Make It Personal

As a retailer, you have a lot of competition. With so-called ‘big box’ stores, with online retail giants and other local businesses it can be difficult to get ahead. In other words, the competition is literally all around you, in every direction. So how do you stand out from such a big crowd? By going Read More …

Checkout Nirvana: Where Does the Register Go?

A well-designed retail space not only engages shoppers, but also can enhance sales. Critical to this success is the placement of checkout counters. Checkout is the last step in your customers’ shopping experience. This has led many retailers to devote considerable time and effort to strategically positioning their registers. Williams-Sonoma, for example, places their counters Read More …

Kid-Friendly Retail Is Profitable Business

Shopping with kids in tow can be a challenge—even for the most easygoing parent. Fussy kids can often lead a mom or dad to beat a swift retreat to the nearest exit. When that happens, parents lose productivity and retailers lose sales. Smart retailers, however, have caught on that integrating kid-friendly features into their space Read More …

February Customer Spotlight – Sherry Redwine of Odyssey Pets

In 2006, Sherry Redwine opened Odyssey Pets, a pet supply company that offers pet supplies as well as grooming, boarding and daycare in Dallas, TX. When she first decided to open Odyssey Pets she wanted to fill the gap between big box stores and the dying breed of mom and pop pet stores. Sherry has Read More …

The Secret to Superior Retail Customer Service: Put Your Employees First

It may sound counterintuitive, but empirical evidence shows that companies known for their exceptional retail customer service have gotten there by putting employees first.  Apple, Nordstrom, and L.L. Bean are just a few examples of retail businesses that have built strong brands by focusing on one of their most potent assets: their people. For the Read More …

4 Proven Tax Tips for Small Retail Business Owners

Of all the tax tips for retail business owners, the one that is most applicable is something Benjamin Franklin once said, In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes As a retail business owner in the midst of your very busy holiday season,  you’re probably not thinking about January Read More …

Out With the Old, In With the New: Retail Strategies for Moving Seasonal Items

It might be difficult to start thinking about discounting seasonal merchandise as the shopping season just heats up, but thoughtful planning now can result in improved cash flow later. Controlled timing and strategically planned clearance events are essential to maximizing your profitability. Knowing how to execute a few fundamental retail strategies can help you shed Read More …

Inexpensive Ways To Increase Holiday Gift Card Sales

Do you ever wonder what’s in the mind of a gift card buyer? If not, you should, because as a retailer, understanding the motivation behind their purchase of gift cards will help you increase holiday gift card sales for your store. The Growth Of Gift Cards Gift card purchases have grown exponentially since they first Read More …

How To Build Your Brand: Marketing Ideas For Retail Stores

Your brand is everything. It’s your store’s reputation, identity, and personality, all rolled into one. With the array of outreach platforms provided by traditional advertising and social media, it’s more important than ever to ensure your message is consistent and seamless across all your marketing channels. How do you do it? Let’s look at some Read More …

How to Successfully Market A Retail Store & Drive Sales

You’ve taken the plunge to be open your own business and attain financial freedom. The retail business for which you are so passionate about can make your work seem like play and transform how you make your living. If you have made it this far, the hard part is over. The fact that you have reached Read More …