How can a small (3-5 employees) brick and mortar/e-commerce B2C retailer survive and thrive in an increasingly competitive market (outdoors/sports products) when it cannot compete on price? Any good examples of small companies doing just that?
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posted by Foci for Analysis
on Apr 15, 2013 -
5 answers
I buy more of a product that is often out of stock. If others do this, won't that tend to make stock fluctuate more? Do retail inventory systems try to damp this effect?
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posted by morganw
on Apr 10, 2013 -
7 answers
I'm moving from one retail job to another. Which is easy, except for the mild emotional entanglement. How do I pull my hand out of the tiger's mouth?
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posted by Ashen
on Apr 3, 2013 -
27 answers
I work in an art supply store. People ask for rolls of tracing paper very frequently, and I'm curious as to what they need them for.
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posted by blnkfrnk
on Mar 11, 2013 -
35 answers
At some stores (the convenience store around the corner), the price I pay always comes out to a round(ish) number. Either ending in a 5 or a zero. So that the change I am given won't have any pennies in it. This is convenient for me and the person behind the register. At other stores, there seems to be little interest in getting those round prices. A purchase is just as likely to end in .68 as .50. Why does the consideration of coins influence the pricing of some stores and not others?
posted by Jagz-Mario
on Jul 30, 2012 -
15 answers
Assume I'm starting an e-commerce selling (retail, brand-y stuff) sports apparel and equipment. How should I design the product numbering and barcode system if I want to manage products, shipments, inventory, and warehouse locations?
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posted by Foci for Analysis
on Jul 20, 2012 -
7 answers
Help me find some wide, stylish shoes that won't have my feet in agony after long days of retail!
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posted by araisingirl
on May 18, 2012 -
22 answers
What are some jobs that are task-oriented but will still make use of my creativity and university education?
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posted by asnider
on Dec 29, 2011 -
3 answers
What do we need to do to prepare for and take fullest advantage of an upcoming magazine article that's going to feature our small, family-owned retail business?
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posted by webhund
on May 20, 2011 -
11 answers
I bought a "new" comforter at Target that is really a used Bed, Bath, and Beyond comforter. What are my options?
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posted by sarahnade
on Feb 21, 2011 -
14 answers
Assuming I have no other choices - and have serious ethical concerns about issues like fair pay and equitable treatment of workers (primary), environmentalism (secondary) and commitment to localism (tertiary) - should I shop at Wal-Mart or Target?
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posted by l33tpolicywonk
on Jun 3, 2010 -
26 answers
If you were creating a "work mix" of public background music on Pandora or Last.fm or Slacker for a laid back, progressive retail environment, what artists would you include?
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posted by netbros
on May 17, 2010 -
13 answers
What are your favorite cooking/kitchen/food-related shops in Chicago, Milwaukee and Madison?
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posted by webhund
on Apr 2, 2010 -
14 answers
What are some great low budget, but effective ways of announcing the opening of a new local brick-mortar retail store?
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posted by webhund
on Feb 11, 2010 -
9 answers
What are the good, helpful, substantive websites where independent retailers hang out and share information?
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posted by webhund
on Jan 29, 2010 -
3 answers
Are employees at some retail stores (e.g., Abercrombie, American Apparel) told to be standoffish as a selling strategy?
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posted by GIMG
on Jan 22, 2010 -
14 answers
Trying to choose a location for a new retail shop and have narrowed our choices to about 3 neighborhoods based on our own walk-arounds and research. Fortunately, we have connections with current shop owners in each neighborhood and they're happy to sit down with us and talk about their experiences.
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posted by webhund
on Jan 13, 2010 -
5 answers
In 2010, what role does the printed "mail-order" catalog play in small retail businesses who have an on-line store as well as a brick-and-mortar shop? How much does it contribute to either new sales or existing customer retention?
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posted by webhund
on Jan 2, 2010 -
8 answers
Where can I get Bendaroos at a retail store in Brooklyn or Manhattan (or Queens, if it comes to that) today? Our NYC Winter Wishes letter got shuffled around from forwarding addresses a bunch and we just got it yesterday, so I don't have time to order online.
posted by Optimus Chyme
on Dec 13, 2009 -
9 answers
How could a wiki be used by a small retail business selling tangible products?
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posted by webhund
on Sep 28, 2009 -
9 answers
What "secret" discounts/benefits exist at major retail businesses (J. Crew, Banana Republic, Express, etc.) and what could qualify me for these discounts. I'm talking more long term (i.e., Teacher, Employee, etc.) as opposed to coupons or specials.
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posted by WhereAmI
on Sep 9, 2009 -
22 answers
If money was no obstacle, what complete eCommerce solution would you deploy for a medium to large online company?
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posted by simplesharps
on Jul 29, 2009 -
3 answers
Can you think of any examples of a retailer that has both a chain of physical stores and a "shop online" section? I've been helping out a friend who owns a knitting store with his website, and now that he's expanding I think we need to rethink the way his site works. I'm just wondering how other people organise things like stock levels when more than one physical location is involved.
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posted by web-goddess
on Mar 9, 2009 -
13 answers
