on Sharing, Feb. 2006:

I had business cards printed with: "See what $5.00 can get you at SMARTY PANTS" and then it has our location and store hours. 

I leave this card with $5.00 tips every time I go out for lunch etc. Accountant said I can write off the tips as advertising. 

I'm posting this today because yesterday after I left a card and $5 for a tip (on a $4.00 tab), in the afternoon, the waitress and three girls she worked with came in and shopped spending about $100 total. It happens like that quite often. Waitresses have cash money after working, they also need black pants and white shirts or whatever for uniforms...who wants to buy that stuff new at full price?

Plus, waitresses get to talk to lots of people and leaving a big tip creates good will toward my store. 

The store hours are on the back of the card, and I ordered them from www.overnightprints.com. Using your advice for creating excitement at my store has proven itself over and over, Kate,  thank you so much.

Kate discusses Why this is "out of the box" thinking: Business cards have many uses. This card doesn't give a discount... but Cathy provides the incentive with her tip! Notice that her card doesn't have the mailing address or phone... it's designed specifically to get local folks in to her shop, and talking about it!