So What does "retired" mean?

Hi Stampin' Friends!
If you follow mine or other Stampin'Up! demonstrators blogs and Facebook posts, you probably saw the word "retired" thrown around a lot yesterday!  What is that all about?

Every year, Stampin'Up! "retires" certain products in anticipation of a new annual catalog. They are usually products that have been around awhile, products that were seasonal in nature and only intended to be available for a shorter time period or products that aren't selling as well as other products. It sounds like a business decision, but it's a creative way to refresh the product line and stay current and on trend as things change around us. It's an exciting time to see what is new and a bittersweet time to say goodbye to some great products that have served us well.

I thought I would share some tips regarding "retired" products and also share a link so you can check them out and see if you'd still like to get any.

1. If the retired item is a popular item, it will sell out quickly! What tends to go the faster are products related to retiring colors such as ink, reinkers and card stock. We have more than the usual number of retiring colors this year so be sure to take a gander and see if you need any more of your favorite card stock, more ink, etc.  I would order these products as soon as you can because for the most part, supplies are only guaranteed while remaining inventory lasts. Here's a quick "cheat sheet" regarding products focused on color.

Classic Stampin’ Pads	Guaranteed stock of old ink pad design through May 7, 2018; then, available while supplies last May 7–31, 2018
Classic Stampin’ Pad Collections	While supplies last—through May 31, 2018
Classic Stampin’ Ink Refills	Guaranteed stock through May 7, 2018; then, available while supplies last May 7–31, 2018
Classic Stampin’ Ink Refill Collections	While supplies last—through May 31, 2018
Single Color Cardstock (All sizes and colors)	While supplies last—through May 31, 2018
Cardstock Packs, Collections, etc. (all sizes and colors)	While supplies last—through May 31, 2018
Stampin’ Write Markers (2-pack, Collections, and Many Marvelous Markers)	While supplies last—through May 31, 2018

Here's a list of specific colors that are retiring (I featured these in my blog post yesterday)

• Always Artichoke
• Chocolate Chip
• Elegant Eggplant
• Island Indigo
• Marina Mist
• Perfect Plum
• Pink Pirouette
• Rose Red
• Soft Sky
• Tangerine Tango
• Tempting Turquoise
• Wild Wasabi
• Wisteria Wonder
• Dapper Denim
• Emerald Envy
• Peekaboo Peach
• Sweet Sugar Plum
• 
  

2.  While certain colors retired, there are also many products that retire. The biggest category is retiring stamps but bundles, punches, embossing folders, ribbons, paper and embellishments also retire.  As something is sold out, it is removed from the store and no longer available. That way, you can always see what is still left.  This year, at this time, nothing is discounted so this should slow the rush to buy down a tad. They may add some discounts later in May if they feel they need to deplete the inventory more, but I wouldn't wait for a possible discount. If you really want something and it's been on your wish list, you should get it as soon as you can while the inventory is still good.  

3. Once something retires, it is no longer available. Some items end up on the Clearance Rack but there are no guarantees and it probably won't be the most popular stuff!

4.  The season of retirement is a great time to look at your supplies and see what is missing. Do you have some great sentiment stamp sets? What about for special occasions like  a new baby or a wedding or sympathy?  Are you almost out of a favorite ribbon? How's your paper supply? Usually we have plenty of paper but maybe there's been a favorite you have enjoyed working with all year and now's a good time to get a little more.

Here is the link to the online store of retired items so you can scroll through and see what is going away this year.

Retiring Products 2018

Stampin'Up! provided us a wonderful graphic for our new color "families" yesterday and I wanted to include that today so you can get excited about what is coming!  I love it!

I think the way they have organized them in more of a "rainbow" order is particularly helpful and inspiring. I spent some time rearranging my papers and ink in this order because it made so much sense to me. 

I will try to post more information about what's leaving and what's coming in the days and weeks ahead. This is always an exciting time as changes usually are but can also be kind of hectic! Until the new catalog gets here, I also plan on focusing on some of my favorite products that are going away, giving them some last minute love!

I hope you are as excited about these changes as I am. Contact me if you have any questions or would like to hear more details.  You can shop in the online store and buy anything that is available, while it lasts!

Thanks so much for stopping by! 

Happy Stampin'!

Sarah