Retail Makeover

Independent Retailer Month News

Posted by retailmakeover on July 23, 2012 0 Comments

Retail News and Independent Retail Month Celebrating the Independent Retailer in Canada

INDEPENDENT RETAILER MONTH COMES TO CANADA

Independent Retailer Month is a global “Shop Local” campaign that runs throughout July to highlight the important role local merchant's play in their community, economy and the overall retail sector. Co-founded by Kerry Bannigan, CEO of Nolcha Fashion Week, and Tom Shay, principal of Profits Plus, Independent Retailer Month is being led in Canada by Barbara Crowhurst from Retail Makeover. Read more...

Best;

Barbara

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Day #138 - Celebrating Independent Retailers In Canada

Posted by retailmakeover on July 23, 2012 7 Comments

Welcome to Take A Hike!

… your outdoor lifestyle store

elcome to Take A Hike, Canada’s most exciting outdoor lifestyle store located in Thunder Bay, Ontario. Since 1996, we’ve been providing shoppers with a fabulous collection of quality gifts and toys, clothing, footwear and gear. This, coupled with great customer service and a pleasant shopping environment, really makes Take A Hike a premier shopping destination for the entire family.

New spring styles and colours from top industry brands such as Lole, Woolrich, Merrell, Kuhl, Aventura, Royal Robbins, Outdoor Research and ExOfficio have arrived; our shelves are getting re-stocked with new gifts and toys from the Canadian gift and toy shows; and our calendar of store events and promotions is filling up fast.

So treat yourself with a visit to our new store location at 309 Bay Street and discover first-hand how wonderfully different shopping at Take A Hike really is.

Website: http://takeahike.ca/
Best;

Barbara

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Two Great Stores Under One Roof

Posted by retailmakeover on July 15, 2012 2 Comments

Celebrating Independent Retailers in Canada

Two Great Stores Under One Roof….

1) Johnny Ruth

http://johnnyruth.com/WhoIsJR/

Imagine our surprise and delight when we discovered that our namesake had actually been a real person! Not only was Johnny Ruth real, he was a peddler of wares, including clothing and hardware...

In October, 2005 when Kim W. was thinking up names for her new clothing store she settled on Johnny Ruth because of it's playfulness, it rolled smoothly off the tongue and because she felt it represented a little of the funky side in all of us. Little did she know that the name had been used before... a long time before.

A month after the store was up and running a couple of old timers visited the store to ask if there was a connection to the original Johnny Ruth. This piqued Kim's interest and she set out to discover something about the man known as Johnny Ruth. The following comes from his daughter:

Jack Ruttgaizer, better known as Johnny Ruth, emigrated to New York from Romania at the outset of WWI. In the 1930's he traveled the Eastern Seaboard and eventually settled in this province. He peddled wares on the Humber River and in Central Newfoundland for several years. After marrying in 1940, he opened a clothing/hardware store in Millertown Junction. In the late forties, he moved with his wife and four children to Botwood where he was part owner and operator of Riff's Ltd. He continued to operate the business until his untimely death in 1967 at 67 years old. By then, he and his wife, who was twenty years his junior, had twelve children.

Johnny was greatly respected and fondly remembered throughout the region. Those who remember him, talk about his generosity to those who were less fortunate. It has often been said that "... he would give you the shirt off his back". In regard to fashion, I remember my father saying that it doesn't matter what you wear if your hair is not tidy and your shoes are not neat and clean.

Finding  it incredibly fitting that Johnny was a compassionate man of integrity.   The store  enjoys the fact that his preference was towards "quality items that were well made from natural fibers and products." There is something truly gratifying in the fact that the store and the man had similar principles even though neither had any idea about the other.

2) Living Planet

http://livingplanet.ca/index.php/about

Living Planet T-Shirts is a screen printing company in St. John’s, Newfoundland & Labrador, on the east coast of Canada. We specialize in printing works by local artists on t-shirts and high quality custom printed shirts for groups and events. Our bricks and mortar retail location is 197 Water Street in downtown St. John’s.

Our print studio is located at 20 Barnes Road at the edge of downtown in St. John’s. We carefully handscreen all of our shirts and insist that each print is of top quality. Originally we had been printing on the second floor of our retail store but having outgrown that space we converted it to another retail boutique known as “What’s Upstairs?” The name arose from the fact that many of our retail customers would notice the stairs leading up to the second floor and ask that very question “What’s Upstairs?”

