Welcome to the Board Retailers Association (BRA) website. Below you will find helpful and relevant articles that we carefully curate for the benefit of our BRA Retail Members several times per week. Be sure to scroll through the most recent articles or use the Search/Lookup feature in the Menu above to find topics and keywords related to recent and not-so-recent articles that may help you lower costs, increase margins, or create more remarkable customer experiences. We deliberately made this our site landing page to demonstrate our commitment to “Protecting Retailers and a Lifestyle” for over 20 years (since 2003).
Be sure to visit the About Us, Retail Member Benefits and Join pages on this site to learn more about and benefit from our resourceful nonprofit trade association committed to helping board specialty, outdoor specialty, and lifestyle specialty retailers to survive, thrive, and keep “the special in specialty” for free.
“What Pandemic? Physical Real Estate is Having a Moment” by Andrew Flint via Total Retail
Credit: iStock.com by dragana991 Online shopping might be easy, convenient and prolific, yet it hasn’t erased the need for flagship brick-and-mortar retail establishments. In fact, retail real estate is undergoing a phenomenal — and some might say surprising...
“Top 10 Boating Safety Tips for the Busy 2022 Season” by The Watersports Foundation via the WSIA Newsletter
With a 35% increase in new boat ownership and 415,000 new boaters taking to the waterways since 2020, boating participation will reach historic levels of participation this summer, says Water Sports Foundation Executive Director Jim Emmons. With the Memorial Day...
“Retail’s Bench Strength Is Dwindling, Here’s How To Build It Back” by Bob Phibbs via The Retail Doctor Blog
Retailers are getting shoppers back in droves. That’s great news. For the most recent period, while online retail sales fell for the third straight month, visits to stores were up. In fact, NRF's annual forecast predicts that retail sales for 2022...
“From Seed To Culture – Shaheen Sadeghi ran global giant Quiksilver back when soulless malls ruled the retail landscape. Now, he’s building the future at his cool, community-focused shop, Seed Peoples Market.” by Doug Schnitzspahn via Outdoor Retailer Magazine
Seed Peoples Market won an Outdoor Retailer Innovation Award in January 2020, but when I visit the Costa Mesa, California-based shop, I don’t walk out with anything I saw in the aisles at that Show. Instead of a recycled polyester Patagonia jacket or a technical...
“Here Are the Winners of The Inertia’s 2022 Film & Photo Challenge Presented by White Claw” by Staff via The Inertia
Owen Beim with the winning entry of the Black and White Category presented by White Claw. Last weekend, at the Traveler Surf Club in Malibu, The Inertia awarded the winners of the 2022 Film and Photo Challenge presented by White...
“Retailers Should Be Texting Customers More: Here’s How to Do it Effectively” by Tom Sheahan via Total Retail
While many industries have embraced short message service (SMS, or more commonly referred to as texting) as a meaningful way to communicate with customers, many retail brands still haven't adopted the practice with regularity. As retailers consider changes in...
“Surf Shop Day is now being handled by the awesome people behind SIMA plus link to social media assets to use for SSD on May 21st” via Surf Industry Member Association blog
Let’s celebrate! A surf shop’s value according to Shaun Tomson, world champion surfer, environmentalist, and author: “Surf shops supply what surfers truly need – not what they want, but what they truly need – a great board, a wetsuit, some surf shorts, wax, and a few...
“Outdoor Sports Insurance Shares Best Crime-Prevention Practices Amid 50% Rise in Theft Claims” by Amos Horn via OSI (BRA Supporting Vendor Partner)
With headline-making robberies of cycling, skiing, and outdoor retailers becoming a common occurrence, Outdoor Sports Insurance (outdoorsportsins.com) is encouraging outdoor businesses and specialty retailers to reexamine their security practices amidst a nationwide...
“Shoppers decide what makes a great in-store experience and here’s what they want” by Bobby Marhamat via Retail Customer Experience .com
Photo by istock.com What, exactly, do today’s shoppers want from an in-store experience? The answer is clearer than you might think. When it comes to retail, beauty is in the eye of the consumer. Shoppers ultimately dictate which retailers are hip and profitable, and...
“HOW BROOKLYN GOT ITS OWN EUROPEAN STYLE SKATE SPACE” by Kenny via Jenkem Mag
You might have seen footage floating around Instagram of a giant new skate spot somewhere in the middle of New York. Known officially as Under the K Bridge Park, this new hotspot is tucked away next to a recycling center and bus yard in the middle of...
