by Board Retailers Association | Aug 26, 2022 | E-Commerce, m-commerce, Resources, Retail Strategy, Retail Technologies, Social Commerce, Social Media
The COVID-19 pandemic shifted consumer buying behavior to the online world, forcing retailers to adapt quickly. Even as the world recovers from the pandemic, e-commerce still has a stronghold, so it’s crucial for retailers to cater to the needs of consumers who prefer to shop online. Since customers are now more inclined to shop at online retailers than offline brick-and-mortar ones, a digital presence is a must. A solid digital presence will help you get discovered. There’s no point in having an amazing product when people don’t even know about it. To make your product more visible to the audience, you need a good online presence. There are many channels through which your audience can find your company – an online ad, search results, social media posts, cold emails, etc. No matter how they find you, their first tendency is often to visit your website. According to a consumer survey, 56% of respondents said they don’t trust a company if they don’t have a website. This speaks volumes about the importance of having a digital presence. A digital presence is much more than a website that functions as an online brochure. Today’s businesses use a robust set of tools and technologies to maintain a digital presence that attracts their ideal audience, facilitate seamless transactions, and provide post-purchase support to boost customer loyalty. Companies like Argano can help you identify the right technologies and create a fully integrated digital foundation to support your e-commerce business. Investing in the right technologies is key, but there are other steps you can take to improve your digital presence as well. Let’s take a look at a few...
by Board Retailers Association | Aug 21, 2022 | Educational Opportunity, News, Resources, Retail Strategy, Retail Technologies, Trade Shows
In business, this is a metaphor for what resources and strategies are available to you in order to achieve your goal. The quiver holds the arrows, you as the store owner are the archer and the target is your retail business goal. The relationships to this metaphor are endless; like being the hunter, having enough replacement strings for your bow, (meaning always to be prepared), different types of arrows, not one strategy or tactic meets all situations, etc. Thinking about how many arrows are in your quiver is also a remedy to reduce stress, and thus focus on those arrows that solve problems, instead of focusing on precipitating factors that are expressed in fear, anxiety, and stress. Securing arrows in your quiver is also a way to mitigate risk. If you miss the target with one arrow, there is an ample supply of arrows to fall back on. If you are an Avengers fan you might have seen the jokes on Facebook, that Clint had a 3D printer available at lightning-fast speed. Wouldn’t that be nice? According to Google, Hawkeye had 32 arrows, 16 on each side that were visible. How many arrows are in your quiver, that you can call into action? Along with our OTB planning and merchandise intelligence, a key arrow, we have also created other tools that add to your quiver to make decisions. We have also built strategic partnerships with synergistic businesses that provide additional and important arrows. Here are some key “arrows” we have vetted that can make a difference in your retail business: OneShop Retail, brings clienteling to a new level for...
by Board Retailers Association | Aug 17, 2022 | Industry, News, Resources, Retail Strategy, Seasonal Products, Skateboard, SUP, Surf, Trade Shows, Wake Skate, Wake Surf, Wakeboard
Photo courtesy of Surf Expo PRESS RELEASES | Re-Published August 2022 ORLANDO, Fla.– (July 25, 2022) Surf Expo, the premier watersports and coastal lifestyle tradeshow, returns to the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando on Sept. 8-10 in the West Concourse with a wide range of brands and a diverse floor plan. Over 600 exhibitors are participating this September with an 18% increase in square footage compared to the previous September show. “We are thrilled to return to Orlando this summer with an extensive and impressive list of brands to help retailers fulfill all their buying needs,” said Roy Turner, Surf Expo senior vice president and show director. “Coastal and beach related categories have been in high demand the past two years, and with our increased list of exhibitors, we look forward to introducing buyers to new brands as well as offering them a productive environment to connect with their existing brand partners.” Brands exhibiting in the Watersports sections of Surf Expo include 4ocean, AVID Sportswear, Billabong, BN3TH, Body Glove, Brixton, Carve Designs, Carver Skateboards, Captain Fin, Dark Seas, Fair Harbor Clothing, Havaianas, HAYDENSHAPES SURFBOARDS, Hurley, IMSY, IPD International, Jetty, Katin, …LOST, Lotus and Luna, Manhattan Beachwear, O’Neill, Otis Eyewear, Party Pants, POP Board Co., Psycho Tuna, Pura Vida Bracelets, Quiksilver, Rastaclat, Reef Apparel, Rhythm, Rip Curl, Roark, ROXY, RSVLTS, Rusty, RVCA, Saint Maddox, Salty Crew, Sand Cloud, SEATEC OUTFITTERS, Simbi, Sisstrevolution, Sun Bum, Surfer Dudes, Tahe Outdoors, Teva, Thread, Vissla, Volcom and YETI. In the Coastal Life categories, brands attending the show include Beach & Barn, Bogg Bag, Dippin Daisys, ELAN, EXIST, Hang Loose, HUK, Kanga Coolers, Lakeshirts/Blue84, LowTides...
