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WUN•DER•KIND [wuhn-der-kind] -noun. plural.
1. a person who succeeds, especially in business; at a comparatively young age.
Join 914INC. in celebrating the Class of 2016 WUNDERKINDS! This special evening will honor a distinctive group of Westchester’s young professionals, all under the age of 30, who are making a difference with their initiative, innovation and intelligence.
Date: Tuesday, May 24, 2016 | Time: 6:00PM – 8:00PM Location: Mamaroneck Beach & Yacht Club
555 South Barry Avenue, Mamaroneck, NY 10543
For tickets and more info visit
westchestermagazine.com/Wunderkinds
For sponsorship opportunities call (914) 345-0601 ext. 138 or email sales@westchestermagazine.com
a family thing,” he says. “One person can shop women’s, while the other shops men’s, and the kids can sit in the lounge and watch TV. We also have an old-school candy sec- tion. You have to have something different to create an experience that makes the cus- tomer feel good about coming in.”
LOLA’s Pasacreta adds that the concept of shopping as entertainment is alive and well for Westchester women. “We try to cre- ate a relaxing environment that’s fun for our customers. It’s a break from their busy day. They have fun shopping with their girl- friends or their daughters,” she says, add- ing that the boutique carries clothing and accessories for women of all ages.
Land agrees that retailers must focus on their stores’ ambience as an important con- tributor to the overall shopping experience. Though Churchills is a small business, Land explains, “We put a lot of money into the
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Staying abreast of industry trends helps local apparel shops like March Boutique in Briarcliff Manor compete against the big department stores.
aesthetics of the store, because we knew it would drive business. It makes people feel comfortable to be in a nice setting with beautiful merchandise, so they feel good about the experience.”
The Internet Factor
Internet retailing isn’t going anywhere, obviously; it’s becoming ever more popular and pervasive as part of the apparel-shop- ping landscape. So what can local stores do to compete? Brick-and-mortar retailing has significant, lasting advantages, according to Puro. At stores like March, she says, “We al- ways help our customers find exactly what they are looking for while offering several alternatives. Also, a brick-and-mortar re- tailer truly provides a level of freedom for customers to try something on, change their minds multiple times, and explore new looks they might shy away from online.”
“If you don’t know the brands, it’s very frustrating to shop online,” Pasacreta adds. Returns aren’t always easy, either. “If you go to the UPS center here, it’s totally obscene with the boxes going back. I think people are going to get tired of that,” she says.
THE BUSINESS OF: Retail Apparel