Over the last several months we have been focused on providing different methods of bringing your finished alpaca goods to market. Many have implemented and found success in bringing goods and animals to local farmer's markets, setting up consignment deals with gift shops and general stores, traveling to local festivals as a vendor, or just setting up a miniature farm stand in their barn and advertising in the local paper.

As more and more of you are actively seeking out new venues to bring your goods to market, we felt it was important to share some of the lessons learned over the last few months by many of our customers.

Open Retail Space- Possible customers should know once they walk into your booth or farm stand where they can find help from staff and where they need to go to check out.

All Products are Easily Accessible- When setting up, keep in mind it is important to have all items in easy reach for the majority of your customers. One of the biggest selling points of alpaca products is people getting their hands on it. There shouldn't be a need for people to bend over, stoop, or get on their tip toes to touch and experience the products.

Have Shopping Bags / Packaging Available- People like to browse entire stores and are more apt to pick something up along the way if they do not feel burdened by carrying it around your farm store. Many will have Alpaca totes near the entrance for customers to browse with. Once they checkout, package their order in a recycled box or shopping bag.

Multi-Level Stands- Many Farm stand owners have said vertical stands make very attractive displays and save a ton on space. Gloves, Socks, Yarn, and Scarves can all be displayed effectively using this type of stand. Avoid large loose piles of products as it gives the impression of carelessness.

Product Abundance- Studies show that giving the customer the feeling of abundance is very important while displaying products for sale. Many use large wicker baskets and pack them with same style gloves or socks. If you cannot carry a large inventory, placing a small box or false bottom into a basket first and then packing products around it will keep it looking full. This will help people feel they aren’t getting the leftovers that other customers have picked through.

Lighting- Using natural light or soft accent lighting like halogen or LCD's is very important when showcasing your products. You want to maintain the warm and cozy feeling of your retail presence without under illuminating your products.

Have a retail experience you would like to share? We would love to hear about it and share it with the rest of our community.

While scanning AlpacaNation we stumbled across a great article by Ben Fisco about preparing the barnyards and pastures for the upcoming winter months. Here is 11 tips from the article.

11 Tips for Preperation for the upcoming Winter weather.

1. Breed for spring and autumn births.

2. Use layered, thick, dry bedding in sheds and barn.

3. Bring alpacas inside in extreme cold and when they are wet dry them off before sending them back to the pasture.

4. Use a flame and fan-free heating system when heat is used.

5. Avoid drafts.

6. Provide good drainage.

7. Provide good ventilation and air circulation in all barns year round.

8. Clear pastures of snow in areas large enough to provide exercise.

9. For cria hypothermia, place cria in a plastic water-tight bag in warm water up to, but not including, the head.

10. Make sure water is unfrozen and drinkable, heated water buckets can help.

11. Use cria coats and coats for adults when you see them shiver. Use common sense. To read the complete article on Alpaca Nation, visit Harsh Winters