What Do You Stand For? Why Values Matter for Retailers
There’s one word I believe every retail business owner needs to revisit regularly: values. Whether you’re prepping for a busy season, hiring new team members, or trying to deepen customer relationships, your values shape every interaction. And right now, with so much noise in the marketplace and customers craving real connection, your business values matter more […]
The Hidden Cost of “Clone, Clone, Clone”
You’ve seen it before. Email campaigns labeled “duplicate_final_FINAL_v2.” Ad sets named “Fall Ads 1, Fall Ads 2, Fall Ads 3.” Product images saved as “IMG_4782.jpg.” These aren’t just aesthetic problems; they’re operational inefficiencies that are quietly draining your team’s productivity and your bottom line. The Real Impact of Poor Naming Systems The data reveals a […]
Is Your Holiday Messaging Ready?
The holidays are here! And, if you’re like most independent retailers, you’re probably feeling the pressure. I get it. This is the busiest and most profitable time of year, but it’s also when customer expectations are at an all-time high. And when communication isn’t clear? Frustration follows fast and consumers are rushing around. That’s why […]
Partner Up to Power Up Your Retail Business
Looking for a smarter, more effective way to grow your retail business? Strategic partnerships may be the answer—and the data backs it up. Research shows that retailers who build value-aligned partnerships see 25% better customer acquisition and a 43% higher return on investment than those who go it alone. In this quick video, we explore […]
How Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) Changes the Game for Retail Marketing
Search behavior has changed—and your content strategy should too. For years, Search Engine Optimization (SEO) focused on keyword stuffing, exact match phrases, and technical tricks. But with the rise of AI-powered search tools like ChatGPT, Copilot, Perplexity, and Google’s SGE, customers aren’t searching the way they used to. They’re asking real questions. And that means […]
What Is Offline Tracking? (And Why Retailers Need It Now)
It’s no secret that over 80% of today’s customers start their shopping journey online. But do you know which digital efforts are actually driving them into your store? If you’re running Google Ads, Facebook campaigns, or email marketing and only measuring online conversions, you’re missing a huge part of the picture. Offline tracking closes the […]
Are You Skipping Strategy and Jumping into Tactics?
If your marketing plan feels busy but disconnected, you might be missing the most important step: strategy. In this short video, Jennifer Shaheen breaks down the core difference between a marketing strategy (your why and what) and a marketing plan filled with tactics (your how and when). Most businesses jump straight into campaigns, emails, and social posts without aligning those efforts […]
3-Minute Reality Check on Who’s Truly Shopping with You
I’ve had this conversation countless times with retail business owners, and it usually begins the same way. They tell me about their latest marketing campaign, seasonal promotions, or new product lines. But when I ask them to describe their actual customers – not their ideal customers, but the real people walking through their doors – the […]
Why Should Anyone Choose You?
Most businesses struggle to explain why customers should choose them over competitors. They rely on generic promises like “quality service” or “competitive prices,” but these don’t differentiate you from anyone else. Without a clear Unique Selling Position (USP), your business becomes invisible in a crowded marketplace. Your USP must be specific and unique – Generic claims […]
Stop Running Promotions without Purpose
If your promotions start with “20% off” and end with one email, it’s time for a smarter strategy. Too many retailers fall into the trap of reactive discounting, rushing to run a sale without a plan. The result? Lower margins, mixed messages, and customers trained to wait for the next markdown. In this short video, […]
