Thursday October 13, 2011
We asked for your creative marketing ideas and here is one of several great marketing ideas sent in by those in the retail industry.
A retailer writes:
"Last year we gave some products that just weren't selling to a community organization for their Relay for Life fundraiser. We got to write off the donation and because we also placed each item in a bag with our logo and location, we had customers come in to the store for the first time and thank us for giving to such a worth while cause. It really was a win-win!"
Do you have a marketing idea? What ways are you generating new sales in your store? Share your marketing ideas.
Need more suggestions? Take a look at our 50 Marketing Ideas for other creative suggestions.
Monday October 10, 2011
Have you ever experienced a customer that you secretly would like to choke? Maybe not to the point of suffocation but just until they regret spewing the venom they just unleashed on you?
Let me offer some advice if you're ever faced with that demon customer. Rule number one, stay calm and remember it's not personal! Yes, unfortunately we must grin and bear it sometimes. Read on to learn more about this and other customer service tips to save the sale when dealing with a disgruntled customer.
Have you been in a situation where no matter how thick you laid on the charm and how accommodating you were, the customer was rude beyond your wildest dreams? How did you handle it?
Wednesday October 5, 2011
How safe are your products? Take a look right now at your product line. Is there any item that would intentionally hurt the end-user? Chances are the answer is no.
Most retailers wouldn't knowingly sell a defective, recalled or dangerous product. But what if we sold an item that seriously injured or killed a customer? What if the manufacturer used a sub-par material in order to cut costs and that action resulted in the death of a user? Are you responsible for that death? Maybe! Gregory Boop, your About.com Guide to Business Insurance, says:
"...manufacturers are not the only ones subject to product liability exposure, retailers and wholesalers are often brought into a lawsuit for alleged negligence by the consumer."
Learn more about product liability insurance and how you can be sure your retail business is covered.
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Friday September 30, 2011
Most retailers want high-traffic locations for their stores, but I'm often asked what tools or resources are available for finding such places. Here are a few ways to determine traffic for finding a good retail location.
Traffic Count: Many state transportation departments provide this information online at no cost.
Population: The U.S. Census Bureau provides data on population and household economics by zip code. Your county planning department or economic development organization can usually provide local demographics for your community.
Scout Locations: A great way to find an ideal location is to look at your most successful competitor's location and determine what makes it a popular area. Also, look for foot traffic generators such as related types of businesses that draw your target market to the area.
Other Tools: Trade associations, industry reports, real estate professionals or your local chamber of commerce can provide retailing data, trends, traffic patterns and demographics.
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