Operations

10 Tips for Building a Revenue-Generating Mailing List for Email Marketing

While the philosophers debate whether a tree falling in a forest makes a sound when no one is around to hear it, small retail business owners are more concerned about the realities of email marketing... more »

A Retail Lease Primer for Gift Shop Owners: Survive to Thrive

The recent economic downturn has created a tough sales environment for many retailers, especially the so-called independent "mom and pop" stores and those operated by franchisees. Declining sales due to high unemployment and depressed home... more »

Find Fans Through Facebook

Social media is big and Facebook is one of the many tools you can use to drive traffic to your store. Here's how.When I first heard about Facebook, my daughter was heading to college and... more »

Writing on the Wall

When you think in-store marketing and branding, do you ever think of using your store's walls? While they might not be considered traditional marketing vehicles, a flat expanse of in-store space might just be crying... more »

The Right Light

Your store lights can make or break your walls. Make sure you're using the right ones for maximum impact.In our marketing article in this issue of GIFT SHOP, we already looked at how walls can... more »

How do you motivate your staff to be as interested in your business as you are?

Try as you might, sometimes you just can't do it all. A motivated, invested staff is key to the success of your gift store. (more…) more »

You’ve Got Mail!

Emailing your customers is a great way to boost sales and drive traffic to your store. However, do you know what constitutes an effective email message? This email blast from retailer Martha Holbrook of Rosebud... more »

Getting Back to the Basics to Prepare Your Business for 2010

There are eight steps a business owner can follow to be well-positioned for the new year, whether they're a long-time owner or an entrepreneur embarking on a new venture.Anyone who works in retail knows that... more »

What strategies should retailers implement to host a successful sale?

A good sale not only moves stale inventory, it injects much-needed cash flow into your business. Lauren Heamon of Fox Premier Sales Lauren Heamon of Fox Premier Sales770.237.2929FoxPremierSales.com Sale! Clearance! BOGO! Half off!These words are... more »

Turnaround Tenacity

I recently met my new business hero. His name is James Brown and he hails from the hardscrabble hills of Eastern Kentucky. Maybe they breed folks a bit tougher there but this guy has shown... more »