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.

“2024 Brings Higher Shipping Costs: FedEx and UPS Rates on the Rise” by Jen Deming of BRA Partnership Shipping Program

by admin | Nov 15, 2023 | Associate Members, Brick & Mortar, E-Commerce, News, Resources, Retail Strategy, Returns, Shipping

Get ready for a hit to your shipping budget in 2024 as FedEx and UPS plan to bump up their rates by an average of 5.9%. But don’t be fooled by that number alone. Thanks to various fees and other adjustments, your actual shipping costs will likely rise even...

“How Retailers Can Make the Most of This Year’s Deep Discounting” by Sherene Hillal via Total Retail

by admin | Oct 24, 2023 | Apparel /Fashion, Brick & Mortar, Clearance Sales / Discounting, Footwear, Holiday, News

Credit: Getty Images by Dicraftsman Retailers, particularly those in high throughput categories like footwear and apparel, are still feeling the effects of the inventory glut that started in 2022. The issue is so severe for some brands that the tactics being used to...

“Unlock Your Best Holiday Season Yet: A Retailer’s Ultimate Guide to Boosting Sales and Winning Customers” by Bob Phibbs via The Retail Doctor Blog

by admin | Oct 23, 2023 | Brick & Mortar, Event Planning, Holiday, News, Resources, Retail Economy, Retail Strategy

Retailers face intense competition during the holidays. How can you prepare for the holidays with your crew? The key is to start early. This guide offers holiday retail sales strategies to optimize your store’s performance. Preparing brick-and-mortar stores for...

“REI cuts 275 employees in store operations overhaul” by Cara Salpini via Retail Dive

by admin | Oct 18, 2023 | Brick & Mortar, HR, Industry, News, Outdoor, Retail Economy

A brick REI storefront. The outdoor retailer said its operating model is more than a decade old and no longer supports its employees. Daphne Howland/Retail Dive Dive Brief: REI is laying off about 275 people in “lead” roles in stores as it shifts its store...

“Unraveling the Illusion: The Hidden Costs and Dilemmas of ‘Free Shipping’ in E-Commerce” by Mike Robinson via Total Retail

by admin | Oct 16, 2023 | Brick & Mortar, E-Commerce, Resources, Retail Strategy, Shipping

Credit: Getty Images by asbe All of us are familiar with the phrase, “Nothing in life is free,” (including lunch), but this sentiment truly resonates when examining the intricacies of free shipping in e-commerce. What if we changed the script on free...

“SURF EXPO SEPTEMBER SHOWCASES STRONG DEMAND FOR WATERSPORTS & BEACH LIFESTYLE PRODUCTS HEADING INTO 2024” by Amy Dufour via SurfExpo.com

by admin | Oct 12, 2023 | Brick & Mortar, News, Trade Shows

Surf Expo, the premier watersports and coastal lifestyle tradeshow wrapped up its summer show at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando. With more than 730 exhibiting brands participating, the event served as the industry launchpad for retailers to discover...