It's true, we are in a bit of an economic slump at the moment; and, some retailers are looking down, some are simply just choosing to wait it out, while others are coming out fighting with their gloves off to compete for rebate checks and against rising gas prices.  Others still, are thriving! 

So why don't we hear about the flip side of retail in this uneven economy? Even though some retailers like high end fashion and car dealers are experiencing slow months, other retailers like repair shops, thrift stores and vintage shops are having stellar months!

In a recent article in the Journal Gazette, I found the upside to what for most has been portrayed as a dooming time for retail.  The author mentioned a new outlook and put it in a way that really stuck with me, "Death and taxes are among life's certainties, but so are birthdays and holidays."

That quote was exactly what I needed!  It seems every day I hear about the economy, whether it's through an article on my Yahoo homepage, or a friend quoting the stock market, or customers coming into my wine shop asking with their pessimistic looks, "how's it going Lauren?"  Everyday the negatives are portrayed for all us retailers to take in; well not any more, I choose to be positive and to thrive!  And I think more of us are then are letting on!

Customers will always have needs, birthdays, holidays, anniversaries, graduations, you name it!  Gift giving is not going to stop, and luckily for me, neither will parties, (which means drinking).  So, why are we so consumed by this economic turn, yes customers will be looking for discounts and altering their buying habits a bit, but customers will continue to want new things, exciting products, and great gifts!

So even if you are not a repair shop who can fix your customers last season's shoes or a thrift store who can accommodate their decreasing clothing budget, you can still thrive by keeping a positive attitude and by helping sell your customers on multi-use products, suggesting repair shops for other items they can fix, like their old watch, in order to spend on that new necklace that they so desperately want at your store!  Work with your customers changing needs and you'll see this uneven economy might start to swing in your direction.