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 | Jun 21, 2026 | Brick & Mortar, Customer Experience, Get Paid, News, Opinion, Predictions
Has Gen Z really made using cash cringe? Recent headlines definitely make it sound that way. Cash App recently reported that over half of Gen Z only use cash as a “last resort,” and nearly a third say people who pay with cash are “out of touch.”...
by admin | Jun 17, 2026 | Brick & Mortar, Customer Experience, Industry, News, Opinion, Resources, Sales Training
Product knowledge was a legitimate competitive edge when customers had no other way to get it. That world ended decades ago. Today’s customer walks in already researched. The retailers winning in 2026 aren’t the ones with the most knowledgeable associates...
by admin | Jun 13, 2026 | Brick & Mortar, Industry, News, Opinion, Resources, Retail Strategy, Trade Shows
Trade shows are an integral part of the industry. Any industry. At their core, they are about brands meeting and greeting retailers in a structured environment. That’s what it’s all about, isn’t it? The problem, especially in this decade, has been the disconnect...
by admin | Jun 6, 2026 | Industry, Legends, News, Opinion, Rest In Peace, Skateboard
Digital collage features screenshots from Transworld Skateboarding’s Modus Operandi Marc Johnson, a father, friend, mentor to many, and one of skateboarding’s most talented, creative, and influential practitioners, as well as one of its most unique and...
by admin | Jun 2, 2026 | Brick & Mortar, Customer Experience, News, Opinion, Predictions, Retail Economy
The death of the physical store was exaggerated. Nearly 78% of retailers report moderate or significant in-store investment, and with more than 5,000 store openings forecast for 2026 (Coresight Research), this isn’t a boom. It’s a recalibration. What’s...
by admin | May 26, 2026 | Clearance Sales / Discounting, HR, News, Opinion, Resources, Retail Strategy, Sales Training
Why retail owners and CEOs can’t take more money out of their business – and how a waiting culture is the cause. Why can’t I take more money out of my business? That question lands differently depending on where you sit. If you own one store,...
by admin | May 22, 2026 | Apparel /Fashion, Brick & Mortar, Customer Experience, Merchandising, Opinion, Retail Strategy
We live in an age of abundance: more information, more options, more products, more channels, more noise. On the surface, this abundance appears to be a gift—greater access, freedom, and personalization. But beneath that promise lies a growing tension: complexity...
by admin | May 18, 2026 | Customer Experience, Debate, Insurance, News, Opinion, Outdoor, Surf, Tourism
The Wavegarden pool under construction at DSRT SURF in Palm Springs, California. Photo: Wavegarden It feels like a lifetime ago that Kelly Slater unveiled his clandestine wave pool project in the Central California farmland. It’s been a little over a decade since...
by admin | May 15, 2026 | Artificial Intelligence / CHAT GPT, News
Credit: Getty Images by Paper Boat Creative Retail has always been a human-centered business. Every sale, return, upsell and resolution depends on an employee’s ability to read emotion, respond appropriately, and guide a customer through an experience that feels both...
by admin | May 12, 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,...
