Spotlight on Business

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Pet Industry Trends that Impact What Consumers Buy

December 2, 2024

The pet category continually grows and evolves to satisfy the demands of pet owners who only want the best products for their furry friends. Consumers want products that are tailored to their pet’s specific needs. That may be why there are 630 different pet food brands.

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Meeting Holiday Shoppers Expectations Can Earn You Business

November 26, 2024

While you may always treat your customers with kid gloves, the need to deliver exceptional service becomes even more critical during the holidays. Both retailers and consumers are transacting business at a fast pace to reap the benefits of the season.

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Common Mistakes Businesses Should Avoid

October 28, 2024

Most owners are willing to put forth the time and effort required to make their company successful. However, there are common mistakes businesses repeatedly make that prevent them from achieving optimum success

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5 Tips to Protect Against Cybercrime

October 28, 2024

Cybercrime is an ever-present danger to small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). It is often ignored until the company becomes the victim of a ransomware attack. It may be surprising to learn that 40 percent of companies with 50 or fewer employees have no cyber defense plan in place.

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Taking Care of Business and Yourself

October 28, 2024

Practicing self-care is essential to maintaining your physical and mental well-being. The goal is to achieve balance in your personal and work life to help reduce stress and relax your mind and body. Create a checklist to help you accomplish what needs to be done.

Consumers Buy Eco-friendly Products to Make a Social Impact

October 28, 2024

When customers take the time to visit a store, the least they expect is to purchase quality products at a fair price. However, many shoppers buy certain products or brands because they want to continue to make a social impact after the transaction is complete.

Do what it Takes to Improve Sales and Profits

October 28, 2024

The cost of goods continues to rise. Store owners must tilt the scales in their favor to remain profitable. Success depends on being creative and leveraging new opportunities or revisiting ideas that may have been shelved previously

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Thank You for Your Service

October 24, 2024

Over time, we may forget the “why” behind many of our country’s most celebrated holidays. The lines get blurred, and the meaning gets lost. Veterans Day is a time to honor all who have served in the armed forces and remember what they sacrificed for our freedom.

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Help Employees Cope with Burnout During the Holidays and Beyond

October 21, 2024

Just as customers experience burnout during the holidays, so do employees. It's crucial for employers to recognize the signs of burnout in their staff. Sales staff who serve customers may have to deal with shoppers with short tempers, communication barriers, or behave rudely. Interacting with overly emotional people can make work stressful and lead to burnout for your staff.

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Wrap Up Sales by Delivering a Memorable Customer Experience

September 29, 2024

Competition from big-box retailers can be aggressive during the holidays. While it's essential to have a solid overview of the competitive landscape, success for Independents depends on identifying what your business does better than competitors and leveraging those strengths with consumers. Whether your brand is Walmart or Ace, consumers have certain expectations upon entering the store.