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Specialty Retailers and the Board Sports Lifestyle
Surf | Skate | Snow | SUP | Swim | Outdoor | Wake

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Specialty Retailers and the Board Sports Lifestyle
Surf | Skate | Snow | SUP | Swim | Outdoor | Wake

Lower day to day costs, increase margins, create more remarkable customer experiences

Specialty Retailers and the Board Sports Lifestyle
Surf | Skate | Snow | SUP | Swim | Outdoor | Wake

Stay Current on the Latest Industry News and Consumer Trends

Specialty Retailers and the Board Sports Lifestyle
Surf | Skate | Snow | SUP | Swim | Outdoor | Wake

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 three or four 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

“SVP Spotlight – How can Earthpack help you to take action to reduce your carbon footprint beyond Earth Day with shop-branded recycled and reusable shopping bags and other sustainable packaging needs?” + request your free sample kit by Doug Works via BRA

“SVP Spotlight – How can Earthpack help you to take action to reduce your carbon footprint beyond Earth Day with shop-branded recycled and reusable shopping bags and other sustainable packaging needs?” + request your free sample kit by Doug Works via BRA

Most of you embrace and celebrate Earth Day, but what do you do to reduce your carbon footprint beyond Earth Day? Who can help you with shop-branded recycled and reusable shopping bags and other sustainable packaging needs? Founded by Dave Bock in 1989 in Irvine,...

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“Workers at TJ Maxx and Marshalls are wearing police-like body cameras. Here’s how it’s going” by Nathaniel Meyersohn via Retail Dive

“Workers at TJ Maxx and Marshalls are wearing police-like body cameras. Here’s how it’s going” by Nathaniel Meyersohn via Retail Dive

Retailers like TJ Maxx are turning to body cameras to keep stores safe. Eva Marie Uzcategui/Bloomberg/Getty Images/File New YorkCNN —  Hourly retail security workers are now wearing police-like body cameras at major stores. Retail giant TJX, the parent...

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“Outdoor Retailer Launches Expansive Hosted Buyer Program (apply here now)” by Bart Schaneman via The Daily

“Outdoor Retailer Launches Expansive Hosted Buyer Program (apply here now)” by Bart Schaneman via The Daily

At the OR Winter show last November, Sarah Morton (right), OR senior attendee relations manager, gives a group of buyers a tour of the show floor. Photo by Keith Fearnow. Apply for the All-New Hosted Buyer Program Attention: Outdoor Retailer and Outdoor Design +...

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“Optimizing Special Events and Seasonality in Retail: Embracing High-Resolution Planning” by Greg Arthur via Total Retail

“Optimizing Special Events and Seasonality in Retail: Embracing High-Resolution Planning” by Greg Arthur via Total Retail

Mastering inventory for special events and seasonality is a key ongoing challenge for retailers of every kind and size. The ebb and flow of sales during festive seasons, promotions, shopping days, and holidays can pose significant hurdles for inventory management....

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“Honoring Small Business Triumphs: Inspiring Stories of Retail Owners’ Success” by Bob Phibbs via The Retail Doctor Blog

“Honoring Small Business Triumphs: Inspiring Stories of Retail Owners’ Success” by Bob Phibbs via The Retail Doctor Blog

I have some amazing people I want you to meet and hear their advice for small business owners, but first, while researching this important celebration, I have to take a step back in time to where it all began. When did Small Business Week Start? President John F....

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“Bringing Joy to Retail: The Art of Human Connection in Stores” by Bob Phibbs via The Retail Doctor Blog

“Bringing Joy to Retail: The Art of Human Connection in Stores” by Bob Phibbs via The Retail Doctor Blog

The art of selling is deeply intertwined with the art of human connection. As a retail speaker and trainer with over 30 years of experience, I've seen firsthand how the most memorable shopping experiences are those that spark a sense of joy and connection between the...

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“Monthly retail sales from the US Commerce Department – Retail sales in March soar more than 5% beating inflation” by Daphne Howland and Caroline Jensen via Retail Dive

“Monthly retail sales from the US Commerce Department – Retail sales in March soar more than 5% beating inflation” by Daphne Howland and Caroline Jensen via Retail Dive

Photo Illustration: Shaun Lucas/Industry Dive; Getty Images The department’s Census Bureau tracks estimates each month. Retail Dive provides the numbers for key segments, and their year-over-year progress, or decline. Editor’s Note: Comparisons for individual segments...

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“Visa and Mastercard Reach $30B Settlement to Lower Merchant Fees” by Marie Albiges via Total Retail

“Visa and Mastercard Reach $30B Settlement to Lower Merchant Fees” by Marie Albiges via Total Retail

Credit: Getty Images by Westend61 Visa, Mastercard, and the banks that issue cards with them agreed to pay $30 billion in a lawsuit settlement that was first brought to the courts by merchants in 2005 . In reaching a settlement, Visa and Mastercard agree to lower...

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“How to Run an Efficient, Impactful and Successful Sales Contest” by staff via Shop Eat Surf (reposted with permission)

“How to Run an Efficient, Impactful and Successful Sales Contest” by staff via Shop Eat Surf (reposted with permission)

Photo Courtesy of ENDVR Sales contests are powerful tools for brands. They incentivize and motivate sales associates to talk about their products and sell them to customers. And this extra push goes a long way for brands.  In this article, we will explain how to...

