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.

“Tariffs Aren’t Your Problem: The Truth About Retail Pricing” by Bob Phibbs via The Retail Doctor Blog

by admin | Mar 18, 2025 | Brick & Mortar, Clearance Sales / Discounting, Governmental Affairs, News, Opinion, Retail Economy, Retail Strategy, Sales Training

I don’t care what side of politics you are on, the new administration in its first month in office unleashed waves of uncertainty surrounding the continued funding of federal grants, the work of federal employees and tariffs.  With many retailers already...

“What Would We Do Without Surf Forecasting?” by Sam George via The Inertia

by admin | Mar 16, 2025 | Community, Competitions, Governmental Affairs, News, Opinion, Predictions, Surf

So how’d ya know it was gonna be like this? in this part of the world? Photo: Marcus Paladino A growing number of mainstream news headlines these days have been heralding what appears to be the current executive branch’s systematic dismantling of myriad federal...

“Why Personalization Remains an Advantage for Independent Retailers” by Gourav Pani via Total Retail

by admin | Feb 4, 2025 | Brick & Mortar, Local Search, News, Opinion, Retail Strategy

Credit: iStock.com by Marko Geber In today’s world, mega-retailers have changed the way we shop. They offer same-day delivery and auto-shipment and sell cheaper versions of popular brands. Because of this, consumers now expect faster, easier transactions. Yet,...

“This skateboarding economist suggests we need more skateparks and less capitalism” by Greg Rosalsky via NPR

by admin | Jan 24, 2025 | Industry, News, Opinion, Retail Economy, Skateboard

A young skateboarder riding in front of the Ferry Building on the Embarcadero in San Francisco California.Adam Hester/Getty Images This first appeared in the Planet Money newsletter. You can sign up here. “The Skateboarding Ethic and the Spirit of...

“Is Surfing an Art Form? Former Z-Boy Stacy Peralta Thinks So” by Owen James Burke via Surfer.com

by admin | Dec 15, 2024 | Community, Debate, Interviews, Opinion, Skate Art, Skateboard, Surf

The skateboard virtuoso and documentary filmmaker on why surfing, skating and well, everything, is a creative endeavor If you ask documentary filmmaker Stacy Peralta, everything in life can be approached as art, down to the most menial of vocations, the most rote and...

“Will Gift Cards Dominate the 2024 Holiday Season?” by Jon Houke via Retail Wire

by admin | Nov 11, 2024 | Brick & Mortar, Gift Cards, News, Opinion, Retail Economy, Retail Strategy

The 2024 holiday shopping season is almost in full swing, and many consumers plan to skip the traditional gift this year, opting to give away gift cards instead. As tighter budgets, increased credit card payments, and higher prices apply pressure to shopping habits,...