Fueled by the unprecedented power and portability of today’s smartphones, we are seeing a rapid evolution of a number of major disciplines, one that can be called “The Great Convergence.” The key disciplines involved in this convergence have a convenient acronym: C.L.A.M.P. What do you think of the C.L.A.M.P. theory expressed in this article?
A survey late last year by Cisco Systems asked 1,000 U.S. consumers to rank their top three influencers in the buying process and who helped them buy. Sixty-eight percent said online reviews were one of their top three influencers whereas only 13 percent indicated store associates. Are online reviews undermining consumers’ trust in store associates?
One of the things Bob Phibbs (The Retail Doctor) typically does as a retail consultant when he takes on a new client is to discontinue discount marketing programs. He presents seven reasons he believes offering coupons to people who don’t know you shouldn’t be used for your marketing. What is your opinion on the effectiveness of coupons for retailers?
Do you have a bad salesperson on your sales team? The one who has to say to the other salesperson while the customer is at the register, “I greeted them,” or “Oh, you came back after you talked to your husband.” How should retailers manage any competitive bickering resulting from commission-based sales?
Comments on an article about the American Express Small Business Saturday, Nov. 26, outlined reasons why several downtown businesses weren’t participating. Many of the merchants wrote about the high fees charged by American Express as reason enough. Does Small Business Saturday make sense for independent retailers?
Deal-mania is everywhere, from the freakish examples of Extreme Couponers on TV to the daily deals and, the old standard, the Sunday paper inserts. But the extent of “panic couponing” and “extreme tagging” are becoming clearer. Have shelf tags become a nuisance? What effect are tags having on the shopping experience?
Maybe you’ve always wanted to be your own boss. You’ve always enjoyed shopping and think opening your own store will be fun. But make no mistake: succeeding in retail is about planning, change, and making yourself available. Which of Bob Phibbs’ questions are most important for prospective entrepreneurs to ask themselves before opening their first store?
These are by no means all the things that frequently go wrong in a startup but they have a common theme: leaping before you know how deep the water is. How can individuals launching a retail business avoid some of the pitfalls that derail startup ventures?
When hundreds of thousands of kids in over thirty cities participate in Lemonade Day this Sunday, they will embark on one of the oldest methods entrepreneurs were exposed to early in life — opening their own lemonade stand. What’s the best way to instill an entrepreneurial drive in kids and younger adults?
During a recent training session, a barrier was revealed — guilt — of all things! One employee admitted sometimes feeling guilty selling high-end items when it appeared that the customer couldn’t afford it. How common do you think it is to find guilt among store associates over high prices at retail?
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