Retail and Hospitality Operations
When it comes to running a convenience store, crafting an appealing visual merchandising strategy should be high up on your to-do list. In-store visuals and presentation serve many important functions, including guiding shoppers to the right places and driving sales. That’s why it’s essential to continuously improve your visual merchandising practices. To help you accomplish … Continue reading Visual Merchandising for Convenience Stores: 5 Great Tips to Try
Retail is a highly-competitive industry with generally tight margins. Managing inventory, leases and labor costs alone make retail profitability a difficult balancing act at the best of times. But that's not all. Today's retailers must adapt to rapidly changing customer sentiments, weather and the pressures of e-commerce. Protecting those tight margins is store execution. Today's … Continue reading 3 Steps to Easier, Faster Store Execution
Did you know that the US has more than 150,000 convenience stores accounting for 80% of total motor fuels sold across the country? In such a fiercely competitive industry, staying competitive and profitable remains a huge challenge for c-store owners. This guide discusses a handful of practical ways to enhance the c-store experience and boost … Continue reading 12 Ways to Put the “Convenience” Back in Convenience Stores
While industry data shows that retail foot traffic is up 4.8% this year, there’s still plenty of room to improve. As such, it’s more important than ever to focus on in-store customer conversions. After all, attracting shoppers to your store is challenging enough as is it; the last thing you want is for customers to … Continue reading 5 Reasons People Leave Your Stores Without Buying Anything (and How to Fix it)
A site inspection keeps your business, employees and customers safe by identifying potential hazards and risks. Here are some tips on using site inspections to reduce commercial insurance premiums. While an insurance company will often send an inspector to survey the site when you insure a new property and business, taking a preemptive approach can … Continue reading How to Use Site Inspections to Reduce Commercial Insurance Premiums
The start of the year is always a good time to ideate and come up with new business practices. And one of the most important areas to consider when making changes is your retail store design. Aesthetics, shopping behaviors, and consumer preferences are always evolving, so you need to make sure that your store’s look … Continue reading New Year, New Look: 9 Ways to Spruce Up the Design of Your Retail Stores
No retailer likes to think about injured employees and customers, but it’s something that you need to consider and prepare for. Workplace injuries cost business owners and at least 1 billion a week — not to mention the tremendous hassle that comes with such incidents. Simply put, accidents and injuries can land your business in … Continue reading How to Minimize Injuries and Liabilities in Retail: 9 Tips
The classic phrase “the devil’s in the details” rings very true in the retail world. A retail store may look simple and easy to mange on the outside. However, store managers and associates are constantly juggling multiple moving parts. From monitoring inventory levels to entering customer data, there are a lot of details to manage … Continue reading How to Prevent Human Errors in Retail
Taking any business from one stage of growth to another requires knowledge, skills, and mindset. Growing from one to five stores requires a completely different strategy from scaling your retail store counts to double digits. In other words, what got your business to where it is today, won’t get it to the next level. So how … Continue reading How to Grow a Retail Concept from 5 to 50+ Stores
Most entrepreneurs have the urge to think big and grow their businesses. As a retailer, this can mean expanding to other locations and setting up multiple stores in other cities or states. And while this is a perfectly sound strategy, growing your business isn’t just about developing your physical retail footprint. In many cases, you … Continue reading 11 Ways to Increase Your Local Retail Presence
Single-store retailers that have found success often start thinking about the prospect of setting up shop in other locations. This is a natural step that many businesses take, and for good reason: expanding to other locations puts your business in front of more people and opens up opportunities for growth. But as you think about how … Continue reading How to Grow a Retail Business: From 1 Store to 5 Stores
All retailers should know how to hold a sale since promotions and discounts are easily one of the best ways to boost your bottom line. It creates a sense of urgency amongst consumers, and also helps to introduce your brand to new customers who haven’t encountered you before. However, sale events can also reduce your … Continue reading How to Hold a Sale without Killing Your Profits
