Join the Organization Dedicated to Uniting and Protecting Specialty Retailers

Specialty Retailers and the Board Sports Lifestyle
Surf | Skate | Snow | SUP | Wake

Advance Your Company Through Connections and Information Exchange

Specialty Retailers and the Board Sports Lifestyle
Surf | Skate | Snow | SUP | Wake

Stay Current on the Latest Industry News and Consumer Trends

Specialty Retailers and the Board Sports Lifestyle
Surf | Skate | Snow | SUP | Wake

Below you will find helpful and relevant articles that we carefully curate for the benefit of our B.R.A. Retail Members almost every day. Be sure to scroll through the most recent articles or use the Search/Lookup feature to find topics and keywords related to recent and not so recent articles that may help you to lower costs, increase margins or create more remarkable customer experiences.  We deliberately made this our site landing page rather than the About Us page to demonstrate our commitment to “Protecting Retailers and a Lifestyle” (since 2003).

“How can Earthpack help you to take action to reduce your carbon footprint beyond Earth Day with shop-branded recycled and reusable shopping bags and other sustainable packaging needs?” + request your free sample kit by Doug Works via BRA

“How can Earthpack help you to take action to reduce your carbon footprint beyond Earth Day with shop-branded recycled and reusable shopping bags and other sustainable packaging needs?” + request your free sample kit by Doug Works via BRA

Happy Earth Day, everyone!!! Most of you embrace and celebrate Earth Day, but what do you do to reduce your carbon footprint beyond Earth Day? Who can help you with shop-branded recycled and reusable shopping bags and other sustainable packaging needs? Founded by Dave...

read more
“Halt! 10 Ways of Mastering the Art of Getting Your Retail Employees to Listen” by Bob Phibbs via The Retail Doctor Blog

“Halt! 10 Ways of Mastering the Art of Getting Your Retail Employees to Listen” by Bob Phibbs via The Retail Doctor Blog

Honing your listening skills can significantly impact the success of your store.As a trained conductor, I've learned the importance of attentive listening, focusing on each individual part and questioning whether what I hear aligns with what's written on the page...

read more
“Professor Schmitt has released a nice variety of switch plates, frames, coasters and other remarkable PS Stix ‘UpCycle’ skateboard products, which are now available at wholesale pricing to BRA Retail Members” by Doug Works, BRA Executive Director

“Professor Schmitt has released a nice variety of switch plates, frames, coasters and other remarkable PS Stix ‘UpCycle’ skateboard products, which are now available at wholesale pricing to BRA Retail Members” by Doug Works, BRA Executive Director

Paul Schmitt aka Professor Schmitt has been designing and producing skateboards for nearly four decades. A skateboarder himself since he was a young boy, today his products are known world wide for their quality, performance and durability. Paul is the founder of one...

read more
“Is Livestream Shopping Ready to Shift Into High Gear?” by George Anderson plus nearly 20 retail experts weighing in on this topic via Retail Wire

“Is Livestream Shopping Ready to Shift Into High Gear?” by George Anderson plus nearly 20 retail experts weighing in on this topic via Retail Wire

TikTok appears to be pumping the brakes on its U.S. livestreaming plans while retailers and platforms, including Amazon.com, Poshmark, Qurate, Shein and Walmart, are stepping on the gas. So is livestreaming ready to roll in America or not? A Wall Street...

read more
“When the mall is the target: The state of retail and mass shootings” by Daphne Howland via Retail Dive

“When the mall is the target: The state of retail and mass shootings” by Daphne Howland via Retail Dive

Protesters against gun violence outside a church on May 7 in Allen, Texas, a day after a mass shooting at the nearby Allen Premium Outlets mall. Joe Raedle / Staff via Getty Images Stores and malls are especially vulnerable to random attacks like the recent killing of...

read more
“Unlocking Inbound Shipping Success: 5 Must-Have Resources to Overcome Your Challenges” by Leah Palnick via PartnerShip plus expanded BRA Shipping Program Benefit for DRMs

