Back To Retail Basics

Retail Basics Ensures Success Of Your Store

The economic might experience a slow down, but however negative the predictions are, the truth is that people will still need to shop in the malls. They will still need to buy clothes, supplies and grocery, even gifts for family and friends. I agree that they might be spending a bit less than normal. The fact that customers may be controlling their spending, makes it more imperative that retailers compete for their share of the wallet.

Even in bad economic times, there are still sales to made, people still buy. So, what can a retailer do to ensure they have the very best possible chance for success? The answer to getting your share of the customer’s wallet is to be better than the others. Whatever it is you are selling, do it better than the others. Retailers don’t have to beat the economy, they just have to do what they do better than the others in the same business.

Getting Back To Retail Basics

First of all, the merchandising team must make sure the purchase of the merchandise is done at the right price and quantity. Allocation of the merchandise, and delivery of inventory must arrive at the retail location in the right quantity, at the right time.

The retail store management must make the shopping experience pleasant for the customers. Have friendly, smiling, knowledgeable, well trained staff available to serve the customers; and have enough of them. Have customer friendly policies and procedures in place. Maintain a clean and well organized store. Have clear signage. Respect for your customers for shopping at your retail store.

Deliver what you promise to do and do it better than every other retailer out there. Control your expenses, while ensuring you can provide your customers with the service and the pleasant shopping experience that they deserve.

In the final analysis, every component of the retail organization have to execute their game plan during these times. Merchandising, Warehouse, Logistics, Loss Prevention, Marketing, Finance, Customer Service and Retail store must deliver and do it better than the competition if you want to win. The customers deserve better, and with disposable incomes diminishing, retailers must deliver that shopping experience.