07May 2022 by Bob Cargill
The Six Ps of Retail Marketing

The Six Ps of Retail Marketing

Branding, Business, Customer Service, Marketing
There are four Ps of marketing...product, price, place and promotion. All are equally important. When it comes to retail marketing, though, there are two additional Ps, presentation and personnel. How you execute with regard to all these Ps can make a difference between success and failure for your brand or business. Many retailers are struggling in this day and age. Are they focusing enough on the two additional Ps, areas where they could possibly establish a competitive advantage over the competition? Amid COVID and a marketplace in which the only constant is change, nothing is easy today for brick-and-mortar stores. That's one reason why we're seeing more and more empty store fronts on main street. That's one reason why more and more retail is going etail.
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11Oct 2018 by Bob Cargill
The Importance of Customer Service

The Importance of Customer Service

Business, Customer Service
It's known as friction. It's anything that gets in the way of anything less than a stellar customer experience. Brick-and-mortar retail operations can't afford to have any degree of friction come between them and their customers in this day and age. There are simply too many competitors vying for the same sales, whether that competition is located down the street or somewhere on the internet. Customer service can be the difference between success and failure. Poor customer service is not only bad for business, it can put you OUT of business. The best products, the best prices, the best marketing, the best advertising...can't overcome an abundance of friction.
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28Sep 2013 by Bob Cargill

A Sign of Smart Marketing

Advertising, Branding, Business, Marketing
I haven’t gotten my flu shot yet this year, so this sign certainly caught my attention, but not just because it seems way too early in the season to be worrying about coming down with the dreaded influenza. The marketer in me thought it was such a great idea to offer those who get their flu shot at this CVS/pharmacy on Brighton Avenue in Allston a 20% Off Shopping Pass. After all, people who come into the store to get vaccinated aren’t necessarily thinking about meandering up and down the aisles. But if you give them that discount along with the needle, they’re certainly more likely to buy a thing or two on their way out the door. It’s a good deal for the customer and a great strategy by CVS. It’s…
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