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 article or use the Search/Lookup feature to find topics and keywords related to articles that may help you to lower costs, increase margins or create more remarkable customer experiences.

“Toxic SPF Is Costing You More Than You Think—Here’s What Smart Retailers Are Doing About It” by Maggie Raymond via BRA Blog

by admin | Oct 20, 2025 | Opinion, Outdoor, Product Reviews, Skateboard, Snowboard, SUP, Surf

Sunscreen is a staple in any outdoor, resort, or beachside retail environment—but many retailers are just now waking up to a growing problem: the harmful ingredients hiding inside conventional SPF. For shop owners and buyers trying to align their inventory with...

“Why “Cash Is King” Kills Retail Sales (and Why Credit Card Fees Are Really Marketing Costs)” by Bob Phibbs via The Retail Doctor Blog

by admin | Oct 11, 2025 | Brick & Mortar, Consumer Behavior, Credit Card Processing, Customer Experience, Opinion, Resources, Retail Strategy, Sales Training

Credit card customers spend more than cash customers … a lot more. Research shows card users spend 12 to 18 percent more per transaction than those paying with cash. The Federal Reserve found non-cash purchases average more than four...

“Outdoor Retailer Has a Fresh Mindset — and New Location in Minneapolis” by Vicki M. Young via Footwear News

by admin | Oct 8, 2025 | Apparel /Fashion, Community, Industry, News, Outdoor, Trade Shows

Outdoor Retailer has a new agenda for its reimagined trade show, which now sees it setting up shop in Minneapolis. Outdoor Retailer is moving again, this time to Minneapolis as it looks to rebuild its presence in the trade show circuit. The Colorado Convention Center...

“From Family Legacy to Modern Success: The Island Water Sports Story” by Cheyne Cottrell (Co-Owner of Island Water Sports) via Trackfly blog

by admin | Sep 29, 2025 | Brick & Mortar, Community, News, Retail Strategy, Retail Technologies, Surf

Hi, I’m Cheyne Cottrell, General Manager and Co-Owner of Island Water Sports. My family has been riding the waves of the surf retail industry since 1977. This is my short story of how we navigated decades of challenges and expanded into new opportunities. I’ve also...

“Your Best Customers Are Forgetting You (While You Send More Emails)” by Bob Phibbs via The Retail Doctor Blog

by admin | Sep 23, 2025 | Customer Experience, Customer Loyalty, Customer Service, Direct Mail, Resources, Retail Strategy, Sales Training

Customer acquisition costs are up 38%, while retention rates keep sliding. Your marketing budget is working harder and delivering less. Your best customer hasn’t walked through the door in three months. Meanwhile, you’re on your 17th email blast… and they forgot about...