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Is Your Team As Knowledgeable as Your Customers?

7/19/2017

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Retail Will Not Only Survive...It IS Surviving!

6/21/2017

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  You can divide today’s retail news articles into three categories:

1)    Store closures
2)    How the Internet is taking all the brick & mortar business
3)    The next must technological need retailers MUST have 
 

Article after article repeats the same negative information over and over.  When you look at the facts, they are telling a different story.  First, just this past April retail sales were up .04% after a first three-month slow start. And just last month, many retailers posted positive comp store sales increases.  How can that be?  Retail is destined to fail, it’s over, right?  Well, tell that to Ulta who saw a 14.3% increase in comp store sales their 1st quarter, which was close to 4% higher than expectations. Home Depot saw comp store sales increase 5.5%!  Even chains like Best Buy saw a 1.6% increase in comp store sales, and they were predicting a 1.5% decrease!  Other chains like Lowe’s, Five Below, Dollar Tree and GameStop all saw increases in comp store sales.  Why?
 
Looking at Ulta by example, they have been and are continuing to do everything right with strong customer focus and an amazing in-store shopping experience led by CEO Mary Dillon.  She is passionate about her brand, her employees, and her customers.  Through her leadership, Ulta makes shopping in their stores fun and exciting.  How many retailers that are struggling can say that?  You don’t see Ulta getting into other categories, or experimenting with new strategies.  No, they have found a winning formula, and they are sticking with it. Best Buy, the only remaining national consumer electronics chain, is succeeding as well because they too concentrate on what the customer wants.  Their company CEO, Hugh Joly, is not averse to change and trying new ideas, but he has kept the core Best Buy strengths and continued to expand upon them. 
 
Unfortunately, so many retailers are not doing what they should be doing to improve their business, and as a result, more will fail.  They will, of course, blame Amazon and competition as well as Millennials who no longer browse brick & mortar stores.  But again, look at the facts.  Today, still over 65% of all shoppers prefer shopping in a store and depending on the kind of retail, that could be as high as 80%!  In fact, today e-commerce sales have yet to hit $300 billion while brick and mortar sales are over $4 trillion!  That is a huge difference.  So, what are retailers to do?
 
1)    Hire CEO’s and Top Executives who are interested in growing the business: 
       Retailers need to hire executives who are passionate about the company, want to solve problems and  
       plan long-term strategies and growth.  Today, too many executives are only interested in short-term profit 
       because it affects their compensation.  Some retailers are paying CEOs today between as much as $14          
       million to $22 million, when you take into account base salary, bonuses, stock awards and incentives. If the 
       company is not doing well, this is not the time to spend that kind of money. Spend less on your executives,
       and reinvest the savings into your business with more staff and better training.
 
2)    Stop Chasing One Another: 
       Many retailers insist it is better to get into other categories to build sales rather than fixing the business they
       already have.  The problem is rather than gaining a competitive edge, these companies are just adding
       competition.  There may be some success early on, but in most cases, the success is short term because of
       the greater competition. In many situations, the next CEO will cut the category.
 
3)    Look At The Stores You Already Have: 
       So many retailers think that opening more stores is the solution to growing sales.  It may be true that new 
       stores bring in customers for a while, but eventually whatever store problems the retailer had with its  
       existing stores will be present in the new stores. Focus on the existing problems stores have first, and only
       after they improve sales should you consider opening more stores.  It costs millions of dollars to open new
       locations, and that money could be better spent investing on failing stores with more staff, better training
       and reasons for the customer to shop you. Use traffic counters and look at your conversion, not at
       transactions to see how much business you’re losing. Work at improving it before expanding.
 
4)    Listen To Your Customers and Your Employees: 
       It is so easy today for any retailer to not only survey customers electronically but to also look at social
       media and read what customers and employees are saying about your company.  If customers are
       complaining about not honoring policies, confusing coupons, bad shopping experiences due to unfriendly
       and unaccommodating store associates, then the focus should be to fix it.  When employees are writing
       negative remarks about unprofessional store management, weak pay, poor scheduling and useless or no  
       training, then that is the mission on hand because happy employees mean more satisfied customers, and
       that in turn means more sales.
 
