New year, new you! While the second half of 2021 is going much better than the first half, it has still been an oddball year for retailers. 2020 was spent tip-toeing around the pandemic, this year many businesses were transitioning back to normal, and 2022 is going to bring along some more big changes. Independent […]
retail sales
Sizzling Made in USA Suppliers & Products
Americans are still feeling the repercussions from the COVID-19 pandemic and how it impacted buying products overseas. Shipping delays and increased prices left many retail shelves empty, and while things are slowly starting to get back to normal, some businesses are still having issues with getting merchandise on their shelves. Buying American-made products can not […]
Using AI for Safety & Operations
Artificial intelligence (AI) is growing as an industry, and there is opportunity for retailers to benefit from the integration of AI technology. Businesses are always searching for new ways to improve their operations and increase their return on investment (ROI). In addition to their sales and operations, retailers have other priorities to focus on: employee […]
Increasing Revenue with Subscription Services
Last year gave many brands no choice but to accelerate their ecommerce strategy and find new ways to reach and retain customers. For many, adding subscriptions to their business provided predictable recurring revenue, when much else was not predictable. According to new research from Bold Commerce, more than 70 percent of retailers have, or soon […]
How Retailers Can Make Brick-and-Mortar a Business Boon in 2021
by David Mayer Physical retail has been in decline for more than a decade. While grocery saw a temporary reprieve during the onset of COVID-19 as shoppers stockpiled and avoided restaurants, March 2021 will likely see year-over-year declines as the world returns to pre-pandemic norms. To continue to thrive, retailers need to address the core […]
How Shopping Appointments Could Help Retailers Survive the Holidays
by Shannon Flynn The holiday season presents some challenges and opportunities to retailers every year. Now, with COVID concerns and falling sales, the coming holidays may be even more challenging. Amid this confusing time, shopping appointments could provide some needed relief. A few major retailers adopted the shop-by-appointment model early on in the pandemic when […]
Lee Valley Launches Innovative Contactless Shopping Capability
by Dynamsoft Corporation Lee Valley Tools is taking its in-store COVID-19 precautions a step further with the launch of a new mobile shopping tool, which incorporates the JavaScript edition of the Dynamsoft Barcode Reader. Integrated with Lee Valley’s website, LeeValley.com, the new tool allows for mobile contactless shopping in each of its 20 locations across […]
The Strategy Behind Coupons
Nationwide, chains and small businesses alike know the importance of a good sale to their customer base. Sales in general, especially those involving coupons, are known to draw in both new and returning customers and increase overall sales. However, the type of coupon plays a big part in how successful the campaign will be. Consumers […]
Three Tips for Retailers to Reel-In Last Minute Shoppers
by Tom Ertler, Miller Zell’s SVP and Creative Director There are shoppers who make their lists, check them twice and have their gifts bought, boxed, wrapped and bowed well before the big day of the season. And then there are the rest – the procrastinators, either too busy to shop early or too perplexed by […]
AI’s Role in Helping Retailers with Holiday Pricing & Promotion Strategies
by Jeff Smith In an increasingly competitive landscape, independent retailers face unique challenges. Where once their competition consisted almost solely of nearby physical stores in the same retail sector, today they face an unprecedented and fast-changing array of competitors, from online giants to specialty stores and global discounters. But there is good news as well. […]