Plato’s Closet racks up record sales year in a challenging economy; local entrepreneur H D Kemp returns from annual conference with tools to build on brand’s momentum

H D Kemp, of Plato’s Closet of Roanoke, recently returned from the fashion resale franchisor’s  annual conference in St. Pete Beach, Fl. The Plato’s Closet brand posted its strongest sales year ever in 2011, despite ongoing economic challenges, and this year’s conference focused on offering franchisees and key team members tactics and business insights to help maintain that momentum through 2012 and beyond.

Recognizing that the continued success of the brand depends on winning new customers while retaining existing client loyalty, conference organizers created a full schedule of workshops and events designed to help store owners and employees deliver an exceptional customer experience.

“It’s invaluable to me to attend our brand’s conference each year,” said Kemp. “I see this as a once-a-year opportunity to learn from my peers and share my own experiences, questions and ideas.  I always come home with some valuable tips that I can put into practice right away to help improve every client’s visit to our store.”

Because Plato’s Closet resale stores are the “destination place” for teens and twenty-somethings looking for a way to keep their look on-trend and on-budget, the TRU Insights Program presentation was one of the key highlights at the conference.  TRU is the global leader in youth research and insights, focusing on the franchise’s key demographic. A guest speaker from TRU delivered the full “waterfront” of youth and young adult life to conference attendees, sharing research findings on the lifestyles, trends, media, products and brands that appeal to this influential group of consumers.

Plato’s Closet stores focus on always having the latest styles and hottest brands available and on display. Because clients come to Plato’s Closet to both sell and buy brand name, gently-used clothing such as Forever 21, 7 for All Mankind, Express and American Eagle, the business presents a unique challenge, according to Kemp.

“We need to satisfy our clients on two fronts, with both knowledgeable buyers and salespeople,” says Kemp. “Each year, I come home from our conference armed with ideas and tactics to help me manage my employees, my inventory and my business more efficiently and effectively. This is a win-win investment of time that benefits both me as a business owner and our customers.”

“To continue to build on our success, our stores need to be as vibrant and energetic as the young people who visit us to buy and sell the latest fashions and accessories,” said Renae Blonigen, director of Plato’s Closet. “We never forget that our customers are part of the social media generation and aren’t shy about sharing their opinions with their friends. Our conference each year is designed to give our franchisees the tools and insight they need to help ensure that our customers have only good things to say about their experience at Plato’s Closet.”

For more information about Plato’s Closet in Roanoke, please contact H D Kemp at 540-265-1144 or platosclosetroanoke@ouac.roacoxmail.com.

Submitted by Plato’s Closet.