I'm looking for some ways to get the local lunch crowd into our bookstore, which sells used books, CDs, DVDs, videos, and books on tape/CD; a small number of new books; kids' gifts; and other gift items/stationery/cards. Many of our customers don't have much to spend (which works out because our books are priced very low), but nearby is a law firm, a couple of big corporations' local offices, a bank, etc. I don' t know if the employees even know we exist. Any ideas on how to get them in here to pick up a birthday card or used CD or small gift for a friend? We're located in the downtown area of a medium-sized city. There are very few places to shop in the downtown business area.
posted by trillian on Mar 29, 2013 - 21 answers

Please satisfy my curiosity re: The Never-Ending Clearance Sale Event. [more inside]
posted by trunk muffins on Nov 2, 2012 - 10 answers

Please help me find a boilerplate terms and conditions statement for my new retail website. I am begining a retail web venture and need some terms and conditions verbage. Boilerplate will do. Can someone point the way today?
posted by citybuddha on Sep 26, 2012 - 2 answers

I have a job that I like (or at least I like sometimes) with a boss who alternately micromanages and is totally hands-off. Morale at the store is really low, particularly lately, as we've had several big tasks to juggle. I need advice on how to deal with it. Snowflake details inside. [more inside]
posted by Harry Potter and the Puppet of Sock on Aug 18, 2012 - 8 answers

I'm working on a business plan to open a specialty food store. Everything was going great until trying to price out the start up inventory. [more inside]
posted by ilikefood on Jun 27, 2012 - 6 answers

What sorts of retail stores do you view as healthy and not on a path of decay wrought by the internet? More details inside. [more inside]
posted by st starseed on Mar 26, 2012 - 40 answers

Obama SWAG in Chicago---where can I get some fast and in person? Leaving for Ethiopia in a matter of days and I've received a request from someone there for anything "Obama"...t-shirt, pins, posters, etc. But I don't have much time and anything ordered from the campaign store online will not arrive in time (they don't have an option for faster shipping.) Are there any brick and mortar stores in Chicago where I can pick something up?
posted by jeanmari on Feb 22, 2012 - 14 answers

What online retailers should I use to purchase gifts for my relatives in other states, now that I'm aware of how Amazon treats its warehouse employees and do not wish to purchase anything from them until they improve the working conditions and increase their wages? [more inside]
posted by jsturgill on Dec 11, 2011 - 11 answers

I bought a "new" comforter at Target that is really a used Bed, Bath, and Beyond comforter. What are my options? [more inside]
posted by sarahnade on Feb 21, 2011 - 14 answers

Can anyone recommend a good computer store in Portland, Oregon? [more inside]
posted by PercussivePaul on Apr 5, 2010 - 5 answers

I need to find places to buy cool/offbeat furniture, but with the durability and dimensions/styles needed for a retail store. [more inside]
posted by CommonSense on Dec 26, 2009 - 4 answers

Does it go against Visa / MasterCard / etc. policy for a retail store, such as a restaurant or coffee shop, to add a charge to your order if you use credit rather than paying by cash? [more inside]
posted by wastelands on Jul 15, 2009 - 28 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. [more inside]
posted by web-goddess on Mar 9, 2009 - 13 answers

What are some retail credit card accounts (ie Macy's Card) that deliver good freebies, coupons, discounts or other promos for members? [more inside]
posted by Ambrosia Voyeur on Jan 13, 2008 - 13 answers

If retail space is really lorded over by bean counters, why do big boxes build so many checkouts that sit unused? On the morning after Thanksgiving, the north Dallas Super Target I went in briefly only had 9 out of 24 registers open. Why do they build them this way? Has anyone ever seen 90%+ of them open?
posted by hodyoaten on Dec 5, 2005 - 23 answers

I've been thinking of opening a store in my town but need some advice on getting started [more inside]
posted by apdato on Nov 14, 2005 - 6 answers