“Is Customer Service A Battle? Apparently” by Bob Phibbbs via The Retail Doctor Blog
An article in the WSJ profiled jetBlue airlines employees - 10% of which were previously firefighters or cops. "Now as a JetBlue flight attendant, Mr. Harris, 56, says he thinks of himself more as a "security chaperone'' than a flight attendant. He says he...
“REDEFINING BLATANT LOCALISM – Elon Buying Twitter Got Me Thinking” by Anthony Pappalardo via Artless Industria
PHOTO: Yes, that’s a Space X Skateboard. As you probably know, Elon Musk and a group of investors bought Twitter to make it a “town square that promotes free speech,” or something. As most people who cover tech or even own stock know, Twitter’s business...
“How the Pandemic Saved Brick-and-Mortar Retail” by Archie Black via Total Retail
Credit: iStock.com by Marie LaFauci Retailers get a second chance with true omnichannel now within reach Today we all love — and have likely used — curbside pickup at some point over the last two years. But let’s be honest: there's no reason retailers...
“New Tactics CEO on Business Trends and More” plus link to 30 day free trial by Tiffany Montgomery via Shop Eat Surf (Executive Edition)
New Tactics CEO Dugan Baker - Photo courtesy of Tactics By Tiffany Montgomery | Published Apr 26, 2022 Important industry skate and snow retailer Tactics (BRA Distinguished Retail Member), which is a big online player in addition to operating three...
“2022 Trends For Social Commerce” by Mark Hook via Independent Retailer
Over the last 20 years, we have seen social media shift from simple, text-based updates to increasingly visual content, championed by app-based platforms like Instagram and Snapchat. Now, new entrants such as TikTok and Pinterest are taking the trend even further....
“3 Data-Backed Ways to Drive Worker Retention, Productivity, Revenue and More” by Jordan Ekers via Total Retail
Credit: Getty Images by zoranm There’s a disconnect between retail associates and leaders on how effective their communications really are What do retail workers want? This is the question I’m hearing from every retailer I’ve spoken to in the past year. As we strive...
“9 Ways To Improve Your Body Language Nonverbal Skills” by Bob Phibbs via The Retail Doctor Blog
Looking for how nonverbal communication impacts sales? Your body language sends wordless cues long before you try to close a sale. Have you ever been judged by a stranger?You probably felt it first and then noticed their body language:Closed arms...Not meeting your...
“Report: 80% of US shoppers use buy now, pay later to avoid credit card debt” by Tatiana Walk-Morris via Retail Dive
Tero Vesalainen via Getty Images Dive Brief: Following previous reports of increased digital payment adoption, the Experian Global Insights Report found that 62% of respondents said they use mobile wallets, and 63% use traditional forms of payment, the credit...
“Why reviews aren’t just nice-to-have in 2022 – 88% of customers check your online reviews plus free downloadable Google Reviews ebook” by Podium (BRA Supporting Vendor Partner)
Google reviews impact the customer journey more than ever. When it comes to getting found by your customers, local businesses—those with a physical presence—actually have a huge advantage. But if your business isn’t shining online, you’ll see fewer customers coming...
“How Red Bull Turned New Orleans Airport Into A Skate Park” by Jeremy Lang via Simple Flying
Red Bull has turned the old New Orleans Airport into a skatepark. After a new terminal in New Orleans International Airport was built, the original terminal has been closed since November 2019. The Red Bull Terminal Takeover took the opportunity and held an event...
“Here’s Why ‘Kook Shaming’ Is Ridiculous” by Will Sileo via The Inertia
https://youtu.be/EAaHmSj5nJ4 In my opinion, the best kind of comedy is the kind which picks out something that’s absolutely absurd in the world around us and highlights it. Bonus points if it’s something that we do on a daily basis and just didn’t realize how...
“Is Free Shipping Dead?” by Tom Ritman via The Robin Report plus link to save big on your shipping expenses
Everyone knows shipping is costly. Return shipping can be even costlier. In an effort to give consumers what they want, when they want it (aka good consumer service), retailers are running up costs for labor and packaging by shipping one item at a time. This practice...
“March Retail Sales Grew Despite Higher Inflation” by J. Craig Shearman via National Retail Federation
"We believe the strength of the consumer can carry the economy through this considerable economic uncertainty."NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay WASHINGTON – Retail sales grew in March even as inflation edged higher, the National Retail Federation said today.“March...
