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FNO thank you!
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
The very first time we were told about Fashion's Night Out by Jamaica Observer Lifestyle Editor, Novia McDonald-Whyte, we thought it was a grand idea.
The economy was in a rut as far as shopping was concerned, and with Christmas right around the corner, an event like FNO was a step in the right direction to get people in the shopping frame of mind, while at the same time, stimulating our country's economy.
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It was also a chance to capitalise on great deals and really, who doesn't like a good sale? Retailers, boutique owners, salon owners, restaurateurs and the general public were receptive of the concept and threw their all into the successful staging of Jamaica Observer's Fashion's Night Out.
Although it was a brand-new initiative and there were only a short time to co-ordinate the night, the hard work and dedication of the staff at the Observer paid off, along with the receptiveness of the owners and managers from most of the stores in Kingston.
To all the managers that work alongside TEENage Observer and to all the local celebs who responded to our call - Alaine, Yendi Phillipps, Tarrus Riley, G-whizz, Macka Diamond, Cherine Anderson, Tifa, D'Angel, Spice and Carlton Brown - a BIG thank you.
And also to Novia McDonald-Whyte for coming up with another stellar Lifestyle event. See you all at Fashion's Night Out 2010!!
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Garfene Grandison
TEENage Writers' Club President
Alexxya/Alexxya Access
FNO feedback: It was great! This event was better than Christmas even, especially the crowd. The stores were jam-packed. I think this event should happen more often. I've never seen so many people on the plazas or in the stores before, so I think it was a great idea. There were people in the stores from before 5:00 pm. It was a fun night, one that I have never seen before.
Nordia Campbell, manager
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The Beauty Spot
FNO feedback: It was excellent. Had a great turnout, which was way above everyone's expectations. A lot of people were not prepared for this kind of crowd, but I must say that it was a lot better than Christmas Eve.
Marlene Gray, owner
Angel's Boutique
FNO feedback: It was really good. Didn't get to do as much promotion as I would have liked because I was in and out of the island. However, I had lots of giveaways from Coke Zero and autograph signing and photo sessions. I had to be between the store and Anbell in New Kingston so it was kinda hectic for me, but I managed. Di road dem did block, though. Look like Angel's goin' affi move to the plazas in HWT because, we so far out now (laughs). It needs to happen next year and Angel's is definitely on board again.
D'Angel, owner
NV Fashions
FNO feedback: It was awesome, to the point where I decided to extend the sale until November 6. This is a venture that should be continued. Because of FNO we got an influx of new customers.
Sharlene Wong, owner
La Pluma Negra
FNO feedback: Wasn't too bad. It was a very light-hearted evening. It really felt like Christmas Eve in October. Thanks to you all for creating an event like this. It was truly a tremendous effort. FNO 2010!
Wendy Lee, Owner
Shimmer
FNO feedback: It was a very good night. The response was excellent, much more than I had anticipated. This was exactly what the economy needed. There were a lot of satisfied customers. Novia deserves an applause.
Mark Brown, manager/co-owner
Male Ego
FNO feedback: See what you people at Observer do to the roads, (laughs). You guys need to build some overhead passes for that event. On a serious note thought, it was more people than Grand Market night. On Grand Market night, people come out to eye-shop and watch fireworks, etc. But on FNO, people actually came to shop, and only shop. The event was a big success. Eighty per cent of the people that came into the store were new customers. It was a great initiative. Next year just make the time a little longer to allow more persons to come with less hassle. Two thumbs up!!
Donovan McCarty, director
Bling Bling
FNO experience: Absolutely ingenious idea. I was thanking the Observer from before the event for the opportunity on a few interviews that I did with Hype-TV and TVJ. I sent out girls in beaded/carnival costumes to interact with the crowd to attract them to the store. To deal with the crowd and the rush we needed about 100 employees on the floor. It was that packed. We were all flabbergasted at the amount of people that turned out on the night. As far as the discounts went, persons were given the opportunity to choose their own discount percentage in the form of a raffle. It was a grand event. Even Terri-Karrelle Griffith managed to pass through at 10:30. Some people didn't get to come in so we extended the sale until Sunday to afford them the opportunity to shop.
Sharon Beckford, Owner
Overwhelming. Didn't expect that big of a turnout. Although I didn't get to do any shopping of my own, it is something that needs to be done every year.
Colleine, Customer service rep
OMG! It was exciting. Very different venture from others. Should be kept once a year, if not twice. The crowd was very unexpected. Its new and very exciting and that's why people came out.
Charlene, supervisor
Fashion Fever
FNO feedback: It was very good. Nutten nah gwaan fi anybody right now, so we just had to take it and run wid it. I have no regrets though. Looking forward to next year's FNO.
Winsome Terrelonge, Owner
Reve Jewellery
FNO feedback: Excellent job! We can't stop talking about it since Thursday. FNO has definitely introduced a lot of new people to the store. Thanks for that!
Dwayne Bennett, co-owner
OMG!
FNO feedback: FNO was fantabulous! It surely surpassed my expectations. I had anticipated a good turnout, but nothing like what actually happened. I was scheduled to close at 8:00 pm on the night but I wasn't able to close until 11:30 pm. Novia deserves an award. A very successful event.
Gillian Zacca, Owner/manager
Cooyah
FNO feedback: Fantastic idea by the Observer team. Store owners, as well as the patrons, had a wonderful night of shopping. During the week of FNO, people were calling us to find out the specials, as well as which of our stores would be involved and the surprise guests that would appear. Some family members from abroad even asked their families to grab a few incentives for them. But overall, the patrons had a fabulous evening of shopping. Fab idea!!
Andrea 'Twiggy' Levy, general manager
Spicey Couture
FNO feedback: It was good. We had a great turnout. The store was jam-packed and we had a lot of new customers. Quite a hectic night and we are looking forward to next year's staging.
Alicia Gowie, Sales rep
Fashion 911
FNO feedback: It was wonderful and well received by the public. To be honest, we really didn't expect so many people to turn out. This has been the biggest sale that we have had since year and we are definitely looking forward to FNO 2010. Another thing was that it was a much bigger crowd than Christmas Eve.
Nicole Bartley, Director
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