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.

“The Most Valuable Place Left Is One That Doesn’t Know You” by Bob Phibbs via The Retail Doctor Blog

by admin | Mar 25, 2026 | Brick & Mortar, Consumer Behavior, Customer Experience, Customer Service, Resources, Sales Training

It will be a place that has no idea who you are. There is a particular freedom in being unknown. No purchase history following you through the door. No algorithm anticipating your next move. No recommendations based on what people like you tend to buy. Just you,...

“NRF forecasts 4.4% retail sales growth this year despite rising uncertainty” by Daphne Howland via Retail Dive

by admin | Mar 22, 2026 | Consumer Behavior, News, Opinion, Predictions

NRF Chief Economist Mark Mathews speaking Wednesday at the group’s annual State of Retail and the Consumer virtual event. Screenshot: National Retail Federation/YouTube The group acknowledged a softening labor market, persistent inflation and fallout from geopolitical...

“If You’re Always Running a Sale, You’re Always Losing Margin” by Bob Phibbs via The Retail Doctor Blog

by admin | Feb 27, 2026 | Brick & Mortar, Clearance Sales / Discounting, Consumer Behavior, Customer Experience, Event Planning, Resources, Retail Strategy

From independent boutiques to national chains, many retailers lean heavily on coupons, sales, and markdowns to drive traffic. On the surface, discounting seems like an easy win to boost sales. In fact, almost all American shoppers (a whopping 94%) redeem at least one...

“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...

“Can You Read a Customer in 30 Seconds? – take the quiz” by Bob Phibbs via The Retail Doctor blog

by admin | Jun 23, 2025 | Brick & Mortar, Consumer Behavior, Customer Experience, Customer Loyalty, HR, Opinion, Resources, Sales Training

Take our Retail Personality Styles Quiz to discover how you show up—and how to flex your style to sell more. Why This Quiz Matters Some associates connect instantly. Others lose the sale before “hello.”The difference? Knowing how to read personalities—and...

“Death of the 99 Cent Pricing Policy” by Warren Shoulberg via The Robin Report

by admin | Feb 22, 2025 | Brick & Mortar, Consumer Behavior, Point of Sale, Resources, Retail Economy

Wanamaker’s Department Stores is generally credited with being the first retailer to price its products ending in 99 cents rather than rounding it up to the next dollar. Legend or reality, we do know the practice has become the foundation of most retailers’...