tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61619680808425962242024-08-28T05:03:39.212-07:00Explore the Business of Retailing <br>with the Co-Founders of <b>The Retail Owners Institute®</b><br>www.RetailOwner.com<br><i>Join the Discussion!</i>The ROIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14495782216493472906noreply@blogger.comBlogger155125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6161968080842596224.post-69540276579803341642017-04-14T15:49:00.000-07:002017-04-14T15:49:12.546-07:00

"Retirement" looming? Ready to reduce hassles and worries, but not really ready for a rocking chair? Here’s a retail concept to consider. We just heard about a new kind of “mixed-use development” (you know, retail shops on the ground floor, residences up above.)&nbsp;Some of the new townhouses being sold in a planned resort community come with a first-floor retail shop. The owner of the

The ROIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09277696676493146399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6161968080842596224.post-32477946507640860532017-04-04T17:02:00.000-07:002017-04-04T17:02:18.260-07:00

A new consumer study by First Insight confirmed: “Today’s consumers expect discounts every time they shop.” &nbsp; The documentation of this phenomenon – what we often refer to as “NPR: Never Pay Retail” – is &nbsp;sobering. Maybe not surprising to you, but nevertheless, quite sobering. First Insight reported: "Percentage of consumers who expect discounts when shopping in these categories:"

The ROIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09277696676493146399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6161968080842596224.post-58294123780325698082017-03-31T15:17:00.000-07:002017-03-31T15:17:07.797-07:00

"Are retailers eating themselves alive?"&nbsp; That was the provocative headline we recently saw. Then this followed: “Retailers' rising e-commerce sales are taking a big bite out of their brick-and-mortar revenues – a wide-ranging problem.” Other pundits we've seen call it “an untenable dynamic for these retailers.” “Huh?”, we scoffed, as we read this about major retailers. The definition of

The ROIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09277696676493146399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6161968080842596224.post-7964355754703259142017-03-23T15:10:00.000-07:002017-03-23T15:10:15.612-07:00

We just learned of a study that quantified the effects of “free and easy” return policies. But first, some (reassuring) background: Apparently 48% of shoppers say that their top reason for choosing a retailer is a flexible returns policy.&nbsp;But, as is true in many instances, perception is everything! That is, according to a 2016 Holiday Shopping Trends survey from the National Retail

The ROIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09277696676493146399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6161968080842596224.post-69370169319964690552017-03-13T15:25:00.000-07:002017-03-13T15:25:02.802-07:00

Recent strategic changes by two global firms – McDonald's and 7-Eleven – provide good reminders for us all. Each business is making news by its focus on what they are known for.&nbsp; For 7-Eleven, that would be convenience and low prices. Granted, it is still a habit for many to stop at the corner store on the way to and from work, school and play. But for 7-Eleven to remain relevant, it needed

The ROIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09277696676493146399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6161968080842596224.post-11623997765228789082017-02-27T15:38:00.000-08:002017-02-27T15:38:04.759-08:00

But – gulp! – there's a catch! Despite the ease and convenience of online shopping, “the majority of American consumers still choose brick-and-mortar stores over e-commerce.” Why? According to Retail Dive’s Consumer Survey* of 1,425 U.S. consumers, there are three main reasons: “To see, touch, feel and try out items” is the top reason&nbsp; Shoppers also want it now and want it fast; they want

The ROIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09277696676493146399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6161968080842596224.post-58065638548575309572017-02-24T15:26:00.000-08:002017-02-25T06:25:17.192-08:00

Why it matters to know "Why?" How to pick up the pace even more Many retailers now are being buoyed by gradual upticks in sales.&nbsp; If you are one of those, we encourage you to give some thought to "Why?" your business is experiencing sales increases. You will find that it will be for one of these three fundamental reasons. More customers, or &nbsp; Higher prices, or More

The ROIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09277696676493146399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6161968080842596224.post-58110567005107203902017-01-27T17:15:00.000-08:002017-01-27T17:15:12.311-08:00

"Competing" and "winning" in business and trade has been much in the news as the Trump administration begins. Meanwhile, at the NRF's BIG Show 2017, where technology dominated (510 retail tech exhibitors!) it was reported that in 2016, "Amazon spent more than $15 billion on innovation, which is more than the top 20 retailers (excluding Walmart) combined."&nbsp; Yikes! How is an independent

The ROIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09277696676493146399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6161968080842596224.post-19768902455858145862017-01-22T21:34:00.001-08:002017-01-24T15:53:32.801-08:00

In mid-January, the Wall Street Journal reported that a real estate investment trust that runs class B and C malls across the country "is allocating a portion of space in its portfolio of about 70 million square feet to pop-up stores". These pop-up stores offer 60- to 90-day leases. The REIT is "targeting new merchants, including those that started their business online."&nbsp; Crocker Galleria

The ROIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09277696676493146399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6161968080842596224.post-52297714827785711302016-12-02T12:46:00.002-08:002017-01-17T14:52:47.097-08:00

We are living in unsettling times of rapid change and news cycle drama, now accentuated by a U.S. President-elect who values being “unpredictable.”&nbsp; Whether it’s the latest natural disasters, international conflicts, aging parents, unexpected expenses, or just trying to open a new bottle of aspirin, life can seem more out of control than normal. Especially during this upcoming holiday

The ROIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09277696676493146399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6161968080842596224.post-63374943476144772282016-11-27T18:51:00.000-08:002017-01-17T14:52:56.453-08:00

The Millennial generation - now ages 17 through 34 - represents nearly a quarter of the U.S. population, and a significant portion of annual consumer spending.&nbsp; We recently read of a study that has identified a set of attributes "that overwhelmingly resonate with this age bracket." &nbsp;In fact,&nbsp;when making shopping decisions,&nbsp;Millennials are 20% more likely than other

The ROIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09277696676493146399noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6161968080842596224.post-30619237543169683742016-11-04T16:10:00.002-07:002017-01-17T14:53:06.105-08:00

One of Retailing’s Hottest Trends:&nbsp;Selling Experiences “After years of choosing the speed and wide selection offered by big-box retailers such as Home Depot or online merchants like Amazon.com, customers are demanding higher engagement if they’re going to buy something in a store,” reports Lindsey Rupp of BloombergBusinessweek.* Stores must be “exciting destinations rather than places to

The ROIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09277696676493146399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6161968080842596224.post-34456389989542890372016-10-23T23:11:00.000-07:002017-01-17T14:53:15.973-08:00

Who goes to the grocery store to buy, well, groceries? What we want is DINNER!&nbsp; But, can you go into a grocery and find “dinner”? Or “breakfast”? Or, “great lunches”? Not very easily. Instead, there is a produce section. And then a canned goods section. And then the frozen foods section. All with an overwhelming assortment of choices, whether it is mustards or pickles or pasta or…. Plus,

The ROIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09277696676493146399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6161968080842596224.post-76039403611237739222016-10-03T15:06:00.000-07:002017-01-17T14:53:28.255-08:00

October 1 marks the beginning of the 4th quarter of the calendar year. The beginning of the home stretch. And yes, there is good reason for retailers to cheer. Consider: Halloween will be HUGE&nbsp; According to the National Retail Federation, Halloween spending is expected to reach a record high of $8.4 Billion on costumes, decorations and candy. More than two-thirds of Americans plan to

The ROIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09277696676493146399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6161968080842596224.post-4685972891675063612016-09-12T11:14:00.000-07:002017-01-17T14:53:37.509-08:00

Question: "We must keep bringing in new items. But, how do we keep from being over-bought?"&nbsp; Answer: "Very carefully!" Ahh, the appeal of new items. Or, your customer's ever-growing "wish list" items. But, when you are also trying to control inventory, and keep turns up, the challenge is, "Really, which should you buy?"&nbsp; As many retailers are only too aware, if you are not vigilant,

The ROIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09277696676493146399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6161968080842596224.post-82375944798783399132016-08-06T11:27:00.000-07:002017-01-17T14:54:14.034-08:00

Recently, we heard how the cafe/bar in the recently-opened Whole Foods store in downtown Los Angeles had a live jazz combo playing on a Friday night.&nbsp;"And the place was packed! Can you believe it? All the cool clubs in downtown LA, and people come to the Whole Foods for live music?!? A grocery store??" Actually, yes. We CAN believe it. Here's why. These folks&nbsp;trust Whole Foods&nbsp;

The ROIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09277696676493146399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6161968080842596224.post-53064122152089646502016-08-05T15:20:00.000-07:002016-08-05T15:20:02.674-07:00

Recently we received an email from a long-time follower of The Retail Owners Institute®. It included a comment and a question that you, too, may have wondered: How do you go about changing the mindset of the owner/CEO about GMROI, inventory management best ideas, etc?&nbsp; Our CEO stills buys by intuition, hunch, seat-of-the-pants. He likes to use phrases like: stack-em-high, watch-em-fly.

The ROIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09277696676493146399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6161968080842596224.post-23043662915446038652016-05-10T11:29:00.000-07:002016-05-10T11:29:01.721-07:00

A recent study by consulting firm Shipware LLC documented the commanding advantage Amazon has established in shipping. The "big shippers" - so-called Mega-Retailers like Amazon, Target &amp; Wal-Mart - get dramatically more favorable rates from carriers such as FedEx and United Parcel because their volume is "guaranteed and predictable."&nbsp; As a result, the costs absorbed by the

The ROIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09277696676493146399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6161968080842596224.post-30083575393223346482016-05-09T13:18:00.000-07:002016-05-09T13:18:48.714-07:00

The Internet of Things (IoT) – all the web-enabled devices for the home – is a dynamic and fascinating arena. One of the latest devices is the Family Hub, the "Smart Refrigerator" from Samsung.&nbsp; The Family Hub has 3 cameras inside the fridge&nbsp;and a 21 inch touchscreen on the front that connects to the web.&nbsp;Samsung says they want to move your refrigerator beyond storage, and bring

The ROIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09277696676493146399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6161968080842596224.post-10319850099956114582016-05-09T11:07:00.000-07:002016-05-09T11:07:07.535-07:00

"How do you do analytics in such a way you don't become creepy?" asked Jill Standish, Senior Managing Director of Retail at Accenture Consulting. And her answer? A technology that looks at the shoes of customers as they walk in the store. "You can actually get a lot of pretty accurate demographic information about the customer based on their shoes, such as their age, whether they are male or

The ROIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09277696676493146399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6161968080842596224.post-64059221460704728022016-04-08T15:31:00.001-07:002016-04-08T15:31:49.492-07:00

No matter what segment of retailing you are in or what merchandise you are selling, every retailer is keeping a wary eye on Amazon. As we sure do.&nbsp; But, the Thursday, April 7 edition of The Wall Street Journal had an update on Amazon that, once again, can take your breath away: "Amazon’s Fashion Secret: Full Price", by Suzanne Kapner. According to Kapner: “Dozens of brands now sell

The ROIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09277696676493146399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6161968080842596224.post-22346063321208197182016-04-04T17:52:00.000-07:002016-04-04T17:52:34.227-07:00

According to a recently published eBook by Channel Advisor*, branded manufacturers are wondering: "Should we complement the traditional model of selling solely to wholesalers and retailers by selling directly to consumers?" And the encouraging advice offered to these suppliers by Channel Advisor? "The short answer: Yes, you should." "Luxury brands, apparel brands, household product brands –

The ROIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09277696676493146399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6161968080842596224.post-42158981752686325502016-03-21T09:17:00.000-07:002016-03-21T09:17:29.311-07:00

We're heard from several very experienced retailers this past week that sales and in-store traffic have just dropped off since early February. Altogether spooky. Indeed, 6 out of 10 respondents to our recent survey of retailers reported that customer counts (transactions) are down so far this year. What's going on? Where are the customers?&nbsp; We can only speculate, but our suspicion: the

The ROIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09277696676493146399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6161968080842596224.post-17216245088920932342016-02-05T14:59:00.000-08:002016-02-05T14:59:15.785-08:00

We hear it over and over. "Good business citizenship" matters to shoppers. They vote with their feet, their wallets, and their hearts, and increasingly choose those retailers who "do the right thing", whether it's how they source product, hire and pay employees, reduce environmental impacts, etc. Followers of The Retail Owners Institute® know that one of our beliefs is that "Retail is a mirror

The ROIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09277696676493146399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6161968080842596224.post-60404188976179882952016-02-01T15:07:00.000-08:002016-02-05T15:23:56.877-08:00

Perhaps you also have noticed the recent announcements that Wal-Mart will be closing 269 stores, 154 of which are in the U.S. In several breathless pieces about this announcement, much attention was focused on the negative impacts the closings will have on their respective communities. Perhaps so. Maybe the spirit of The Retail Owners Institute® is misguided, or we're looking through

The ROIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09277696676493146399noreply@blogger.com0