Founded in 2004, Yelp was founded to “help people find great local businesses like dentists, hair stylists and mechanics.” While retailers specifically aren’t called out here, Yelp has definitely become a trusted destination for consumers to refer to when they are deciding on where to shop, what to do and places to eat. Essentially, it’s an information desk for customers – at their fingertips. The question for a retailer is, “Do you need Yelp?” And our simple answer? Yes. Wh

If you were to ask any small business owner what their #1 priority is, most would say cash flow . After all, without cash to keep a business afloat, there is NO business. For retailers, the challenge of identifying where their cash is best spent and best managed takes top priority. Typically, most small retailer’s have their dollars tied up in inventory. For many, this can be as much as 75% to 90% of their total business assets, making retailers unique in their cash flow mana

Confused? Here’s how it works… Many store owners open businesses and buy what they LOVE. Naturally, they then try to sell what they LOVE. Here’s the catch… not every customer loves what they love, and as a result, store owners and retail buyers are left with inventory they adore, but can’t understand why it’s not selling. When you review your store inventory and plan for your next buy trip, consider the following: 1. What is your #1 selling item? 2. What is your #2, #3, #

It’s time for school again, which means retailers are gearing up for the holidays, as well. Throw in the end of summer and (possibly) excess inventory from your summer buys, and we’re confident you are pretty busy! To help you plan your month, consider these 3 tips to keep your in-store operations on track and ready to go as the days only get busier in the months ahead (remember, it is approaching holiday season, after all). 1. Identify Your Holiday Decor & Merchandising Pla

An acclaimed keynote speaker, best selling author, and an award-willing entrepreneur, Jason Ryan Dorsey is recognized as The Gen Y Guy ®, a man who helps businesses bridge generational disconnects, increase innovation and design across generations and drive sales based on cross-generational practices. With at least four generations in the workplace, and even more in the marketplace, his message and techniques deliver results tenfold. Working with Fortune 500 clients around t

Home Fashion Forecast , named Best Launch by Media Industry Newsletter (MIN) in October 2010, is a substantial print publication with a wide digital reach. A tabloid-size magazine celebrating the best and the brightest of home furnishings and interior design. It is available in print exclusively at the High Point Market, Las Vegas Market, Atlanta Gift & Home and Area Rug Markets, Dallas Total Home & Gift Market and New York International Gift Fair. Fortunately, in our technol

As a self-confessed culture addict, Michael Fisher of Fashion Snoops has his eye on everything. As the Trend Director for the menswear and lifestyle sections of the site, his strengths lie in being able to pull cues from the big picture of fashion. Lets face it, runway, though stunningly beautiful, can be scary as a whole. Its hard to translate between what gets shown and how to apply it in a more realistic setting. This is Michael Fisher's r aison d'être , keeping his eye o

Have you ever imagined what it might feel like living in the old west? The classic decor that makes you feel like you've stepped right onto the set of a John Wayne film? Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid meets modern convenience by way of The Arrangement. Searching the world for a unique blend of elegant rustic furniture and more modern pieces, The Arrangement wasnt to help you demonstrate your beautiful lifestyle. Fitting into more than just a classic Western theme, The Ar

ART Conference 2013 Makes A Donation to Dwell With Dignity March 28, 2013 – Charlotte, NC – ART Conference 2013, produced by the home accents industry association ART, will be held May 7 – 10, 2013 at the Palms Hotel and Spa in Miami, FL. In its 21 st program year, the conference is structured to include business, motivational, home trend and design presenters along with interactive workshops. Registration for the conference is open to anyone in the home accents industry

A modern day renaissance man, Ira Blumenthal wears many hats. He is an acclaimed author, educator and speaker. As the president of Co-Opportunities Inc, an Atlanta-based consulting company, he has helped hundreds of well known companies get themselves out into the world via branding and marketing. With a knowledge that marketing is everything in the business world, and you are only as visible as you choose to be, Co-Opportunites clients have included Coca-Cola, Nestle, Ameri