“How Explainer Videos Can Answer Your Customer’s Hard Questions” by Andre Oentoro via Guest Blog
Image Via Unblast When your business launches new products and services, not all customers can understand your new product or services right away. If you want to introduce your brands, you can use explainer videos instead. An explainer video is a short video...
“How to Sell: Value over Price” by Bob Phibbs via The Retail Doctor Blog
As prices rise and customers become vocal about the difference between what they thought something would cost versus what you offer, it is important to sell value over price. When I was a college senior majoring in conducting, my final project was to perform a...
“Schnauzer Breaks Silence on Torturous Dog Surfing Routine” by Johnny Utah via The Inertia
A Schnauzer has broken his silence about how some dogs really feel about dog surfing events. Photo: Screenshot/Searle On a recent, sunny California day, a pack of dogs roamed the beach. The waves were up, and there were surfers in the water. But these weren’t...
“What Retailers Need to Understand About the Online Apparel Shopper” by Andrew Custage via Total Retail
Now over two years into the pandemic, the apparel retail category is steadily recovering following declines in 2020. With consumers returning to in-person workplaces, schools and social activities, the need for new clothes has been met with changes to the retail...
“The Undeniable Influence and Purchasing Power of Gen Z – How TikTok dances and streetwear drops are reshaping retailer strategies” by Adrien Nussenbaum via Total Retail
Credit: Getty Images by Franek Strzeszewski When we look back on trends from the 2010s, beyond planking and the Harlem Shake, one of the most pervasive fads was a certain type of thinkpiece: Millennials Are Killing Doorbells by Texting Instead. Millennials Are Killing...
“Let’s Talk Digital Growth in 2022” by Christine Russo of RCCA plus bonus interview
BRA strives to be the definitive resource for active sport retailers and we’re always looking for ways to help your business be successful. We’re excited to announce a brand-new Supporting Vendor Partner and their specific benefit that they are currently offering...
“24 Do’s and Don’ts of Customer Service by Personality Style” by Bob Phibbs via The Retail Doctor Blog
Personality styles have fascinated salespeople since the Greeks first identified them as the Four Temperaments. That’s because personality styles can give any retail salesperson, from novice to the seasoned pro, another way to cut out the fluff and connect with...
“Judge bars Walmart from selling shoes Vans alleges are knockoffs” by Ben Unglesbee via Retail Dive
Courtesy of https://corporate.walmart.com/photos/walmart-store-exterior-at-night Dive Brief: A federal judge issued a temporary injunction barring Walmart from selling shoes at the center of a lawsuit filed by Vans last fall.Vans, in its original...
“Even a Broken Femur Can’t Stop Tony Hawk” by Bret Anthony Johnston via The New York Times
In the documentary “Tony Hawk: Until the Wheels Come Off,” director Sam Jones chronicles many of the bad falls and injuries of Hawk's long career. One of the worst injuries came after filming when he broke his right femur. Credit...HBO Documentary Films A documentary...
“4 strategies to boost revenue by reimagining customer journeys” by John Nicola via Retail Customer Experience
Photo by istock.com By strengthening the connection between physical and digital shopping, retailers can create more enjoyable customer experiences that drive commerce and increase revenue. Advances in technology have fundamentally changed the way customers interact...
“The Rise of the Intermediate Surfer: Observations From a Pandemic-Driven Lineup” by Morgan Bernard via The Inertia
The surf remains the same but the surfers, well….there’s a lot more of ’em. Photo: Silas Baisch//Unsplash Two years ago, disease spread around the globe, and much of the population retreated to the confines of homes and humble apartments. For those of us stuck in...
“Key trends that will help retailers respond to growing consumer confidence” by Terry Clark via Retail Focus
Keeping pace with consumer trends and changing behaviours is key to the success of retail operations, particularly when managing the impact of current global events on supply chains to ensure they’re able to consistently meet demand. According to the latest CBI...
“Introduction to Jeff Plattman, CPA, Partner in CohnReznick LLP’s Consumer Industry Practice” plus announcement of special BRA Retail Member offer by Doug Works, BRA Executive Director
CohnReznick recently became a BRA Supporting Vendor Partner. Jeff, can you tell us a little bit about your background and CohnReznick? I am a partner in CohnReznick’s Consumer Industry Practice and have worked at the firm for over 30 years. I provide accounting,...
