Fill-a-Bag events have become Children’s Orchard’s the most popular promotion.  For only $5.00, customers get to stuff and pack as much clearance clothing as they can into a Children’s Orchard bag.   It’s absolutely amazing to watch how many pieces our loyal customers can pack into a single bag.

If you haven’t been to a Children’s Orchard Fill-a-Bag event then you’ve got to get there on June 7th!

Don’t miss it!

Thousands of seedlings were given away to customers.  There were coloring contests and a great time had by all!

Our Children’s Orchard franchise owners received tons of compliments from customers who were happy that Children’s Orchard was celebrating Earth Day.  They appreciated the good the Children’s Orchard franchise system does for the planet by recycling millions of pieces of children’s clothing.

Since 1980, Children’s Orchard has sold or donated an estimated 100 million pieces of children’s clothing.  Recently, Children’s Orhard rolled out a series of new print ads that focus on leaving our kids a “Gently Used Planet”.

Nearly 80 Children’s Orchard locations across the country buy and sell gently-used, children’s name brand, designer clothing and accessories at deeply discounted prices. Recognizing a national retail trend in the booming $200 billion children’s market, Children’s Orchard’s ‘upscale resale’ boutiques are a favorite alternative for parents and families who are feeling the economic squeeze.

“Parents get really excited about paying 40-80 percent less for their children’s clothing and toys, no matter what income bracket they belong to,” said Taylor Bond, CEO of Children’s Orchard and a veteran of both the retail and franchise industries. “Our franchise system anticipates unprecedented growth as parents opt to save money and keep their kids in-style by shopping at Children’s Orchard.”

At a traditional retail store, customers would expect to pay $50 or more for a Gymboree dress; the same dress would cost around $7 at Children’s Orchard. Similarly, GAPKIDS, Abercrombie, Tommy Hilfiger Kids separates that cost upwards of $70 at most stores would be closer to $12-$15 at Children’s Orchard.

In addition to selling high-end items at low-end prices, Children’s Orchard buys clothes, toys, and other items, paying cash or store credit for gently-used brand name products for children - a favorite feature for parents seeking to earn money and live more environmentally conscious lives.  

“For nearly 30 years, Children’s Orchard has been a fundamentally, earth-friendly business,” said Bond. “Since 1980, Children’s Orchard has sold and donated more than 100 million kids items.  More and more consumers are realizing that bringing their children’s used clothing to Children’s Orchard is an effective way to reduce the amount of textile waste that adds tons to already-bulging landfills. If certain items brought to our stores do not meet our quality standards, we simply donate them to local charitable organizations.”

About Children’s Orchard
Founded in 1980, Children’s Orchard is the nation’s first franchise of gently used and new name-brand children’s items. With nearly 80 franchise locations, each Children’s Orchard location buys and sells quality used and new children’s brand name clothing, toys and accessories in an upscale retail environment.  Children’s Orchard stores are designed to emphasize quality, value, comfort and commitment to the local community.  For more information, please visit the website at www.childrensorchard.com/ or call (800) 999-KIDS.

The Ann Arbor, Michigan Children’s Orchard store was swamped last week with tons of moms who were cleaning out their closets.  There’s no better proof of spring than crowds of moms showing up at Children’s Orchard with plenty of quality, gently used clothing, toys, and accessories to sell. 

Our Children’s Orchard stores are packed with incredible deals.  With the economy slowing down and families looking to save every way they can, Children’s Orchard is the place to go!  With quality, gently used named brand clothing, toys, furniture, and accessories at 40% t0 80% off retail. 

And, don’t forget, Children’s Orchard recycles!  We’ve been leading the “green” revolution for nearly 30 years!

We’ll see you soon!

For nearly 30 years Children’s Orchard has played an important role in recycling children’s clothing,  toys, and accessories. 

Each year Children’s Orchard franchise stores process millions of items.  Since 1980, we’ve processed and sold tens of millions of pieces of quality kid stuff.  Some we sell, others we donate.   

Our customers love the fact that their kids stuff will find new homes and will be enjoyed by others. 

