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.
WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON WITH ILLEGAL CIV? by ALEXIS CASTRO & IAN MICHNA via JENKEM MAG
By now, you probably have seen the commotion going down on Instagram surrounding Illegal Civ’s latest video, Hell Week. Illegal Civ has been gearing up to release their next full-length video and recently dropped a promo vlog and an official trailer on the brand’s...
NRF Predicts Healthy Holiday Sales as Consumers Navigate Economic Headwinds by Daniel Inman via National Retail Federation
WASHINGTON – Holiday spending is expected to be healthy even with recent inflationary challenges, as the National Retail Federation today forecast that holiday retail sales during November and December will grow between 6% and 8% over 2021 to between $942.6 billion...
“Small retailers again struggling to pay rent” by Daphne Howland via Retail Dive plus BRA intro to someone who can create leverage for you and save you money on your next lease renewal
Dive Brief: Rent delinquency among smaller retailers took a turn for the worse in October, with 43% saying they couldn’t cover their October rent in full this month, up 12% from last month, according to a report from small business referral network...
“5 Cash Flow Tips For Independent Retailers In October” by Bob Phibbs via The Retail Doctor Blog
The holiday season is about to begin, and every retailer is glad for it because cash flow will seem to get better. Let's temper that a bit because Christmas 2022 is on a Sunday, which removes one of those important sales-generating days because people may...
“Modern Machines: A Brief History of the Mid-Length Surfboard” by Sam George via The Inertia
Mr. February, a mid-length, and the highline. Photo: Screenshot Editor’s Note: Welcome to our new series, “By Design” with Sam George that examines the genius, and sometimes the mystery, of surfing’s storied design history. Sam has been writing about...
“Retailers Are Bringing Digital Precision to Their Physical Stores Via Smart Camera Technology” by Andrew Dallman via Total Retail
The internet provides retailers endless amounts of precise, real-time information and insights into the shopper’s journey. What are they searching for? What are they clicking on? At what point do they fall out of the sales pipeline? In a brick-and-mortar store,...
“Adidas drops the other shoe on Ye” by George Anderson via Retail Wire
Adidas yesterday ended its partnership with Ye, the artist formerly known as Kanye West, following a series of antisemitic remarks he has made recently in multiple forums. “Ye’s recent comments and actions have been unacceptable, hateful and dangerous, and they...
“UPS and FedEx rate increases are coming. Here’s how shippers can prepare.” by Max Garland via Retail Dive plus link to learn more about BRA Discount Shipping Program
Lana Provost, a UPS package handler, loads packages into a truck at the UPS Centennial Ground Hub on December 6, 2021 in Louisville, Kentucky. UPS and FedEx have announced their delivery rates will soon increase by 6.9% on average. Jon Cherry/Getty Images via...
“BRA LIG Solutions Member Health Insurance Coverage Overview Webinar is now available to view on-demand right here” by Doug Works via BRA YouTube Channel
This informative presentation delivered by Tim McNichols of BRA Supporting Vendor Partner LIG Solutions (on October 4, 2022) lasted less than 40 minutes and discussed the following: WHAT KIND OF COVERAGE IS INCLUDED IN THE BOARD RETAILERS ASSOCIATION HEALTH PROGRAM?...
“7 Essential Retail Manager Skills Your Store Needs To Succeed” by Bob Phibbs via The Retail Doctor Blog
What retail manager skills does your store need to succeed? Managers need a host of interpersonal skills to execute a management plan and help retail stores boost sales. One thing that can compromise a store is that most retailers promote from within, and while that...
“Outdoor Retailers Give Customers Their Expertise for Free. Should They? – Here’s how shops can monetize non-paying customers who just want free information” by David Gladish via Outside Business Journal
Photo: Nikola Stojadinovic/Getty If you’ve ever worked in outdoor retail, you are probably all too familiar with a particular customer. They come in, use up your time and expertise to gain product knowledge and find the proper fit, subtly (or not so subtly) take a...
“Here’s How Josh Kerr Made Parenthood and Life on the World Tour Look So Good” by Joe Carberry via The Inertia
Josh raised his son Colin and daughter Sierra with his wife Nikki while negotiating the CT. Photo: J Bonner The life of the professional surfer, snowboarder or skier sounds pretty amazing, right? Riding powder in exotic locations, boat trips to far-flung...
