Brian Sullivan’s Post

Thank you so much Robyn Martin, Eric Bergstrom, Pam marcheski, Phil Amandola, Angela Jaskolski, and Lindsay Schofield for sharing your views on #technology’s place in #retail. No matter how you feel about #AI or any other technology trend, retail at its core is about human connection. As the co-founder of a retail tech company, I am over the moon to see how many brand leaders understand what truly drives the industry forward. All that said, it’s also very clear from the viewpoints in this article that investing in the right tech can come with a massive payoff. One of the most common concerns we hear from brands considering Endear is that if you give associates a #clienteling app, they’re going to spend all their time looking at a device and not paying attention to the folks in the store. DON’T DO THAT! We certainly wouldn’t recommend it. What we tell customers is that if your associates are busy selling on the floor 100% of the time, you probably don’t need us 😂 Being face to face with a customer should be your ultimate priority, so if you have a customer in the store, put down your device and pay attention. But the truth is, foot traffic is often not consistent or predictable. Our outlook as a clienteling app is the same as Lindsay Schofield's - you should meet the customer wherever they’re willing to engage, whether that’s in-store, over email, text or on the phone. Making customers comfortable will ultimately drive more #loyalty than any nifty in-store tech experience will. The other major struggle we see for retail brands and tech is adoption - a brand can spend so much time discovering, reviewing, negotiating, and procuring software only to find out your associates will never touch the software. That’s a lot of wasted time, energy and money. I’m really impressed with Robyn Martin for incorporating associates into Mattress Firm's RFP process. We built Endear with the store associate in mind, even before we thought about the corporate decision maker, because if the associate doesn’t know how to pick this new thing up and use it immediately, its no good to leadership anyway. At the end of the day, any technology you choose should make associates’ lives easier, not harder. As Chad Lundeen said, they are truly the heroes of the industry, so if you are considering any new software, first think how it will impact the workday of your frontline. Showing associates you’re keeping their priorities and workload in mind will not only keep them motivated, but will also likely result in increased loyalty. And with all that said, seems like we missed out at Future stores! Should we have gone?!

Is Retail an aspect of your organization? Do you work in Retail and want to simplify workflows? NRF showcased solutions that not are not only transforming how your customers interact with your brand, but how you do business within your own retail space. Check out this summary of NRF from #jamf: https://lnkd.in/gDM3x8SE

WHAT IF YOUR #RETAILBUSINESS VANISHED TOMORROW? Imagine one morning when your store doesn't open. Customers pause at the locked doors missing the warm greetings & familiar shelves Your employees feel a void where their daily routines & friendships once filled their days Suppliers find an empty slot where your orders used to be If the thought of this doesn’t leave a lump in your throat, perhaps it's time to RETHINK what your store REALLY MEANS to people THE HEART OF YOUR BUSINESS Building a RETAIL BUSINESS that people would deeply miss goes beyond just selling products It's about crafting a place that's woven into the fabric of their lives, supported by SOLID OPERATIONS & CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT Here’s How ROBUST #OPERATIONS-Imagine your store as a HEART each BEAT a transaction EACH BREATH a customer interaction When every part works perfectly, your business becomes more than a store- it becomes a part of everyday life #PROCESSEXCELLENCE: It’s about making every visit to your store a little brighter than the last Elevating every moment connected to your brand isn’t just good business- it’s a way to make a difference ONE SMILE at a time BUILDING MORE THAN JUST PROFITS #PROFITABLE-Streamlined operations mean not just savings but also the ability to give back more to your customers your employees & your community #USTAINABLE-Think of sustainability as resilience the strength to stand firm against storms of market changes & keep your doors open, come what may #SCALABLE-Growing your business without losing its heart means every new store replicates the warmth and care of the first THE TRUE MEASURE OF SUCCESS IF YOUR STORE DISAPPEARED, WOULD IT LEAVE A VOID IN YOUR COMMUNITY? True success means becoming #irreplaceable creating a legacy that touches lives & outlasts your presence If the thought of your business vanishing tugs at your heartstrings, you’re doing something right If not there’s still time to make your business an #inspiration in your community Focus on perfecting your operations & enhancing every process AIM NOT JUST TO BE ANOTHER #RETAILSTORE but a cherished part of your community- a place that TRULY MAKES A DIFFERENCE In my opinion THE TRUE & LIVE EXAMPLE OF TODAY'S ARTICLE IS 'DMART' TAKE THE FIRST STEP TODAY-Evaluate & enhance your store's operations & customer interactions Make your #retailbusiness not just a shop but A COMMUNITY CORNERSTONE THAT's TRULY MISSED WHEN IT's GONE Reach out for a consultation or VISIT: johnstamang.com to learn more about how you can transform your Retail Business into a beloved part of your local community DON'T JUST MAKE A DIFFERENCE- BE THE DIFFERENCE John S Tamang Retail Operations & Process Excellence Expert #IndianRetail #RetailIndia #RetailTechnology #StartupIndia #IndianEntrepreneurs #RetailInnovation #IndianBusiness #retailindustry #jewelry #furniture #fashionretailing Croma Reliance Retail Reliance Digital Retail Ltd. Shoppers Stop Vijay Sales

