Category: Culture

Time to Showcase Good Business Citizenship

8/15/2023

Guess what. Your shoppers would love to know you better!

We hear it over and over. "Good business citizenship" matters to shoppers.Especially for retailers, who are quasi-public figures in their communities. (AND in a goldfish bowl.)

Customers vote with their feet, their wallets, and their hearts, and increasingly choose those retailers who "do the right thing", whether it's how they source product, hire and pay employees, reduce environmental impacts, etc.

There are things that independent retailers do day in and day out, without perhaps even realizing how special they are!

Most retailers we know are "aw shucks" type people. It's charming, but, especially in today's world, your leadership can be a competitive edge! So, why keep it a secret?

Many of you are using social media to promote sales events, new product arrivals, etc. Why stop there?

Social media – and your website – is the perfect place to share examples of the values that drive your business. And face it; those values may be too scarce today. They need to be featured!

Time for That Springtime (Upbeat) State of Mind

3/13/2023

According to the calendar, as of March 21, it officially is springtime. No matter what the weather is doing.

Well, it's time to bring the calendar to real life! Spring is really a state of mind! The dark winter has passed. Even the rain is warmer in the spring. And new growth is beginning to sprout; leaves are coming out. It's a wonderful, fresh outlook.

And that of course means it is a wonderful opportunity for retailers to refresh and reenergize their stores.

No matter what merchandise you sell - whether it's tires, apparel, books, housewares, office supplies, whatever - every retailer is in the fashion business.

Every Retailer's Most Significant Valentine

2/6/2023

Just One Week Until Valentine's Day!

What better time to send a love note to ... your customers?!

Yes! That's right. A Valentine. Just a Valentine. No strings attached! Show your love!

No special discount coupon.
No "bounce back" offers ("come back by such-and-such-a-date to save $$$.")
No "sign up for our Insider's Club."
No "We want to know what you think about your most recent visit."
No expectation of them doing anything more for you!
No obligation.

Just an out-and-out thank you note. A love note for being your customer!

Showing Up Matters (and Not Just for Show)

12/12/2022

There's a very important annual job for you, the owner, and all of your senior staff. It's vital, and it involves your presence.

The pressures are mounting on your stores, and in particular, your front line staff.

Noticed all the "help wanted" signs in stores, coffee shops, restaurants? It's not just you; lots of (other) businesses are having a tough time with finding and keeping good help.

In fact, a nearby McDonald's posted a notice on its front door acknowledging that they were understaffed due to no-shows, and encouraging (imploring?) customers to be considerate to the people behind the counter who are there to serve them.
Meanwhile, the deadlines for online orders to arrive before Christmas are fast approaching. This will lead to a surge in in-store shoppers. And more demands on your front-line staff.

Let the "Farewell Tours" Begin!

10/31/2022

Except for the lingering sugar high, Halloween is soon to be behind us. Retailers know what that means: on to the Holiday Season!

Of course, for most retailers that brings a major focus on sales.

But, savvy retailers are focused particularly on the targeted ending inventory on December 31. Those retailers are carefully watching sales reports, and are poised for action.

Each week, they identify "What's not selling yet?" And they do something about it! Move it around on the floor? Display it differently? Pair it with merchandise that IS selling? Lots of choices.

Good Help Hard to Find? Take the Hint!

10/24/2022

As the Holiday Season approaches, finding good help promises to be especially challenging for retailers this year.

Then, we read "10 Things to Know to Get And Keep Retail Jobs," a to-the-point commentary from Bob Phibbs*, who specializes in retail sales training.

Here are his Top Ten recommendations for prospective retail employees:

"Performance is Key"
"Treat Customers with Respect"
"Go the Extra Yard"
"Be on Time"
"Don't Gripe About the Hours"
"Be Flexible"
"Don't Be a Drag"
"Be a Team Player"
"Respect the Rules"
"A Cut in Hours is a Sign"

Finding Inspiration – On the Kids' Menu??

9/26/2022

We recently learned of a restaurant with a kids menu which is quite unusual.

Of course, having a kids menu is not unique. But here's what IS unusual about this one.

When kids are asked "What would you like to eat?", often their answers can range from "I don't know" to "I don't care."

But at this restaurant, here is what each all-too-familiar answer brings to the table:

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