“Unlocking Inbound Shipping Success: 5 Must-Have Resources to Overcome Your Challenges” by Leah Palnick via PartnerShip plus expanded BRA Shipping Program Benefit for DRMs

When you think about how to optimize your shipping operations, the freight you receive from vendors might not be the first thing that comes to mind. However, you have more control over your inbound shipping than you may realize, and when you have the right resources...

read more
“Retailing and Partnering With Nonprofits: How to Start a Fundraising Program and Make a Difference” by  Jon Biedermann via Total Retail plus a list of BRA Community Partners (we suggest collaborating with at least two annually)

“Retailing and Partnering With Nonprofits: How to Start a Fundraising Program and Make a Difference” by  Jon Biedermann via Total Retail plus a list of BRA Community Partners (we suggest collaborating with at least two annually)

How to Start a Fundraising Program and Make a Difference | Credit: Getty Images by Peter Dazeley In today's world, retail companies are faced with intense competition and are constantly seeking ways to differentiate themselves from their competitors. One way to...

read more
“History of Surfing: Houses of the Holy – Matt Warshaw explains the history of our beloved cultural watering hole, and where he thinks the future of the surf shop is headed” by Davis Jones via Surfer Mag (originally published Oct. 2017)

“History of Surfing: Houses of the Holy – Matt Warshaw explains the history of our beloved cultural watering hole, and where he thinks the future of the surf shop is headed” by Davis Jones via Surfer Mag (originally published Oct. 2017)

Hobie Alter's Dana Point compound. Dale Velzy's Manhattan Beach showroom. Larry Gordon and Floyd Smith's San Diego storefront. Jack O'Neill's San Francisco shack. In the 1950s, California's first surf shops had personalities as varied as the shapers who owned them....

read more
“Is It Good Business to Allow Associates to Break or Bend Rules for Customers?” by Tom Ryan via Retail Dive plus 20 Retail Experts weigh in on this discussion

“Is It Good Business to Allow Associates to Break or Bend Rules for Customers?” by Tom Ryan via Retail Dive plus 20 Retail Experts weigh in on this discussion

When retail employees go “above and beyond,” which often involves deviating from organizational rules, it has been shown to enhance customer loyalty for the store. New university research shows it can also lift engagement for the infracting employee....

read more
“5 Ways to Keep Wallet Share With In-Store Traffic” by Tara Kelly via Total Retail

“5 Ways to Keep Wallet Share With In-Store Traffic” by Tara Kelly via Total Retail

Credit: Getty Images by Hinterhaus Productions Spring is here, lockdowns are a fading memory and the economic outlook is brighter. Although uncertainty abounds and wallets remain tight, we may be in for a softer landing than previously thought. You can celebrate...

read more
“BC Owner on Business, Sales Trends and a Move Away from Covid Comparisons” by Kari Hamanaka via Shop Eat Surf

“BC Owner on Business, Sales Trends and a Move Away from Covid Comparisons” by Kari Hamanaka via Shop Eat Surf

A quarter of the way into the year and key industry account BC Surf & Sport’s business is chugging along. If the multi-store operator is any barometer of how the overall industry is trending, 2023 could perhaps mean a normalization –  and a new chapter –...

read more
“How to Thrive in an Ever-Evolving Retail Landscape” by Lise Wilson via Total Retail plus intro to outstanding window graphics vendor who is providing a very special discount for BRA Retail Members

“How to Thrive in an Ever-Evolving Retail Landscape” by Lise Wilson via Total Retail plus intro to outstanding window graphics vendor who is providing a very special discount for BRA Retail Members

Credit: Getty Images by Hitoshi Yamada The retail industry has undergone a dramatic transformation in the face of factors such as Amazon.com's dominance and an uncertain post-pandemic landscape. To stay successful, retailers have had to adapt their stores rapidly —...

read more
“Refresher on the PTE tax: What you need to know” by Marshall Varano of BRA Supporting Vendor Partner CohnReznick plus access to relevant and helpful CR / M1 collaborative on-demand webinar and special offer for BRA Retail Members