“How Outdoor Retailer Is Responding to Boycott Backlash Over Its Move Back to Salt Lake City” by Peter Verry via Footwear News
The Colorado Convention Center in Denver for 2021 Outdoor Retailer Summer. CREDIT: PETER VERRY After months of speculation, Outdoor Retailer announced late last week that it would again call Salt Lake City home. The decision was a controversial one, as the trade...
“Dare to FIT” by Renee Bavineau via The Robin Report
The fashion industry is now tied for first place in destroying our beloved planet. In 2021, 54 percent of retail bankruptcies were in apparel. And 56 percent of online returns were apparel. In fact, overall return rates are up by 35 percent since 2011. Once...
“7 Sales-Boosting Social Media Retail Marketing Strategies” by Bob Phibbs via The Retail Doctor Blog
I remember when a local business group asked me to present for half a day and the focus became social media marketing for retail stores. It was a typical group of small and medium-sized businesses that sold everything from clothing and sporting goods to banking...
“Kelly Slater, Shaun White, and Tony Hawk Are Presenting at the 94th Oscars” by Alexander Haro via The Inertia
Kelly Slater will be at the Oscars. Pretty good for a surfer from Cocoa Beach, right? Photo: WSL/Heff/Wikimedia Commons There are a few people in sports who transcend the sport itself. They get famous for their talent, but stay famous for something else. Take,...
![“We’re [Outdoor Retailer] Moving Back to Salt Lake City” by Marisa Nichols and Jeff Davis via OutdoorRetailer.com News plus opportunity to be considered for OR SLC Lodging Scholarships](https://boardretailers.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/OR-SLC_Salt_Palace-1920x700-1-400x250.png)
“We’re [Outdoor Retailer] Moving Back to Salt Lake City” by Marisa Nichols and Jeff Davis via OutdoorRetailer.com News plus opportunity to be considered for OR SLC Lodging Scholarships
Since 1982, Outdoor Retailer has brought the outdoor industry together for commerce, to share ideas, and to provide an experience that has grown into more than a trade show. Our community has become family, and for the past five years we’ve held our biannual...
“Why 2022 is the Year of First-Party Marketing for Retailers” by Ryan Milman via Total Retail
With the ad industry phasing out cookies and third-party trackers, data and privacy concerns and regulations taking center stage on a global scale, and a plethora of logistical issues like labor shortages and supply chain backups impacting inventory, retail brands...
“7 Critical Tips for Specialty Retailers in the Amazon Era” by Bob Phibbs via The Retail Doctor blog
Before I share how specialty retailers can survive and thrive, a question... Have you ever played Jenga? It’s a game where players take turns removing one block at a time from a tower constructed of 54 blocks. Each block removed from the bottom is then placed on...
“How BNPL Can Become Too Much of a Good Thing for Retailers” by Eleanor Ritchie via Total Retail
Credit: Getty Images by Suppasit Chukittikun Buy now, pay later (BNPL), a modern answer to retail layaway, is having a moment as a key payment option for online shoppers. It’s simultaneously soaring in popularity and finding that celebrity inevitably...
“We Spoke With Joel Tudor and a WSL Insider About Tudor’s Suspension; Here’s What They Had to Say” by Alexander Haro via The Inertia
After Joel Tudor was suspended indefinitely by the World Surf League, we caught up with him to hear his thoughts. Photo: Thomas Bennett//WSL Joel Tudor, three-time and reigning world longboard champion, was suspended from competition this week by the...
“3 Ways Retailers Can Reshape Their Digital Experience” by Jasmine Guthman via Total Retail
Credit: Getty Images by the_burtons Retailers and e-commerce players struggled with everything 2021 had to offer, from supply chain issues, delayed inventory, empty shelves, and a scarcity of talent. Based on close work alongside e-commerce and retailers and market...
“A grieving surfer is taking hundreds of strangers’ late loved ones for one last ride” by Faith Karimi via CNN
Editor's note: Two years ago, Covid-19 turned the world upside down. While the pandemic is not over, The Best in Us is a series that highlights people whose pandemic stories exemplify the resilience of the human spirit. (CNN) Dan Fischer has always found...
