A Retail Lease Primer for Gift Shop Owners: Survive to Thrive

The recent economic downturn has created a tough sales environment for many retailers, especially the so-called independent "mom and pop" stores and those operated by franchisees. Declining sales due to high unemployment and depressed home... more »

Getting Back to the Basics to Prepare Your Business for 2010

There are eight steps a business owner can follow to be well-positioned for the new year, whether they're a long-time owner or an entrepreneur embarking on a new venture.Anyone who works in retail knows that... more »

Turnaround Tenacity

I recently met my new business hero. His name is James Brown and he hails from the hardscrabble hills of Eastern Kentucky. Maybe they breed folks a bit tougher there but this guy has shown... more »

Survival Skills

Q: I have heard that many consumers are clamping down and only buying essentials. I don't stock many "essentials." What should I do? Should I be changing my inventory mix now? To what?Bob Negen of... more »

Making Cross-Cultural Connections Work

On her first trip to China, Susan Bristol, who speaks three languages—English, French and Greek—and is co-owner of Asian Village Antiques in Edwards, CO wondered why the Chinese she spoke to giggled when she said... more »

How Do You Get to the Heart of Great Customer Service?

Most people are familiar with the expression "laughing like a hyena." But at Hyena's Desert Grille—an upscale casual-dining establishment run by several hyenas from a neighborhood pack—things were no laughing matter. Business had been falling... more »

Rushed or Relaxed: Make Every Customer Visit Count!

You can see it in their eyes as these customers walk in your store—that sense of anxiety over finding the perfect gift in a limited amount of time. Many of your customers routinely put off... more »

Advertise!

10 Tips The goal of advertising is to cost-effectively reach a large audience and attract customers. If done correctly, advertising can enhance the success of your business. Here are 10 advertising tips: Go after your... more »

Jazzing Up Sales!

Play the Music At first, George Crawford thought it was a crazy idea. When his rep pulled out a CD-and-cookbook set, the co-owner of Metronation—a contemporary home decor, accessory and gift store in Cincinnati—was quite... more »

The Price is Right

Most of your customers have price ranges within which they are willing to spend, with the most affluent customers having much wider ranges than others. It is in the realm of variable affordability—how much that... more »