“The unique abundance of skate culture, with the first Ambassador of Skateboarding” by Neftalie Williams and Sam Firman via AdventureUncovered.com
WILLIAMS DOING A NOLLIE BACKSIDE TAILSLIDE SHOVE-IT, Image courtesy of Rachele Honcharik Neftalie Williams is a scholar, teacher, writer, founder, bridge builder and the first Ambassador of Skateboarding. But first and foremost, underpinning it all, he’s a...
“Tips to Help Retailers Hire for the Holidays” by Brian Brinkley via Total Retail
Retailers should be preparing for peak season hiring as the holidays are just two months away. Since many retailers have struggled to fill open positions over the past year and a half, the thought of hiring enough seasonal help could be frightful, rather than...
“Retailers Are you Blaming the Customer or Selling the Experience?” by Bob Phibbs via The Retail Doctor Blog
I love checking out art museums on vacation. I usually meet the docent because I stand too close to the artwork and get an occasional “Step back, sir.” Art museums are sterile and quiet with people glaring at you, protecting the art. Music stores and other retail...
“WE CHECKED OUT SOME BOOKS PENNED BY SKATERS” by Matt L. Roar via JENKEM Mag
Every skater can name everything about their first deck or skate video. You remember the songs, the tricks, the outfits. You remember the art on your earliest completes, T-shirts, wheels, and if you’re a big enough nerd you can even recognize the visual aesthetics of...
“TikTok’s latest ad product rollout aims to make creators’ (and advertisers’) lives easier — for the most part” by Krystal Scanlon via Digiday
Creators are having a hard time right now: canceled deals, stretched payment terms, even revenue shake ups from the platforms. It’s tough times for anyone in the content-making business. But it doesn’t have to be, according to TikTok. Or more to the point, it won’t be...
“What September’s retail sales mean for the holidays” by Daphne Howland via Retail Dive
Elenathewise via Getty Images Consumers are spending and shopping early, but inflation is still squeezing their budgets. Retailers have their work cut out for them this season. All year, inflation, plus late-pandemic changes in how people work and play, has skewed...
“Has Surf Culture Outgrown Competitive Surfing?” by Sam George via The Inertia
A scene that after all these years, isn’t that different from the one below. Photo: Sean Rowland//WSL I was never much of a professional surfing competitor. Meaning an honest personal assessment would place me far from a serious contender, but more like an...
“‘Special day’ promotions can give retailers the distinction they need” by Tom Ryan via Retail Wire plus board specialty specific holidays for you to embrace and celebrate
A new university study finds that consumers are more likely to use discounts celebrating a “special day” — such as pizza/pie promotions or 31.4 percent discounts for Pi Day (March 14) — than for standard holidays or one-day sales events. The research...
“9 Ways To Increase Employee Retention In Your Retail Store” by Bob Phibbs via The Retail Doctor blog
When employees leave – either because you fired them or they quit by choice, their absence leaves a hole. Retailers hate holes… in merchandise, displays, and schedules. The more employee turnover you have, the more holes you have to deal with, and the more costly it...
“New Book ‘SURFER Magazine 1960-2020’ Captures Essence of Publication’s Six-Decade Run” by Sam George via The Inertia
The Chris Burkard shot from Iceland made famous in the pages of SURFER. Like just about every other surfer over the age of, let’s say, 20, I distinctly remember the very first issue of SURFER magazine I ever saw. It was the summer of 1967, and as...
“An ‘Old’ Technology Just Might Help Retailers Battle the Labor Shortage” by Kimberley Dobny via Total Retail
Credit: Getty Images by EXTREME-PHOTOGRAPHER Frontline employees are vital to a retailer's operation. The quality of a customer's experience is directly related to the level of employee engagement. When customers need assistance, they expect fast, reliable...
“REI commits to closing stores on Black Friday forever” by Cara Salpini via Retail Dive
On Oct. 4, 2022, REI announced a commitment to shutting its stores every year on Black Friday in favor of time spent outside. Courtesy of REI Dive Brief: After seven years of closing its doors on Black Friday, REI is making the tradition permanent, the...