“7 Eye-Openers for How To Hire Good Employees In Retail” by Bob Phibbs via The Retail Doctor Blog plus link to register for Tuesday’s BRA M1 quarterly webinar about staffing and training related solutions
Prior to its opening, I was asked to visit a franchise to evaluate the new crew. I discovered the team members were bland, boring, and reticent. None of them were customer-focused. Without that focus, in particular, the store would fail disastrously. When I asked...
“Russian Surfing Federation Issues Defiant Statement After ISA Bans Russian Athletes” by Alexander Haro via The Inertia
The Ukraine National Surfing team competing in the finals in Odessa in the Black Sea of Ukraine at the Ukrainian National Championships. Photo: USF/Courtesy of ISA Russia is currently invading Ukraine in what is the largest conventional military conflict on...
“The One-Legged Snowboarder Who Built an Ingenious Prosthetic for Himself—and His Opponents” by John Rosengren via GQ
Mike Schultz riding in the adaptive banked slalom final during the 2017 Dew Tour Ezra Shaw / Getty Images After a horrific accident took his leg, Mike Schultz invented a high-tech artificial limb that action sport athletes quickly adopted. And now, to win gold at the...
“How to Enhance Recruitment and Retention Through Employee Engagement” by Chad Jensen via Total Retail
COVID-19 continued to make its presence known across industries in 2021. While businesses successfully adapted their work environments, many struggled to keep employees engaged, or even retain them, as well as find new employees to hire. Eighty-five percent of...
“The Rise Of African Surf Culture With Selema Masekela And Mami Wata – special exhibit at Surfing Heritage and Culture Center” via SHACC Newsletter
Coming to SHACC this month, we’ve partnered up with Selema Masekela and the incredible people at Mami Wata to bring you a very special exhibit that celebrates the rise of African surf culture. Featuring images and artifacts from Ghana to Mozambique and beyond, opening...
“SHOP TALK AT NJ SKATE SHOP IN JERSEY CITY” by via JENKEM MAG
We’re back with another episode of Shop Talk! After hearing from some young New Yorkers, and some obvious New York transplants, we figured that if we wanted to continue to hear from the everyday skater we had to leave New York. So we took a trip to the foreign land of...
“Fenty’s New Mall Stores Have a Lot to Teach Us” by Jasmine Glasheen via The Robin Report
Rihanna’s intimates brand, Savage X Fenty, opened its first physical store at Fashion Show Mall in Las Vegas, Nevada in January. Four more locations are scheduled to open in the next few months in Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., and Houston. The...
“Details Make The Difference – Changing Your Advertising Style to Maximize Results” by Tom Shay via ProfitsPlus.org
The rain that started Thursday evening continues to pour on this Saturday morning with no sign of letting up. Understandably, many customers have chosen to stay home. The two retailers, Al and Bill, have made their inventory purchases, media buys, and have extrasales...
“North Shore Home Collapses Onto Rocky Point Beach” by Alexander Haro via The Inertia
A Rocky Point house on Oahu’s North Shore collapsed onto the sand early Monday morning, broadcasting a stark warning to other residents nearby. https://youtu.be/CJEPwbGbzWQ Many of the beachfront homes on the North Shore are built on sand berms, and as storms get more...
“Stores of the future – Brands and retailers are giving their fitting rooms a high-tech upgrade” by Maile McCann via Modern Retail
Apparel brands and retailers are investing in high-tech fitting rooms in their brick-and-mortar stores. 2021 was the year of the virtual fitting room: Walmart, Shopify, Amazon and Snap all invested in augmented or virtual reality tech to help customers...
“How to Use Selling With Storytelling In Retail Sales” by Bob Phibbs via The Retail Doctor Blog
When you use storytelling in retail, it helps shoppers quickly become engaged. In retail sales, that is especially important because people are loyal to people, not products. And during tough times, they often want to escape the news. The purpose of storytelling...
“WE WENT TO NASHVILLE TO CELEBRATE SKATE SHOP DAY” by Ian Michna via JENKEM MAG
What’s special about Feb 19th? Absolutely nothing. It’s just another slush-filled day in most places in the world. That is until some friends decided to turn it into something meaningful: Skate Shop Day. Skate Shop Day is simply meant to remind us all to support...
“Build shop awareness AND boost sales for less than twenty five cents!” by Dave Seehafer of Global Wave Ventures
On a recent sales trip, I was reminded how powerful a logoed sticker can be. At the end of the meal, the server brought the check along with two of the restaurant’s stickers, a survey card and an invitation to join their mailing list. For the rest of the...