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.
by admin | May 26, 2025 | HR, News, Opinion, Retail Economy, Retail Strategy, Tariffs
Credit: Getty Images by Flamingo Images In retail, speed is no longer optional. Customer expectations shift fast, and technology evolves even faster. Strategic priorities can flip overnight in response to market volatility, operational challenges, or competitive...
by admin | May 24, 2025 | Brick & Mortar, Commercial Real Estate, E-Commerce, News, Opinion, Predictions, Retail Economy
In the last 15 years, the value of in-store sales fell just once, amid 2020’s pandemic lockdowns, according to a report from Colliers Monday. Daphne Howland/Retail Dive Brick-and-mortar stores drive the vast majority of core retail sales, and that won’t change any...
by admin | May 22, 2025 | Brick & Mortar, Customer Experience, Customer Service, Opinion, Retail Strategy
You’ve heard it walking through stores: “Welcome in.” A phrase that sounds meaningful but isn’t. It’s retail’s equivalent of a shrug – forgettable and damaging to customer experience. I first noticed it in Manhattan during...
by admin | May 20, 2025 | Brick & Mortar, Governmental Affairs, News, Predictions, Retail Economy, Retail Strategy, Tariffs
Credit: Getty Images by MoMo Productions Retail is experiencing a spending surge as consumers shop ahead of the looming tariff enactment dates. While this provides a welcome sales boost, retailers need to prepare for potential spending slowdowns that will occur should...
by admin | May 18, 2025 | Resources, Retail Strategy, Shipping
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...
by admin | May 16, 2025 | Governmental Affairs, News, Predictions, Retail Economy, Retail Strategy, Tariffs
The latest news that China and the U.S. have agreed to a 90-day ceasefire — albeit with tariff rates still substantially higher than before all of this started — has thrown the retail industry into yet another stage of panic as they scramble to see if they...
by admin | May 14, 2025 | News, Political Action, Shipping, Small Business, Tariffs
Credit: Getty Images by narvikk The U.S. and China issued a joint statement on Monday announcing an agreement to cut reciprocal tariffs for 90 days, with both sides “recognizing the importance of a sustainable, long-term, and mutually beneficial...
by admin | May 12, 2025 | Brick & Mortar, HR, Resources, Retail Strategy, Sales Training
Your payroll is still running even when the floor is empty. Here’s how to make every minute count. Originally, I shared just 50 of these ideas. The response was so strong, I decided recently to expand it. Now there are 75 ways your employees can stay sharp,...
by admin | May 10, 2025 | BRA Community Partners, Brick & Mortar, Community, Industry, News, Opinion, Surf
Retailers showing support for the upcoming Surf Shop Day on May 17. Photos courtesy of SIMA. Surf Shop Day came from a casual chat between Mike Vavak, founder of Building The Revolution, and a friend. The two started brainstorming about a surf alternative to...
by admin | May 8, 2025 | BRA Community Partners, Community, Customer Experience, Customer Loyalty, Industry
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...