Are You Podcasting?
Monday July 31, 2006
I often hear from retailers looking for some unique way to reach their customers. Many feel like "it's all been done before" and they want to try something different.
John C. ... Read More
Creating a Retail Promotional Calendar
Friday July 28, 2006
Marketing a retail store is easier if you are working in a chain store for a big company, than if you are running your own shop. This was a lesson ... Read More
Operating Legally
Tuesday July 25, 2006
When we moved our retail location from its rural location in the county to a downtown area, we thought it would be pretty simple. Our plan was to have no ... Read More
Motivating Your Employees
Monday July 24, 2006
Just because sales may be slow doesn't mean the economy is bad. If you are doing the right things to market your business and staying in touch with your customers ... Read More
Putting Your Plan on Paper
Wednesday July 19, 2006
Someone asked me once, "Why should I write a business plan? My business will be small, I don't need financing and I can answer any question a plan would answer."
If ... Read More
Help Name This Business: Paintings at a Discount
Tuesday July 18, 2006
A reader writes:
People keep telling me that the current name I have selected is "cheezy". I will be selling reproduction oil paintings... The product is art (paintings) at ... Read More
Wal-Mart Says Steal and Go Free
Saturday July 15, 2006
You will probably be arrested if you get caught stealing a CD from the local music store, but rip off Wal-Mart and you’re free to go. That’s the word on ... Read More
Capturing Your Audience… Now!
Friday July 14, 2006
How often have you said you can’t afford to advertise right now? Maybe once business picks up you’ll place an ad. Or maybe you’re holding those advertising dollars until the ... Read More
Sales Tax Holidays: How to Prepare
Thursday July 13, 2006
We had opened our doors for the first time just two weeks prior to our state's first tax-free weekend. Needless to say, we were completely clueless as to how to ... Read More
Poll: Is This a Full Time Gig?
Wednesday July 12, 2006
Operating from a brick and mortar shop is only one of many forms of retailing. These days, retailing doesn't even have to be done full time to be a success. ... Read More
What's the Percentage Increase or Decrease?
Tuesday July 11, 2006
Are you ready for a retail math quiz? It is Christmas Eve and your retail store brought in a total of $5200 for the day. Last Christmas Eve the store's ... Read More
Choosing a Business Name
Monday July 10, 2006
As a shopper, I love cute, catchy and relevant business names. I think I would rather tell people I bought a skateboard deck at the Board Stiff Skate Shop than ... Read More
50 Marketing Ideas for Retailers
Friday July 7, 2006
About a year ago, a window display of maternity clothing in a local shop caught my eye. The styles were so cute it (almost) made me wish I were pregnant! ... Read More
Buying Business Plan Software
Thursday July 6, 2006
If you have ever sat down to write a business plan, you know how difficult it can be. Not only do you have to conduct all the research that goes ... Read More
Balancing a Cash Register
Wednesday July 5, 2006
When I suggested to a new retailer that he create a system for balancing his cash register, he asked why he should go to the trouble when he was the ... Read More
5 Mistakes to Avoid When Selling Your Small Business
Tuesday July 4, 2006
Too often, retailers make costly mistakes when selling their shops. All their hard work can disappear with a bad sale. Debbie Allen has built and sold six businesses including a ... Read More
SCORE Offers Free Business Advice
Monday July 3, 2006
What would you expect to pay for the opportunity to sit down with a Fortune 500 executive and ask all the questions you have about starting a retail business? What ... Read More