Thrift stores often carry a stigma of only selling outdated items — but don’t let that stop you. In reality, you can often find the latest styles from your favorite designers at a second-hand store for a fraction of the price. Plus, not only does thrifting save you money, but it also helps to give old items new life, which reduces waste.

Just like when shopping at your local outlet mall, there are certain tricks to learn in order to make the most out of shopping at thrift stores. To help get you started, here are a few tips to help you shop second-hand successfully.

1. Get to Know Your Local Stores

In order to have the best experience when shopping second-hand, it is important that you become familiar with your local thrift stores. While shopping at these stores can often be hit or miss, as whether or not you find anything you like will depend on what donations the stores receive, you can ensure you have access to the best selection possible by finding out when your local stores stock new items. 

Shopping as soon as possible after a store has restocked will give you first access to the best items and the best shot at finding great deals. You should also learn when your local thrift stores have sales, as this can help you to save even more money when shopping. Many stores will have days where certain items are half-off or even a dollar. Follow each store on social media or sign up for their email list to find out about these sales in advance. 

2. Know Store Policies

Before you start shopping, you should also read up on the store policies of thrift stores in your area, as they can vary greatly from one store to the next. For instance, it is important to ask stores what their return policy is, as many thrift stores do not allow returns — or if they do, you will likely have a very slim window after purchasing an item to make returns. Knowing these return policies can save you hassle down the road, and it may influence which items you decide to purchase.  

3. Shop Out of Season

Second-hand stores offer such a wide variety of products that walking into one can feel overwhelming. It can be helpful to go into your shopping trip with a plan of what you are hoping to find. Are there currently any gaps in your wardrobe that need filling?

As you make a plan for your shopping trip, consider thinking ahead about what items you may want next season. Thrift stores often receive items at the end of each season, so you may actually have an easier time finding that winter coat you have always wanted in the summer. On the flip side, this also means that winter items may be picked over by the time November rolls around. So, do not be afraid to think ahead and look at items that you won’t need for a few months. 

4. Grab Everything That Catches Your Eye

Once you are in the store, your first order of business will be to do a sweep of the store and grab everything that catches your eye. Do not stop to inspect items more carefully or try something on, as this can be done once you have browsed their entire selection. Thrift stores usually only have one of most things, and if you wait to take something, it might be gone by the time you come back. Grab everything that you think you might like while you have the chance. Then, take the time to try things on, inspect them closer, and narrow down your options to those items you really want to buy once you are done browsing the store. 

You will need to master the art of the scan. Thrift stores can be overwhelming, and it is easy to get caught up spending time sorting through stacks of clothes only to find that you’ve spent 30 minutes in one section of the store. This is another reason why it is so important that you have a plan going in. Know what you want to purchase, as this makes it easier to narrow down your search to specific sections and styles.

5. Inspect Items Carefully

When buying clothes second-hand, it is critical that you take the time to carefully inspect everything that you are considering buying. While thrift stores generally do a good job of sorting through clothes before they shelve them, damaged or overly worn items will occasionally be overlooked. Look closely to make sure that items do not have stains, tears, holes, or any kind of damage, as you may not be able to return them even if they are defective. Additionally, be careful about thinking that you will be able to get a stain out once you get home, as there is probably a reason someone gave up on a stained article of clothing. 

Once you know how to navigate thrift stores like a pro, you will quickly learn how thrilling shopping second-hand can be, and you will discover how much money you can save by doing so. Give it a shot! And for more shopping tips, be sure to follow our blog.

The post 5 Tips for Shopping Second-Hand Like a Pro appeared first on Verblio.

What Can Retailers Expect This Holiday Season?

We’ll be the first to admit that 2020 wasn’t on our holiday wishlist. There’s no denying that it was an unusual year, to say the least. Retail vendors also felt the effects of 2020, however, the impacts of the year’s holiday shopping may be surprising. Market analysts have come full circle in examining 2020’s data and extrapolating what this very strange year means for eCommerce.

