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"Retailers are sitting on a pile of goods. Now the question is, will the U.S. holiday shopper bite?" reported Jennifer Williams in the Wall Street Journal.
Similarly, Michael Brandt of Inovium expects "weakening growth in discretionary retail (electronics, fashion, home furnishings.)"
When you’re running a store, your days are already packed with ringing sales, juggling vendors, calming staff, and keeping the lights on.
That’s why so many independent retailers have been slow to jump on past waves of technology — e-commerce platforms, fancy POS systems, or social media dashboards. The tools were costly, fiddly, and frankly, not built for stores like yours.
But here comes AI. Might this wave be different?
It’s accessible. No IT department needed; a curious owner can try it on their laptop tonight.
It’s fast. From drafting an email to analyzing last month’s numbers, AI can take the drudgery out of tasks that bog you down.
It’s (relatively) cheap. Many AI tools cost less per month than a case of shopping bags.
What is the definition of "value" for customers? Pretty straightforward, actually.
Wait. What? "Benefits received?" "Burdens endured?"
Turns out, the only single answer to "What is value?" is, "It depends."
Don't just roll your eyes. What constitutes value for your customers increasingly is a make-or-break part of retailing.
Like beauty, value in retail operations is in the eye of the beholder. And frankly, that is subject to change from time to time. Or day to day. Or...
Walmart's announcement that its prices are increasing due to the tariffs is welcomed by some retailers as an "everybody is doing it" cover story for raising their own prices. They can recommend that their staff just dismissively say, "Oh, it's because of the tariffs, you know," whenever customers challenge them about the price of an item.
That approach, commiserating with the customer, is likely to become widespread. After all, we all are feeling the impacts of higher prices, from the gas station to the grocery store.
But here's another idea for you to consider, an alternative to the victim mentality of the-tariffs-made-us-do-it. It all comes back to controlling the controllables in your business.
"They say there’s nothing quite like retail therapy, but what happens when online shopping just feels like it’s lost its spark?” asks Jeena Sharma in Retail Brew.
“Well, more than 3 in 4 consumers say that while e-commerce is ‘functional,’ it’s just not fun anymore, a new study by Criteo found."
According to "The Spark Of Discovery" report by global marketing and media company Criteo, who surveyed 6,000 consumers in six different countries, shoppers describe online shopping...
as a chore, 29%
as lonely, 79%
as overwhelming, 78%.
Ouch!
When do shoppers prefer ecommerce? No surprises there either:
Save time, 48%
Easier price comparison, 45%
Avoid crowds, 38%
Better discounts, 38%
Broader range of products, 34%
The report went on at some length to propose how ecommerce businesses could imitate the best practices of specialty retailers.
He believed that the best way to survive in retail was to focus on top line growth. And lots of inventory.
But…the winds of competition blew his store away.
He believed that the way to prosper was to focus on high initial mark-up, skimping on operating expenses.
So…the winds of competition blew his store away too.
No matter what merchandise you sell - whether it's tires, apparel, books, housewares, office supplies, whatever - every retailer has to give the customer what they want.
Right now, customers want “Steak, cheap”, not “cheap steak.”
Customers also are eager to shake off the doom and gloom of the winter. They are more than ready for a fresh new outlook. (Aren’t we all?)
Consider these upcoming calendar events:
The spring ahead to Daylight Savings Time is this weekend.
The “official” March 21 start of spring is just two weeks away.
What a great opportunity for you to welcome a fresh, positive, upbeat Springtime State of Mind!
Combine that fresh attitude with some well-priced promotions – remember, “steak, cheap” – and you have the makings of a fine start to your spring season.
The savvy retailers know that now is the time to be putting the finishing touches on being ready for – wait for it – December 26!
This unique time period between December 26 and January 10th is a tremendous make-or-break opportunity. Indeed, many retailers find they net more from this time than any earlier stretch of 15 days!
First, the many opportunities to reduce expenses "back to normal." Less advertising cost. Less staff. Fewer hours.
Second, those people using Gift Certificates, making returns or exchanges are potential new customers. Likely, many of them haven't been in your store before. A great opportunity!
And third, the opportunity to clear out seasonal merchandise, generate cash, and move on to the New Year.
Incredible value! 👀
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