Category: Uncategorized
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The Soul of a Retailer
Retailism #8 One of the things I was reminded of during our recent Retail Study Tour is something we don’t talk about enough: Retail is deeply personal Think about what it takes to open a store, restaurant, coffee shop or other small business. Someone has an idea they can’t shake. They believe they can create…
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Sometimes the Best Retail Events Aren’t Really About Retail
Retailisms #7 As retailers, we talk a lot about foot traffic. How do we get more people downtown? How do we get them through our doors? How do we turn an event into sales? Those are important questions. I’m a retailer myself, so believe me—I understand the importance of getting people into our store and…
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Start with a Map, not a Retail Strategy
Retailisms #6 One of the questions I hear most often is: “We know we need a retail strategy, but we don’t have the budget. Where do we start?” It’s a fair question. Comprehensive retail strategies are incredibly valuable. They combine market analysis, consumer research, demographic trends, merchandising gaps, recruitment targets, and implementation plans—all interpreted through…
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Pop-Up Retail Is Not a Shortcut
Retailism #5 Every time I speak about vacant storefronts, someone inevitably suggests pop-up retail. The idea is appealing. Empty storefront? Fill it with a temporary retailer. Need more activity downtown? Launch a pop-up program. Looking to support entrepreneurs? Pop-ups seem like the perfect solution. And sometimes they are. But after leading a recent workshop on…
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What Can Downtown Leaders Learn from Fort Collins, CO?
Retailism #5: Every downtown leader has asked the same question: “How do we attract better retail?” The truth is that thriving retail districts aren’t created through luck, incentives, or a single recruitment effort. They’re cultivated. Strong retail ecosystems emerge when communities invest in the right ingredients over time: local entrepreneurs, supportive policies, active partnerships, great…
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Retailers Don’t Invent Ideas — They Discover Them
Retailisms #4 One of the questions I hear most often from downtown leaders is: “How do we recruit more retailers to our downtown?” Ironically, the answer often has less to do with recruitment and more to do with inspiration. Because many retailers don’t begin with a business plan. They begin with an experience they can’t…
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Retail Magic Happens Together: Why Collaboration Is Your District’s Superpower
If you’re a downtown or district professional looking to shift the retail dynamics in your area, it’s tempting to think the answer lies in a big event, a new incentive program, or a major investment. But the truth is simpler—and far more powerful. The one thing you can do to change your retail environment is…
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When Retailers Say “There’s No Parking” — What They Really Mean
Retailisms #2: It’s Not About the Parking If you’ve worked in downtown or district revitalization long enough, you’ve heard it: “There’s no parking.”“We’re losing customers because people can’t park.”“If the city would just fix the parking problem, we’d be fine.” Let me translate: when most retailers say they have a parking problem, what they’re really…
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Should I Sell or Should I Close?
Retailisms #1 “It’s the question no retailer wants to ask – but many eventually do.” When revenue isn’t meeting projections, when margins are tighter than expected, when exhaustion outweighs excitement, the default conclusion often feels obvious: “It’s time to close.” But what if that’s not the only option? Too often, retailers assume that if the…
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Temporary Pop-Up Retail Programs
Thinking about starting a temporary pop-up retail program in your downtown or commercial district – you are not alone. Many downtown organizations are looking at ways to fill vacancies and voids left by the pandemic. But before you jump in, there are things you need to think about like: To learn more, watch our Zoom…