This is an actual conversation that I had with a retailer… “Cathy, my business stinks. What can I do?” “I would love to help you. Send me some information so that I can see what strategy you should take to explode your profits. In the meantime, can I give you one REVENUE-BUILDING-GUARANTEED tip?” “Please anything, I will do anything! The … Read More
A Retailer’s Guide to Margins: What Retailers Need to Know to Build a Profitable Business
No word is more important to retailers than Margins. It is crucial to building a profitable business. However, this most critical term is also the most misunderstood. What is Gross Margin? Margin refers to the retail term Maintained Markup (MMU) which is the same as the general accounting term Gross Margin. It is the difference between sales and cost of … Read More
It’s Hard To Think Past Christmas I Know But If You Don’t You Will Miss Out
We are all so focused on next week, right? It’s hard to see beyond it. Yet if you don’t start planning now, you will miss out on two key money making opportunities. The first is about scheduling your physical inventory. “How does that make money for me? Doing inventory is just a pain in my a__!” you say. The single … Read More
7 Reasons Why Team Meetings Are a Waste of Time
Just last week, I had a retailer tell me that staff meetings were a waste of time. I was shocked. I have heard many excuses why retailers don’t do them – but never heard anyone say that they weren’t worth doing at all. I asked why they thought so… and all the reasons were spewed out! Some were valid and … Read More
Want More Profit? Better Sleep? 4 Ways to Breakthrough to the Next Level
Definition of A BREAKTHROUGH: any significant of sudden advance that removes a barrier to progress. Our stated goal: To help you shift your perspective and raise your level of consciousness so that you actively create the business and life you desire by giving you concrete, actionable activities that will help you remove barriers and advance to the next level of … Read More
No More Feast or Famine Marketing!
So here you are in the midst of the spring season. Your store is full of beautiful inventory that you have spent sooooo much time carefully choosing and editing for your raving fans, so where the heck are they? Are you asking…Why does this always happen? The reason is simple. You haven’t marketed consistently. If you want consistent foot traffic … Read More
Taking It Personally
Yesterday, I visited a shop that only sells children’s books. The store was empty and I asked the clerk, “Do you know where I can find Yertle the Turtle?” He walked over to the computer, typed a few keystrokes and said, “I don’t think we have it, do you know who the author is?” Stunned silence. [I found the section … Read More
Does Your Team Have Those Winter Blahs – It’s Your Fault – Want To Fix It?
The difference between a wildly successful season and a good or bad one almost always comes down to one element. The difference won’t be the economy, the political landscape, what the competition does, or how you do your windows. The difference will be you. There is an intangible vibe that separates a winning season – and a winning store – … Read More
It’s Oh So Hard…
Thanks to Suzanne Evans for the message and inspiration for this … Hey Friends! What an uplifting title! It’s oh so hard. But it is. I am reminded daily that if this were easy everyone would do it. The phone calls. The late night emails. The customers who want everything just right and make you crazy. The customers who can’t … Read More
One Number To Maximize Your Revenue – Do you know it?
Do you know the One Number To Maximize Your Revenue? Everyday every retailer wakes up and goes into their store with the intent of maximizing their revenue with their every action. They intend to do the best they can. But what if their best attempts aren’t focused on the right actions? What if the ladder that they are climbing to … Read More