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.

“Your Associates Passed the Training. So Why Can’t They Sell?” by Bob Phibbs via The Retail Doctor Blog

by admin | Apr 24, 2026 | News, Resources, Sales Training

Retail training fails for one reason: it protects associates from failure instead of using it as the mechanism for learning. Videos, quizzes, and microlearning apps improve completion rates but do not change behavior on the floor. The only thing that does is repeated...

“Unlocking AI Tools for Independent Retailers” (including on-demand link to view) by Tiffany Montgomery via SES Outdoor

by admin | Apr 14, 2026 | Artificial Intelligence / CHAT GPT, Brick & Mortar, Industry, News, Resources

Shop Eat Surf Outdoor has assembled a panel of independent retailers who will share their personal journeys, their learning curves, and the specific ways they are integrating AI to make their businesses more efficient Register now for Unlocking AI Tools for...

“The Most Valuable Place Left Is One That Doesn’t Know You” by Bob Phibbs via The Retail Doctor Blog

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,...

“Retail’s AI Wake-Up Call: How Retailers Can Reclaim the Customer Journey” by Adam Brotman via Total Retail

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...

“Not all event canopies are created equal plus BRA Special Member pricing is available on Action Sports Canopies” by Doug Works via ASC Blogpost

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...

“If You’re Always Running a Sale, You’re Always Losing Margin” by Bob Phibbs via The Retail Doctor Blog

by admin | Mar 2, 2026 | Brick & Mortar, Clearance Sales / Discounting, Consumer Behavior, Customer Experience, Event Planning, Resources, Retail Strategy

From independent boutiques to national chains, many retailers lean heavily on coupons, sales, and markdowns to drive traffic. On the surface, discounting seems like an easy win to boost sales. In fact, almost all American shoppers (a whopping 94%) redeem at least one...