Home > News & Events

News from Shop Local & Bridge

  1. News from Us
  2. News from Members
  3. Events
  4. Press
  5. Strategy: Dollars & Sense
  6. Profile Stories
  7. New Software Features & Updates
  8. Training Calendar
  9. Training Videos
  10. Jobs
  1. News from Us
  2. News from Members
  3. Events
  4. Press
  5. Dollars & Sense
  6. Profile Stories
  7. Updates
  8. Training Calendar
  9. Training Videos
  10. Jobs
+ Bridge in the News - Bridge in the News

2,152 Results:

April 24, 2024 Nike tried to cut out retailers and it backfired
Chalk 23994 picture
Nike tried to cut out retailers and it backfired
April 24, 2024
Since we support brick-and-mortar retailers, we found Nike’s u-turn regarding retailers to be welcome. They initially planned to cut off 30% of stores but have since returned to them.  

Read The Wall St. Journal article:
https://www.wsj.com/business/retail/nike-reverse-innovation-stalls-rivals-gain-c3ed8e63?st=69ycm3x5p027g6w&reflink=share_mobilewebshare
Read More
April 24, 2024 New Feature: Easier Navigation of Collections and Departments
How to quickly browse a brand's collections and departments in an expanded view.
Chalk 23993 picture
New Feature: Easier Navigation of Collections and Departments
How to quickly browse a brand's collections and departments in an expanded view.
April 24, 2024
Your Shop Local Store has a new feature: We made it easier to view and browse through all of a brand's collections and departments. The Collections page now shows a navigation menu on the left side of the page with a brand's collections and departments.

Previously, one could only click on "Collections" or "Departments" in the main navigation to view all collections and departments a brand offers. With this update, one can quickly view all collections and departments on one...
Read More
April 23, 2024 Introducing Our Source & Story Collection: Capturing the Spirit of Artisans & the Places They Call Home
Chalk 23990 picture
Introducing Our Source & Story Collection: Capturing the Spirit of Artisans & the Places They Call Home
April 23, 2024
Over the past three decades, LAFCO has honored a commitment to quality and honesty.

Each home fragrance and personal care creation is not merely a product, but a testament to the artisanal excellence derived from the earth’s most generous offerings. These ingredients, curated from every corner of the globe, come with stories as rich and complex as their scents.

The Source & Story Collection represents the evolution of LAFCO’s Pure Promise.
With meticulous care, we have ...
Read More
April 22, 2024 Olive Branch Gardens Expands Mackenzie-Childs Assortment and Saves $2,740 and 4 Weeks in Labor with Shop Local
How an invitation from Syncing brand Mackenzie-Childs helped this retailer offer 2661 more products in only one day   
Chalk 23989 picture
Olive Branch Gardens Expands Mackenzie-Childs Assortment and Saves $2,740 and 4 Weeks in Labor with Shop Local
How an invitation from Syncing brand Mackenzie-Childs helped this retailer offer 2661 more products in only one day   
April 22, 2024
We are pleased to announce that Olive Branch Gardens in Wallace, North Carolina, has joined Shop Local to grow their online business. Olive Branch Gardens is a florist and gift store with a limited selection of MacKenzie-Childs products on their primary Shopify website.

Olive Branch Gardens saved $2,740 and 4 weeks in labor on website product maintenance through the Shop Local platform. They have chosen Shop Local to expand their online store assortment and offer a gift registry program.

...
Read More
April 22, 2024 Thanks to Wayne for Being a Client for 23 Years
Chalk 23988 picture
Thanks to Wayne for Being a Client for 23 Years
April 22, 2024
In October of 2001, I walked into William-Wayne & Co. in New York City with no appointment.  I asked for the owner, was introduced to the co-owner, and suggested he build a website.  The two owners, William and Wayne, agreed to discuss it further with me and we scheduled a meeting.  Nine months later, William-wayne.com was born.  

We’ve updated the website since then, but the fundamentals have stayed the same.  

