Management

Putting Your Best Staff Forward

Good employees are the key to success during the busy holiday season In my youth, I used to think that having employees would be easy. You’d hire them, tell them what to do and they’d... more »

Handling Difficult Customers

Retailers offer their top tips for dealing with tricky situations Sylvia’s By the Sea, in Scituate, Massachusetts, has a clear return policy: store credit only. It’s posted prominently in the shop, it’s on every sales... more »

Hiring Teens

Tips you can't ignore and pointers you won't want to dismissWith many retailers hiring more part-time workers versus full time, it's important to consider the rules, regulations and unique attributions that apply to this part... more »

Destination Shopping: Hotel Gift Shops Stay Ahead

Retail operations within the lodging industry vary greatly. Hotel gift shops may consist of little more than a small area near the front desk that sells magazines and snacks, to thousands of square feet of... more »

Room for Rustic

Harkening back to nature and peaceful tranquility, rustic décor has always been a staple of lodges and cabins. It’s making surprising inroads in places you wouldn’t really expect. Bringing the outdoors in, whether in the... more »

A Toy Story

It’s all fun and games when it comes to toys. A $22 billion industry in the U.S., toys may be fun, but they’re serious business. They can be a great addition to a gift store,... more »

All Treats, No Tricks

Shoppers are getting into the Halloween spirit with fun décor and accessories that are increasingly delivering sweet treats to retailers. Halloween may be a holiday of frights, but there’s nothing for retailers to be scared... more »

This Grass Is Greener

This sustainable resource is a great choice for eco-friendly materials from furniture to clothing. Bamboo and other sustainable materials are becoming hot commodities for producing jewelry, gifts and housewares as more consumers seek out eco-friendly... more »