Pre-pandemic, district managers physically visiting the stores in their district, cluster or region (aka store audit, store walk, inspection, or visit) was considered a cornerstone of store operations best practices. When travel restrictions were put in place, many district managers became unable or limited as to how much time they could spend time on the … Continue reading How to Manage Store Operations Remotely
Benjamin Franklin wisely said that “failing to plan is planning to fail.” While he wasn’t specifically referring to the retail industry, the adage could not ring more true — especially when it comes to merchandise planning for your retail store. If the merchandise you order and so diligently display in your store and on your website … Continue reading Merchandise Planning: The Clever Retailer’s Guide for How to Do It Right
Compliance with standard operating procedures, merchandising programs, health and safety directives, and loss prevention protocols is essential to the success of a retail business. Stores that stay on top of programs and brand standards run more efficiently and provide a better customer experience. But with so much going on, simply publishing standards does not guarantee they will … Continue reading Why and How to Measure Store Compliance
Visual merchandising in retail is the practice of presenting services and products to customers in a way that engages and motivates the customer to purchase. As stores reopen and we move into Q4, many retailers are looking for ways to level-up their visual merchandising to welcome customers back and attract new ones. We know you … Continue reading Visual Merchandising in Retail: Best Blogs
Franchise and corporate-owned retail stores are two different breeds. Casual shoppers shouldn’t notice the difference, as both types of stores have the same general appearance and product mix. But, when it comes to franchise vs. corporate, the people managing and running these stores will have a different experience. Have a look at these comparisons below, … Continue reading Franchise vs. Corporate: 6 Things You Need to Know
Technology has made retail more dynamic than ever — and that includes warehouse management. We can optimize warehouses and ensure compliance more efficiently. By implementing the right tools, warehouse compliance inspections can take a fraction of the time while the data becomes more accurate and actionable. But the retail industry is saturated with tech and tools. … Continue reading How to Choose Warehouse Inspection Software
Task execution at site level is a challenge for most retail and hospitality groups. An effective task management system drives store execution, site participation and engagement to new heights. A common mistake retailers make is trying to manage tasks over email. It is next to impossible to keep on top of complex programs and many … Continue reading Retail Task Management, Comprehensive Guide
As movie theaters welcome guests post COVID-19, it is critical to have flawless execution of the guest experience. Cleanliness and sanitation are front and center in consumers' minds. Movie Theater Parking Area Ensure parking entrance has appropriate signage. Clear away any debris from parking areas. Check lot after peak periods. Remove and empty trash. See … Continue reading ✔️ Movie Theater Cleaning Checklist
Now more than ever, retailers need to find ways to stay more competitive. Your product, price, and customer service, while important, can no longer be what you hang your brand’s hat on alone. Stores need to ensure that they are creating an experience for their customers and increasing engagement. One way retailers can accomplish this is … Continue reading 4 Ways Using Technology in Retail can Increase Sales
Covid forced many retailers to quickly close stores in response to government recommendations and orders related to the pandemic. This means once busy plazas and shopping centers were now full of empty stores, often full of merchandise. In some areas, commercial break-ins were up by 45%. Here’s how one retailer used Bindy to keep closed … Continue reading 📚 Case Study: How a Furniture Retailer Used Bindy to Keep 165 Closed Stores Secure
Covid-19 was possibly the greatest disruptor to retail many have ever seen. However, retailers have faced difficult times and disasters before. How did they get out of this mess? As the Harvard Business Review notes, the best response to a crisis is to start with the people. Reach out, empathise and collect information about your … Continue reading 📚 Case Study: How a National Franchisor Used Bindy to Help 1,200 Franchisees During Covid-19
Retail always moves fast, but when the outbreak of COVID-19 hit, businesses were required to adjust their operations and health and safety policies weekly (sometimes even daily). Management had a responsibility to quickly communicate policy changes and best practices across their stores. It is crucial that employees work with the most up-to-date information to keep … Continue reading 📚 Case Study: How a C-Store Group Used Bindy to Update Policies at 700+ Locations
As a retailer, you have a lot to manage. It's easy to focus on your customer-facing initiatives (merchandising, experience, sales tactics, store operations). It's also important to keep an eye on your backend operations. Because your warehouses and distributions centers (literally) hold all the goods, you need to proactively manage warehouses with regular warehouse inspections. … Continue reading 5 Warehouse Inspections You Need to Conduct Regularly