5)    Stop Trying To Fix Problems through Acquisitions, Mergers, and Buyouts: 
       How many retailers think the easiest way to grow their business is to buy a competitor or merge with them? 
       In principle, it could be a good idea, but unfortunately, when your company already has major internal
       issues, buying or merging with another company who also has major issues will not solve a thing.  Instead,
       once the cost cutting savings are applied, including the reduction of staff, the retailer now has twice as many        problems to correct, which becomes much more difficult and often leads to a failed business. If you’re
       looking for the solution to come from a private equity firm buying your business, think again because after
       completing the sale, the retailer now becomes burdened with paying back an enormous debt, often putting
       the company into bankruptcy.  Sports Authority, Gordmans, HHGregg are just three retailers all bankrupt      
       in the last year who had been bought by private equity firms.  Gymboree, owned by private equity firm 
       Bain Capital, just filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy June 12th!
 
These five points, if taken seriously, can turn any failing retailer into a successful one.  If Best Buy, Ulta, Lowe’s and others are improving comp store sales during a time when retail is reported to be doomed it just goes to show that you cannot believe everything you read and most importantly if a retailer wants to be successful in today’s shopping environment, it can.
 
Art Suriano
CEO, TSi


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RETAIL IS FAR FROM BEING A THING OF THE PAST

4/25/2017

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It doesn’t take much to find so many articles, many of which regurgitate the same information, that are quick to shout the news of all the stores that are closing, retailers going out of business and retailers that are on the verge of bankruptcy. Of course, these writers praise the internet, namely Amazon as the cause for which all the tech people jump for joy. However, whereas some of what has been written is true, retail is far from being a thing of the past.
 
A RECURRING CYCLE
The truth is we are in a cycle, one that happens every twenty years or so as concepts, ideas, technologies along with consumers’ interests and desires change. Retail, once nothing more than the local general store, grew into what became the full-service department store in the late 1800s. Macy’s was founded in 1858 but started out as a dry goods store.
 
Then in the 1940s, the full-service department store became known as the “anchor” store as shopping malls were being built. By the 1960s shopping malls were everywhere but by the 1980s, malls were considered doomed if they weren’t enclosed and had a food court.  So, during the 1980s the new malls had all the bells and whistles, including movie theatres and entertainment areas, while the old malls were being reinvented with enclosures and add-ons.  But by the early 2000s it was time for another change. The Strip Mall, which was created to appeal to the customer in a hurry with in and out convenience, allowed customers to drive to the store of choice, run in, get what they wanted, and leave.
 
The strip mall also had a second phase which we now know as The Outlet Mall. In the beginning, the Outlet store sold left over merchandise from their parent store. But as time progressed and the concept became so strong, soon retailers realized the opportunity they had by stocking their outlet stores with knock offs of the higher quality merchandise now sold for a lot less. This new retail opportunity for the discount-minded consumer was and still is a huge success, but also a major threat to full price stores. Yet, retail has managed to survive with customers becoming educated and learning that the quality in the outlet is not the same as the full-price store. There are still many great deals and bargains but it depends on what the customer wants.
 
THE TRUTH ABOUT TODAY
So where are we today? Are there too many stores? Yes. Are many of them going to close? Yes.  Are some retailers going to be forced to go out of business? Yes. But what we’re not hearing about is what’s next and I can assure you, it won’t just be the internet.
 
Each week, there’s another e-commerce business getting into brick and mortar. In many ways, these new stores will be the retailer of the future because they will open stores unlike old retail, but rather new and fresh with the latest technology, conveniences and very “cool” merchandise. And we’re not just talking about Amazon. Warby Parker for eyeglasses, Bonobos for menswear, Blue Nile for jewelry are just a few of the once e-commerce only businesses all opening stores. And many of them are already offering some very different brick and mortar selling concepts. For example, if you go into a Bonobos to try on the clothes, while you’re being fitted, the company is putting together what you need online and having it delivered to your home.  This type of in-store opportunity will become as common to us in the future as bringing a newspaper coupon into the store was in the past.
 
