• Provide "better than expected" customer service.
• Run your store on an established open to buy program (ask me about it).

Dan Jablons

Retail Smart Guys

www.retailsmartguys.com

dan@retailsmartguys.com

818-720-2585

Great Back-Stories Makes Buying Fun

 Great Back-Stories make buying fun.  What's a Back-Story?  It's the story behind an object or product.  In your home it's the objects that family and friends are drawn to.  The objects that stimulate questions as to their origin.  And, you immediately begin relaying the story behind the item . . . its history, who gave it to you, where you purchased it.  Did you find it on vacation?  These Back-Stories then become the Front-Story.

Retail Makeover Business Planning Program. Are you ready for your Retail Makeover and manage your business more effectively?  Do you know what your job description is? I know how challenging it is to manage a retail specialist store. I want you to be the best retail store manager you can be.

There is always change happening in the trade show industry. Just as in retail, there are sales, mergers, acquisitions, and closings taking place everywhere - some we see and hear about, and some are held pretty close to the vest. Recently, I learned of a few changes that will affect many of my clients who shop the West coast shows....

Is it worth it to revamp your business environment? From a small improvement like new paint or a restaging of the contents to a full-scale remodel of a facility, I can unequivocally say YES. Investing time, effort, and sometimes money into your environment can present your business, services, and products to the public in a whole new way - creating opportunity for success.

Hello, and Welcome to our new forum.

This is where we answer any Questions you may have about our blog posts.

And, please also feel free to voice your opinions and share your ideas.

We look forward very much to making new friends here, and getting to know you better.

Warm Regards,

Joyce, John and Shirley

Retail Display Secrets Ltd.

www.retaildisplaysecrets.com

Veteran journalist and founding editor of Home Decor Buyer, Jim Carper, focuses in on the latest, greatest news from Home Decor and the wonderful world of retail.

Twos' Co. makes room for a third

I went to Designer Day at 7 West 34^th Street yesterday.  Bobbie Gottlieb, CEO of Two's Company, http://www.twoscompany.com/ spoke to an audience made up of retailers and industry representatives.

She inspired all with her story, starting from the birth of Two's Company and taking us through to how this company has become a force within the gift and home industry...

Best-selling author and speaker Bob Phibbs has helped thousands of independent businesses compete by using his sales approach and not discounting.  He is a frequent guest on MSNBC's Your Business. He teaches his methods for making over a business across the world. His Book, You Can Compete: Double Sales Without Discounting is the backbone of several companies training programs. Download more free tips at http://www.retaildoc.com/

I just spent three long and wonderful days at the 2009 National Stationery Show at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City.  I can tell you from my travels up and down the aisles that shop owners are feeling the economic pinch and relate that business has become a bit rough on Main Street. In spite of the fact that many of their competitors have closed up shop, they still have had to cut back on their staff, purchase less inventory and work harder to generate the same amount of income.  However, there appears to be a bright spot on the horizon.