As anticipated, overall holiday shopping decreased from the usual $998 the average American spends on holiday items (gifts, decor, treats, etc.). This decline was experienced around the globe and as such cannot be attributed to a specific demographic. What may be more intriguing to eCommerce vendors, however, is the rise in online shopping. CNBC reported that “Americans spent a record online over [the] 2020 holidays, and more e-commerce gains are expected. Online shopping over the 2020 holidays in the United States grew 32.2% from 2019’s, totaling $188.2 billion, according to Adobe Analytics.”

More and more shoppers are leaving behind the crowds and stress of brick-and-mortar stores and logging on from their laptops, smartphones, and tablets instead. The convenience of online shopping was highly prioritized over the holidays and can be expected to remain the preferred choice for the majority of customers. When it comes to in-store shopping vs. online shopping for the upcoming holiday season, eCommerce is the reason for the season. 

Within this demographic, most shoppers are choosing to use their mobile devices for their holiday gift shopping. It’s the perfect way to browse while enjoying some downtime, commuting on public transit, or relaxing on the couch with a cozy movie marathon. To boost browsing to shopping cart conversion rates, it’s important to ensure your eCommerce site is mobile-friendly from product page to checkout. Shoppers expect a smooth online experience and will quickly move on if a website is not delivering a seamless buying experience. Unlike in-store sales, the online market features stiff competition, with other stores simply a click away rather than a drive to the next town. That means retail vendors need to be on their A-game when it comes to designing a user-friendly website with sleek automation and easy browsing.

 When it comes to overall post-pandemic holiday trends for retail, businesses can anticipate more good news. Holiday retail sales are likely to increase between 4% and 6% in 2022, peaking during the November to January timeframe. With November right around the corner, now is the perfect time to restock and add new inventory. Experts note, “Deloitte also forecasts e-commerce sales will grow by 12.8% to 14.3%, year-over-year, during the 2022-2023 holiday season. This will likely result in e-commerce holiday sales reaching between $260 billion and $264 billion this season.”

What Are the Hottest Product Trends This Holiday Season?

Now that we’ve checked off how customers are buying and where they’re buying from our holiday gift list, it’s time to take a closer look at what people are buying for the 2022 holiday season. 

1. Toys

It’s no surprise that toys are at the top of everyone’s holiday gift list. Unwrapping presents beneath a sparkling Christmas tree is one of our fondest holiday memories. It’s no wonder we want to make the season just as special for the little ones in our life.

Amazon has released the hottest toys of the 2022 holiday season, with cuddly Squishmallows, learning and science-based toys, Hot Wheels, Disney (Encanto), and National Geographic topping the list. Board games have also been rediscovered during the past year and are sure to be ranking well with online shoppers. Sustainable toys are also a growing industry as more and more households opt to support small businesses that offer plastic-free fun.

2. Clothing

Ugly sweaters never go out of style, and the holiday clothing market looks strong for 2022. One key item to look out for is an uptick in personalized clothing, jewelry, and accessory options. Sites like Etsy have become big competitors in holiday shopping with a myriad of custom colors, monogrammed text, and unique finds custom-tailored for each visitor. 

Leveraging product customization through easy-to-use WooCommerce plugins and product configurators in the fashion industry is a great way to see a steady ROI in the coming busy season.

3. Outdoor Recreation

Many shoppers are planning another great year of “staycation” style recreation. We can anticipate more roadtrips, more camping trips, and more outdoor activities for the whole family. Outdoor recreation equipment will be a hot commodity this holiday season as more and more families trade in plane tickets for paddleboards and tents.

4. Decor and Home Goods

Decor and home goods are expected to be strong contenders in this year’s holiday gift-giving blitz. From dorm rooms to home offices, many shoppers ate looking to purchase useful, practical, yet aesthetic items for their loved ones. The latter trend — home office decor — is a growing market for eCommerce and a positive takeaway from 2020. 

Be sure to capitalize on this trend while it’s hot by restocking on lamps, desks, wall art, tech accessories, and more!

5.) Christmas Cookies Gone Virtual

Baked goods are everyone’s favorite item to give and receive. The time-honored tradition of sending tasty treats is still expected to be strong in 2022. Online stores have the advantage here when it comes to shippable food items, delivery services, and a wide array of product options for discerning foodies.

Candy, cookies, and savory snacks are sure to be tasty additions to the best gifts of 2022.

