Is it football season yet? We can't wait to start hosting watch parties again, like this adorable setup from @lyraandjanekitchen.
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August 8, 2019
August 8, 2019
I read the New York Times and want to ask: Are we sharpening our executioner's sword? That is what FedEx wondered as it helped Amazon grow by delivering its packages. Finally, FedEx woke up and decided it's better to make less money tomorrow than help usher in its death in the near future. As the Times reports, FedEx is terminating its ground delivery agreement with Amazon at the end of August, thereby passing on the delivery of millions of packages.
Amazon has historically partnered with ...
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August 6, 2019
August 6, 2019
Remember when people said that customers wouldn’t buy luxury online? They were wrong as evidenced by Today’s WSJ summarizing the decline of Barneys as a failure to navigate the rise of e-commerce. In addition to e-commerce competitors, high rent and high debt ($200m) played roles.
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August 4, 2019
August 4, 2019
What happens when you make a dessert syrup with delicious locally roasted coffee and organic cane sugar? Pure two ingredient magic, that’s what!! Tina Clark’s Sweet and Cute Coffee Syrup was love at first bite for our staff and our customers. We wanted to know how this gourmet goodie came about and what other genius ideas were in Tina’s foodie future. Daniel asked her to share what’s brewing with us and got the scoop. What inspired you to get into business? I had always loved to bake and to ...
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August 2, 2019
August 2, 2019
Need to throw a party last minute? It can be as easy as 1, 2, 3 --> from the fridge to the oven & then ready to serve on the table! Ordinary mac and cheese becomes party-ready in 5 minutes!
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July 29, 2019
July 29, 2019
Meet Venita D'Angelo. Her company, Light Essentials, is our longest running YEA competition winner. Each year winners from the Young Entrepreneurs Academy are given a limited time to sell at Parkleigh. Her candles were such a hit we continue to sell them years after the original contract. We even had her create a signature scent Parkleigh candle. With profits going toward college, and a bright future ahead, we asked her to share how she’s achieving her success.
If you’re a long-time merchant, you probably never considered that you’d have to become a content creator. Here are several tools that make creating content easier than ever; not only do they help produce posts, in many cases they even supply the creative ideas.
Of all the available tools, Canva is the beast of content creation. I wrote about it in this column several years ago and still use it to create awesome social media posts for Facebook, Twitter, ...
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I developed Bridge Network, an e-commerce platform, that is not included in this article. Here are some things I have learned over the last 20 years of e-commerce development:
1. The article’s ranking criteria includes themes and templates. I believe you don't need an assortment of templates to have a functioning (or successful) e-commerce site. Just look at ...
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July 24, 2019
July 24, 2019
Cozina bakers and ramekins fit every kitchen decor. The timeless sponged glaze gives a timeless look for our durable stoneware from Portugal. Dishwasher and microwave safe.
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July 24, 2019
July 24, 2019
Amazon makes returns easy. Macy's has followed suit and now does the same. What are you doing to make returns easier?
Check out this handy chart showing what department stores do for delivery and returns. Ninety-two percent of stores send a shipping confirmation email, but only 31% tell you the estimated delivery day. Regarding returns, 69% email a customer that a package has been received, but only 38% email a customer when the refund has been processed.
Hello I'm Suzanne Roberts, "When leaves are falling, Autumn is calling!" Or in our case... "When Round Top boxes arrive, our fall stock thrives!" Want to get a head start on Fall decor? We are ready for you! Don't forget to like and Share! What's your favorite fall brand? We have enjoyed helping your homes say "Hello Fall!" For 44 years here Snider Plaza !
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July 21, 2019
July 21, 2019
I believe that offering greater online selection is increasingly important in retail.
Greater selection is important for many reasons including:
1. Giving shoppers more choices. More choices lead to more sales.
2. Helping stores be more competitive. Shoppers know that big online retailers like Amazon offer millions of products, and thereby millions of possible price points and features. Offering something similar is the natural route to get those orders back from Amazon.
3. Boosting a ...
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Your product pages now look better. Previously, when a customer viewed items that lacked product pictures, your software would show a 'coming soon' image placeholder. Now, your software shows the item's brand logo.
In the example shown, the software is outputting the Tizo, Match, Chilewich, and Grainware logos.
If a brand does not have a logo in our system, then a coming soon picture will still appear for an item lacking a picture. Since Babcock Exclusives brand does not have a logo entered ...
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July 17, 2019
July 17, 2019
What is your abandoned cart rate? This and other factors arose in a shipping survey conducted by BigCommerce.
Some survey findings:
+ Fifty-eight percent stopped shopping certain retailers because of a negative shipping experience.
+ Amazon Prime has set a high bar with free two-day shipping. In the past 12 months, 84 percent of global survey respondents made an online purchase specifically because it offered free shipping, and half said they avoid shopping with retailers that don’t offer free ...
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July 15, 2019
July 15, 2019
Our hearts were warmed after spotting the street art of Mr. Rodgers waving at us under an overpass on the way to work on day. We were fans of Dellarious before we even really knew what it was. His pictures of iconic Rochester places, his portraits of musical legends, and social justice heroes both local and global have found a perfect home at Parkleigh. We wanted to know more about the creative and activist spirit of Mike Dellaria and how he generates these incredible images that not only touch ...
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July 11, 2019
July 11, 2019
You'll never get tired of hearing your guests say, "Wow!" when you serve them dinner.
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July 10, 2019
July 10, 2019
Is there anything better than lounging in the sun on a beautiful summer day? Then you’ll love these delightful Herend Adirondack chairs. These inviting, classic loungers are available in various colors.
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July 2, 2019
July 2, 2019
We have a new loyalty program! Receive store credit on in-store purchases.
Spend $100 — Get $5 Store Credit Spend $200 — Get $12 Store Credit Spend $500 — Get $32 Store Credit Spend $1,000 — Get $70 Store Credit
Store credits carry over when not used. Store credit does not have to be used all at once.
Good news: your indie store just gained some ground on Amazon.
About 60% of Amazon sales are via third-party sellers. They pass thru what it calls the 'marketplace.' These Amazon purchases have not historically been taxed because the purchase is made from a business in one state and shipped to another state. But that loophole started to close last year when the Supreme Court ruled that states can collect tax on these types of Internet purchases.
Many state laws have acted on that Supreme ...
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July 2, 2019
July 2, 2019
Carol Shroeder, owner of a gift shop, a retail expert, and a Bridge member, shared this advice about inventory:
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Markdowns = Money “Don’t let inventory become family” is one of my favorite retail sayings. We all know the feeling of bringing in merchandise because we love it, hoping that just the right customer will come in who loves it too. It’s sometimes hard to accept the fact that it is costing the shop money to hold onto an item that isn’t selling.