After a temporary closure, there is a lot to do to get your stores up and running and ready to welcome your customers back. Use this sample Store Reopening Checklist to make certain you don’t miss essential details. Employees Confirm employee readiness to return to work. Communicate reopening schedule as soon as possible with employees. … Continue reading ✔️ Store Reopening Checklist for Retailers
A store missing its targets or failing to meet expectations can derail company revenue goals for the quarter or even the whole year. Additionally, underperforming stores can lower employee morale. This can lead to a further decline in revenue. For this reason, managers should act immediately to improve store performance when they discover that a … Continue reading 6 Ways to Improve Store Performance
Retail returns aren’t just an eCommerce problem; all retailers should be thinking about ways to reduce returns. While online fashion purchases are returned twice as often as items bought in-store, returns in physical stores are also taking a big chunk out of retailers’ market share. This year alone, returns will cost companies $550 billion (that’s a … Continue reading How to Reduce Returns in Your Stores
Whether shopping online, strolling through stores or browsing social media, it’s fair to say that the path to purchase is not what it used to be. So, what shapes customer buying decisions? And more importantly, how can merchants better understand a customer's path to purchase so they can boost store sales? The Buying Decision Process … Continue reading 5 Realities Driving Customer Buying Decisions
Retailers are putting processes in place to help them reach their sales goals and connect with their market and audience. As we look ahead, nothing stands out more than customer engagement, interaction, and care as a way to boost sales. Why? Because an engaged customer represents 23% more revenue than average. Companies who improve customer … Continue reading How to Engage with Your Customers
Is your store bogged down by slow and inefficient processes? Are you always having to put out fires or correct mistakes? Or maybe you have customers who aren’t too happy with the in-store experience. If you can relate to any of the above, chances are your store can use a technology upgrade and it's time … Continue reading How to Implement New Technologies in Your Retail Business
The Internet of Things (IoT) is a term that’s been around for a while. And though conversation around the buzzword fluctuates, it’s is already ingrained in most major retailers’ day-to-day operations. IoT is literally every device, tool, machine, and human that transfers data over an internet connection. IoT technology in retail is expected to reach … Continue reading How IoT is Transforming Retail and Food Service
Conducting store inspections (also called retail audits, store visits, or store walks) should be on every retailer’s agenda to protect store operations. Why? Store inspections promote higher overall compliance with brand standards, shrink the gap between stores and head office, and improve customer experience by ensuring merchandising, service, and safety standards are executed consistently. So … Continue reading 4 Types of Retail and Hospitality Audits that Protect Sites
Retailers are held to higher standards than ever before. The most successful brands are nimble, customer-first, culture-oriented, and efficient. That’s a tall order. And management staff are feeling the pressure. In fact, 72% of business managers are overwhelmed by their job. Retail automation empowers brands with better data, increased efficiency, and overall cost savings. It … Continue reading 4 Ways to Automate in Retail
Working as a retail district manager requires you to become a jack-of-all-trades. You oversee multiple stores in your region, handling their store-specific issues on a day-to-day basis. Concurrently, you’re tasked with ensuring that each store aligns with the company’s operational guidelines and longer-term strategic goals. To thrive in this fast-paced business environment, you need to … Continue reading 5 Manual Processes District Managers Should Automate
With the amount of competition in the retail sector, brands are looking for new and better ways to stand out in the crowd. Most are looking at bigger and better ads, having a great online store, and a growing presence on social media. While all of these are good ideas, they usually take time to … Continue reading 4 Ways Visual Merchandising Improves Customer Engagement
If you’re in retail, we’re willing to bet that getting more visitors to your location is pretty high up on your wishlist. When you increase foot traffic to your retail store you also increase sales and revenue opportunities. This translates to a higher bottom line and a healthier retail business. That’s why it’s important to … Continue reading 5 Tips for Creating Campaigns That Increase In-Store Traffic