These new brick and mortar stores will be more like Apple and a lot less like Macy’s of today.  They will be exciting, alluring, and appealing to a new generation of shoppers. The old tired retail stores will eventually go away. Some retailers will be able to convert and survive and others, because of format and product, will not—but that’s retail. 
 
SOMETHING TO REMEMBER
We have long forgotten about store names like Gimbels and Hudson’s, Caldor and Ames. Each of those chains had their time, but were later pushed aside as other retailers came into the market with newer concepts and appeal. We take it for granted today but when Kohl’s was taken over by private investors in 1979 and went public in 1992, it grew into being the second largest department store we have today. In the early 1980s it was still a new concept and many were not sure it would work.
 
What will retail look like in the future? We all have ideas of what it will be like, but none of us have a crystal ball. Usually, when we predict the future, it’s only partly accurate. But I do know that retail will never be a thing of the past provided there are humans on the planet.
 
Some of the newer inventions and concepts may start off strong and then fizzle out and some of the “this will never work” ideas may be a huge long-lasting success. Again, that’s retail.  That’s what makes it fun, exciting and something so many of us love being part of.  So, simply said, retail is far from being a thing of the past!

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Today There Are Two Types of Shoppers and Retailers Can Have Both!

4/4/2017

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Recently, I attended a large family reunion with guests from ages 3 to 90.  After dinner, a group of us got into a discussion about shopping today; stores, online and how technology was impacting their shopping experiences.  What I found interesting about the conversation were the many opinions and ideas about what retailers should and should not do. But what was fascinating to me was that there were as many people over 50 who will do anything they can to avoid going to a store and equally or more guests ages 18 to 30 who hardly do any buying online and prefer shopping in stores.  The conversation also addressed how today’s technology has made shopping better for some and for the others, how it’s made it worse.
 
The first topic we discussed dealt with how when a retailer puts in technology, sometimes it puts more onus on the customer and for some of the people in the discussion that was an inconvenience.  We began talking about how ordering a sandwich in a convenience store was no longer convenient.  In many C-stores today, even though the sandwich employee is standing right behind the counter, the customer must take it upon themselves to go to a kiosk and order what they want as if any dialogue between the employee and customer was not allowed.  Two of the guests loved it because they were confident they would get the sandwich exactly how they wanted it.  However, three of the guests found it to be impersonal and an inconvenience much rather preferring to speak with a human being.  So, what’s the point?
 
TWO TOTALLY DIFFERENT SHOPPING STYLES
Simply, today we have evolved into two very distinct shopping groups: the personal and the impersonal.  And by impersonal, I don’t mean cold or indifferent, but rather just a group of people who don’t want the fluff and prefer speed over conversation as well as preferring to do it themselves rather than having someone do it for them.  There’s nothing wrong with that. However, what retailers must understand is that these two groups are very different with their wants and needs.  To be successful, retailers must equally address both and not abandon one over the other. 
 
A LOOK AT THE STATISTICS
Even when looking at the most recent statistics, there are still many shoppers who prefer shopping in-store and they cannot be forgotten.  According to a recent report posted by Jeff Edberg on his IC Blog (http://bit.ly/2nMtEfR), today current e-commerce sales are approximately 294 billion annually, while U. S. brick & mortar are just under 4 trillion, a huge difference.  Yes, online sales are growing at a rapid rate and will continue to do so, but his report shows the difference between the two shopping styles and what they’re looking for. For example, 55% of online shoppers prefer to buy from a merchant with a physical store presence over an online-only retailer, thereby giving brick & mortar retailers the advantage.  But what most customers want, is a strong omnichannel experience allowing them to decide where to shop: online or in-store, and how.  Eventually, when the balance of technology is properly blended with all the brick & mortar advantages, the dedicated in-store shopper may begin to enjoy some of the online shopping conveniences just as the staunch online only shopper may acquiesce from time to time realizing that when buying certain products, the in-store experience is much better. 
 
