So, another American retailer decided to set up shop in Canada. This time it is Nordstrom. Despite the fact that Canada's population is only about 10 per cent of the USA's, it seems to be an attractive proposition for American retailers to do business here in Canada. Sure, our economy seems to be in better shape than theirs, but even long before the North American economies soured, the Americans had a good retail presence in our country. So, why is it that they keep moving in?

Does gossip in your workplace matter? If you define it as the Oxford Dictionary does as "casual or unconstrained conversation or reports about other people, typically involving details which are not confirmed as true," gossip wastes staff time which lowers productivity, and diverts attention from customers which could impact sales. "..."

We live in a world of multiple distractions, often occurring at the same time. People are rushed, impatient, and sometimes low on funds. How do we make our store stand out from the crowd? How do we gain their attention so that they not only choose us over the competition, but they choose to spend their time in our store over any other store in the mall or on the street?

Well, you have to make your store eye-catching and attractive. You have to find ways to not only be noticed, but to encourage passersby to stop in. I have a few ideas as to how to accomplish this, based on my experience of what customers like and the reasons why they seem to enjoy our store. 

What are many food, drug, mass retailers and club warehouses strong at? Preparing for the holiday season. And one thing they have done particularly well is mastering the art of the gift basket. Not only do they prepare well in advance but they often offer a mix that suits every budget. Gift baskets simplifies a customer's life as they can easily pick up a gift for almost anyone, from the teacher or in-law to the new girlfriend.

As I write this, I am in the process of launching two strictly in-store promotions. One involves a supplier- wide sale, the second involves only a family of products within a company's product line up. For both of these promotions, we are offering a blanket discount for an extended period of time, and neither one of these promotions has been advertised through media. I am attempting to generate interest and sales, simply with creative, eye-catching merchandising at the store level.

You love working produce and it is evident in everything you do: You set a great produce stand that is so beautiful people comment on it daily. Your customers love you. People come from miles around to shop your department even when there are stores closer to their home. You are the local farmers' best friend. You have the best selection of local produce in town and pay a fair price. Your years of experience have given you a wealth of organic produce knowledge. You love the food, and your passion is infectious.

Natural health retail stores and the beautiful people that work in these stores are known to ooze with passion. Hey, they're certainly not in it for the money (although that's where I want to take you!) They do it because they love it.  And they love to spread the word of natural health and wellbeing.

Let me start by saying this article is not to be confused with the kind of growth that can kill you, which I recently experienced after Thanksgiving... but the kind of growth that makes you uncomfortable. Growth that amazes you and challenges you to be better than you are today. The growth that keeps you relevant and the growth that makes customers come back.

Just a little while ago we were gifted with an extra hour. One extra hour. Without getting into a discussion about how this hour is merely pay-back for the one we lost earlier in the year, let's contemplate that hour for a moment. Did you use it well?

Most of us would love it if our new and part-time employees would stick around and be a positive part of our crew for a long time. It saves us time and money, can create a better shopping environment and is definitely better for morale. In fact, those who really like working at our store often become our next round of managers.

This will be my third article in CNHR magazine and I am flattered that Bruce asked me a while ago to contribute to the well written editorials this magazine provides. I must admit, I am relatively new to the world of natural health food/products and I am learning a lot in a very short time.

Five simple rules for exceptional merchandising

I believe that when it comes to running a successful business, customer service is hands-down the most important aspect. You can advertise, drop your prices, distribute flyers, and stock the place from floor to ceiling with every product on the market. But if customers come into your store and they are not satisfied with the way they are treated, or with the information they receive, they will most likely not return. I know I wouldn't return.

Sometimes what appears to be a performance problem—employees not doing the job up to your expectations—is actually a problem with the organizational structure of your business. If tasks go undone because they are falling off someone's overfull plate, or because they are on several different plates, or because they aren't on anyone's plate, you've got a structure problem.

Recently, I sat in on a couple of sales and marketing seminars where both speakers mentioned "selling is all about emotion." Apparently, 75 per cent of retail purchasing decisions are based on emotion. If you want to have positive sales, you need to focus on creating an emotionally positive experience for your customers.

When it comes to your HABA customers this winter, think...P.A.M.P.E.R.

"How do you make it through the winter months?"   Have you heard this lately or have you seen this expression in your customer's eyes?  Winter is the time of year where your customers need to pamper and treat themselves with luxurious products and textures. While it is gray outside, you need to create a colourful in-store environment to cheer up your clientele! They need you to warm them up from the outside cold and to help soothe their dry, itchy skin from a heated home. Make your life easy and just remember one word: P.A.M.P.E.R. This acronym will help you to create an eye catching end cap!

Let's be honest: the majority of your customers are starting to shop for their holiday gifts whether it be toys for the kids, clothes for the teenagers or the perfect dress for the office party or the family one. Just reading this can make your heart race. You can't help but wonder if after all their gift buying, if your customers will have enough disposable income to spend in your store. So, how do you catch their attention during this holiday season? Quite simply, be prepared and get them what they need!

Do you hold regular meetings with your staff?  Are you considering such meetings but are concerned about what the cost will be?

This issue, Deane shares with us some of his favourite and inspiring business quotes.

Great organizations achieve sustainable growth and profits because they do what other organizations don't; they maximize the innate, individual talents of their employees to connect with customers. Tapping the resources of humans is the only remaining area where significant improvements lead to an unlimited source of competitive advantages."           Follow this Path – Coffman                     (Do you know the strengths/talents of yourself and staff?)

In our instant society, where we can have a microwaved roast beef dinner with all the fixings in 30 seconds, video of your child singing in the high school musical uploaded to YouTube a split second after the curtain closes, and the results of an internet IQ test in the blink of an eye, it's no wonder that some people might consider this universal law to be so much hooey. Think something into existence? Okay. I think I'm a billionaire. Oops. Not so fast. There's a little more to it than that.

The headline above should be the battle cry for every retailer. Retailers in every spectrum of the retail world are faced with the ever- increasing "savings," "deals" and "discounts" offered by their competitors. Customers are so conditioned that if they do not get a deal or discount, it's just not worth going shopping.