Looking for more tips on tailoring your eCommerce business strategy? Reach out to our experts for a very merry holiday season!

The post Tis the Season for a Retail Trend Watch appeared first on Verblio.

Here we’ll cover the best cat foods you can buy in 2023. We’ve included 12 wet and dry foods, and we’ve based our decisions on:

• Professional formulas
• Consumer reviews
• Availability
• And price 

That last item matters a lot, because we all need to draw the line somewhere at cat food costs. So enjoy this list of the best cat foods available in 2023.

1. Royal Canin Brand

Royal Canin is the leader — by far — in our list of best cat foods. The Royal Canin feeds include vet-approved formulas for every imaginable breed and health situation. Most common kibble formulas — like standard Kitten, Adult, and Senior — are available at online retailers like Chewy and Amazon, as well as veterinary offices and local feed stores.

Specialty formulas (like urinary crystal prevention) must be ordered online or through your vet.

• The price per bag ranges from $25 to $75 depending on the formula, which makes these feeds more expensive than any grocery store brand, but still far less than other prestigious brands. 
• Canned feeds range from around $1.25 to $2.00 per can, depending on the formula. Again, high for cat food, but far from the most expensive.
• Consumer reviews agree these feeds are all palatable and picky-eater-approved.

We love Royal Canin because it offers specially formulated and sized feeds for rare and elite hybrid cat breeds. Cat parents can find wet and dry meals for every breed or condition. Royal Canin has the food your kitty will eat if you have a Maine Coone with dental problems or a Bengal with urinary crystals. However, most Royal Canin feeds are NOT grain-free, and that’s a deal-breaker for some cat parents.

2. Hills “Science Diet” Cat Foods

Another well-respected vet-formulated food is Hills Science Diet products. Science Diet boasts terrific reviews online, and it’s a go-to brand for most vets. The “Kitten” and “Adult” feeds are a bit cheaper than other elite cat food, but the “Prescription” formulas are priced a bit higher. 

Hills formulas are available at online retailers like Chewy, and they are a standard offering at most vet offices. You won’t often see them in grocery stores or local feed stores. 

3. Fancy Feast Canned Wet Foods

Fancy Feast is a reliable standard. This Purina Mills product is considered a top-shelf grocery store feed available everywhere, from dollar stores to gas stations. The ingredients are correct, and consumer reviews are mainly positive. Even the choosiest kitties seem to love it. It’s not the most prestigious food on the market, but it does a great job hydrating our feline friends.

Fancy Feast canned cat foods get bonus points for being affordable. Simply put: it’s cheap, everywhere, and your cat WILL eat it!

4. Purina Pro-Plan Veterinary Diets

Designed to compete with Royal Canin and Hills Science Diet, this Purina product is also vet-approved. It’s a bit cheaper than Science Diet, and some formulas are considerably less expensive than Royal Canin. However, consumer reviews suggest that kitties who favor Royal Canin will be reluctant to make the switch.

These formulas are trusted, and diabetic feeds, in particular, have great consumer reviews. Getting your hands on this specific strain of Purina products can be challenging, but they’re almost always available at Chewy.

5. Blue Buffalo “Carnivora” Wet and Dry Cat Foods

Carnivora blend cat foods provide superior grain-free nutrition that cats LOVE. Do the math, though, and you’ll find they’re far more expensive than Royal Canin. They’re easy to find. Chewy and Amazon carry them, as will many locally-owned feed stores. We’ve even seen them on the shelves at high-end grocery stores and niche pet boutiques. 

6. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Indoor Dry Cat Food

Another grain-free choice, specially formulated for indoor cats. Wilderness is on the expensive side of cat food, but boasts excellent reviews. There was a time when this niche feed was hard to get, but today it’s available everywhere — pet stores, feed stores, online retailers, and even your neighborhood grocery store. 

7. Perfect Portions

Sheba is a well-known brand of cat food, and it’s always a reliable product. It fits the middle of our list perfectly because of its average price and medium availability. You might find this standard cat food available at your local grocery store, or you might not. It’s always available online at Chewy and Amazon. 