Looking at the convenience store example, providing kiosks is great for those who prefer it.  However, wouldn’t it be better to have kiosks for those that want them while also having one employee behind the counter taking orders for those that don’t?  The human taking orders is more inclined to provide a better customer experience, if the person is pleasant and engages the customer.  The store employee will also provide more business for the convenience store because as a human being he or she should be able to make good add-on suggestions about what extra items to put on the sandwich or to have with it, whereas the kiosk in all its technological efforts can provide choices but not with a friendly smile. 
 
WHERE RETAILERS ARE CALLING THE PLAY WRONG
Now think about the retail store.  When focusing on the in-store experience, so much effort today has much attention on the need to expand technology with Wi-Fi and mobile apps that allow customers to find everything they want simply by looking on their phone. The problem is that there are as many shoppers who may like it and embrace it as a great convenience, while as many if not more, who don’t. 
 
My concern is that too many retailers in a panic are tilting too far to the technology side and by doing so will alienate the customer who prefers the more traditional in-store shopping. Too many retailers are not investing in effective training for store personnel and whenever something needs to be cut, it’s store employees.
 
HOW THE RETAILER CAN USE THE ADVANTAGE
Providing the in-store experience for both shopping styles guarantees the retailer will win.  The retailer has the advantage through brick and mortar to offer the customer a great shopping experience with the opportunity to see, feel, touch and experience the product(s). Online, the same retailer can provide shopping/browsing conveniences on an easy to use website in order to deliver the customer a positive online shopping experience. 
 
Retailers, be smart. Think about balance. How do you continue to keep the traditional in-store shopper happy while at the same time embrace the shopper who wants a quick in and out shopping experience through technological conveniences?  If you feel you need to invest in Wi-Fi and an app that does everything in place of the store associate, fine. But beware of the customers who will not respond positively and will walk out if they can’t find a well-trained associate to help them when needed.  Think about what in-store conveniences you can add for the “I’ll come to you only when I have to” customer, like a quick and easy area for in-store pickup and online returns.  Think about what merchandise may make sense to set up in self-serve areas.  But for every convenience you add for the “I’d rather do it myself” shopper, be sure not to take one away from the traditional shopper.  Simply employ a good balance of both and always offer both shopping opportunities.
 
THE RETAIL OPPORTUNITIES ARE THERE
For those who think it’s all technology and only technology that can save the in-store experience, keep in mind that the e-commerce world will keep changing as well; one reason why many e-commerce sites are opening stores is because they already realize the touch and feel benefits of brick & mortar.  In addition, expect to see more virtual stores online simulating the in-store experience.  But remember, as good as that may be, it won’t replace the real thing.  For the shopper who prefers technology and the do-it-myself mindset, he or she will be elated while the traditional shopper will not.
 
For retailers to truly win, be sure to keep a balance of both shopper styles.  Technology is great and provides many benefits and conveniences, but remember the traditional shopper as well and you’ll have the best of both and no doubt, great success!

Art Suriano
CEO, The TSi Company
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Retailers Never Had a Better Opportunity Than Now!

3/17/2017

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The other day I went to the mall. Yes, a mall. It was still there, and amazingly, people were shopping and making purchases.  They weren’t glued to their mobile devices while shopping as so many of those tech articles lead us to believe. They were looking, touching, feeling and many of them making purchases.  As I walked through the mall, what was easy to notice was all the sameness from one specialty apparel store to another, one department store to another, while noticing stores like Apple of course having the crowd. Then I started thinking about why retailers today have the best opportunity to attract shoppers to their stores than ever before.  And believe it or not, it is the internet.  

