Universal Designs’ Christmas signs ‘just flying’ |
Written by Christine D. Johnson |
Wednesday, 07 August 2013 05:03 PM America/New_York |
Universal Designs has generated interest and sales with the Central Florida-based company’s seasonal yard signs. “They have just been flying,” said Bobbi Baugh at this summer’s International Christian Retail Show. “We added a third design, and the stores just did so well with them. They were very well-received by consumers.” That may be in part because of the tendency for stores using the term “holiday” instead of “Christmas” in greeting their customers. Many Christians also will likely want to use a sign as a witnessing tool. “People liked putting Christmas signs in their yard,” Baugh said. Last year, Queen of Angels had a statue of Jesus and His mother, Mary, stolen from in front of the store in Michigan City, Ind. First Baptist Church in the same city was also robbed at Christmastime. Instead of getting waylaid by the situation, the church’s pastor, Kevin Patterson, and the store, run by Sandy and Anthony Balsamo, decided to collaborate and sell Universal Designs Christmas signs and, together, be a light in their community. “It shows it’s not a Baptist thing or a Catholic thing,” Sandy Balsamo told The News Dispatch. “It’s a Christian thing. Anything we do to bring people closer to our Lord—that’s the reason.” Encouraged by such stories, Baugh has also seen a sales increase this year. “The stores that had them last year sold through and so they’re increasing their orders this year,” she said. Designed with durability for outdoor use, the two-sided, screen-printed signs each read “Jesus Is the Reason for the Season,” “Keep CHRIST in Christmas” or “Wise Men Still Seek Him.” The prongs of the stake insert into the sign flutes for easy assembly. After the Christmas season, the stake can be easily removed for flat storage, and the sign can be re-used in future years. “They buy them in 18s,” Baugh said. “It comes as a unit. Our shipping is free, so it’s really easy for the store to manage them.” Suggested retail price on each sign is $9.88. To order, call 888-219-4231 or call IntegriTeam at 800-547-7430. |