Below you will find helpful and relevant articles that we carefully curate for the benefit of our B.R.A. Retail Members almost every day. Be sure to scroll through the most recent article or use the Search/Lookup feature to find topics and keywords related to articles that may help you to lower costs, increase margins or create more remarkable customer experiences.
by admin | Apr 8, 2026 | Brick & Mortar, Consumer Behavior, Customer Experience, Customer Service, Resources, Sales Training
It will be a place that has no idea who you are. There is a particular freedom in being unknown. No purchase history following you through the door. No algorithm anticipating your next move. No recommendations based on what people like you tend to buy. Just you,...
by admin | Apr 5, 2026 | Consumer Behavior, News, Opinion, Predictions
NRF Chief Economist Mark Mathews speaking Wednesday at the group’s annual State of Retail and the Consumer virtual event. Screenshot: National Retail Federation/YouTube The group acknowledged a softening labor market, persistent inflation and fallout from geopolitical...
by admin | Apr 2, 2026 | Brick & Mortar, Customer Experience, Customer Loyalty, Private Label, Resources, Retail Strategy
Private label sales continue to grow, reaching a record $283 billion last year, with sales and unit volume growth outpacing those of national brands. While retailers are often selling private label products that are similar to, or even dupes of,...
by admin | Mar 30, 2026 | Community, Industry, Mental Health, Skateboard
Former pro John Gardner and fifteen minutes that is well worth your time. Key Points John Gardner, ex-pro skater, shifted focus to men’s mental health advocacy and therapy. His TEDx talk urges reimagining therapy “shoulder to shoulder,” not just traditional settings....
by admin | Mar 25, 2026 | Brick & Mortar, Commercial Real Estate, News
A Foot Locker store in Chicago. The retailer was acquired by Dick’s Sporting Goods last year. Kaarin Moore/Retail Dive Dive Brief: Dick’s is planning to close fewer Foot Locker stores than it initially anticipated as it sees success with a “Fast Break” store pilot at...
by admin | Mar 22, 2026 | Artificial Intelligence / CHAT GPT, News, Resources, Retail Technologies
Credit: Getty Images by WANAN YOSSINGKUM For decades, retailers have invested heavily in owning the customer relationship. Loyalty programs, first-party data, and personalization engines were all designed to ensure brands, not intermediaries, understand their...
by admin | Mar 19, 2026 | Brick & Mortar, Customer Experience, E-Commerce, News, Retail Crime
Court filings reveal that when Amazon and a rival “price match,” someone in the chain agrees to raise the price so both can safely match at a more expensive levels. California Attorney General Rob Bonta just exposed something most shoppers suspected but couldn’t...
by Doug Works | Mar 16, 2026 | Event Planning, Industry, News, Resources
Action Sports Canopies offers a comprehensive range of customizable event display solutions, allowing retailers to build cohesive, scalable, branding systems. From entry-level kits to full trade show setups, retailers can expand their display inventory while...
by admin | Mar 13, 2026 | Apparel /Fashion, HR, Industry, News, Retail Crime, Retail Strategy, Retail Technologies
Let’s be honest – when it comes to retail fraud, the online world grabs all the attention – and probably justifiably so. Last year, losses stemming from internet shopping scams and duplicity approached $400 million, according to statistics from the Better Business...
by admin | Mar 5, 2026 | Brick & Mortar, Community, Customer Experience, E-Commerce, Event Planning, Holiday, News, Opinion, Shoe Market, Skateboard
Clockwise from top left: Swedish sales rep Ante with the Kiosk Skate Shop crew in Orebro, Sweden; Kevin “Spanky” Long delivered a hand-drawn postcard and donuts to Val Surf in Los Angeles; A special delivery of goodies for Slappy’s Garage in San...