Sales in retail have always been achieved through the skill of supply and demand; successfully matching potential customers with the right merchandise at the right price. It is supported by advertising first to get customers in the store and then once they are there, talented sales associates and alluring store displays do the rest. Years ago, all retailers could rely on were newspaper ads, radio and television to attract customers to their stores.  Creative people would lay awake at night coming up with the next brilliant ad campaign with slogans to stand aside of the competition, many of which older people still remember today because they were that good.

WHEN DID IT CHANGE?
The change began in the late 80s when creative campaigns started to slowly be replaced with what was to be the sure thing, Direct Marketing.  Direct Marketing skyrocketed almost overnight—first through Direct Response ads—with the thought being that advertisers could say their message directly and without the bells and whistles if they had a toll free 1-800 number for customers to call.  It was great for service businesses, but of course didn’t do much for retail stores.  At about the same time, the Direct Mail boom came to be. There was no longer a need to spend huge dollars on radio and television advertising. Now, marketers could reach their target customer directly through the mail.  And what happened? Soon, we had junk mail. What was wrong with most of it?  It was junk because it lacked creativity and didn’t get the person’s attention. So, in the trash it went.

The focus on most of the direct marketing ads was the offer, usually being some type of discount.  When calling the toll-free number, all you had to do was give them the word or code you heard in the ad.  As for Direct Mail, you just had to take the coupon that was delivered in your mail box and bring it into the store to get your discount.  Creativity was further lost and soon business people were all talking the new term, ROI (Return on Investment), because marketers could track callers via the toll-free number and could track customers coming into the stores with coupons.

In the mid 1990s, the internet started to boom. (Remember dial up AOL? Another must have.)  Soon everyone had email.  Retailers learned they could directly send emails to customers to get them into their stores.  It worked until every retailer and every other type of business flooded them with too much stuff, mostly discount offers. Once again, we had “junk mail.” What do most of the email offers we receive lack? Creativity. So, we just hit delete.

RETAIL DEALING WITH TECHNOLOGY TODAY
Today we’re told that retailers must have websites, store apps and every conceivable method of reaching their customer through technology, or the common term, “touch points.”  That’s fine and much of it is very cool.  But where’s the creativity?  What is supposed to motivate the customer beyond price and product to do business with you? That’s what real advertisers and creative teams were once responsible for and it worked.

If retailers today implemented some real creativity, they could be using the internet like radio and TV was used to feature engaging and exciting messages with appealing reasons to shop them. The reasons should present a company image, company uniqueness, and customer benefits other than the product and the price.

To get the customer in the store, give them an exciting reason to come see you; personalize their visit with well-trained associates who know how not to pressure the customer, but rather to engage them and make them feel special.  Let them experience your merchandise. They can’t do that online, but use your website to entice them to come try the items if they’re not already buying them from your website.

You want technology, fine. Spend money on it, but invest in useful technology to enhance the customer experience.  Does it really please the customer when the cold computer voice at the self-checkout says, “thank you” after the purchase?  When a human being does it, and adds a smile, I don’t know about you, but it makes me feel good and I smile back.  That’s an important part of the customer experience.

EMBRACE THE OPPORTUNITIES
Retailers, wake up and embrace all the opportunities you have today, especially through technology and the internet.  Start by looking at your stores from the customer’s point of view.  If they feel bored, make them feel excited.

Start with the simple things.  For example, make sure you’re playing the right in-store music and bring up the volume to make it appeal to your shoppers.  Make your stores bright with charm and not overcrowded with merchandise.  Use the internet as the go between of online and in-store.  Yes, you should allow customers to pick up online purchases in-store and take online returns in your store.  And of course, when you don’t have the item the customer wants in the store, assist that customer and let them purchase the item from your website along with giving them the choice of in-store pickup or free shipping to their home.

Bottom line, every time you get a customer in your store, do everything you can to make them feel special, appreciated and valued. And when they click on your site or app, remind them about what makes doing business with your brand special for them. Be creative! Let them enjoy the shopping experience.  Use these tools creatively and your competition will be scratching their heads as they try to figure out your success!

