One of my favorite quotes from a retailer about the last edition of Specialty Shop Retailing is this one: “I have read, highlighted, marked up and re-read this book so many times it groans when I pick it up!” It’s been so much fun for me to hear from shopkeepers around the world about how helpful they have found the first three editions of my book, which sold over 40,000 copies and were translated into Russian. I am very happy to announce that the fourth edition has just been published as a ...
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November 18, 2017
November 18, 2017
Loved seeing the ode to Mottahedeh with one of our saying trays placed at each seat. True statement perfect for this night of honorees!
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September 27, 2017
September 27, 2017
The only thing better than finding our customers pieces they love is hearing that we made their experience special!
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September 27, 2017
September 27, 2017
What are 3 things that you can do to improve your website? Check out Alex Milstein's tips below.
You may see a familiar name in the article: Alex quoted a few of my tips on e-commerce.
Excerpt from article:
3. Be different. The problem isn't that all furniture website look the same, it's that they are all offering the same content as everyone else. Jason Solarek, CEO of Bridge, a website solutions company...
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Many of you may have learned of the devastating fire at the JL Coquet factory late last week. I am pleased to report today that a significant amount of production will be covered at the second facility that primarily produces Jaune de Chrome, but additionally we have been advised that production will be returned to normal in less than two months. We are being told to quote 8 week delivery times for the next few months as opposed to the standard of 4-6.
Through his family store, Neiman Marcus, Stanley Marcus introduced French sophistication to Texas and aspirational luxury to America.
The best quote from the article: Remnants of his idea, that a department store can and should be a world unto itself, have been adopted by countless others in the decades since — from peer institutions to more everyday brands like J. Crew. What none of these others can ever quite ...
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October 23, 2016
October 23, 2016
We know you would never show up empty handed to a dinner invitation… And we have the perfect hostess gift, the “keepsake dish” its not too much and not too little. With over 50 to choose from, there is a saying for every occasion; from wisdom, encouragement, love, family, knowledge, passion and even humor.
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December 30, 2015
December 30, 2015
What does a running store have in common with a home goods boutique? Both are struggling to compete against vendors selling direct. Nike is increasingly hurting indy athletic shops by selling direct. In the home goods world, many brands are doing the same to their retailers.
When you read the article about Nike, many of these same quotes could come from players in our home goods industry:
“Elegance comes from being as beautiful inside as outside.” – Quote by Coco Chanel –
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September 16, 2015
September 16, 2015
Retailers are having trouble balancing their physical store and their online stores, according to a survey summed up by HFN's Allison Zisko.
One sore spot is returns. Excerpt:
Eighty five percent of retailers noted the high cost of online returns to a store, particularly when the item is not carried in that store. And when returning to a fulfillment center or supplier, retailers incur incremental freight costs, the possibility of shipping-related product damage, as well as a lost opportunity for a...
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We agree with Mr. Lehmann: let's help our local communities. As quoted in today's Times.
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September 11, 2011
September 11, 2011
Tips on promoting your retail store
Retailers often ask me about increasing traffic and sales. Below please find a New York Times article about a Hearts on Fire print campaign.
1) Customize your advertisements to your audience. Excerpt: The content of the print ads will vary slightly in each magazine based on its target audience. For younger fashion-conscious readers of Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire and Redbook, ads will highlight lower-priced items. The more affluent readers of Harper's Bazaar, O, ...
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October 8, 2008
October 8, 2008
Be Wary of E-mails Promising High Search Engine Ranking
A client of mine received the e-mail below. I have not contacted the group listed in this notice, but I will note a few things from my experience: 1) Dan promises to "hand deliver" a high ranking in Google for apparently any search term, but if I Google this guys name and business ("Dan Linx Monster"), there are NO matching results in Google.
For a guy that promises high search ranking, why does he–accoridng to Google–not even exist?
My name is Jason Solarek, and I met you at the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens this past spring at an antique garden furniture show. I was there with some ...
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My name is Jason Solarek, and I met you at the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens this past spring at an antique garden furniture show. I was there with some ...
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