RetailBizBlog

The most planned for day in retail is Black Friday.  The quality of product and service can set the tone for your entire holiday season.  What most people do not realize, is the day after Christmas is also one of the highest traffic days of the year.  Most stores communicate how busy they were with total sales, unfortunately returns make such a huge dent on this day, that transactions need to be your measure.  I would also say, that to truly make the most of this day....it will require more planning than Black Friday!! First, stores need to staff accordingly.  Transaction count for the day after Christmas is usually within top 3 of December (it is worth noting this article is geared more towards businesses that experience an influx of holiday refund transactions).  Merchandise needs to get immediately priced and restocked, this is usually a huge miss.  Many customers are not looking to return, but exchange for a more suitable item.  There shou...

As it seems to be an increasingly relevant topic, retailers are behind the curve when it comes to general public safety.  As most retail business is done on commercially owned and operated property, it is near impossible for them to initiate, and more importantly, practice emergency procedures.  Most retailers have guidelines that they communicate that are designed to protect the safety of the employees, but few mention safety of customers.  This needs to change. As a seasoned manager, I have long had confidence in my own knowledge of what I need to do in the event of an emergency.  However, I am concerned that in my absence, my employees may not have that same confidence, or even some of my peers.  Times are changing, and safety is NOT something we can wait on.  Most high target places like convenience stores and fast food restaurants are setting the standard with their practices, and almost all of their procedures can translate directly into shopping ce...

All the hiring and preparations you have made so far this year have hopefully lead to you enjoying a fun and mostly stress free holiday season.  Your store performance is doing great, your staff is keeping your store ready to do it again day after day and before you know it....it's 2013!! This is where the top managers take a step back NOW and start preparing for next year.  Typically, I would start to formulate a checklist to close out my holiday and the year.  Sometimes it may seem tough to take a step back right now, but I promise you - PLAN now and you will have the most productive January of your career (this works at all levels!)!! I usually would try to have a checklist for each component of my business.  My list might include things like these: People -     Temp vs Regular Staff evaluations - Did I luck out with any temp rockstars?  Did a regular team member prove to not be as strong as I thought?  If you have that rockstar, tell th...

Crunch time is upon us! Extended hours are here, the crowds are building, and shipment is overflowing out of the stockroom!! Here is my Top 10 easily forgotten ways for a Store Manager to keep their team going - Keep it fresh - When crunch time comes, people tend to get "stuck" in a rut. This not only will lead to burnout now, but leads to complacency when this is all over.  Rotate floor positions to break the day-to-day monotony. Sugar!! - It may sound strange, but as the energy is spent, sugar levels drop.  Bite sized candies can be the perfect "pick-me-up" that dragging person needs.  Anyone with kids can tell you how much sugar levels can effect your mood!! Crank up the Music - I know, I know...If you hear one more version of "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus", you are gonna quit! I promise, tune out the song, but let that beat add a little pep to your step, and you'll be home sippin' eggnog in no time! Exercise - Really?! After that lady...

Times are changing!  Business on all fronts is rapidly moving in a mobile direction.  Some companies are already moving towards more of a "showroom" experience, as it can guarantee top-notch customer experiences, near perfect merchandising standards, less overhead, and a potential for more accuracy when it comes to depth in a product category. This idea may work for some business models, but it is not a one-size-fits-all answer.  In fact, it is the simple idea that "one size fits all" is false, and that is what will keep inventory levels in stores and store based retail alive.  But there is one approach that can work for everyone.  BE A PART OF SOMETHING BIGGER!  Several companies are not only making community involvement a major part of their operational structure, but they are actually evolving their mission to include the world outside their stores. In a time where technology is taking off, the same people that cling to the next best smartphone also ...