Yesterday, I had a heart to heart with retailers about late invoices, asking them to take a deep breath and call you. Today, it’s our turn to visit. Want to make sure there isn’t a disconnect on your end of the line.
Before you jump to the conclusion my heart rests solely with retailers, please hear me out. Like you, I have had late paying customers. I understand the impact that can have on one’s life. The bills still need to be paid, after all.
But I also understand the level of humility that comes with picking up the phone to make that call. Most retailers are, by nature, Type A-—over-achievers, head strong, determined…and proud. Admitting a shortcoming of any kind is like peeling their skin off. Admitting financial difficulty feels like the ultimate failure…even though it’s not. [click here to continue…]
Retailers, there’s something we need to talk about. Doesn’t matter if you’re big or small…independent or franchise…storefront, internet, or home studio (yes, you).… If you’re late on even one invoice right now, we need to have a chat.
Now, before every nerve in your body tenses and every muscle jumps into “fight or flight” mode, please hear me out. I’m not going to yell at you. I’m not going to lecture you. And I’m not going to pretend that in my previous life as a retailer I was never late on an invoice. It happens to everyone. [click here to continue…]
At first glance, this post is going to look like it’s geared solely to stationers. Gift and home accessory retailers, stick with me here…this applies to you too, albeit in a slightly different way.
The world knows my opinion regarding home studios (definition: individuals who purchase the same wholesale lines offered through retail stores then sell them out of their house)-—the bane of every brick and mortar’s existence. This isn’t the only “under the radar” competition you need to consider, though. How up to speed are you regarding Etsy? [click here to continue…]
You’ve read my post about our British counterparts supporting shop local campaigns in a proactive manner. Rather than wait for consumers to return with their wallets, city leaders decided to take the bull by the horns and inspire a little economic healing on their own.
Well folks, it looks like that’s not the only thing in the pipeline across the pond, as demonstrated by the Rotherdam city council (Yorkshire) who obviously grasps the critical role independent retailers play in their local communities: [click here to continue…]
Several emails have landed on my desk the past few days asking if I knew what was going on with Kate’s Paperie. According to first hand sources, vendor appointments were cancelled last week, many without prior notice…even for those coming in from out of state. The reason given was the sudden departure of President Hans Parrado (previously Sales Manager for the multi-store retailer). [click here to continue…]
As you know from last week’s post, I am bursting-at-the-seams-proud of an Indiana “shop local” project appropriately named ShoLo. They stand as a shining example of just what can be done when community business owners pull together.
According to Joya Helmuth, owner of Spark Fine Stationery, the seeds were sewn during a regular meeting of the Women in Retail Group (facilitated by the Small Business Development Center). She shared customers’ comments about their preference for locally owned businesses, then suggested members of the group “capitalize on it as a way to differentiate ourselves from national/chain stores. If it’s important to our customers, we should shout it from the rooftops!”
By the time the meeting ended, Joya had a partner in crime—Rebecca Maalouf, owner of Camelia, The Makeup Store. Within three months of launching, ShoLo had swollen to fifty members.
Recently, I asked Joya and Rebecca about their experience setting up ShoLo, and what advice they had for other retailers hoping to do the same. [click here to continue…]
As you recall from Sunday’s post, Twitter has quickly become a pipeline to what’s happening in the industry. It’s there that I’ve made valuable connections, learned of new product releases, been asked for business advice, met a couple of clients, and learned of new exhibitors planning upcoming shows. And all in 140 words or less per tweet.
Given Twitter’s vibrancy (ie, non-stop adrenaline and caffeine fueled frenetic pace), finding a way to harness all this golden information is important.
After all, when it comes to information, getting it and getting run over by it are two entirely different things. [click here to continue…]
You emailed…you asked…you shall receive.
