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’s AI Taskmaster: Technology Turns Associates into Digital Servants” by Bob Phibbs via The Retail Doctor Blog

by admin | Mar 26, 2025 | Artificial Intelligence / CHAT GPT, Brick & Mortar, Customer Experience, Customer Service, HR, m-commerce, Resources, Retail Strategy, Social Media

I shared a story last month about a visit to Saks where associates were too engrossed in their smartphones to look up at shoppers. A friend commented they had the same experience and when they asked the manager, they were told, “Oh, they’re clienteling.” First, I...

“Ultraskate Win + Heart Attack + Longboarding to Recovery.” by Bill Ennis (BRA Board Member and owner of Dig Paddlesports) via Dig Paddlesports Blog

by admin | Mar 10, 2025 | Competitions, Customer Experience, Event Planning, News, Outdoor, Skateboard, SUP

I checked my carotid pulse. It was there. February 25, 2024. 0300 hours. Radial pulse next. Blood was flowing through my wrist. “What in the hell is happening?” My back popped, but not much. I drank water, feeling dehydrated. I shifted my position in bed....

“Examining Surfing’s Culture of Cool and the Point at Which We Abandon It” by Brian Souza via The Inertia

by admin | Mar 4, 2025 | Brick & Mortar, Customer Experience, News, Surf

Surfing just has that “cool factor.” Photo: Kenny Morris//World Surf League “Cool is spent. Cool is empty. Cool is ex post facto. When advertisers and pundits hoard a word, you know it’s time to retire from it…I want to suggest, therefore, that we begin to avoid...

“50 Actions Retail Employees Can Do When They’re Not Busy” by Bob Phibbs via The Retail Doctor blog

by admin | Feb 16, 2025 | Brick & Mortar, Customer Experience, Customer Service, HR, Resources, Retail Strategy, Sales Training, Staffing

What to do when your retail employees are standing around during those quiet store moments?Sure, you’re fine with them taking a quick breather after dealing with a demanding customer or wrapping up a task. We all need that. But there’s still that line...

“5 Reasons To Shop at Your Local Skateshop” by Blair Alley via Transworld Skateboarding

by admin | Feb 14, 2025 | Brick & Mortar, Customer Experience, Event Planning, Holiday, Industry, News, Retail Strategy, Skate Art, Skateboard

As Skate Shop Day approaches, here are five reasons to support your local skate shop. Supporting your local skate shop is one of the most important things you must do as a skateboarder. Artist Henry Jones has a beautiful breakdown of his top five reasons...

“How Retailers Are Investing in Their Sales Associates” by BOF Insights, McKinsey & Company via Business of Fashion

by admin | Jan 30, 2025 | Apparel /Fashion, Brick & Mortar, Customer Experience, Customer Service, HR, News, Retail Strategy, Sales Training

Sales staff have a valuable role to play in connecting with customers. (Shutterstock) Differentiating the in-store experience is key to reigniting demand for in-person shopping, according to the BoF-McKinsey State of Fashion 2025. Brands can achieve that by empowering...