7. Featuring your newest merchandise in both your displays and advertising Building a reputation (and a brand) as the place to go for the unusual Making sure that you start selling something /offering something new before the now-hot merchandise or service is carried by all the other shops/businesses
9. Locate your shop in a good neighbourhood Ensure all contact information is on your website Include testimonials on your website Implement a generous refund policy
11. Place merchandise that goes together in the same area Have adequate and clear signage Establish in a convenient location Develop your policies, procedures + promises with customer convenience in mind
13. Address them by name Establish a preferred customer list Develop a special relationship with them so that you can tailor your recommendations and services to them personally
17. Become a member of a professional association within your industry Establish a program that “gives back” to your community Sponsor a selected charity Demonstrate that you care about your business image, customer relations and overall excellence by being selective in your choice of employee
19. Give your business a fun, lively atmosphere Have fun, friendly employees Think ‘outside the box’ and dare to be different!
20. Customers buy because they’re depressed or because they’re happy or maybe because they just want something different. The most successful shop is the one that makes customers feel good about doing business with them. If you’re looking for logic, a retail business is not the place to find it. Today’s customers don’t buy things because they need them. They buy things because they crave them.
21. One of Australia’s leading retailing experts, Debra Templar just hates bad customer service and stupid business practices. So… she’s on a mission to change them – one slideshow, presentation, book, or training session at a time: "I don't just want to improve how we do business for the customer’s sake but also that we, as business owners, sell more stuff, make lots more profit, and love our businesses back to life!“ E: debra@thetemplargroup.com.auMobile: 0417 532383Skype: debra.templar www.thetemplargroup.com.au www.twitter.com/DebraTemplar www.linkedin.com/DebraTemplar www.facebook.com/debra.templar Pic Credits: http://www.istockphoto.com Source: Retail Business Kit for Dummies by Rick Segal