Art Suriano

CEO The TSi Company
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Retail is Not Dead - It's Evolving

2/15/2017

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Everyday, another article is written about how Brick & Mortar is doomed and that the only hope of survival is technology. I love technology; the newest and latest gadgets, software and conveniences.  But technology, no matter how great, is a tool and not a solution. 

A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY
As we look at retail today, one might learn from what took place decades ago.  In the early 1900s we had the newest invention--the silent movie--threatening to replace theater.  In the 1930s, the success of radio was the threat to movie houses who by then had sound.  Then in the 1950s, television was the threat to radio and movies.  Yet, today, we still have theatre, radio, television and movies.  What’s changed isn't their existence, but the experience.

Sound and visual quality today is at its best. Why? Because it evolved over time through new technology and consumer demand.  And not all at once.  Color television was invented decades before the consumer wanted it.  The same was true with stereo sound and 3D TV.  

So why the history lesson?  Because we can learn from our mistakes and successes.  In the 50s, movie houses gave customers free dishes to get them to come to the movies rather than sitting home on a Saturday night watching television.  Through the evolution of “hit radio” stations and the enormous competition, radio station managers learned to create exciting promotions, one more exciting than the last to lure listeners to their station.  The point is, each time there was a change to the business model and the companies felt threatened, creative people used their heads and pursued the next step of their evolution. 

In many ways, that is what retail is going through today.  At a time where there is too much choice, too much “sameness” and too much noise attempting to attract customers, retailers need to step back, take a breath and look at the whole picture.

THE BENEFIT OF TECHNOLOGY
The internet is not the enemy, but another step in our shopping evolution. E-commerce companies must find new and innovative ways to compete with their competition.  Free shipping alone won’t keep them in the customer’s minds because it's becoming common.

Retailers need to invest in omnichannel technology, but not all at once.  First, no retailer could afford it, but more importantly, today’s technology will be very different from tomorrow’s technology. For now, focus on the basics, like making sure you have a great website and store app.  Moreover, do not use one against the other as some retailers do. For example, customers should not be penalized for receiving an offer usable only online when the customer prefers shopping in store or the other way around.  Make sure the customer can pick up the item in the store if ordered online. Assist the customer at the store with the help of a well-trained, courteous associate to order something online when needed, and have it shipped to their home.

The good news is many retailers are doing just that, and it’s working. That too is becoming part of today’s retail evolution.  And that’s not all. How many articles have been written about all the excessive mall space we have and how many malls will have to close?  There is some truth to that, but mall developers are also looking at their next step: mall evolution. Just recently, a new “Mega Mall,” that will be 6.2 million square feet, was preliminarily approved to be built in Florida. New concepts? Yes. Technology? Of course. But what was the greatest contribution? Creativity.  This mall will include hotels, office buildings, restaurants and amusement parks. The design looks like something out of Star Trek.

NEXT STEPS
So, what’s next?  Retailers, with the help of today's technology, must find creative ways of attracting the customer to their website, mobile app or store.  Most importantly, through technology and creativity, make the online and in store browsing and shopping experience fun, engaging, and enjoyable. Technology offers a lot of opportunities, but it will be the retailer’s creativity along with that technology that provides today’s customer with the new evolving shopping experience. 

We are long past offering customers free dishes, but there are always new ideas, programs and promotions. As with all evolution, some retailers won't survive and new ones will emerge. A phrase that came from Charles Darwin’s evolutionary theory: “Survival of the fittest.”  Be different, be daring, be creative and not only will you survive, you'll have fun in today's world of retail evolution and achieve great success!

Art Suriano

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The Advantages of Brick and Mortar

2/6/2017

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It’s still early in the new year and already we are seeing article after article talking about which retailers are going out of business, which are closing stores and how the internet has changed everything.  There is no doubt that store traffic overall has declined, buying habits have changed and “yes” more people are using the internet.

But if stores were a thing of the past, why are so many of the e-commerce companies such as Amazon, Blue Nile and Bonobos opening brick and mortar locations? 

