The End of the Recession
Every independent retailer will need to raise their level of performance in this new and more challenging economy.
Preparing For The Coming Recovery
Now is the time when successful retailers set themselves up for future success.
Navigating the Recession
Now is the time for every retailer to take a fresh look at their business and do the things that must be done to profitably adapt to the new reality.
SKU Rationalization - Reassessing Retail Assortments in Challenging Times
When sales decline, assortments have to be adjusted to bring inventories back into line. If inventories remain higher than sales can support, precious cash becomes tied up in inventory that turns very slowly, if at all. And in this economic environment, nobody can afford to have cash tied up in excess inventory.
Turning To Your Best Retail Customers
In this time, when it's tough to get foot traffic into your store, and tougher still to get them to open their wallets, turning to your best customers gives you the best chance to convert your inventory backlogs into precious cash. It's also the least expensive way, from both a marketing and a markdown perspective. You've spent a lot of years developing your relationships with these loyal customers. Now is the time to turn to them.
Has The Retail Sky Really Fallen?
For small, entrepreneurial retailers, this is a rich moment, full of opportunities, for fresh thinking and innovation. The sky hasn't fallen. At the moment, there may not be a lot of capital available for rapid expansion of new retail ventures, but the time is ripe for many small, entrepreneurial retailers to incubate new ideas, develop and refine new strategies, and engage and captivate new customers.
Now Is Not The Time For Independent Retailers To Go It Alone
Navigating these challenging economic times will not be easy for anybody. This will test the mettle of even the most seasoned merchant. Nobody can be sure when the turnaround is coming. Now is the time to be sure that you've got the perspective and guidance that you'll need to make the very best decisions.
The Retail Blues
Unfortunately, there's no magic bullet for turning this around. The customer right now is very frightened. It's going to take time for them to get their balance sheets in order, feel secure in their jobs, and regain their confidence. It's a mighty storm that's brewing, and for many small retailers the best they can do may be to ride it out with as little damage as possible.
Anticipating A Very Difficult Holiday Selling Season
The signs are all there that this could be one of the most difficult retail environments in recent memory for small and independent retailers.
Surviving A Soft Retail Market
Managing risk prudently, with a focus on maintaining margins and protecting cash flow, will enable retailers to come through this period well positioned to increase their business significantly once things improve.
An Unsettling Holiday Selling Season For Independent Retailers
The landscape is changing rapidly, driven by profitability pressures on the major corporate retailers, on the one hand, and the decentralizing effects of the internet on the other.
Fresh Thinking For Uncertain Retail Times
Finding the right balance between achieving the necessary short-term results and maintaining long-term integrity.