It all started with William & Wayne &...
Read More
April 21, 2024 How I Start My Day: The Write Stuff
Starting the day with a business book helps the mind awaken and perform during the day.
Chalk 23987 picture
How I Start My Day: The Write Stuff
Starting the day with a business book helps the mind awaken and perform during the day.
April 21, 2024
I start each workday looking at notes I took when I read $100m Offers by Alex Hormozi. I read the notes, then assess how I can put them into action on our platform. I may add additional notes on top of the existing notes. I may grab a cafe napkin and doodle a feature on it. 

These notes have directly benefited our platform: We have used them to launch new features, more clearly explain our services, and overall ensure we're performing our duties for clients. 

P.S. ~ Thanks to ...
Read More
April 18, 2024 Scandia 20% Off Spring Sale At Feathers!
Chalk 23979 picture
Scandia 20% Off Spring Sale At Feathers!
April 18, 2024
Starting Saturday, April 20th through May 4th, all Scandia Home merchandise is 20% off! Feathers is located right beside Glassworks and Cheeks in Shadyside. Stop in to see the selection of comforters, pillows, and more. We can also order items for the sale to your bedding specifications.
Click here to see our Feathers section on this website.
(More items being added)

  View Post
April 18, 2024 Shop Local Helps Indie Merchants in Tennessee Get Google Sales Leads 🔍
How Shop Local helps 4 retailers rank on page 1 of Google in Tennessee
Chalk 23978 picture
Shop Local Helps Indie Merchants in Tennessee Get Google Sales Leads 🔍
How Shop Local helps 4 retailers rank on page 1 of Google in Tennessee
April 18, 2024
Indie stores have the best chance of ranking highly in Google when they use Shop Local. Merchants know this because of their page 1 rankings and how they beat big-box stores in search tests, such as for Tennessee results. 

These Shop Local retailers located in Tennessee appear on page one of Google due to their Shop Local Store: 
  1. Glass Bazaar in Knoxville
  2. Babcock Gifts in Memphis
  3. Two Doors Down in Germantown
  4. Vineyard's Gifts in Jackson

How we conducted this study:
We...
Read More
April 17, 2024 Shopping Local reduces returns and garbage created
Shopping Local reduces returns and garbage created
April 17, 2024
Carol Schroeder recently shared how local shops help our communities and their environment. I liked the excerpt below from her post:

”Returns are one example of something local shopkeepers do better than Amazon and other giant web retailers.  The e-commerce return rate is estimated to be two to three times that of brick & mortar stores – averaging a shocking 20%-30%.  According to The Guardian, a returns platform “recently calculated that only 50% of ...
Read More
April 17, 2024 Video: Add A Link on Your Shopify Store
Video: Add A Link on Your Shopify Store
April 17, 2024
If your Shopify website does not have a link leading to your Shop Local account, your business is losing online sales.

Without a link, your business is losing out on:
1. More sales.
2. More registrants.
3. Higher Google rankings.

There is a free, easy solution: Add a link from your Shopify site to your Shop Local site.

Please watch the video here for steps on how to add a link:
https://vimeo.com/933348620/f11c8183ef

Please click here for written instructions:
https://www....
Read More
April 15, 2024 Exponentially Better: The Math Behind Our Shopping Platform 🔢
How a drawing on a bar napkin led to a software platform that processes trillions of calculations
Chalk 23959 picture
Exponentially Better: The Math Behind Our Shopping Platform 🔢
How a drawing on a bar napkin led to a software platform that processes trillions of calculations
April 15, 2024
In 2007, while sitting at the pub Moran’s with a beer, I drew a sketch on a napkin that would change our business. I drew a software model that would allow an indie store to instantly show (and sell) thousands of products online—without any labor. (The secret sauce: The respective brand would do the product update work for the merchants.) The immediate goal was to help my two retailers more efficiently load products onto their websites (and save me the boredom of doing it). 

