Updated 3/2/2021 The rolling out of the new COVID-19 vaccines is changing the consumer economic outlook for the better. According to the New York Times database, new COVID cases continue to decrease with each passing day. During the week of February 7-13, there was an average of 91,130 cases per day, a decrease of 39 […]
Retail News
New PPP Loans for Businesses with 20 Employees or Less
The Biden administration announced five major changes in the Payroll Protection Program this week to make access to PPP loans more equitable, which could make a big difference for small businesses. Starting February 24, 2021, the U.S. Small Business Administration will begin accepting applications for PPP loans exclusively for businesses under 20 employees and sole […]
Gender-Fluid Fashion Hits the Mainstream
by Isabella Lovett Over 50 percent of Gen Z consumers regularly buy clothing for themselves from both womenswear and menswear ranges, according to a survey by Wunderman Thompson that was published in Harper’s Bazaar. Yet it has taken some bold moves by fashion designers and independent retailers for gender-fluid clothing to finally hit the mainstream. […]
3 Retail Strategies That Won the Holiday Season
by Derek O’Carroll Although the 2020 holiday season was one of the most turbulent in recent memory, the U.S. retail industry saw a record $188 billion in online purchases, reflecting a year-over-year growth of an astonishing 32 percent. With an estimated $766 billion in sales up for grabs and one of the rockiest years on […]
The Benefits of Touch-Free Payment Systems
The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically changed the way consumers shop and pay for goods. Between buy-online-pickup-in-store, mobile, and tap-to-pay payment options, the checkout experience has become so frictionless that many experts believe this will be the way of the future post-COVID. The majority of retailers have adopted a checkout-free payment system or are currently in […]
What Small Businesses Should Know About Microsoft Cloud
by Shannon Flynn Use of the cloud has exploded in the last decade and has become a normal part of doing business. Despite its popularity, transitioning to the cloud may be a challenge for small and medium-sized brands — however, Microsoft Cloud for Retail is changing the landscape and helping to highlight the benefits of […]
Gaining Consumer Trust Through Safe & Inclusive Shopping Experiences
by Kushagra Shrivastava Before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the shopping experience had remained largely unchanged for years. In-store shopping and ecommerce served as the main purchasing platforms. A robust social media presence and various pickup and delivery options were helpful, but not critical to business survival. In 2020, that changed overnight. The Rise of Ecommerce […]
New Round of PPP Loans Lends a Helping Hand to Small Businesses
The small-business aid included in the $900 billion pandemic relief package approved last month has started to flow, and businesses are ready for the relief. The U.S. Small Business Administration reopened the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) for First Draw PPP Loans the week of January 11, 2021. SBA began accepting applications for Second Draw PPP […]
Your CBD Store – Where Good Health Hits Home
Getting started in the CBD retail business can be a bit daunting with all of the different suppliers out there. Before making a purchase from any company, retailers need to know if they offer lab results, how many different products offerings they have, how effective the products are, and if the price point is worth […]
Utilizing Flash Sales to Lure Customers After the Holidays
Once the holidays are over, there never seems to be any reason to shop. Consumers have already spent significant sums of money on holiday gifts, and until the weather starts to get warmer, everyone is bundled up with hoodies and sweatpants. One great way to get consumers back in your store and spending money again […]
