If there was any doubt that you need to implement a true omni-channel retailing system, that doubt was well and truly blown way at the recent NRF’s “Retail’s Big Show” in New York. As one respected tweeter put it “I must have heard the words “omni-channel” and “solution” uttered a million times each at #nrf15” But it is not just about having your products available for purchase through multiple channels including in-store, your online store, eBay, Google Shopping and Facebook.  All channels must be fully in...

Small to medium size retailers often overlook the performance of their warehouse. They are focused on the performance of their stores, so as long as there is room in the warehouse for incoming stock and stock gets to the stores on time, retailers tend to turn a blind eye to the internal operation of their warehouse. With retailers experiencing reduced margins, and warehouse space and staff costs typically in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, many retailers are looking to reduce expenditure in their warehouse operations. One possibil...

Company Background Operating for just over 18 months, the Neeto concept was borne out of the idea that the traditional newsagency model is outdated and needs to change. To that end Neeto operates both as a newsagency and a specialist stationary retailer similar to kikki.K, Typo and Smiggles. Stuart Cheng, Neeto Managing Director, explains: “Traditional agencies might sell some stationary but they often go for the big brands which are a dime a dozen. If you want to succeed as a newsagency today, you have to add something different because tr...

You know it’s a good sign when retail sales are showing an increase of 2.9% in September 2013 compared to the same month in 2012. Might it signal we’ll enjoy strong Xmas trading this year, helping retailers end the year ‘with a bang and not a whimper?’ It’s almost mid-November and time to reflect on what has shaped up as the important signposts this year. Significantly, how will these markers influence how you run your business next year? Retail innovation strong in 2013 While there have been some ‘nice’ increases in retail sales ...

Company Background Diamonds have been described as ‘fragments of stars’, or ‘tears of the Gods’, and for many they also embody glamour and beauty. This is what inspired George William Cox and his wife, Lillian to open their first jewellery store in Hindley Street, Adelaide in 1898. More than 100 years later, G. W. Cox is still a family-owned business, run by George’s great grandson, Jon Cox. How is this family business still going strong considering that many of its long-standing competitors no longer operate? According to Jon, longev...

In 1998, Mick and Carina Parkhill, passionate about all things bodyboarding, opened their first specialist bodyboard shop in Narrabeen, Sydney, called Bodyboarders Surf Co (BSC). Fifteen years later, the pair is still riding the retail wave of success with another bricks and mortar store in Coolangatta, Gold Coast, a 24-hour online store, and a warehouse. BSC has consistently experienced year on year growth of 20 per cent. This has a lot to do with offering on-trend products and the continued passion and dedication the owners have for the sport...

Company Background – Beds n Dreams, QLD Don McDonald is on a fast track to grow his multi-store bedroom furniture business. With 12 years’ experience on the manufacturing end, 18 months’ ago he was given the opportunity to buy the Master Franchise operation for Beds n Dreams, Queensland. This he did with the aim to open 5 stores in 2 years. Don is now close to fulfilling his objective with 4 stores set to operate in 18 months. While many retailers start slowly and are cautious about expanding, Don is focused on securing the rig...

Company Background – King Street Cyclery King Street Cyclery first opened its doors in 1979 and was a small bike shop at the top end of King Street, Newtown in Sydney. Back then only a handful of cycling enthusiasts were game enough to ride the streets of Sydney, braving bus fumes and city traffic. Since then the cycling community has grown in leaps and bounds with the full support of councils, State and Federal Government and cycling organisations. King Street Cyclery has also grown with the cycling community and today its main shop and ...

Retailing has been given some good news recently. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) released figures for January 2013 showing a growth of 3.4% on the same period last year. However, many retailers are still doing it tough. This is due in part to high fixed costs like rent and staff wages as mentioned in last month’s article. That article looked at how you can substantially lower costs to deliver savings while today’s article will look at how you can increase sales and thus profits, even as retailing continues to experience bumps on ...

How do you overcome skyrocketing retails costs like increased rent, higher staff wages and increased marketing costs as mentioned in a recent article, retail struggling due to rising costs? The news isn’t all dire. There is definitely a way to get around rising costs and even be profitable today. The key is you need to do two things well and do them well on a consistent basis. The first one is to keep a tight lid on costs, and the second one is to find innovative ways to increase sales. Today we explore the first success factor to retailing...