Blog

By Steve Di Orio, Posted in Retail

Creating a brand is so important because it tells the world who you are as a business. When someone hears your company name you want it to be synonymous with the words you’d like to have attributed to your brand. If you own a trendy clothing store for example, you want people to think “stylish”, “cutting edge”, and “high fashion”. Working to really build and develop your brand will get you to that level. It is important to be consistent not only in the message that... read more.

• August 07, 2015

By Steve Di Orio, Posted in Retail

If you have ever dreamed of opening your own retail store you have probably fantasized about the positive aspects: surrounding yourself with products you are passionate about, being your own boss, setting your own standards, etc. But the hard truth of the matter is that opening up a retail store is expensive. You’ll need to be prepared for all of the costs that opening up and running a retail store will require. Inc.com shares a new business owner’s experience with opening her own store, and div... read more.

• July 31, 2015

By Steve Di Orio, Posted in Shelving, Store Fixtures

End cap displays are an excellent way to take advantage of every available space your retail store has to offer. Don’t let the end space of your retail shelves go to waste by leaving them empty. By adding end caps you open up added possibilities for showcasing your merchandise without having to invest in a costly and spacious new unit. Look for store shelving that is designed to coordinate with your existing units in order to add critical display space for your highest gross profitable merchandise. He... read more.

• July 24, 2015

By Steve Di Orio, Posted in Business Management, Store Management

As you probably already know, marketing is a huge factor in the success of your business. You can have a great product or service, but without marketing to spread the word it can be difficult to bring in customers, especially if you are just starting out and newer to the industry. Marketing is a way to tell the community what type of business you run; the voice and brand that you want to share with the world. It is also a way to provide incentives to customers and give them a reason to choose your goods or... read more.

• July 10, 2015

By Steve Di Orio, Posted in Gondola Shelving & Accessories

Gondola accessories can take your retail store shelving to the next level. You don’t have to be limited to standard shelves that aren’t always suitable for your wide variety of merchandise. Adding dividers, steel front lips, open end baskets and more to your gondola shelves allows you to showcase products that aren’t necessarily a more standard size or shape. Here are a few of our favorite ways to amp up your gondola shelving with accessories. Chrome Wire Fencing & Dividers – The... read more.

• July 03, 2015

By Steve Di Orio, Posted in Retail

Opening a retail store is a lifelong dream for many. Filling it with products that you are passionate about, whether it be high-end clothing, rare and unique jewelry, vitamins, sporting goods, etc., being surrounding by things that make you happy and that you want to share with others can be a very rewarding career. But opening a retail store doesn’t come without risks. Keep the following risks in mind in order to run a successful store. The Economy Most likely, your products are typically purchased w... read more.

• June 26, 2015

By Steve Di Orio, Posted in Beauty Stores

The beauty industry is very competitive. As a small business owner, competing with the prices that the bigger stores offer can be a challenge, but you can bring in customers in other ways than prices alone. Finding your niche, such as all organic and vegan products, gets you known in the industry as being a specialist in a certain area, and can drive a particular crowd away from the larger, more generalized stores and straight into yours. Building your reputation in this area as well as being known for an e... read more.

• June 19, 2015

By Steve Di Orio, Posted in Retail, Store Management

Many retail establishments have a hard time recruiting great talent for their store. With so many young adults flocking to retail careers for a “job just to earn some extra money” or “for the great discounts” it is hard to find individuals that actually take their role seriously and are willing to work hard to make your store a real success. Because of the often limited funds that many retail stores have to pay employees, it is hard to attract top talent. One way to attract great tal... read more.

• June 12, 2015

By Steve Di Orio, Posted in Business Management, Retail, Store Management

If you own a retail store that is not part of a major chain, you are likely on a much different budget than the big box stores. While your budget for marketing is probably much lower, getting your name out there is extremely important. So how do you maintain your customers, get new business and remain profitable with a more limited marketing budget? Here are a few ways to keep your store top of mind without breaking the bank on advertising. Get online. Even if you only plan to sell your merchandise from ret... read more.

• June 05, 2015

By Steve Di Orio, Posted in Pet Stores

Pet store ownership can be a very lucrative business endeavor. According to the American Pet Products Association, Americans spent more than $50 billion on their cats, dogs, and other companion animals in 2012. They also report that the number of owned dogs in this year was 83.3 million and cats were at 95.6 million. People love their pets, and they love to pamper them. Whether it’s spending a fortune on a plush new dog bed, grooming services, or the highest quality pet food, people are willing to cou... read more.

• May 29, 2015