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.

“Retailers Are Putting the “Special” Back in Specialty Retail Via Private Label” by Kari Hamanaka via Shop Eat Surf (Executive Edition)

by admin | May 26, 2024 | Apparel /Fashion, Brick & Mortar, Industry, News, Private Label, Resources, Surf

All product photos courtesy of Val Surf, Spyder, Jack’s and Quiet Storm. Huntington Beach Pier background: SES file photo. We talk to the owners of Val Surf, Jack’s, Quiet Storm and Spyder about their extensive private label strategies, which helps them control...

“The USPS Must Roll Back its Recent Postage Increases” by Jim Coogan via Total Retail

by admin | May 24, 2024 | Brick & Mortar, Direct Mail, News, Omnichannel, Opinion, Shipping

The postal price increases in the near term have proven to be a failure. The USPS modeling predicted that revenue would increase and demand wouldn’t fall. However, the data tells a different story. In 2023, revenue of “marketing mail” decreased by $920 million...

“How Retailers’ Wrong Sales Tactics Are Ruining Customer Impulse Buys and Considered Purchases” by Bob Phibbs via the Retail Doctor

by admin | May 22, 2024 | Brick & Mortar, Merchandising, Resources, Retail Strategy

I walked into a store in California last year, and what seemed like thousands of mason jar candles were stacked on a glass fixture from the ’80s. It was right next to the register. I could see the logic of putting the display there. Candles are impulse items. We...

“Optimizing Special Events and Seasonality in Retail: Embracing High-Resolution Planning” by Greg Arthur via Total Retail

by admin | May 8, 2024 | Artificial Intelligence / CHAT GPT, Brick & Mortar, Event Planning, Inventory Management, News, Resources, Retail Strategy, Retail Technologies, Seasonal Products

Mastering inventory for special events and seasonality is a key ongoing challenge for retailers of every kind and size. The ebb and flow of sales during festive seasons, promotions, shopping days, and holidays can pose significant hurdles for inventory management....

“WHAT’S IT LIKE RUNNING AN INDOOR SKATEPARK IN 2024?” by via Jenkem Mag

by admin | May 4, 2024 | Brick & Mortar, Community, Customer Experience, Event Planning, News, Retail Strategy, Skateboard

Jagger Eaton. Alex Midler. Every Japanese skater, probably. What do they have in common? They were all indoor skatepark kids. They grew up in a helmet, unbothered by rain, snow or the temptation of smoking weed behind a metal ramp. This usually took place at a local...

“Honoring Small Business Triumphs: Inspiring Stories of Retail Owners’ Success” by Bob Phibbs via The Retail Doctor Blog

by admin | Apr 28, 2024 | Brick & Mortar, Customer Experience, Interviews, News, Resources, Retail History, Retail Strategy, Small Business

I have some amazing people I want you to meet and hear their advice for small business owners, but first, while researching this important celebration, I have to take a step back in time to where it all began. When did Small Business Week Start? President John F....