“Sign the Petition for a Designation Plaque for Velzy’s, the Worlds First Surf Shop” by Jaqueline May via MoveOn.org petitions
Dale Velzy opened the world’s first surf shop at 117 Manhattan Beach blvd, Manhattan Beach, California in 1950. We support installing a bronze plaque to designate this historical spot. Why is this important? There are numerous bronze plaques around Manhattan Beach...
“Why Retailers Should Display Christmas Merchandise Before Halloween” by Bob Phibbs via The Retail Doctor Blog
Why do retailers put out Christmas merchandise before Halloween? Because customers buy it. It's that time of the year ... Time for the leaves to change and drop... Corn mazes to sprout up... Pumpkin spice lattes... and the perennial favorite of writers...
“3 Pillars of a Great In-Store Experience” by Bobby Marhamat via Total Retail
Brick-and-mortar retailers must never lose sight of what the average customer wants. Keeping tabs on shoppers’ most pressing needs is, more than anything else, the recipe for success. Based on Raydiant’s State of Consumer Behavior 2022 report, there are three...
“NOT ANOTHER 2022 DIME GLORY CHALLENGE RECAP” by Alexis Castro via Jenkem Mag
It’s been three years since the last Dime event, so when they announced the return of the Glory Challenge a few months back, I knew we had to figure out a way to be there. Skateboarding had missed what many would argue is the best “contest” in the game, so it was...
“Patagonia: Conscious Capitalism” by Robin Lewis via The Robin Report
I’m offering yet another report on Patagonia that I’m tossing into the ring, now full of one adulatory article or broadcast interview after another. However hesitant I was to follow lemming-like this cascade of applause for Patagonia’s founder Yvon Chouinard, I...
“How retailers are hiring for the holidays in 2022 – In preparation for demand, some companies are staffing for the season similarly to 2021 while others are reducing their efforts.” by Staff via Retail Dive
Hiroko Masuike / Stringer via Getty Images The backdrop of this holiday season looks quite different than last year’s. While many consumers have adopted a sense of pre-pandemic normalcy with in-store shopping, inflation has largely hampered the...
“Vans Brooklyn Block Party” by Staff via Transworld Skateboarding
Located in Brooklyn’s bustling Bushwick neighborhood, Vans’ Skate Space 198 is an NYC skater’s oasis that first opened its doors to the city’s skateboarding community in January 2020. Now, more than two and a half years later, Vans Skateboarding is...
“Core Retailers Weigh In on Potential Boardriders Sale” by Tiffany Montgomery via Shop Eat Surf (Executive Edition)
By Tiffany Montgomery | Published Sep 26, 2022 Quiksilver, Billabong Men’s, Roxy, Billabong Women’s and RVCA make up a sizeable chunk of the total sales mix of many core surf accounts. We asked Maui Nix, Surfside Sports, HIC, BC Surf & Sport, Hansen’s,...
“How Technology Can Help Small Retailers Stay Fully Operational With Fewer Associates” by Amanda Honig via RIS News
Facing unprecedented and challenging market disruptions, forward-thinking small business owners are turning to technology to maximize productivity and profits. What’s more, investments in the right technology can elevate the overall shopper experience, even when there...
“Did Target just move Black Friday up to October 7?” by George Anderson plus retail industry experts weigh in on this important question: “Has the beginning of October replaced Thanksgiving week as retail’s start to the holiday season?” via Retail Wire
Christmas creep is dead. Retailers moving their holiday promotions up from Thanksgiving Day week is now just business as usual. It is for Target, which announced it is kicking off its holiday season push with its biggest ever “Deal Days” promotion running...
“World Surf League Releases 2023 Schedule: Surf Ranch, Trestles Return” by Joe Carberry via The Inertia
Will Filipe defend his title? The schedule would seem to support a repeat run for the Brazilian. Photo: Pat Nolan//World Surf League With the 2022 season freshly minted, the World Surf League wasted little time in releasing its 2023 schedule....
