From The Co-Founders

What's between your ears? Opportunities!

• Change is the name of the game in retailing.
• Independents in particular have been beset for years by the changing dynamics, whether it was regional malls, lifestyle centers, category killers, Amazon, and now the election, or whatever. 

That "Ideal" Inventory Level

Monthly Retail Sales Trends Are Trending UP! 👀

• "What drove the increase? Most likely a) the government’s $300 supplement to unemployment insurance and b) some people returning to work. Fear of infection on public transit drove consumers to spend on vehicles, while we also dropped cash on credenzas and second offices as part of the WFH revolution."
• "Looking ahead...things look iffy; infections are rising, job growth is stagnating, and the number of Americans filing for unemployment insurance just reached a two-month high. Not to mention, another round of stimulus from D.C. is appearing about as likely as a Michael Bay Oscar win."

Now's the time!

Tap into your "hidden" assets

Free Access • Webinar of the Week

Did you know? A retailer's assets are not limited just to those listed on the Balance Sheet. In fact, The Retail Owners Institute® has identified that every retailer has THREE kinds of assets.

And, unlike the economy – which no one retailer can control – all three kinds of assets are manageable variables in your business!

Those retailers who understand this, and then shrewdly marshal and manage all three kinds of assets can:

• improve their financial strength
• improve their staying power
• And, give themselves choices!

Take advantage of this week's TOPICAL TUESDAYS Webinar of the Week. Pat Johnson and Dick Outcalt, the Co-Founders of The ROI, will share this empowering concept with you.   

Get free access to this lively session, 24/7, all week long, only at The ROI.  This is not the time to be sitting on your assets!

From The Co-Founders

Continuing Flexibility Test

• "As the global efforts to "flatten the curve" of the coronavirus pandemic continue, there is another curve that is being flattened. That would be the seasonality of retail sales. 
  
  "And this may prove to be what really defines the New Normal for retailers. 
  
  "The customary peaks of retail spending have been flattened."

• For instance, given the restrictions of the pandemic, this year weekends have increasingly been used by people for outdoor fun activities, whether it's bike rides or hikes or now outdoor dining, not household chores.
• Much of the shopping that might have typically been saved for the weekends has now been replaced by online ordering and home delivery. The convenience and time-savings of having basic commodity-type items arriving at one's front  door will continue as a preferred way of shopping. 

So not only are the seasons flattening, so too are the weeks. 

• Which previously slow days are becoming more active?
• And what does that mean for your scheduling? Your advertising? The coordination with your neighboring retailers?

• For some folks, the SPEEDY Cash Forecaster provides great peace of mind. The picture it shows for their business is reassuring. Saves a lot of worry.
• For others, turning on their financial headlights shows how much they need to adjust.

• SPEEDY does the number-crunching for you. In a flash!
• As you see – in advance – the financial implications of each of your changes, you can focus on making informed choices; applying your good judgment.

👀 Monthly Retail Sales Trends Are Trending UP! 

• "What drove the increase? Most likely a) the government’s $300 supplement to unemployment insurance and b) some people returning to work. Fear of infection on public transit drove consumers to spend on vehicles, while we also dropped cash on credenzas and second offices as part of the WFH revolution."
• "Looking ahead...things look iffy; infections are rising, job growth is stagnating, and the number of Americans filing for unemployment insurance just reached a two-month high. Not to mention, another round of stimulus from D.C. is appearing about as likely as a Michael Bay Oscar win."

Employees Asking "WHY?"

Why it matters to answer. And how to do it!

Free Access • Webinar of the Week

One of the powerful attractions of retailing for many owners is how dynamic it is. Change is the name of the game! 

Yet, many retailers encounter resistance to changes, not from customers, but often from their own employees! And especially, from that generation raised to expect answers when asking "Why?"

This insightful TOPICAL TUESDAYS Webinar of the Week by  Pat Johnson and Dick Outcalt, Co-Founders of The Retail Owners Institute® shows how you can answer those "Why?" questions. (And maybe like one retailer we know, discover in the process, "Well...why not?!")

Take advantage of free access all week. See for yourself how you can use this approach for your own business.

Especially timely amidst all the pandemics.