When was the last time you made an assumption about something? Or someone? The reality is, assumptions are often made instinctively – whether they are right or wrong. It’s human nature to react to situations, experiences and even people despite not knowing anything about these scenarios. It’s fair to say that first impressions matter – … Continue reading How Retailers can Create a Positive First Impression
One of the best ways to tell if your retail stores are doing well is to compare their performance from the previous period. Revenue numbers alone cannot tell the whole story without context or historical data, so it’s important to look at how a store’s revenue is tracking over a given timeframe. This is where … Continue reading 7 Tips to Increase Same-Store Sales in Retail
A young population, a growing middle class, massive investments in infrastructure in one of the world's fastest rising economies are changing the retail landscape in India. Below, interesting facts and trends shaping the future of retail in India. Demographic changes and per capita income growth The India Retail Forum observes there are several macroeconomic fundamentals … Continue reading Retail in India: Facts and Emerging Trends
The holiday season accounts for 20% of the retail industry’s annual sales, and it is responsible for up to 30% of some individual retailers’ total sales. Are you prepared? This guide is intended to serve as a holiday preparation checklist when it comes to two of the most important things you need to think about … Continue reading Holiday retail Prep Guide
Store managers are the backbone of your retail business. The right store manager can make a store a huge success, while the wrong manager can break a brand. According to the University of Chicago, a good manager can increase store productivity by up to 100%. This is why it's critical for head office to put … Continue reading 3 Ways to Support Retail Store Managers
We all know how impactful the holiday shopping period is to every retailer. And it’s only getting bigger. According to the historical sales data by the National Retail Federation, holiday retail sales have more than doubled over the last 20 years. You’re busy coordinating promotions and campaigns, visual merchandising plans, expedited shipping options — the … Continue reading 10 Ways to Motivate Retail Staff During the Holidays
Your front-line employees play a critical role in the success of your retail business. Sales associates are often the first live touchpoint the shoppers have with your brand when they walk into your store. They can influence a customer’s mood, shape their perception, and ultimately impact a shopper’s purchase decision. For this reason, you need … Continue reading How to Turn Underperforming Retail Associates into A-Players
A point of purchase display (aka POP display) is a critical sales and marketing tool for retailers and CPGs. POP displays can introduce and educate shoppers, encourage them to try a product, and ultimately drive sales. Point of purchase displays can also enhance a retail store. The best ones breathe life into your space, making … Continue reading 10 Point of Purchase Display Tips to Increase Retail Sales
Emerging technologies, a booming population, and rapidly developing economies are changing the retail landscape of Africa. Below, interesting facts and trends shaping the future of African retail. Durban, SA Image Credit: Shutterstock Demographics and UrbaniZation Africa has the fastest rate of urbanization in the world. More than 40% of its population is currently living in … Continue reading Retail in Africa: Facts and Emerging Trends
Shrink is a real threat to retail success. Every year, businesses across the globe lose around $100 billion to shrink, and the average shrink rate of 1.6% in the U.S. costs American retailers $48.8 billion annually. That’s a lot of money to leave on the table! This means implementing methods to reduce shrink in retail … Continue reading 5 Tips to Reduce Shrink in Retail
If you’re reading this, chances are you’re interested in becoming a retail district manager. Maybe you want to be in a management position that involves overseeing different teams and moving parts. Perhaps you’re passionate about the retail industry, and you’re eager to play a role in helping stores grow and succeed. If that sounds like … Continue reading How to Become a District Manager — and What You Need to Succeed in the Role
The holidays are a time of cheer, celebrations, and (unfortunately) stress. Days are busier, nights are longer and the overall well-being of yourself and your store staff is often compromised due to the extra demands that the holiday season brings. There are a lot of things to consider when it comes to preparing for this … Continue reading Tips for Smooth Store Operations During The Holiday Season
In-store sales continue to account for most of all sales during holiday seasons. And every retailer knows it. That’s why we see hints of Christmas and other winter holiday promotions creeping into stores as soon as the first leaves turn brown. So how do you differentiate your brand and your products to customers who visit … Continue reading Boosting Holiday Sales: Visual Merchandising Tips for the Golden Quarter
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