Customers can be fickle, which is why you need to work hard to provide a consistent, quality experience for every store visitor, as well as take steps to boost customer convenience at every level, from their first contact with you at your brick-and-mortar location or via online platforms, to the point of sale and beyond. Read More …
Opening a seasonal store offers a host of issues that permanent stores don’t always face. From a short season to finding employees, seasonal stores can present real challenges to retailers. There are, however, some things you can do to better prepare. In a tourist town, knowing your customers and understanding that you may only have Read More …
Often, as retailers, we grow comfortable in our own spaces and forget to take a hard look at our own stores. Looking inward can be difficult for a number of reasons—the biggest is often time. With inventory, scouting new merchandise, managing staff, keeping up on payroll and the 100 other tasks, small business retailers deal Read More …
As retailers, we get excited about finding the perfect space for our stores. It doesn’t matter if we are opening our first store ever, or have moved a few times for a better location; finding the perfect space is so important. Just because a space feels right, and offers great visibility, plenty of foot traffic, Read More …
The holidays are over. You can now take a collective breath of relief now that the chaos has passed. Don’t get too comfortable, now is the perfect time to think about next year’s holiday strategy. Taking an honest look at what worked and what missed the mark this holiday season puts you ahead for next Read More …
Retail is ultimately all about developing the right strategies and implementing them with the right tactics. Knowing your shoppers is part of the equation. The customer usually arrives at the store expecting to buy a few items, suddenly they realize they have only two arms and are in urgent need of a shopping basket, cart Read More …
The holidays can bring retailers an end-of-year bump in sales that sees them through the slow-down after the New Year. This, however, necessitates hiring additional temporary staff to ensure that consumers aren’t frustrated by long lines or empty shelves. To compete and take advantage of increased holiday sales, you need calm, experienced, friendly staff to Read More …
The overwhelming majority of consumers have at one time or another made an impulse purchase. Even the most self-disciplined shoppers can find themselves surrendering to the urge to save money or not miss a valuable opportunity. Making a purchase on the spur of the moment is an impulse buy. There are many reasons why people Read More …
Just mention the words ‘shoe section’ to the average retail store operator and you may receive an angry look in return—and likely a few mumbled words of frustration as well. Many store owners and operators quickly become frustrated with their shoe section as they find that it is difficult (if not impossible) to keep organized, Read More …
A little appreciation can go a long way with customers. When was the last time someone showed they appreciated you? Do you remember how it made you feel? From a simple “thank you” to a small gesture, showing appreciation is a way of saying that you care. While is this common in our personal lives Read More …