The owner of Living Planet is Dave Hopley who has 20 years of screenprinting experience. He and his excellent staff take great care and pride in presenting the coolest Newfoundland shirts that you’ll ever find. And because Newfoundland has such a wealth of artistic talent, we are able to continuously add great new art to our line.

Why Living Planet?

Called Living Planet T-Shirts for a reason. They endeavour to produce  shirts with the most eco-friendly processes available. Giving  up using harsh solvents and chemicals years ago when soy-based cleaners and other less toxic products became available. Into cool t-shirts  but they  don’t want to poison themselves  producing them. As responsible corporate citizens,  they  seek to reduce, reuse and recycle as much as we can.

This year they will begin offering some of their images for sale on bamboo/cotton blend t-shirts as well. Excited about this development as the test shirts  they are  wearing are luxuriously comfortable and very eco friendly to produce.

Best;

Barbara

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Day #137 - Celebrating Independent Retailers in Canada

Posted by retailmakeover on July 12, 2012 6 Comments

Named after her favorite color; Chartreuse is Sandy Moller's paean to LIFE, STYLE & HOME.

Established in 2006 Chatreuse evolved from her previous gift basket business of 16 years in Sherwood Park.

Sandy shops Canadian & International markets looking for special merchandise she loves & knows her clientele will too! "I often buy with a person in mind". Some of the Canadian products we carry are exclusive to Chartreuse, while many of the products we carry including 18 Karat & Wall Talk are regularly featured in decorating magazines & on TV programs.

Link to website: http://chartreusedecor.com/news

 What's New at Chartreuse

One a Day Sale!

Jul 5, 2012

Chartreuse is Having a Rotating "One a Day Sale!"

July 5th - 14th
Thursday thru Saturday

Everyday NEW items will be Featured at 40% OFF* for ONE DAY ONLY!

Go to Facebook for a Heads Up on the Featured 40%* OFF items of the Day!

NO FACEBOOK? Just click the button below to view our facebook page even if you don't have an account.

OR ...

Come In & Check Out the Featured Sale Items of the Day.

We'll even make you a Latte!

*Previous purchases do not apply.

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Day #136 - Why customers love to shop at Independent Retailers!

Posted by retailmakeover on July 11, 2012 5 Comments

Why customers love to shop at Independent Retailers!

Sponsored by Retail Makeover - On Sunday July 29, 2012 @ 7 .30 pm EST

We wrap up the launch of Independent Retailer Month with a free 30 minute Online Live Workshop presentation on the 10 Reasons Consumers Love to Shop at Independent Retail Stores. Limited space available. All Independent Retailers are welcome. For more information, and to reserve an online seat contact Barbara today. With our compliments!

Sign-up Today

Best;

Barbara

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RM "U" Summer School July - August 2012 Course Outline

Posted by retailmakeover on July 09, 2012 2 Comments

Barbara Crowhurst: CEO of Retail Makeover & Retail Makeover Webdesign Services is North Americas #1 Retail Business Coach and director of programming for RM "U"Summer School.  Barbara will deliver all classes on line and  in person. Giving you the information you need to improve sales and profitability by making you a more effective retailer. Barbara will share her knowledge and insight which will help  increase sales and make you  more profitable.

 Remember Summer School? RM U offers retail courses over the next two months. It's the perfect time for you to enroll in the classes offered and change the course of your business. Please invest in yourself, invest in your future, upgrade your knowledge by focusing  on issues that have been your concerns, and have  caused you challenges.

Summer Program Lineup At A Glance:

Controlling Your Buying - Thursday  July 19, 7- 8 pm EST -   Some of the biggest  issues  retailers  face is to stop over buying , stop buying the wrong items and  spending more then they can afford . Learn the secrets of setting your buying  budgets and right sizing your business. Review the products you carry and get rid of the dogs and over stocked inventory. Do not go to another buying show with out taking this course. It is a must.

Cost $49 Sign-up Today

Retail Store Design & Product Placement (2 classes together) - Thursday July 26, 7- 9 pm EST - two classes together, Your store design and where you place product influences sales. Learn how to create the store of your dreams and  how  by placing the products you carry  in Barbara's retail  department grid system will increase sales...  Guaranteed!