“Rebound for Retail: How Mobile Can Achieve Memorability for Retailers” by Paul Coggins via Total Retail
Credit: iStock.com by Anita Kot Over the past few years, there’s been an increasing shift towards online retail, particularly with many of the attitudes adopted over the course of the pandemic now a part of everyday life. And many of these transactions are being...
“What Is Your North Star?” by Deborah Patton via The Robin Report
Do you know your organization’s North Star? Or maybe a better question is whether your organization even has a North Star. Not to get all astronomical on you, but Dr. E.C. Krupp, Director of the Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles and a world-renowned expert in...
“How To Make Your Retail Store Instagram-Worthy” by Bob Phibbs via The Retail Doctor blog
Today's retail landscape is all about being Instagram-worthy. Consumers and influencers are always on the lookout for new, unique, and visually appealing places to take photos and videos for their social media channels. As a retailer, you can capitalize on this trend...
“The Surfing World Owes Stephanie Gilmore an Apology” by Ben Mondy via The Inertia
She earned it. And we forgot about her. Photo: Thiago Diz//World Surf League “Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them,” wrote bad boy Billy Shakespeare. Or in Stephanie Gilmore’s case, some quietly achieve GOAT...
“The Simple Way to Drive More Retail Foot Traffic” by Peter Biagioli via Total Retail
Credit: Getty Images by SolStock We’ve all witnessed the pandemic’s devastating effects on retail shopping and the significant downturn in customer foot traffic in-store, but experts now point to a major shift in customer behavior. Recent figures, including the...
“NRF Reports Retail Shrink Nearly a $100B Problem” by Daniel Inman via National Retail Federation
WASHINGTON – Retail shrink, when taken as a percentage of total retail sales in 2021, accounted for $94.5 billion in losses last year, up from $90.8 billion in 2020, according to the 2022 National Retail Security Survey released today by the National Retail...
“How to Use Humor in Your Sales Presentation – the More Laughs, the More You Sell” by Bob Phibbs via The Retail Doctor Blog
Want to increase your sales? Try adding humor! Here are eight tips for incorporating humor into your retail store or in-person sales presentation. With all the focus on features and benefits from manufacturers, many retail sales presentations can be dry and boring....
“Sandia Peak Ski Area to remain closed for second year” – A result of climate change and staffing issues by Scarlett Lisjak via SIA Newsletter shared article
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Sandia Peak Ski Area officials recently announced they will be closed this winter, for the second year in a row. The lack of snow on the mountain for the past five years has created a snowball effect. For the first time in at least the past...
“Why Is Surfing So Good for Us? A Neuroscientist and a Writer Offer Clues” by Owen James Burke via The Inertia
Maybe it’s simply moments like this that make us happy? Photo: Paz Arando//Unsplash “Surfing is the source, man. It’ll change your life. Swear to God.” – Surf shop grom from Point Break Sappy, soppy, mystical explanations and platitudes abound for...
“5 Key Trends to Watch in Modern Retailing” by Nick Gurney via Total Retail
Credit: iStock.com by Tzido The shift from physical to digital retail was well underway before the pandemic hit, but the closure of physical locations has accelerated the trend. This has exposed a weakness in sales for many retailers that have been slow to adapt to...
“Why Microplastic Pollution is Still Fashion’s Concern” by Catherine Schetting Salfino via The Robin Report
Although numerous residents of New Jersey are still openly bemoaning the plastic bag ban that took effect in May, millions of people around the globe are participating in Plastic Free July, an initiative of the Plastic Free Foundation, an organization...
“VIDEO ESSAY: HOW SKATEBOARDING WENT HD” by Alex Coles via Jenkem Mag
Skaters aren’t always ready to give up old ways so easily, but most of us have finally accepted the transition into the high definition world. It’s been a long and slow journey, so we decided to put together this timeline of how skateboarding started to ditch...
“How Retailers Can Use TikTok to Build Better Brand Loyalty in a New Era of Community Building” by Amy Gilbert via Total Retail
Credit: Getty Images by Pixels Effect If you're familiar with TikTok, you've most likely seen the hashtag #Tiktokmademebuyit. Truth is, people can find anything from books to clothing to makeup thanks to retail brands’ ever-expanding presence on TikTok. This social...