The answer…

Many people still like to shop. 


The internet offers tremendous convenience and, like everyone else, I find myself clicking away when I’m in a hurry or just not in the mood to go to the store.  It’s certainly easy to find what I want, select it, pay for it and then wait for it to arrive.  But there is something missing from this method of shopping: the tangible experience of actually visiting the store. I enjoy interacting with store personnel, being able to ask questions, seeing my potential purchases for myself and trying them when applicable, which is especially important when buying clothes.  I want to know how they fit, feel and look before I make a commitment to buy. 

I, like many shoppers, am guilty of impulse buying when I see something that strikes me as a “have to have”-- that I didn’t even know I needed.  And, for the retailer, this opens a wide opportunity that only brick and mortar can provide, when presented correctly.  The truth is, too many retailers do not recognize and seize this opportunity and that is a problem.

Customers typically do not respond well when approached by the “pushy” sales person.  And, on the contrary, they don’t like rude associates who are too busy to and/or are incapable of answering their questions.  Customers also don’t care for the store person who, when asked if the store has an item, simply says, “You’ll have to go online” as he or she just walks away.  Duh…they have the customer in the store and then wonder why customers walk out and shop online. 

But when the store atmosphere is right, the promotional offers are there, the sales associates are engaging and make the customer feel appreciated and special, shopping in-store is still a wonderful experience, only one that brick and mortar can provide. 

Art Suriano

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Give Them a Reason to Shop

1/31/2017

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​It’s a Saturday morning and a shopper decided earlier in the week that she wanted to purchase some new clothes. She perused the internet for some ideas, but went to the mall to enjoy the opportunity of browsing and trying on clothes before making her purchases. 

When she arrived at the mall, she began her journey looking through the myriad of stores, most of which she was familiar with. Then it kind of hit her. What’s different? It seemed that all of the specialty fashion apparel stores had a promotion or sales event, so the prices were all comparable, depending on the purchase. The clothes were all so similar; she couldn’t differentiate between one brand or another. The shopper found herself in a dilemma, confused and somewhat overwhelmed. Within an hour, she decided to leave because she couldn’t make up her mind and decided to put the shopping off for another time, realizing that she didn’t need to buy anything new immediately. 
​
Does this sound familiar? We can look at the all of the reasons why so many retail stores are doing less business today, such as less store traffic, greater competition and a rise in Internet sales. But one fact seems to be ignored: “Too many retailers do not give shoppers a reason to shop them.”  

When I say give them a reason, I am not referring to the sale or promotion and I’m not talking about the latest and greatest technology. What I am stating is that many retailers, especially specialty fashion, are suffering from “sameness.” These retailers offer nothing to the shopper to make themselves stand out. Product and price are important, as is convenience. But the retailer needs to ask itself one simple question, “Why should a shopper shop you?” When answering the question, the retailer should avoid using cliché’s like we have the best price, the biggest selection or the best service. We all know the shopper has heard this so much that they simply tune it out because every retailer has said it for years. 

To truly stand out as a retailer, be daring and challenge yourself to rediscover your business and find out what makes your business unique from your competitors. Build a campaign around it, promote it and keep the momentum going. Soon the shopper will look to you first because she or he will understand why they should shop you.  

Art Suriano
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Prep Your Team BEFORE a New Store Opens

6/2/2015

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TSi's PAMP (Prepping Associates and Managers Program) converts your existing in-store music system into your own custom radio station filled with great music and custom produced segments teaching New Hires about your Customer Service expectations, policies, procedures, job skills and more.

Contact us today and let's get the conversation going:  201.833.8400
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Where To Start With Employee Engagement: Does Your Culture Value People?

3/4/2015

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In an article on talentculture.com, author Meghan M. Biro asks:   Is there a gap between your brand and your company culture? Answer: Hopefully not. There certainly shouldn’t be.

Read the full article here and then come back to see how a TSi 360™ can help you and your organization!
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