Cost $98 Sign-up Today

Why customers love to shop at Independent Retailers!  Sponsored by Retail Makeover - On Sunday July 29, 2012 @ 7 .30 pm EST  - we  wrap up the launch of Independent Retailer Month with a free 30 minute  On Line Live Workshop presentation on the 10 Reasons  Consumers  Love to Shop at Independent Retail Stores . Limited space available.  All  Independent  Retailers welcome. For more information and for retailers to reserve an on line  seat contact  barbara@independentretailermonth.ca  With our compliments!

Sign-up Today

Setting up a Promotional Calendar - Thursday August 2, 7-8 pm EST - In the years I have been a retail coach I find this is an area that can be challenging for retailers. You should have 2 to 3 promotional events going on each month . Along with what I have to share with you I will send you an e-calendar to help you get organized.

COST $49 Sign-up Today

Effective Marketing - Thursday  August 23, 7-8 pm EST - At the core of this basics strategy are two considerations:

1. bringing new customers into your store
2. increasing the number of times existing customers visit you

Key points Barbara covers: defining your market place, what is your potential customer base, knowing who your competition is, using technology effectively, is the new social media for you, websites, your customer data base, today's traditional advertising is it  effective, using a POS system,  how to use  your promotional calender .

COST $49 Sign-up Today

Creating a Strong in Store Sales Focus and Sales Team  - Thursday  August 30, 7- 8.45 pm EST - At the core of this strategy: Barbara covers your role in the performance of your sales staff and creating an in store sales focus, increasing the average sale, what an add on sales program is, why it's important to you, and how it effects your yearly sales targets. Barbara trains the trainer . She will share with you the keys to best customer service and the steps you need to know and share with your staff  to selling more effectively.

COST $98 Sign-up Today

Here are the details of how we get connected:

1. I will send you a link to register with Skype.
2. All sessions will have a live visual and audio component, all you need is a camera and speakers either attached  or  built into  your computer.

Comments from retailers that have taken RM "U "courses:

"Wow, I have to get to work . Thank you for the wonderful information" - Kathy S. Retailer

"Barbara you really understand retail " - Veronica D. Retailer

"Thank you for sharing your knowledge " - Jeannie M. Retailer

"It's so easy to listen to you on Skype , I have never done anything like this. Thank you Barbara" - Phil H. Retailer

"I can use all the info you shared with us today , I do not feel so alone " - Margaret J. Retailer

"Sales increased the next day as you promised" - Samantha R. Retailer

Note from Barbara...

I wanted all retailers to be able to join RM "U" Summer School  this year and boost their sales and profitability. This is why I have set the 2012 Program at a very attractive price, reflecting my understanding of the conditions that retailers face, with a price that will fit into their cash flow.

You have my continued commitment to sharing my retail knowledge and expertise. I want to help you pay yourself well, very well this year. Classes start soon so register today. Space is limited. Looking forward to our working together.

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Day #135 - Entrepreneurs Are On The Hunt

Posted by retailmakeover on July 05, 2012 0 Comments

Entrepreneurs Are On The Hunt For Good Staff.

I was directed to this information by one of my clients .

Love what Sophie Bond's strategy is in recruiting good people. It's about hiring people with great attitudes and strong people skills.

Read on….  Link to whole article

Best;

Barbara

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Day #134 - The Value Of A Summer Break

Posted by retailmakeover on July 04, 2012 0 Comments

A day in the park, a week at the cottage, or a month in Europe - a break from your business is a smart business investment.

Here are 5 key attributes of a successful business owner that you can enhance when you take a break this summer.

1. Clarity – get away from your business to see everything more clearly
2. Curiosity – explore a new place or re-kindle the magic of the familiar
3. Connection – get in touch with what’s really important
4. Communication – away from all the noise, savour silence
5. Creativity – rest and recharge - your ideas will really shine

Have you planned some time away from your business this summer? Can you truly disconnect? How could a break help you gain perspective on your business?

Listen to your life. See it for the fathomless mystery it is. In the boredom and pain of it, no less than in the excitement and gladness: touch, taste, smell your way to the holy and hidden heart of it, because in the last analysis all moments are key moments, and life itself is grace. - Frederick Buechner

Thank you Bruce Harrott for being the inspiration of this blog today.

Best;

Barbara

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