“Instead of having just one DRM benefit known as the BRA Shipping Program, PartnerShip is now administering two separate shipping benefits plus FAQs and link to take advantage of these savings” by Doug Works, Executive Director of Board Retailers Association
We asked Harry Centa of PartnerShip (BRA Supporting Vendor Partner) why they are splitting the shipping program into two separate benefits and a few other questions about the special savings program specifically for BRA Distinguished Retail Members. Here is how he...
“Will Americans get started earlier or later this year on their Christmas shopping?” by Matthew Stern via Retail Wire
A Salesforce survey reported by Practical Ecommerce found that 37 percent of consumers anticipate starting to shop for the holidays early this year. According to that article, customers may shift their Christmas spending from the big seasonal shopping...
“Vail Resorts to Limit Ticket Sales Every Day of 2022-2023 Season” by Will Sileo via The Inertia
Snowboarders ride the lifts at Brighton, UT, an Epic Pass resort. Photo: Jackson Blackhurst. Are the days of overcrowded Vail-owned ski resorts a thing of the past? Will the infamous “Epic Lift Lines” Instagram account have to be discontinued due to a lack...
“Are You Ready for Live Commerce? 5 Tips to Get Started Right Now” by Zarnaz Arlia via Total Retail
Credit: Getty Images by Seksan Mongkhonkhamsao The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the digital transformation of businesses as they attempted to meet the changing demands of customers. Stuck at home during lockdowns, people around the globe turned to online shopping and...
“5 Ways to Make Your Store a Place Employees Love” by Bob Phibbs via The Retail Doctor Blog
If you're like most retailers, you're always looking for ways to improve your employees' satisfaction levels and keep them motivated. After all, a satisfied employee is more likely to provide better customer service.And frankly, only feeling great satisfaction with...
“U.S. retailers slash clothing prices as shoppers cut purchases” by Arriana McLymore via Reuters
A Victoria's Secret store is pictured in Liverpool, Britain. REUTERS/Molly Darlington/File Photo NEW YORK, Aug 25 (Reuters) - Inflation-weary U.S. shoppers have been skimping on clothing purchases, prompting retailers to slash prices to clear inventory off the racks....
“Adapting to the New Normal in Retail: 5 Ways to Improve Your Digital Presence” by Nicole Leinbach Reyhle via Retail Minded
The COVID-19 pandemic shifted consumer buying behavior to the online world, forcing retailers to adapt quickly. Even as the world recovers from the pandemic, e-commerce still has a stronghold, so it’s crucial for retailers to cater to the needs of consumers who...
“Transactional reward programs are easy, but do they build customer loyalty?” by Tara Kirkpatrick via Retail Wire
Another day, another retail loyalty program launch. Bath & Body Works earlier this week debuted its “new” rewards program, which was soft-launched in July after it began testing in March. Bath & Body Works joins a slew of retailers and brands,...
“Who is Strike Visuals and how can they help you to make your shop even more recognizable at events?” by Doug Works, BRA Executive Director
Strike Visuals is one of the newest BRA Supporting Vendor Partner and has been leading the industry with high-quality promotional event products for years. Founded by the Stewart brothers in search of finding the best solutions for outdoor inflatable race arches and...
“The Reinvention of Curation” by Paco Underhill via The Robin Report
The display greeting you at the doorway is a huge geode of crystal amethyst; the asking price is $2000. Behind it is a mannequin wearing an American Museum of Natural History T-shirt. Even for a museum store, the amethyst was impressive. “How many blocks have you...
“A 5-Point Road Map To Compete With Amazon” by Bob Phibbs via the Retail Doctor Blog
Levi's made headlines when its stock gained 32% on its first day of trading. While Levi's sales and profits are still growing, they didn't come by accident. For years Levi's brand foundered as competitors chipped away at one of America's most iconic brands. Then...
“How Many Arrows Are in Your Quiver?” by Marc Weiss via The Management One Newsletter
In business, this is a metaphor for what resources and strategies are available to you in order to achieve your goal. The quiver holds the arrows, you as the store owner are the archer and the target is your retail business goal. The relationships to this metaphor are...