Sep 10, 2007

Studying Your Competitors; Looking for new ideas to keep your store fresh and dynamic?By Ted HurlbutInc.com

I admit it. I’m absolutely no fun to go shopping with.

The reason is simple. I’m not like other shoppers. I’m not like the mother out looking for the bargain for her family, or the kids looking for something exciting to catch their attention, or the dad on a mission to bring home the perfect gift. When I go shopping, I tend to see things a little differently than other shoppers. I tend to stop and linger on things, and make comments about things, that make little sense to whomever I’m with.

I’m a retailer, a retail consultant specifically, a student of retailing. I simply can’t walk by a store, much less into a store, without trying to figure out what makes that store tick, how customers perceive the store, what that store does well, and what I can learn from them.

I love to stop and admire a particularly effective merchandise presentation, or watch a really talented sales associate work with a customer, or take in a really well thought-out cash wrap. I notice things, like how corners are lit, and how many units of an item are on display, and whether customers are happy to be there, or eager to complete their business and be on their way.

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