Customer reviews reflect some issues with the packaging, however:

• If ordered online, the packaging is sometimes dented or damaged.
• It’s hard to open the plastic containers without spilling strongly scented juices. 

The portion size seems suitable for most standard house cat breeds, like Domestic Short Hairs. Larger breeds — your massive Highland Lynx or tall Savannah-type cats — will find these portions only perfect for a snack.

8. American Journey Grain-Free Cat Food by Chewy.com 

American Journey tells a patriotic story. This Chewy-only brand of cat food is made entirely of US harvested ingredients, milled, processed and canned in the US! On top of that, it’s incredibly affordable.

Customer reviews are mostly positive, though some picky kitties won’t eat it. The only challenges are that you will only be able to get this feed from Chewy. So if you ever have a customer service disagreement with them or choose to boycott the company for some reason, you’ll be switching foods. 

9. Purina Mills Purina ONE

Purina ONE is a reliable standby that’s available anywhere. Grocery stores, drug stores, pet stores, and online retailers like Amazon and Chewy will have this quality food ready for purchase. It’s very affordable and boasts solid reviews from cat owners.

If you’re looking for a high-gloss coat for your show cat, comprehensive nutrition for a nursing queen, or grain-free formula, this isn’t your best choice. 

10. Taste of the Wild Rocky Mountain Grain-Free Cat Food

Taste of the Wild is available online and at most pet stores and animal feed stores, and online at Chewy. This grain-free formula is affordable as premium cat foods go, but it’s more expensive than most grain-free varieties.

Customer reviews for this cat food are usually good, but sometimes mixed. Picky cats seem not to care for it, which can be a deal-breaker for the price. That’s why this popular cat food is only ten on our list. 

11. AvoDerm Grain-Free Tuna with Lobster & Crab Meat

AvoDerm cat foods are terrific for long-haired breeds and any short hair breed that might suffer from dandruff. Online reviews are outstanding, but this specialty formula does come at a cost. Expect to pay at least $20 for a five-pound bag, making them more expensive than Royal Canin and Hills Science Diet.

AvoDerm can be challenging to find since the supply chain struggles of 2020. Shop for it online at Chewy.com, or in person at luxury pet stores. 

12. AvoDerm Natural Chicken & Herring Dry Cat Food

This formula is NOT grain-free. It’s more affordable than the grain-free version, but just as challenging to come by. Online reviews are pretty good, and many cat-owners believe this food makes a big difference to overall health and coat condition. It can be difficult to find, and some reviewers have struggled to buy this food since the 2020 pandemic. 

Did We Miss Your Favorite Brand?

Now you’re armed with the knowledge to choose the best cat food for your feline, based on price, availability, ingredients, and more. Did we miss out on your favorite brand? Tell us in the comment below. We’d love to share that information with others.

The post The Best Cat Foods of 2023 appeared first on Verblio.

Well, we can help! Our home decor company stays on top of the trends, so we can offer you the latest, freshest looks coupled with our high-quality products.

Pair Pastels with Texture

According to House Beautiful, “Ice-cream pastels, glittery golds, indigo blues, and super zingy color pops…”  are the fun colors in style this year. As the summer heats up, we’re craving ice cream-inspired colors for our home decor. You can couple these fresh colors with layers of textures and enjoy your new vibrant yet cozy room.

Our latest line offers throw pillows and cuddly wraps in a range of yummy pastels and rich textures. Chenille, corduroy, velvet, silk, organza, damask, microfiber suede, faux fur, crinkled linen, quilted cotton… We offer a full range of luscious, textured pillows and throws that provide layers of interesting and inviting coziness.

Don’t Forget the Accessories

Accessorize your room with our lamp shades featuring on-trend textured trims like feathers, tassels, and beaded fringe. We also offer woven wool rugs with sumptuous fringe that just beg you to recline on them. Shimmery iridescence is also trending this year. According to Jemma Dayman, buyer for Carpetright:

“‘The trend for iridescence continues this spring and it’s proving to be an adaptable decorating style. The combination of blush, grey and lilac tones with metallic and shimmering finishes offers a modern feel with the perfect balance between sophistication and vibrancy.”

