Retail Center | Page 4

Buying a Franchise

New Franchise Concept Puts Unused Gift Cards to Use

Gift Card Monkey sparks a new retail concept -- putting gift cards that would otherwise be forgotten to use for consumers and merchants.

By Jason Daley

Thought Leaders

Do This Before You Build Your Next App and Other Must-Read Business Tips

By Brian Patrick Eha

Tech

3-D Tech Lets Online Shoppers ‘Try on’ Clothes

By Gwen Moran

Human Resources

Lessons in Avoiding Size Bias From N.J. Governor Christie to Abercrombie & Fitch

By Gwen Moran

Building a Business

The ‘Etsy Economy’ and Changing the Way We Shop

The online handmade marketplace is seeking to reimagine retail.

By Kathleen Davis

Building a Business

Big-Box Backlash: The Rebirth of Mom-and-Pop Shops

As consumers grow more comfortable with ecommerce, Amazon.com isn't the only web company making big-box stores sweat. These days, corner cafes and artisanal cheesemongers are taking a bigger piece of the retail pie.

By Diana Ransom

Building a Business

Five Retail Design Myths Debunked

Be creative in your store design and take a skeptical view of the conventional wisdom.

By Jane Porter

Building a Business

Creating Shops from Shipping Containers

How small retailers are building new kinds of stores.

By Jane Porter

Building a Business

3 New Technologies to Make Shopping More Interactive

Experts weigh in on new technologies from virtual greeters, to mirrors that give fashion advice, and touch screens loaded with information.

By Lisa Girard

Building a Business

Encouraging Employees to Put Their Personal Stamp on the Workplace

By letting employees do the decorating, small businesses can boost morale and save some money to boot.

By Lambeth Hochwald

Business Ideas

A Retail Extreme Makeover Provides Sweet Rewards

A Chicago cupcake company's experience offers lessons on renovating an affordable, but neglected retail space.

By Gwen Moran

Marketing

5 Ways Store Colors Can Influence Shoppers

A look at how color matters in your retail space. It can either help to sell your products -- or irritate customers. Choose wisely.

By Jane Porter

Business Ideas

How Green Power Can Benefit Both Small Retailers and the Environment

Tips on making the move to green energy, from wind and solar power to renewable energy credits.

By Carol Tice

Building a Business

Reveal Your Retail Personality

Three retail business owners show how to project personality and add a special flair to your store.

By Lambeth Hochwald

Building a Business

7 Retail Disaster Zones Every Storeowner Should Avoid

How to prevent common store design mistakes that can make your customers less likely to buy.

By Jane Porter

Building a Business

Retail Decor Tips from the Star of ‘Tabatha Takes Over’

The outspoken business-makeover specialist Tabatha Coffey of Bravo reality show fame dishes on how to keep customers coming back.

By Gwen Moran

Building a Business

6 Low-Cost Ideas for an Interior-Design Makeover

Does your restaurant or store need a face-lift? Consider these budget-minded tactics from a recent episode of 'Restaurant Impossible.'

By Carol Tice

Building a Business

A Sneak Peek at the Store of the Future

Look for more decentralized, less cluttered stores that offer experiences and personalized products.

By Lisa Girard

Building a Business

7 Tips to Create Winning Window Displays

How to design windows that will command attention and lure shoppers into your store.

By Jane Porter

Business Ideas

7 Layout Secrets of the Big Retail Chains

The right design and displays can steer customers to more merchandise and keep them shopping longer.

By Carol Tice

Building a Business

How Small Shops Economize by Sharing Space

Retailers can learn about such opportunities from brokers, matchmaking services or simply word-of-mouth.

By Jane Hodges

Marketing

To Grow Sales, Turn Your Workplace into a Theater for Customers

Here's a marketing idea worth considering: Give your customers a front-row seat and let them watch you work.

By Lambeth Hochwald

Building a Business

5 Ways to Make Sweet Music for Your Business

Ditch the Muzak and tailor your tunes to appeal to your customers and employees.

By Lambeth Hochwald

Sustainability

Bars Go Green

How eco-friendly practices are helping drinking establishments attract a loyal clientele.

By Alina Dizik

Building a Business

5 Ways to Organize Your Office–Stylishly

How to make your office project a professional image for your business, and a look at products to help you do it.

By Lambeth Hochwald

Business Ideas

5 Tips for Boomer-Friendly Retail Design

Bring on the boomers. Consider this advice when designing a store where boomers are the customers.

By Jane Porter

Building a Business

Smaller Retailers Tap Into the Power of Digital Displays

Four retailers illustrate how digital signs can help attract customers and boost revenue.

By Lisa Girard

Business News

Apple Retail Stores and the ‘Buying Brain’

Consider these three lessons to learn from Apple Stores to enhance your customer experiences in your store or office.

By Carmine Gallo

Building a Business

Going Green Is Growing Important to Small Businesses

Recycling and reducing waste and water use are just a few ways that businesses are creating more eco-friendly workplaces.

By Sushil Cheema

Building a Business

Seven Tech Tools for Fighting Retail Crime

Store owners can choose from a greater variety of tools to try to prevent theft by both shoplifters and employees.

By Carol Tice