In this article, Dan Starr addresses many key questions on the minds of True Value retailers—national branding, markets including the Spring Show, HR concerns with the True Value and Do it Best teams, the culture of the co-op, and synergies. For those of us who remember the Cotter days, there’s certainly a sense of nostalgia. Perhaps this also offers hope of returning to a time when True Value was in its heyday, feeling like a true family. With Do it Best owning their inventory and facilities debt-free, it looks promising for retailers who want to maintain their independence. I’m excited to see how this unfolds, and of course, we’ll be here to help our retailers navigate the transition, no matter which path they choose. #hardwareindustry #TrueValue #DoItBest #retailnews #hardwarestoreowners #independentretailers #retailtrends #cooperative #hardwarestoremarketing

Predictions are fun and interesting to read. Especially those that talk about the future of retail. The big takeaway for me in this article is that stores are not going away. Brands and retailers are going to be smarter and more strategic about their brick-and-mortar locations but the opportunity to reach shoppers in person will remain. At PrintFlex we have many ideas on how labels and other in-store marketing tools can help increase your product’s visibility. #PrintFlex #FutureOfRetail #InStoreShopping

Need to get the creative juices flowing in your team? Want to see successful and innovative concepts that may have a twist for your business? Take a study tour with our team to get going.

HAVE *YOU* GOT THE BALANCE RIGHT?… PROFIT V’S ACCESSIBILITY Let’s cut to the chase. At the heart of any business no matter what any of your other motivating forces are, your number one motivating factor is to make money - it has to be! Making money is ultimately down to attracting clients and that involves marketing your services or products to the best of your ability and in the best way possible that makes them both attractive and accessible to your clients. I’m thinking about retail stores for a moment, a business with lots of different products to sell - different ranges, different brands, different sizes, colours, etc, the list goes on! Retail stores have a shop floor, a blank canvas if you like on which they can use their creativity to show off their products using displays that will be attractive to clients. With these displays stores can really show off their products in a more realistic scenario as opposed to just seeing the item hung on a hanger or boxed in on a shelf, it makes the product more attractive and more accessible too. By using props like these on the shop floor it fills the store, giving your clients lots to look at and choose from. This is all great for your business… But is it?… Have you thought that a significant percentage of your potential clients have a physical disability of some kind? Some are in power chairs, some have to be pushed in manual wheelchairs, others use walking frame or sticks, some have assistance dogs… and others just simply need more space to be able to move safely and independently. You are trying to showcase your products in the best possible way, but actually for these people you have created a barrier between them and your products. Those props that display your products so nicely in the middle of your store floor provide another obstacle for your less physically abled clients to navigate. This is such an important balance for your business to get right. Have *you* ever considered the balance that retail businesses have to get right? #retail #retailindustry #customerservice #customerexperience

Leading a company for long-term success often means making bold moves, including acquisition and diversification. However these moves can be risky if not done with consideration and in line with maintaining a strong and unique brand identity. A brand is the north star, guiding strategic decisions, and new initiatives should reinforce this. Staying true to core values, promises, and customer experiences can lead to an enhancement of a brand and build customer loyalty. But losing sight of what defines a brand when trying to grow and change can lead to dilution, confusion and a loss of focus on the core business. The Warehouse, or the Red Shed as it's affectionately known, has been a huge part of our lives and I really hope it can be turned around. Here's to a renewed focus on reaffirming the brand identity and a cohesive strategy for all brands under TWG to start reclaiming their position in the market.

How do beauty companies like Curology and Glossier, Inc.,Inc. create elevated product experiences for their customers? Their #MarketingStrategy is strategic, right down to highly branded and carefully-designed packaging that doesn’t just deliver products to customers, but provides them with an enhanced #unboxing experience. Orders may come with personalized offers and recommendations, a thank you note or even a free gift. Value-added services like #kitting and gift set assembly are part of Staci Americas’ expertise. We build thousands of kits daily, regularly completing complex kits that include up to 20 products. Our #warehouse associates pack orders according to your creative vision, ensuring that they’re secure and visually uniform with custom-branded, premium packaging that gives your products a personal touch. Ready to elevate your customers’ brand experience? Get in touch today. https://hubs.ly/Q02sfzHR0 #retail #3pl #marketing #strategy #kitting

A lot of tech talk, surprised there wasn't more discussion about the mobility factor - bringing the store to the customer. Some good discussion though about utilizing the current/future retail store model as a dual fulfillment center. Milestone Equipment Leasing can help! #storage #warehousing #fulfillment