“Refresher on the PTE tax: What you need to know” by Marshall Varano of BRA Supporting Vendor Partner CohnReznick plus access to relevant and helpful CR / M1 collaborative on-demand webinar and special offer for BRA Retail Members

You can view this informative article in its original form by clicking on the original article. The pass-through entity (PTE) tax strategy is a work around to the limitation on the State and Local tax (SALT) deduction created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs...

read more
“Management One Retail Assessment and Audit exclusively available to BRA members during the month of March 2023, at no charge!” by Nico Cabral and Paul Erickson via Management One (BRA Supporting Vendor Partner)

“Management One Retail Assessment and Audit exclusively available to BRA members during the month of March 2023, at no charge!” by Nico Cabral and Paul Erickson via Management One (BRA Supporting Vendor Partner)

Who is Management One? Management One is the leading provider of merchandise intelligence, planning, business insights, and education to thousands of independent retailers around the world. For nearly 35 years, M1 has leveraged its ability to collect, process, and...

read more
“How Will Price Increases Impact Consumer Purchase Behavior?” by Greg Carlucci via Total Retail

“How Will Price Increases Impact Consumer Purchase Behavior?” by Greg Carlucci via Total Retail

Credit: Getty Images by primeimages Over the last year, unprecedented inflation has caused dramatic shifts in consumer purchase behavior. According to Gartner research, 45 percent of consumers were extremely concerned about price increases heading into 2023....

read more
“Would you like to get a better paycheck!” plus access to free webinar to show you how to pay yourself consistently and avoid burnout by Dan Jablons via Retail Smart Guys blog

“Would you like to get a better paycheck!” plus access to free webinar to show you how to pay yourself consistently and avoid burnout by Dan Jablons via Retail Smart Guys blog

How do you feel about your current paycheck? When I ask store owners about this topic, a common answer is: “I've never taken a paycheck. Never.” Others said they ARE paying themselves, but not consistently and not enough. And that’s just fine if this is just a hobby...

read more
“Balancing Inventory: Making Friends With Retail Pricing and Clearance Sales” by Bob Phibbs via The Retail Doctor Blog

“Balancing Inventory: Making Friends With Retail Pricing and Clearance Sales” by Bob Phibbs via The Retail Doctor Blog

What is the difference between a clearance and a sale? A sale is often a specific brand promotion or even a storewide discount. Why do stores have clearance sales? To help get some of their money back when an item doesn't sell in a profitable timeframe. Clearance or...

read more
“Why Retailers Must Embrace the ‘Phygital’ Experience” by Lisa Schneider and Ashley McMillin via Total Retail

“Why Retailers Must Embrace the ‘Phygital’ Experience” by Lisa Schneider and Ashley McMillin via Total Retail

Credit: Getty Images by ipopba The whirlwind of the pandemic and the fluctuating economy over the last few years has left retailers quickly adapting to the new demands of today’s consumers. Now that the dust has settled a bit, retailers continue to look for new ways...

read more
“How consumers are celebrating a record-breaking St. Patrick’s Day – Lucky for retailers, people aren’t just wearing green — they’re spending it too” by Lea Grgich via National Retail Federation Blog

“How consumers are celebrating a record-breaking St. Patrick’s Day – Lucky for retailers, people aren’t just wearing green — they’re spending it too” by Lea Grgich via National Retail Federation Blog

With St. Patrick’s Day just around the corner, consumers are donning green clothes and buying green food dye in preparation for the lucky holiday — and more people are celebrating than ever before. This year, 61% of consumers plan to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, up...

read more
“Don’t Ignore Email and SMS: Consumers Surely Haven’t” by Greg Zakowicz via Total Retail

“Don’t Ignore Email and SMS: Consumers Surely Haven’t” by Greg Zakowicz via Total Retail

Credit: Getty Images Looking for a marketing edge? Of course you are, but little did you know that the elusive edge may be closer than you realize. Omnisend’s recently released yearly email and SMS marketing benchmark report analyzed more than 17 billion...

read more