Indulge in an old (yet new) favorite accessory by creating a custom macrame or woven wall hanging. If you’re not feeling crafty, we offer handmade Fair Trade Certified wall hangings custom-made for us. They’ll give you that trendy “handmade” look without all the effort. You can also feel good about your purchase knowing that it’s supporting important social and environmental changes.

Do a Little or a Lot

The nice thing about this trend is that it allows you to follow it just as far as you feel comfortable. You can go for a whole-room makeover by painting your walls mint green and buying new furniture and accessories to coordinate. If you’re not ready to go quite that far, paint one accent wall and buy our textured slipcovers for your couch and chairs. Still too much of a change for you? Start out by replacing just your throw pillows. We offer a wide range of stylish and durable throw pillows that will add a fun and playful new look to your living room.

The layered look is perfect for those of you who aren’t quite ready to make the leap to a whole new look. You can add new layers and more colors whenever you want. Because ice cream colors mix and match so well, you won’t need to worry about staying in one particular color family. If you find an accessory that you love—add it!

We Can Help You Get the Look You Want

We work hard to make sure our products are comfortable, stylish, well-coordinated, and of the highest quality. When you choose accessories from us, you’ll have the assurance of knowing that you’re investing in a look that you’ll love—and love showing off to those who doubted you had a sense of style.

Contact us for more information and to request our full-color catalog.

The post Updating Your Living Space for a Fresh, Fun Look appeared first on Verblio.

Swimsuits

Minimalism seems to be the primary trend. Whether in a bikini or one-piece suit, solid colors or micro-graphics are dominating the sand.

If you have your beach tan already, white creates a stunning look, but black carries its dominance in women’s fashion to the beach and poolside through the years. Though black and white rule, bold solid colors also find their seat on the beach towels.

Mismatched styles also catch the eye as you’re strolling along the boardwalk (and isn’t catching eyes half the fun of going to the beach?) Pairing stripes and polka dots could be considered a mild form of shaking things up, but a bold mixing of colors will really attract that attention. Keep the black bikini top, but mismatch it with a fuchsia or neon orange bottom and watch heads turn.

If you’re not into minimalism or mismatching, you’re more likely to want to join the floral trend that has followed from the spring runway into the summer beach must-have. Floral swimwear also gives you the opportunity to break out some of your most colorful accessories.

Accessories

Maybe we don’t always think about the kinds of accessories we need to wear to the beach, but they certainly can help if you’re out to attract the extra looks.

The minimalist look would naturally seem to combine nicely with small, dainty jewelry, but you also could set off the look with a giant, chunky necklace or wide leather bracelet with metal studs.

The retro and bohemian looks also are showing a strong influence over accessory trends for summer 2018. A pair of cat-eye sunglasses will take you right back to those happy, easy days of the 1950s. Or maybe you’d be happier going back not quite so far as to pick up the hippie look of the early 1970s with a headband and wire-rimmed sunglasses.

Cover-Ups

A necessary accessory for any beach vacation is the cover-up, a piece that almost defies trends. You can define your individuality with your choice of beach or swimming pool cover-up.

Some ladies will prefer the simplicity of a maxi dress they can slip over their swimwear and slip right into the restaurant or bar for evening relaxation.

Sheer is also a constant companion in the cover-up game, whether it be a sheer white tunic, colorful wrap or printed cami. A loose-weave cardigan gives you a weightier option.

A cover-up with long sleeves is also becoming more the norm as we learn the importance of sun protection and now even more as we learn our sunscreens may be harming the environment. (Hawaii just passed legislation that in three years will ban sunscreens with certain ingredients that are thought to be harmful to coral reefs.) The other great advantage of a long-sleeve cover-up is it provides a little warmth when you head into that air-conditioned restaurant or bar later in the day.

One final great feature about your favorite cover-up is that you don’t have to leave it behind at the beach. While you might not consider wearing your bikini out for a night on the town, your cover-up can pair with your street clothes to remind you of those relaxing times you had on your beach vacation.

Even if your apartment complex or municipal swimming pool is as close as you’re going to get to a beach vacation this year, the Beach Boutique offers an array of swimwear and accessories to put you in the beach frame of mind.

The post Beach Fashion Trends For 2018 appeared first on Verblio.