People place a high value on serving the community and helping those in need. Independent retailers are deeply invested in the communities where they operate their businesses since their livelihood depends on the shoppers who buy merchandise from them. Customers remember retailers who give back, and support causes that positively impact the community.

Hosting In-Store BBQ demo events throughout the year is a great way to build brand awareness and strengthen relationships with your customers. Whether you are a retailer that already has an extensive grilling category or brand new to the category, grilling demos provide the opportunity to showcase the line of grills and accessories that you stock, and educate and showcase your store associate’s grilling expertise

Many people in leadership roles freely discuss the shortcomings of the employees they manage. However, they rarely take a closer look to figure out what habits they need to change to become better leaders. While some people appear to be born leaders who innately understand what it takes to inspire employees,

Selling gets easier when products are in high demand from customers. Grills are an ideal niche business that attracts loyal grilling enthusiasts who are eager to entertain family and friends. The $4.9 billion category continues to evolve and expand with the addition of specialty products and accessories.

Helping young homeowners become successful DIYers is a worthwhile goal for every independent home improvement store owner. Offering educational classes that show millennials how to complete small projects builds a loyal following of new customers and helps stores sell more products.

Impulse Buys are essential for boosting retail sales. They're significant as retailers struggle to generate profits when confronted with rising inflation and interest rates. It's also a stressful time for some Americans. Many consumers elevate their mood by making spontaneous, last-minute purchases before they exit physical stores or checkout virtually online

Depending on your point of view, artificial intelligence (AI) is something to be feared or wholeheartedly embraced. The truth lies somewhere in the middle. AI is a tool that has become embedded in most aspects of our lives. These “machine brains” are used daily to manage functions that humans previously performed.

Does your business have a succession plan? At some point, every organization has a transition in leadership. But, when it's a family-owned business being passed down from generation to generation, there are difficult decisions that should be made years before the current owner retires or exits the business.

Getting the New Year off to a great start has a lot to do with maintaining a positive attitude and the willingness to carve out time to assess the current state of your business. While it’s common for people to make resolutions about the things they intend to change, only some take the steps required to achieve tangible results

Every small business owner should be able to identify one or two things their company does better than competitors. This strength is your team’s “superpower.” It’s the thing that fuels your organization’s desire to compete at the highest level and provides the clarity you need to create new opportunities. While most hardware stores sell similar products, their approach to business can be completely different. Playing to your strengths can make customers feel good about shopping in your business instead of a big box store. It can also motivate them to identify with other customers in the store’s community of patrons. Perhaps the power of your business excels in several of these areas.