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Members Benefits
Times are a-changing for our “bricks and mortar” patchwork shops. The Internet sellers and the chain stores are eroding our market share. It is a common problem we all face to a greater or lesser degree, whatever our location. We are in a rapidly changing market place. In our rapidly changing market place, patchworkers still love too see, touch and feel their fabric, and meet face to face with their fabric crafting friends, teachers, and retailers. The pure Internet sellers and chain stores cannot provide this intimate contact between fabric and fellowship that our “bricks and mortar” shops can. We will prosper as long as we network together and provide a friendly and exciting “face to face” shopping and social experience for our sewing craft customers. Our Independent Patchwork Retailers Association helps retailers develop profitable businesses providing excellent service to customers in the following ways: Networking opportunities:We encourage and assist shop owners to communicate easily with each other and engage in networking activities. No one shop can offer customers everything, so lets help our customers circulate between our member shops. IPRAA has been active for some time in promoting and organizing “Shop Hops”, Quilt Festivals, Retreats and other activities in which several member shops have participated together and enjoyed the collective customer traffic that these activities have provided. Not only are these events well supported and enjoyed by our customers, new friendships and trust have been developed between shop owners who have come to realize that networking together is an essential and positive way to develop business. We can achieve much more together than we could ever expect to achieve alone. And working in isolation is not much fun at all, is it?
Our Members Email communication forum:Connect with other Patchwork Retailers' Association members on our private, shop owners-only confidential on-line forum. You can pose and answer questions about business concerns and issues. Members discuss problems and solutions, share ideas, and offer support to colleagues across the country with just a few clicks of the mouse. You can also canvass the Member network by email for products or fabrics that your customers want, but which you do not currently stock Marketing and Advertising Opportunities:Shop Hops: The two main Queensland Shop Hops have been running very successfully four years, and each group is now organizing their fifth Hop. IPRAA can facilitate Members inclusion in a Shop Hop, whatever your location in Australia or New Zealand. E-Hops: If you have a web site, you are able to participate in our online shop hops. We help you showcase your website and products to your existing new customers.
Web services: The following services are available to Members;
Discounts from suppliers:We have arranged for member discounts on a rage of items, including business insurance and Merchant card processing. Stock suppliers have been supportive and sponsored group events, shop hops and quilt festivals organized by IPRAA and Members. Special group purchases are arranged by IPRAA for Members from time to time also. Business Education and Training:IPRAA arranges business training and conference events to help business owners and managers analyse and solve actual business situations. Keeping Members informed!Our Email forum and our Blog both facilitate the circulation of important information between all shop owners. As well as news from external sources, contributions from our Members throughout Australia ensure that matters affecting all of us are circulated, from wherever they arise. Group Buying opportunities and Member DiscountsWe are negotiating special rates to Members for; merchant card facilities, POS systems, Insurance, web services and with various stock supplies. Group marketing and advertising opportunities:Enjoy great savings when participating in our national magazine advertising features, plus the benefits of “branding” as a member of the national Independent Patchwork Retailers Association. Membership entitles you to a listing of your business details on the www.patchworker.com.au website, together with a free Google location map.
Web Site development and promotion:A website presence is really essential for “bricks and mortar” businesses today. We can help arrange your first web site presence at very reasonable rates. If you are looking to construct an Internet shop, we can provide advice and assistance too. Combining Resources:Its impossible to do everything yourself. Sharing classes, tutors, and samples, and events all help to reduce the workload.
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The Independent Patchwork Retailers Association was established to represent independent patchwork & sewing shop retailers in Queensland. We are now offering membership to patchwork, quilting and sewing shop retailers throughout Australia and New Zealand.