...
Read More
April 13, 2024 Amazon may be stealing your ideas
Chalk 23962 picture
Amazon may be stealing your ideas
April 13, 2024
The Wall St. Journal shares how Amazon takes other companies’ ideas on a mass scale, such as from Trader Joe’s. The article is an excerpt from “The Everything War: Amazon’s Ruthless Quest to Own the World and Remake Corporate Power,” a new book by Dana Mattioli. 

Read the full article:  
https://www.wsj.com/business/retail/amazon-the-everything-war-dana-mattioli-4966915d?st=wfvfetf3zjiygz4&reflink=mobilewebshare_permalink
Read More
April 13, 2024 Taco Bell-wether 🌮
How Taco Ball is going digital first--and others would be wise to follow
Chalk 23960 picture
Taco Bell-wether 🌮
How Taco Ball is going digital first--and others would be wise to follow
April 13, 2024
Fast food is stuffing itself with software. Yum Brands, which owns Taco Bell and Pizza Hut, is embracing a few strategies we’ve chatted about, including software bundles and membership programs. It’s even investing in AI. Its budget: $21m last year. That’s a lot of lettuce. 

Does the market merit it? Well, 45% of Yum’s sales are digital. Likewise, we’re hearing website sales make up about half of our merchants' sales. Note: We’re not half of every ...
Read More
April 11, 2024 New Vietri Perline Cachepots At Glassworks!
Chalk 23954 picture
New Vietri Perline Cachepots At Glassworks!
April 11, 2024
Characterized by a strand of pearl-like designs around the rim of each piece, the Perline Footed Cachepots are sophisticated and polished. The white glaze is rich and resplendent, and it makes for a beautiful backdrop for any planted flower or arrangement. Glassworks in Shadyside has all 3 sizes in-stock. Stop in!

Click here to shop for Vietri Perline Footed Cachepots on this website.

 
Read More
April 11, 2024 Shop Local Helps Indie Merchants in Louisiana Get Google Sales Leads 🔍
How Shop Local helps 3 retailers rank on page 1 of Google in Louisiana
Chalk 23953 picture
Shop Local Helps Indie Merchants in Louisiana Get Google Sales Leads 🔍
How Shop Local helps 3 retailers rank on page 1 of Google in Louisiana
April 11, 2024
Indie stores have the best chance of ranking highly in Google when they use Shop Local. Merchants know this because of their page 1 rankings and how they beat big-box stores in search tests, such as for Louisiana results. 

These Shop Local retailers located in Louisiana appear on page one of Google due to their Shop Local Store: 
  1. The Kitchenary in Lafayette
  2. John Ward Interiors & Gifts in Alexandria
  3. Pieces of Eight Gifts in Lafayette

How we conducted this study:
We ...
Read More
April 8, 2024 Macy’s could go the way of Sears
Chalk 23941 picture
Macy’s could go the way of Sears
April 8, 2024
Sixty percent of Macy’s value lies not in its stores, brands, or IP, but in the dirt below it: its real estate.  That’s not a good bellwether for its existence as is. 

Read the full article: 
https://www.wsj.com/business/retail/the-hot-sale-going-on-at-department-stores-their-shares-bf5c01ca?st=6x9w0ljn163uv88&reflink=mobilewebshare_permalink
Read More
April 8, 2024 Success Story: FairyTales Saves $2,740 and 4 Weeks in Labor with Shop Local
How an invitation from Syncing brand Mackenzie-Childs helped this retailer set up an online store in only one day   
Chalk 23940 picture
Success Story: FairyTales Saves $2,740 and 4 Weeks in Labor with Shop Local
How an invitation from Syncing brand Mackenzie-Childs helped this retailer set up an online store in only one day   
April 8, 2024
We are pleased to announce that FairyTales in Lombard, Illinois, has joined Shop Local to grow their online business. FairyTales is a family-owned store that offers home décor, unique gifts, collectibles, apparel, and more.

FairyTales saved $2,740 and 4 weeks in labor on website product maintenance through the Shop Local platform. They have chosen Shop Local to expand their online store assortment and offer a gift registry program.

