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.


“How to Train Retail Associates to Ask Why Questions Instead of What Questions” by Bob Phibbs via The Retail Doctor Blog

“How to Train Retail Associates to Ask Why Questions Instead of What Questions” by Bob Phibbs via The Retail Doctor Blog

by | Jan 23, 2026 | Brick & Mortar, Customer Experience, Customer Service, Educational Opportunity, Resources, Retail Strategy, Sales Training, Staffing, Story Telling

The laziest way to attempt to sell something in a retail store is to let your associates ask “what” questions. What product do you need? What size? What color? What price range? It’s what I call the “let’s cut to the chase” way of...
“From Clicks to Bricks: Taking Full Advantage of In-Store Pickup” by Grant Gustafson via Total Retail

“From Clicks to Bricks: Taking Full Advantage of In-Store Pickup” by Grant Gustafson via Total Retail

by | Nov 27, 2025 | Brick & Mortar, Customer Experience, Customer Service, E-Commerce, Opinion, Resources, Retail Strategy

Paths to purchase have changed significantly over the past decades, with customer journeys nearly unrecognizable compared to those of the early 2000s. With the internet at their fingertips, shoppers are more informed, connected to brands, and able to discover new...
“Your Best Customers Are Forgetting You (While You Send More Emails)” by Bob Phibbs via The Retail Doctor Blog

“Your Best Customers Are Forgetting You (While You Send More Emails)” by Bob Phibbs via The Retail Doctor Blog

by | Sep 23, 2025 | Customer Experience, Customer Loyalty, Customer Service, Direct Mail, Resources, Retail Strategy, Sales Training

Customer acquisition costs are up 38%, while retention rates keep sliding. Your marketing budget is working harder and delivering less. Your best customer hasn’t walked through the door in three months. Meanwhile, you’re on your 17th email blast… and they forgot about...
“‘It takes a lot of discipline’: How retail brands are educating their in-store staff” by Danny Parisi via Glossy

“‘It takes a lot of discipline’: How retail brands are educating their in-store staff” by Danny Parisi via Glossy

by | Jun 19, 2025 | Brick & Mortar, Customer Experience, Customer Service, Educational Opportunity, Footwear, News, Sales Training, Shoe Market

At the National Retail Federation’s annual Big Show this week in New York City, brick-and-mortar was at the center of the conversation. With the pandemic era fully behind us, customers are returning to stores, and brands and retailers are looking for ways to make the...