Tips For Indie Retailers From The Creators Of The Retail Minded

This is a guest post by Nicole Leinbach Reyhle, the Founder & Editorial Director of Retail Minded. Her passion for indie retail is clear in her extensive support for retailers on her website, RetailMinded.com. Contact Reyhle directly at nicole@retailminded.com.

While many retailers do a fantastic job at managing their business, we can’t help but think even the best retailers could use some backup support. From inventory to merchandising to marketing to employee management, retailers wear a lot of hats.

One of the best things retailers can learn is to allocate their responsibilities in an effort to consistently stay on top of all necessary projects. For example, if a retailer knows their front window display should be rotated out and switched up, planning ahead to do this makes sure it actually gets done.

Many retailers, however, let their to-do-list add up without any concrete plans in place to get things done. Yet research shows that retailers who define their weekly responsibilities clearly are more likely to get everything done, as well as feel better about their final results.

If you’re a retailer who feels you never know where to put your time, consider the following :

1. Identify your strengths and weaknesses in regards to your store operations. If you know you are a great merchandiser but are less successful at planning successful events, consider delegating event management to an intern or store employee.

2. Spread your responsibilities out. Even if you excel at something, it doesn’t always mean you have time to do it. Assign projects for employees and interns, as well as lean on your local chamber or retail community for any support they may offer – such as helping with store PR or community event involvement.

3. Prioritize “must” responsibilities. Let’s face it – not all assignments on your to-do-list are fun. If paying the bills is a must yet you keep putting it off, make it a priority. Set a calendar reminder on your phone or in your day planner and get it done. Ignoring won’t help.

4. Limit your “waste” time. If you tend to got lost on Twitter for hours or like to re-arrange things a little too often, consider the time you are losing. Really evaluate if your time spent is helping your business or if it’s keeping you from you getting other things done.

5. Be realistic. Setting daily goals is a great way to be realistic with what you can get done. If you plan your calendar at least one week out, you are more likely to actual meet your goals and plan accordingly to get things done.

Even with these great tips, I know there is constantly something on your to-do-lists, and the lack of man power can be overwhelming. With this in mind, Retail Minded has worked hard to develop ways to support independent retailers in all sectors of retail. One of the ways we have done this is by creating the nation’s first Independent Retailer Conference, taking place July 16, 2012, in Chicago, IL.
 

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