Vanda Stephens It’s been a holiday season full of surprises for retailers. Consumers not only surprised retailers with the strength of their spending, but they showed greater-than-expected willingness to use mobile apps, social media links, AI-powered product recommendations, and pay-over-time options to drive their spending. The shifts in consumer behavior over the holiday season will influence how … Read more
For many small business owners, the new year signals the start of tax season preparation. Now is the time to organize your financial statements and look for ways to reduce your annual tax bill. Many tax credit programs implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic are winding down, but there are also new opportunities to take advantage … Read more
There’s an art to handling gift returns and there are strategies to help you transform them into valuable opportunities for building customer loyalty and business growth. This week continues the list of practices to create an army of loyal customers. Ensure a consistent and seamless experience across all channels, whether customers make returns in-store or … Read more
You hate to see it coming—a customer with your bag in hand. You know where that’s headed. No matter how helpful you were or how great your products are, the holiday season isn’t a holiday without a wave of gift returns and exchanges. While it’s easy to view these transactions as inconveniences, savvy businesses recognize … Read more
Today’s customers are savvier than ever, using artificial intelligence (AI) and YouTube to do their research before making a purchase. Data from HubSpot show that 71% of consumers prefer to gather information themselves rather than speaking with a human. Here are some ways to update your sales strategy, allocate resources, and focus your messaging to … Read more
‘Twas the week before Christmas, when all through the town, All the people were scurrying up streets and down; The meetings all set in their planners with care, In hopes that the customers too would be there! Workers were snacking all snug in break rooms, With visions of PTO coming up soon. VPs in their … Read more
The simple act of thanking your customers can go a long way toward building loyalty to your business and your brand. Research from Zendesk found that two-thirds of consumers who believe a business cares about their emotional state will likely become repeat customers. Customer appreciation is fundamental to building customer loyalty. Here are some simple, … Read more
The end-of-year holidays can be a tricky time for small businesses. On one hand, November through January is the peak shopping season and the window when restaurants and retail merchants can capitalize on sales. On the other hand, you and your team are ready for a break. Many employees save their paid time off for … Read more
Around the holidays, do you find yourself wondering how your business can stand out against large stores with huge marketing budgets and flashy loss leaders? How can the “little guy” capture local shoppers’ attention? The questions below can help you put your small business on track for big returns this holiday. Business owners, ask yourself … Read more
The holiday season (and Small Business Season!) is upon us! It’s the perfect time to capitalize on the festive spirit to attract customers and boost sales. As a small business you also want to invite people to linger, especially if you’re in retail. According to the Wall Street Journal, sales could increase as much as … Read more