FairyTales, Inc. is celebrating 30 years of ...
Read More
April 8, 2024 How will these 35 e-commerce trends affect your business?
Forbes Advisor shares 35 insights you should know
Chalk 23939 picture
How will these 35 e-commerce trends affect your business?
Forbes Advisor shares 35 insights you should know
April 8, 2024
We watch trends to share them with our members and help them capture orders.  Forbes shares 35 helpful e-commerce statistics and we picked out a few highlights for you below:

Key Statistics:
  • 20.1% of retail purchases are expected to take place online in 2024.
  • By 2027, 23% of retail purchases are expected to take place online.
  • E-commerce sales are expected to grow 8.8% in 2024.
  • 52% of online shoppers report shopping internationally.
  • The most common reason online shoppers
...
Read More
April 8, 2024 Registry & Checkout Review: Gift Reggie
Chalk 23938 picture
Registry & Checkout Review: Gift Reggie
April 8, 2024
At Shop Local, it's our job to help find ways to grow your online business. Part of that job is researching different registry software to see if it could be a good fit for your store.

If you have a Shopify website and offer a gift registry service, you may have heard of Gift Reggie. Gift Reggie is a third-party Shopify app that seemingly integrates with your current website, making it easier to manage your registry offering and boost your online sales.

However, we have determined that ...
Read More
April 7, 2024 💡Some e-commerce advice from Thomas Edison...
What the famous inventor may say if he was your indie store consultant
Chalk 23935 picture
💡Some e-commerce advice from Thomas Edison...
What the famous inventor may say if he was your indie store consultant
April 7, 2024
Thomas Edison famously said, “Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration.”

If he were in retail today, we venture he'd proclaim: "Retail success is 1% inspiration and a $99/month Shop Local subscription."

Shop Local offers free plans. No setup fee. No monthly fee (skip paying even $99/month). Pay a small commission on completed, successful orders.

Please find the plan that is right for your shop here: https://www.shoplocal.org/...
Read More

Next page

Press: Shop Local & Bridge in the News
Tableware Today Column: Saying I Do To Registries
Tableware Today Column: Saying I Do To Registries
October 2024

Tableware Today: New Leaderboard Column from Shop Local
Tableware Today: New Leaderboard Column from Shop Local
August 2024

Shop Local Helps Indie Merchants in Florida Get Google Sales Leads 🔍
Shop Local Helps Indie Merchants in Florida Get Google Sales Leads 🔍
April 2024

Shop Local Helps Indie Merchants in Tennessee Get Google Sales Leads 🔍
Shop Local Helps Indie Merchants in Tennessee Get Google Sales Leads 🔍
April 2024

Shop Local Helps Indie Merchants in Louisiana Get Google Sales Leads 🔍
Shop Local Helps Indie Merchants in Louisiana Get Google Sales Leads 🔍
April 2024

Shop Local Helps Indie Merchants in Delaware Get Google Sales Leads 🔍
Shop Local Helps Indie Merchants in Delaware Get Google Sales Leads 🔍
April 2024

Shop Local Helps Indie Merchants in Pennsylvania Get Google Sales Leads 🔍
Shop Local Helps Indie Merchants in Pennsylvania Get Google Sales Leads 🔍
March 2024

Shop Local Helps Indie Merchants Get Sales Leads in Mississippi
Shop Local Helps Indie Merchants Get Sales Leads in Mississippi
March 2024

Shop Local Merchants Are 60% of Google Page 1 Results in South Carolina
Shop Local Merchants Are 60% of Google Page 1 Results in South Carolina
March 2024

Shop Local Merchants Are 50% of Google Page 1 Results in Georgia
Shop Local Merchants Are 50% of Google Page 1 Results in Georgia
March 2024

Shop Local Helps Indie Merchants Get More Sales Leads than Big-Box Stores Using Google
Shop Local Helps Indie Merchants Get More Sales Leads than Big-Box Stores Using Google
February 2024

Shop Local Retailers Rank on Page 1 of Google in 60% of States
Shop Local Retailers Rank on Page 1 of Google in 60% of States
February 2024

...