Merchandising and Marketing

Contests Create Customers

"Everyone wants to be a winner." This universal ambition applies to your customers, too. So why not accommodate them? Hold a raffle or other contest that rewards shoppers with exciting prizes. The result will be happy customers and busy cash registers.

Store contests are time-honored vehicles for building customer loyalty. But pulling off a successful contest means more than stacking a pile of entry blanks next to a shoe box. You want to design an event that entices and excites as many people as possible—so that they'll give their names and mailing addresses to you, for your mailing list for future promotions. Here's how to run a great contest.

RMU Design Trends: A Pictorial

For Specialty Retail Report's 10th Anniversary issue, we asked several manufacturers of carts, kiosks and other retail merchandising units to take a look back at—and a look forward to—the design trends that impact how specialty retailers do business every day.

Beating the Big Box this Winter

Back in the day, Main Street was lined with storefronts and dotted with vendors on carts. Then came department stores. And now, "big-box" stores, systematically knocking everyone else off the block. Or are they? Can independent retailers survive and thrive in this era of deep-discount giants?

The Coming of Age of Cause Marketing

Making "invisible" donations isn't enough for many corporations anymore, or for individuals, who like wearing their support on their sleeve—or bumper, window or wrist—with decals, bracelets, pins and much more. This new twist on giving—call it "charitable buying"—is good for the organizations that benefit, and for the image (and bottom lines) of the companies that partner with them. Welcome to the 21st-century marketing phenomenon known as cause marketing.

Are You Selling Necessity or Luxury?

Knowing the difference will shape your marketing - which can mean more sales.

Website Savvy

Every retailer needs a website. Here's how to design yours to be fast and easy—and on a budget.

The Eight Secrets of Great Radio Ads

A good radio commercial pulls customers. A bad commercial disappears into thin air. How do you make a good one? By knowing a few basics—and the eight secrets. Start with the basics—take a look at three common approaches to creating radio ads.

Successful Print Publicity

The best tools are free. Here's how to use them to increase your visibility, traffic and sales.

Up Your Profits By Upselling

Every sale is an opportunity to meet needs and increase revenue. Here's how upselling works, and why you should be doing it.

Postcard Power!

Postcards aren't sexy, as promotions go. But when they're done right, they get results. Here's how to do them right.