Your brand is your reputation. The visual elements are those aspects that communicate your values. Logos, fonts and colors are the fundamental building blocks of creating a reliable DNA for your brand, but they are only the beginning. It bears repeating: shoppers choose brands they trust. Maintaining consistency is paramount to this effort. For instance, Read More …
In many ways, counter displays represent the ‘moment of truth in a retail setting. This is where money changes hands, and potential buyers become actual customers. You want your customers to pay for the goods they have picked out from around the store, but you would also like to upsell them on an additional product Read More …
Banks have traditionally done it. Restaurants invariably do it. Grocery stores are starting to do more of it. Even high-brow retailers are doing it. Whether it’s lollipops at the bank teller’s window or the after-dinner mint bowl at the local restaurant, many retailers have long offered their customers a small treat. What’s different now is Read More …
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 …
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 …
Vaping is an industry that is on fire. Currently, there are between 6,000 and 7,000 vape shops in the U.S.—not counting smoke shops, convenience stores and other hybrid outlets that also sell vape products. This number is not expected to shrink anytime soon. Distilling the Numbers As the number of tobacco smokers continues to decline, Read More …
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 …
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 …
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 …
As vines of holiday lights begin to make their climb, small retailers are considering the rise in sales during the year’s busiest shopping period. With locally-owned small retailers earning an estimated 50 percent or more of annual revenues during the holiday shopping season, a few simple steps can optimize results and boost sales. 5 Ideas Read More …