Of course, they also love the fact that they save 40% to 80% off retail when they shop at Children’s Orchard.

Over the past several years, $30/$10 has become one of our most popular events.  It’s pretty simple:  Spend $30 or more at your local Children’s Orchard franchise store and you’ll receive a $10 Cache card for use the next time you visit.

Our customers really love the savings this event offer, especially during the Spring/Summer buying season.

The interview provided us an opportunity to talk about all the great things going on at Children’s Orchard and to emphasize the fact that during tighter economic times Children’s Orchard is the very best way to save tons of money buying children’s clothing, toys, and accessories.  That why we say, “Find a Treasure. Save a Fortune!” and “It’s Better than a Sale.  It’s Resale.”

Add to that the fact that Children’s Orchard recycles (we have been for nearly 30 years) and you’ve got an irresistable set of reasons to shop Children’s Orchard regularly.  In fact, many Children’s Orchard stores will be celebrating Earth Day by having special events at the store. 

The article should be hitting the stands soon.   

Well that’s not going to stop our franchise owners from celebrating.  All sorts of great events are going on this weekend at Children’s Orchard.

In Ann Arbor, MI the Children’s Orchard is having an Opening Day celebration.  Besides giving away four tickets to a Detroit Tigers game, a couple of lucky Children’s Orchard customers will have a chance to run through the store and fill a bag with free merchandise.

At the Mission Viejo, CA Children’s Orchard they’ll be holding a Fill-a-Bag event.

At the Green, OH Children’s Orchard this Thursday through Sunday Newborn through 12 month clothing will be Buy One Get One Free.

Those are just a few of the many Spring events going on this weekend at Children’s Orchard franchise stores throughout the U.S.

Here’s an interesting article entitled, “Satisfied Customers: What Do Customers want?”.  It pretty much sums up what every Children’s Orchard franchise owners needs to keep in mind as they run their stores.

“With today’s cutthroat competition from big business, trying to compete on price can be a quick road to ruin… But here’s a little secret you should know: contrary to common perception, customers will not go almost anywhere just to save a buck.

So if you want to avoid getting beat up on price, stop trying to compete on price alone. What your business needs to stand out is better customer service and satisfied customers . But don’t make it the simple “please and thank you” variety. Aim higher. Strive for fabulous, standout, outrageously great service…

Will superior service trump price? Absolutely, says a dramatic new survey of over 100,000 small business and retail customers nationwide. According to a four-year study conducted by the Ohio-based market intelligence firm BIGresearch, most customers will put service ahead of price - if you give them the chance.

BIGresearch asked tens of thousands of shoppers how they like to shop, what they look for in customer service and what it takes for them to buy. And according to T. Scott Gross, who turned the results into a new book called “When Customers Talk,” some of the most deeply entrenched “wisdom” about what customers want may simply be wrong.

For example, when researchers asked customers how far they’d be willing to drive for excellent service , 80 percent said they’d travel four or more miles, and nearly half said they would drive 10 miles or more for the right combination of price, quality and customer service.

“American shoppers are not the finicky, price-conscious bargain hunters they have been made out to be,” says Gross. “Consumers will pay for good service with both their cash and their time.”

Your job… is to deliver superior service that attracts and keeps customers day in and day out. Satisfied customers say they are willing to drive a little further for great service, but you’d better make it worth their effort.

Just how many service slipups does it take to send a customer packing? According to the BIGresearch survey, 17 percent will bolt after a single service faux pas. Another 40 percent will jump ship after two instances of poor service, and 28 percent more are out the door after three. So for 85 percent of your customers, it’s three strikes and you’re out.

Fair enough. But what do buyers really want from you?”

At Children’s Orchard, we never stop thinking about What the Customer wants (WCW).  That singular focus is vital to achieving what every Children’s Orchard franchise owner seeks, prosperity.

Both stores were off with a bang and they continue to do well.  Customers love the Children’s Orchard franchise concept.  They get brand name children’s clothing, toys, and accessories at incredible prices.  Word of mouth has spread faster than a cold at a day care.

Northern, California is next for a Children’s Orchard franchise location.