Creating an Inviting Atmosphere
Walking into a retail store is an experience that should engage all the senses and leave customers wanting more.
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The Synergy of Shopping Local Year-Round
At its core, the concept of supporting local businesses transcends transactions; it’s about investing in the heartbeat of our communities.
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Taking Stock of your Stock
As we enter a new year, this is the best time to determine your store’s strengths and weaknesses with an annual inventory check.
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Leverage a Supportive Community
Tips for building and fostering your community: 1. Form strategic partnerships, helping each other benefits everyone 2. Post user-generated content, consumers trust consumers 3. Create special offers for “Essential Workers” – show appreciation 4. Donate your time and talent for the greater good (be a community volunteer), It’s heartwarming! ♥️ Customers will be more likely to do business with community-minded organizations and businesses. They will remember […]
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Create a Positive and Optimistic Environment
Always be optimistic and positive in front of your customers and employees. Focus on building a community not an audience – provide quality content over quantity. Introduce your team, ask questions, share content, use hashtags – be authentic. Engage with your audience. Offer a first-class customer experience. Surround your customers with light-hearted entertainment (especially if they are waiting to get seated or be served). Utilize […]
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Adopt A Customer-First Mindset
Ways to adapt and grow business in the new norm: 1. Communicate what changes you’ve made in your business (changes in the way you are doing business today). Did your business model change? 2. Notify your customers and the general public of your business hours (when you are open), 3. Focus on the customer experience (make it special and something to remember). 4. Help others […]
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COVID-19 Business Assistance
COVID-19 is testing our strength and resiliency. What started out as a bright looking year ahead, has come to a screeching halt for our businesses. Many business owners don’t have the cash in-hand to cover another 30 or 60 days without revenue coming in. They have employee costs, utility and rent or mortgage payments – these expenses didn’t just go away. The COVID-19 virus is […]
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What to Do with Time on Our Hands
Pandemic…crisis…emergency…disaster…every word used to describe COVID-19 raises images of doom, gloom and apocalypse. That’s why I am doing my best to avoid using those words. My attitude (which earned me the nickname “Pollyanna”) is one of a glass half full and there’s always a bright side to look on – even in a situation such as this. Do I experience moments of depression and worry? […]
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Merry Christmas from ALL of US!
To allow our staff some time to celebrate Christmas with loved ones, the GBS office will be closed from Noon on Tuesday, December 24th through the 26th. We will be back in the office on Friday, December 27th. Holly, Linda and the entire GBS team wish you a Very Merry Christmas!
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Main Street Resurgence
With the rise of rent at the malls, the exit of large chain stores and competition from online shopping, we continue to see stores move out of malls to lower cost locations. What does this mean to the retail business market? Many rural areas and small towns are experiencing an increase in “mom and pop” businesses. As main streets fill with a variety of places […]
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