When it comes to retail business advice, there’s no shortage of online outlets dishing out tips. The challenge is knowing whom to trust. Here are 10 must-read blogs for reliable, retail-focused information on everything from staffing issues to legislation to design.
Independent Retailer: This trade publication covers everything from trade shows and retail news (check out its story on why retailers should care about net neutrality) to in-depth pieces on topics like how to best use Instagram to promote your business.
National Retail Federation: The NRF is known as a go-to source for industry news and research, like its fall 2017 survey that looks at online versus in-store shoppers. Likewise, the NRF’s blog is a must-read, with coverage of retail trends and public policy, and features on business leaders. As for must-listen content, check out the NRF’s Retail Gets Real podcast.
Retail Minded: There are plenty of retail blogs that focus solely on a business’s financial, marketing, and merchandising operations, and Retail Minded does all that, but it also posts information about key (and timely) legal issues like sexual harassment in retail businesses and when employee absences are protected by law.
Vend: As a retail management software company, Vend knows the kinds of challenges that retail businesses face, and that’s what its blog focuses on. From selling to millennials to reducing shrinkage to growing your business, Vend’s blog covers timely topics and offers expert advice and step-by-step instructions for building and improving your company.
The Retail Doctor: Bob Phibbs, aka the Retail Doctor, is the CEO of the eponymous retail consulting firm, so it makes sense that the brand’s blog offers advice on sales-driven topics like getting your employees to upsell and how to get customers back in your store after a bout of inclement weather.
Retail Design Blog: Design addicts can get their fix of gorgeous retail spaces and packaging at the aptly named Retail Design Blog. The homepage features large images of interiors, displays, and products along with a short description, and you can click for more info and photos. It’s also highly satisfying to scroll through for an inspiring, Pinterest-esque experience of the best in retail design.
TotalRetail: A team of marketing industry veterans pen the posts on TotalRetail’s blog, their decades of experience shaping their unique perspectives on news and trends. For the time-strapped, a particularly helpful aspect of their reporting is the “Total Retail’s Take” summary at the end of news stories (like in this retail employment piece), in which writers share their opinion and point of view on the issue at hand.
Intelligence Node: A “retail big data lab,” Intelligence Node’s mission is to help “retail companies succeed by giving shoppers what they want.” That translates to blog posts educating retailers with attention-grabbing headlines like “5 Brilliant Ways to Get People To Spend More” and “What IKEA Can Teach You About Retail Cash Flow.”
RetailWire: How does a story make it on RetailWire? According to the company, the news of the day has to fall under the category of “timely topics worthy of commentary by the RetailWire BrainTrust panel of industry experts.” For example, this story that looks at whether on-the-road shopping apps are helpful or hazardous included a sidebar with three industry leaders weighing in on the issue (no surprise, they aren’t in favor of these types of apps).
SnapRetail: This blog offers marketing tips and advice for small businesses, with straightforward, useful information and actionable ideas for retailers, like how to use GIFs to enhance marketing communications and social media.
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