by Board Retailers Association | Aug 8, 2022 | Debate, Point of Sale, Predictions, Resources, Retail Strategy, Retail Technologies
“Buy Now, Pay Later” (BNPL) services, such as Affirm, Afterpay, Clearpay and Klarna, saw explosive adoption as e-commerce upshifted into a higher gear during the pandemic, but are now facing questions over their sustainability against a tide of rising interest rates, inflation and regulatory threats. The services let shoppers defer payments to a later date or break up purchases into interest-free installments. Rising interest rates narrow already-thin margins for BNPL providers. Their profitability is dependent on their own borrowing rates being much lower than the fees charged to merchants for their service. Soaring inflation and concerns about a possible recession are making consumers more apprehensive about purchasing the big ticket items best suited for extended payments. Finally, the fast growth of the largely-unregulated BNPL space has been drawing more scrutiny from state and federal authorities over concerns that consumers are not aware of the large late fees that can accumulate. Regardless, many consumers discovered the benefits of BNPL’s flexible payment options and avoiding the financial commitments involved with credit cards, even on lower ticket items. Experian’s “Global Insights Report,” based on a survey of 6,000 consumers globally in March, found that 18 percent had used BNPL in the past six months. Fifty-seven percent said they believe BNPL could replace their credit card and 71 percent perceive BNPL as secure. In the U.S, 80 percent of respondents use BNPL to avoid credit card debt. GlobalData’s report, “Buy Now Pay Later – Thematic Research,” which came out in late May, found BNPL expanding from $33 billion in 2019 to $120 billion in 2021, driven by greater adoption by merchants including Amazon and Shopify. GlobalData predicts BNPL sales will increase nearly five-fold to...
by Board Retailers Association | Aug 2, 2022 | Resources, Wake Skate, Wake Surf, Wakeboard
Push a button and Nautique’s Flight Control Tower telescopes up or down with the Bimini top in place. Courtesy Roswell Tow towers have gone from wakeboarding one-offs to standard equipment on most tow-sports boats, as well as an increasing share of runabouts, deck boats and even pontoons. Chalk it up to the ability to provide an elevated tow point, store wake- and surfboards off the cockpit sole, and add just a touch of coolness factor. Here’s what to look for. Drop Top “Some people only lower their tower once a year,” says Darrick Wilson, chief of design at industry-giant Roswell. “But for someone who lowers their tower daily for a bridge or to get in a garage, folding is an important consideration.” Look for features designed to offset a tower’s weight, including compression spring systems, hydraulic or gas shocks, or electric-gear or worm-drive actuators. Release mechanisms vary, from bolts and pull pins to cam-style levers or even a simple push button. Under Cover Some Bimini tops are surprisingly small to integrate with a tower. Options with greater coverage make a world of difference in hot, sunny climates. Ask for a demonstration on how to handle the Bimini when folding the tower. Some can be quite cumbersome, while others prove easier. For example, the Bimini on the Roswell-designed telescoping Flight Control Tower, exclusive to Nautique, can remain fully in place when lowered and still shade the crew. A wake tower provides airflow ability, good looks, and practical mounting of board racks, speakers and Bimini tops. Courtesy Roswell Built Strong Aircraft-grade, 6061-T6 or 6063-T6 aluminum tubing in a minimum 1.9-inch diameter is still...
by Board Retailers Association | Jul 31, 2022 | m-commerce, News, Resources, Retail Technologies, Social Commerce, Social Media
Instagram launched the ability for U.S. businesses to complete transactions in chats with shoppers. Courtesy of Meta Dive Brief: In an effort to simplify the customer journey for small businesses, Meta on Monday launched the ability for users to pay for products within Instagram chat, according to a press release.Qualified small businesses on Instagram can directly convert customer inquiries and interests directly into purchases using Meta Pay, without users needing to leave the chat. Completed orders can also be tracked in the same chat, creating a dedicated space for follow-up questions, per the release.The feature allows small and medium-sized businesses who don’t have an Instagram Shop digital storefront to still transact with shoppers in app. Dive Insight: Buying and selling on Instagram for businesses of any size just got a lot easier. “We want to help people start conversations with businesses they care about and help them find and buy products they love in an easy, seamless experience, right from the chat thread,” said the release. The ability to pay for products in chat means that businesses can more easily convert curious shoppers’ questions and concerns into purchases and allows for a more personalized experience where businesses could give direct recommendations. This launch is a step forward in Instagram’s evolution to become a one-stop retail destination. One billion people message businesses every week across Meta’s apps, which include Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp. According to a study from NPD last year, Facebook and Instagram were both listed among the top platforms where consumers discover and learn about products. Social commerce is expected to grow three times as fast as traditional e-commerce, according to an Accenture report...