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“Volunteers Rally To Build a New Skatepark for the Nigeria Skate Community – All thanks to the volunteer-led organization Wonders Around The World” by Haley Mast via Transworld Skateboarding

“Volunteers Rally To Build a New Skatepark for the Nigeria Skate Community – All thanks to the volunteer-led organization Wonders Around The World” by Haley Mast via Transworld Skateboarding

Wonders Around The World (WAW) is a 100% volunteer-run charitable organization whose mission is to make skateboarding accessible worldwide through the value of “Inclusion, expression, and development through empowerment”. WAW has traveled the world with a crew of...

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“2024 Retail Trends: How the Latest Technologies Continue to Shape the Industry” by Pierre Kremer

“2024 Retail Trends: How the Latest Technologies Continue to Shape the Industry” by Pierre Kremer

Credit: Getty Images by FangXiaNuo Our rapidly digitalizing and globalizing world hasn't been kind to the retail industry these past few years, especially for brick-and-mortar stores. As a result, many retailers have begun to wrestle with questions concerning the...

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“Retail Tech to Make Shoppers Fall in Love with Your Store” by Pankaj Mathur via iVendRetail Blog

“Retail Tech to Make Shoppers Fall in Love with Your Store” by Pankaj Mathur via iVendRetail Blog

It’s the time of year when the world’s thoughts turn to love. For retailers, Valentine’s Day offers a shopping boost in the after-holiday mid-February slump, but it’s more than that – it’s also a reminder that love comes in many forms, including the love that shoppers...

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“Relationships vs. Transactions and the Future of Email” by Jon Stamell via Total Retail

“Relationships vs. Transactions and the Future of Email” by Jon Stamell via Total Retail

Credit: Jon Stamell Do you know how many emails are sent every day around the world? I ask people that all the time and I get some surprising answers. I’ve heard 10 million, 100 million and up to a billion. The answer is that in 2024, people around the world will send...

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If you missed last week’s relevant and helpful webinar from BRA SVP CohnReznick, not to worry.  We got you with the registration link to view it on-demand” by Doug Works, BRA Executive Director

If you missed last week’s relevant and helpful webinar from BRA SVP CohnReznick, not to worry. We got you with the registration link to view it on-demand” by Doug Works, BRA Executive Director

In this outstanding webinar, the people behind BRA Supporting Vendor Partner Cohn Reznick and a couple of their special guests focused on data and lessons learned from the holiday season, margin enhancement opportunities from the investor perspective, and proactive...

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“2024 Predictions: 5 Trends That Will Shape the In-Store Shopping Experience” by David Barker via Total Retail

“2024 Predictions: 5 Trends That Will Shape the In-Store Shopping Experience” by David Barker via Total Retail

Credit: Getty Images by Busakorn Pongparnit From emerging technologies to AI-enabled retail associates, Honeywell shares thoughts on evolving retail experiences in the year ahead Retail is changing significantly as new technologies pave the way for future shopping...

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“How To Set A New Direction For Retail 2024” by Bob Phibbs via The Retail Doctor Blog

“How To Set A New Direction For Retail 2024” by Bob Phibbs via The Retail Doctor Blog

The start of a New Year is a good time to assess where you’ve been and where you want to go. Otherwise, it can be just the same problems on a different day.Most of us are good at seeing what we didn't accomplish. Many throw up their hands and say, "Good riddance." But...

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“Surf Expo to Host Exciting Lineup of Events, Networking, Seminars and Features at January 2024 Show” by Surf Expo staff via Surf Expo blog

“Surf Expo to Host Exciting Lineup of Events, Networking, Seminars and Features at January 2024 Show” by Surf Expo staff via Surf Expo blog

Highlights include the 2024 Florida Shape Off, East Coast Surfing Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, Learning Labs on important business topics, and an Industry Party. Surf Expo, the premier watersports and coastal lifestyle trade show, is offering a full roster of...

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“2023 year-end tax planning opportunities for hospitality and consumer businesses” by Lauren Precipe, Anton Rayetskyy & Yelena Belaks via CohnReznick blog plus special CR offer for all BRA Retail Members

“2023 year-end tax planning opportunities for hospitality and consumer businesses” by Lauren Precipe, Anton Rayetskyy & Yelena Belaks via CohnReznick blog plus special CR offer for all BRA Retail Members

As another year comes to an end, there are some major tax opportunities and concerns impacting the hospitality and consumer industries that should be considered for planning purposes. Although many COVID-19 related programs and changes are behind us, there are other...

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“Retail Holiday Sales: How to Sell to Men and Help Them Buy Like Heroes” by Bob Phibbs via The Retail Doctor Blog

“Retail Holiday Sales: How to Sell to Men and Help Them Buy Like Heroes” by Bob Phibbs via The Retail Doctor Blog

As a retailer, I loved the day before Christmas Eve. All the planners had purchased, and the after-Christmas sales had begun. The guys were now considering going shopping... Historically, on Christmas Eve, the crowds gradually thin out, and you begin to notice more...

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