Surely at some point during a shopping experience, you have walked into a store, only to be ignored by the sales staff. In these situations, you can’t help but wonder, “Does this person want my business?” Not putting the needs of your customers first is off-putting, since they count...
How a small complaint led to big sales. There are three areas in which businesses compete; people, product and place. Investing in one area takes pressure off the other two. If you pay your nutrition staff well, for example, you can spend less on your physical space. Here’s a story...
Tips for Generating Opportunities in Today’s Economy As I began researching the social media world looking for retailer opportunities, I quickly discovered many new ways to communicate directly with customers and save marketing dollars at the same time. In today’s economy, it’s important that retailers wisely manage their marketing and...
The Story of How One Retail Store Helped an Industry Grow "We have to remember the roots, the traditions of the natural health movement passed over time." In October 1994, Congress passed the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA). This momentous bill allows our industry to exist and gives...
Make Room for Betty Crocker and Your Local Supermarket! Many independent natural products retailers are breathing a sigh of relief because gluten-free foods are boosting sales as the economy cuts customer counts. Life is good again, at least for a while. General Mills, which makes Betty Crocker-brand baking products, says...
I can remember 12 years ago, there was a buzz about the coming of an “information highway” that would change how we do business. Then, all of a sudden, a line listing was added to my budget for Internet and web services. According to Internet World Stats, there are...
“Avast, me hearties! Beware the health pirates!” As some independent natural products retailers react to recession-driven declines in customer traffic counts by offering discounts, a new nationwide consumer survey from Bellevue, WA-based Hartman Group and National Research Network offers two cautions: One, shoppers tend to think the new, economic-downturn...
Good advertising is a necessary part of a successful business, but don’t think that advertising only entails out-of-store promotions. In-house signage is just as important for rapid turnover, and you should strive for high-quality, informative signs inside your store as they are one of the important measures that persuade...
You treasure your family and friends. You are helpful and friendly even to strangers. But, let’s be honest. Being green is the new trendy way to be a friend—the slew of eco-friendly cleaning, kitchen and bathroom products on the market prove it. According to the Mintel report Environmentally Friendly...
Fresh & Easy, the new 10,000-square-foot food retailer, has opened 120 stores in the western United States in less than two years, and plans to open 200 more. The stores focus on quality prepared foods, fresh produce, everyday items at low prices and average $500 in sales per square...
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