Trying to satisfy your customers’ shipping needs can be a long, tiring, and expensive process, especially if you’re just starting out in the retail business. The growing demand for faster shipping is inevitably leaving the little guys behind because they can’t keep up, and this is where Uber has stepped in to help the cause. […]
Marketing & Management
Sell More Souvenirs This Summer
The U.S. novelty, souvenir, and gift industry includes about 23,000 stores with combined annual revenue of close to $16 billion. According to First Research, “The profitability of individual companies depends on effective merchandising and the ability to generate store traffic. Large companies have advantages in purchasing, distribution, and marketing. Small companies can compete effectively by […]
Mother’s Day 2019 – Consumer Insights and Promotional Tools
Mother’s Day, one of the biggest retail holidays of the year, is just around the corner. A total 86 percent of Americans celebrate Mother’s Day and spend an average of $180 per person. Last year, shoppers spent more than $23 billion on well-deserving moms, according to the National Retail Federation. What Shoppers are Buying for […]
2019 Economic and Consumer Outlook
The overarching theme of retail consumers in 2019 is high expectations. Higher consumer confidence, higher wages, innovative startups and emerging technology all contribute to unrelentingly high standards. But, for all of those same reasons small businesses are in a better position now, more than ever, to exceed consumers’ high expectations. Here’s a deeper dive into […]
Money Saving Tips for Your Business
Running a business can be hard work and very costly, especially if you’re just starting out in the field. Instead of throwing any extra change into a piggy bank like your mother taught you, there are easier ways of cutting costs, and Independent Retailer has put together tips for just that. Between advice from CEOs […]
How to Create an Immersive In-Store Experience
70% of our economy is driven by consumer spending. Mark Mathews, NRF Vice President for Research Development and Industry Analysis, says “as long as you have a strong consumer, you have a strong position.” How do you create strong consumers for your store? By offering them a great experience. Jill Standish of Accenture said at […]
Tax Season for Retailers – What You Need to Know
Last year, the Supreme Court issued a landmark ruling that changed online tax law. The original law predated the internet and was more reflective of mail-order catalogs. Previously, retailers only needed to collect and remit sales tax if they had a physical presence in that state. On June 21st, 2018, the Supreme Court ruled that […]
How Pop-Up Stores Are Revolutionizing the Retail Space
The retail space has seen a lot of technological advancements, but perhaps none more impactful than the pop-up store. In fact, according to Storefront Magazine, temporary pop-up shops are expected to generate $50 billion annually across the globe, and have been accepted as a proven marketing strategy for big brands. The pop-up store is a […]
4 Steps for Choosing a POS System
Choosing a point-of-sale (POS) system is a big decision. The right system can make your business operate much more efficiently, help manage inventory, provide data to make better purchasing and staffing decisions, and improve customer service. Many of the POS systems available for retailers advertise similar features. But, they are not all created equal. Here’s […]
Back to Basics: Freshen Up Your Store with Merchandising 101
Spring has sprung. Well… almost. There’s no better time than the present to freshen up your store for yourself, and for your customers. Having a great retail display can make all the difference. The way you display products and organize your store can be the difference between stellar sales or a deadbeat season. So, let’s […]
