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.

“Retail Stores Are Driving Customers Away” by Jasmine Glasheen via The Robin Report

by admin | Oct 28, 2026 | Apparel /Fashion, Brick & Mortar, Community, Customer Experience, News, Opinion, Retail Strategy, Sales Training

Going to the store is a quick trip for most consumers. For the 15 to 20 percent of the population who are neurodivergent, it can be an entirely different experience. From fluorescent lighting and loud music to confusing layouts and forced social interactions, many...

“Touring B.C. Surf & Sport’s New Fort Lauderdale Store: What Brands Are Working and Why Less Is More” by Tiffany Montgomery via Shop Eat Surf Outdoor (Executive Edition)

by admin | Oct 25, 2026 | Brick & Mortar, Community, Legends, News

B.C. Surf & Sport owner Bruce Cromartie and son, Connor, regional manager and buyer. Bruce’s other sons, Cameron and Christian, also work in the family business. Photo by SESO. B.C. Surf & Sport’s new Fort Lauderdale store is smaller and gives...

“The Slow Burn in Retail” by Deborah Patton via The Robin Report

by admin | Aug 8, 2026 | Artificial Intelligence / CHAT GPT, Brick & Mortar, Community, Consumer Behavior, Customer Experience, Customer Service, News

It’s summer-escape time, and we’ve all run into the addictive, slow-burn love stories typically found on epic, multi-episodic romantic streamers. You’re rooting for the intractable lead character who just needs a persistent love-washing treatment to reveal his or her...

“A Skateboarder’s Ted Talk: Modifying Men’s Mental Health” by Blair Alley via Transworld Skateboarding

by admin | Mar 30, 2026 | Community, Industry, Mental Health, Skateboard

Former pro John Gardner and fifteen minutes that is well worth your time. Key Points John Gardner, ex-pro skater, shifted focus to men’s mental health advocacy and therapy. His TEDx talk urges reimagining therapy “shoulder to shoulder,” not just traditional settings....

“Etnies, éS, and Emerica Closed E-Commerce Sites for Skate Shop Day” by Tiffany Montgomery via Shop Eat Surf

by admin | Mar 5, 2026 | Brick & Mortar, Community, Customer Experience, E-Commerce, Event Planning, Holiday, News, Opinion, Shoe Market, Skateboard

Clockwise from top left: Swedish sales rep Ante with the Kiosk Skate Shop crew in Orebro, Sweden; Kevin “Spanky” Long delivered a hand-drawn postcard and donuts to Val Surf in Los Angeles; A special delivery of goodies for Slappy’s Garage in San...

“How Dick’s Sporting Goods Built a $13.7 Billion Business by Putting Community First” by Bob Phibbs via The Retail Doctor Blog

by admin | Feb 4, 2026 | Brick & Mortar, Community, Customer Experience, News, Opinion, Outdoor, Resources, Retail Strategy

“It’s Never Just a Baseball Glove”: The Story That Shaped Dick’s Culture Dick’s Sporting Goods built a $13.7 billion business by treating every customer as a human being first and a transaction second. At NRF’s Big Show this past...