Remember learning about the Industrial Revolution and how it changed the world? There’s a new revolution coming your way; we’re calling it the Retail Revolution. Everything is about to be changed, re-defined or eliminated.
Know what the Retail Revolution has changed? How about advertising, acquisition, strategies, blue laws, buyers, capital, census, chain stores, competition, consumers, department stores, discount stores, big boxes, independent retailers, retail employees and retail employment; marketing, social medias, the Internets, full price, sale pricing, promotional pricing, retail growth, income, manufacturers, suppliers, vendors, inventory, investment, labor force, market share, operations, payroll/sales ratio, outlet stores, population, profit margin, retail industry, retail strategies, retail events, urban locations, suburban locations, NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard), trends… We’re exhausted and we haven’t reached the tip of the iceberg. Or the depth of the revolution!
We’re so sure this revolution is coming we’re creating a new series of keynote presentations about what retailers must do differently to survive – no THRIVE – in this new hyper-competitive retail world. It’s a Retail Revolution!
Our new presentations will feature what the NEW Breed of Revolutionary Retailers are doing to thrive in this new economy. We’ll share REAL stories about REAL retailers doing incredible things that produce success. And we’ll share one of these revolutionary ideas with you each week on our blog. Here is a sample:
We attended a store meeting last month run by a revolutionary retailer who decided it was time to do a weekly evaluation of his store. During the meeting, the retailer reviewed the evaluations received during that week. But here’s the twist: the evaluations were not completed by customers (although the retailer does this, too); they were completed by the store’s associates. That’s right: the store associates appraise how the store is doing on a weekly basis.
At the end of the week, associates are given a questionnaire that’s titled: “So How Did We Do This Week?” The questionnaire always covers merchandising issues (“Did our new displays stop customers? Why?”), promotions, customer relations and associate involvement in the store. Everyone must answer and hand them in on their last day worked each week.
This meeting was a pleasure to attend! No single evaluation or associate was featured or singled out; the retailer synthesized the results and talked about pertinent points. Afterward we spoke with the associates. Here’s what they had to say about this important program:
“I’ve worked here for six years. Since we started the weekly store evaluations all of our attitudes have improved. It’s like we’re all responsible for the store’s performance now.”
“I have never worked anywhere where I was asked my opinions on how to make my life in the store better. But now I realize how good it feels to be really involved.”
“I love the fact that I can impact our store! I listen to customers everyday, weigh their comments, and answer the weekly evaluation questions honestly.”
“The best thing is that changes are made as a result of what we have to say. That’s gratifying. We’re important and our customers benefit, too.”
Yes folks, it’s a revolution! Weekly twenty minute meetings like this are revolutionary. But then again, so are the growing sales and profits this retailer has enjoyed since the associate evaluation meetings started to take hold. We think there’s a connection, don’t you?
It’s a Retail Revolution!
P.S. You’re not a retailer? It doesn’t matter, you’re going through a revolution of your own. Put these strategies to work in your company – we guarantee they are universal. It’s the one time one size does fit all!
Know what the Retail Revolution has changed? How about advertising, acquisition, strategies, blue laws, buyers, capital, census, chain stores, competition, consumers, department stores, discount stores, big boxes, independent retailers, retail employees and retail employment; marketing, social medias, the Internets, full price, sale pricing, promotional pricing, retail growth, income, manufacturers, suppliers, vendors, inventory, investment, labor force, market share, operations, payroll/sales ratio, outlet stores, population, profit margin, retail industry, retail strategies, retail events, urban locations, suburban locations, NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard), trends… We’re exhausted and we haven’t reached the tip of the iceberg. Or the depth of the revolution!
We’re so sure this revolution is coming we’re creating a new series of keynote presentations about what retailers must do differently to survive – no THRIVE – in this new hyper-competitive retail world. It’s a Retail Revolution!
Our new presentations will feature what the NEW Breed of Revolutionary Retailers are doing to thrive in this new economy. We’ll share REAL stories about REAL retailers doing incredible things that produce success. And we’ll share one of these revolutionary ideas with you each week on our blog. Here is a sample:
We attended a store meeting last month run by a revolutionary retailer who decided it was time to do a weekly evaluation of his store. During the meeting, the retailer reviewed the evaluations received during that week. But here’s the twist: the evaluations were not completed by customers (although the retailer does this, too); they were completed by the store’s associates. That’s right: the store associates appraise how the store is doing on a weekly basis.
At the end of the week, associates are given a questionnaire that’s titled: “So How Did We Do This Week?” The questionnaire always covers merchandising issues (“Did our new displays stop customers? Why?”), promotions, customer relations and associate involvement in the store. Everyone must answer and hand them in on their last day worked each week.
This meeting was a pleasure to attend! No single evaluation or associate was featured or singled out; the retailer synthesized the results and talked about pertinent points. Afterward we spoke with the associates. Here’s what they had to say about this important program:
“I’ve worked here for six years. Since we started the weekly store evaluations all of our attitudes have improved. It’s like we’re all responsible for the store’s performance now.”
“I have never worked anywhere where I was asked my opinions on how to make my life in the store better. But now I realize how good it feels to be really involved.”
“I love the fact that I can impact our store! I listen to customers everyday, weigh their comments, and answer the weekly evaluation questions honestly.”
“The best thing is that changes are made as a result of what we have to say. That’s gratifying. We’re important and our customers benefit, too.”
Yes folks, it’s a revolution! Weekly twenty minute meetings like this are revolutionary. But then again, so are the growing sales and profits this retailer has enjoyed since the associate evaluation meetings started to take hold. We think there’s a connection, don’t you?
It’s a Retail Revolution!
P.S. You’re not a retailer? It doesn’t matter, you’re going through a revolution of your own. Put these strategies to work in your company – we guarantee they are universal. It’s the one time one size does fit all!
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I'm curious if you ever address those of us who are online retailers?
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