As a local retailer, you have the distinct advantage of personally knowing your customers better than any large retailer ever could. And there’s no doubt that your personal familiarity with shoppers and your town are reflected in the in-store experience. But, when it comes to marketing outside of your store, there are different strategies you […]
marketing
4 Steps for Crafting an Effective Window Display
Spring is upon us. Shoppers are emerging from their homes and venturing onto Main Street in search of fresh air, and of course, some fresh retail finds. There’s no time like the present to do some spring-cleaning on your window displays. An appealing storefront is critical for catching the eye of passers-by. And, once you […]
How to Win a Customer for Life
For many independent online sellers, getting your website in front of potential shoppers can be challenging. Optimizing SEO is harder and more competitive than ever, with preference often given to larger companies. Social media promotions offer greater visibility, but at a cost, and that landscape is also very crowded. In other words, once a customer […]
The Evolution of Customer Loyalty
Even though it’s been proven that more customers prefer to shop in store than online, it can still be a dizzying process trying to market to them and keep them loyal. You might even stop trying to bring old customers back and put your focus on bringing new ones in. Imagine being able to win […]
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 […]
Is Facebook Still Effective for Startups?
Many successful ecommerce retailers built their brands on Facebook. Specifically, direct-to-consumer startups from recent years like Brandless, Casper, Allbirds, Framebridge, and BarkBox built revolutionary retail brands almost exclusively on social media. At National Retail Federation’s BIG Show in January, CNBC’s Lauren Thomas held a discussion panel with executives from BarkBox and Framebridge, among others, to […]
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 […]
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 […]
The Market at Macy’s: Too Good to be True for Indie Brands?
The Market @ Macy’s is a pop-up shop within a dozen of Macy’s biggest stores nationwide. A pop-in, if you will. The Market @ Macy’s debuted in early 2018 and features a variety of both up-and-coming and established brands. For the most part, the specific products displayed at each market are unique to that particular […]
How to Sell on Instagram: Using the New Shopping Features
Instagram is a great visual marketing tool for showcasing products, lifestyle shots, and raising brand awareness. According to Mashable, “there are more than 25 million businesses that have Instagram profiles, and the photo-sharing app has become one of the most important platforms for smaller and direct-to-consumer brands.” Throughout 2018, Instagram implemented a lot of features […]
