FLY Racing has named a new national sales manager, as well as new roles in marketing and media relations. Let’s take a look at the latest transactions in Boise, straight ...

I think we are all guilty of waiting for “It.” From the movies we watch, the stories we read, the news we hear, “It” is all around us for most of our lives. It seems like (at least in my case) I have found myself falling into “Its” web despite knowing better. “It” is that breakthrough product, that new unit, that one sales strategy, that new employee, that new marketing plan that we think will reward us with the one big pay day.

You know, the holiday sales season game is on! You should be straight up in sell, promote; sell, promote; and more sell and promote. This season is retail’s Super Bowl! This is where we get to focus on putting out great displays, promotions, or at the very least, communication to customers new and existing and sell our you-know-what’s off!

As staffs and companies continue to constrict, it is important that we create an environment that our employees can excel in. Part of this is giving your employees the ability to make critical decisions that will allow for them to complete their roles effectively.

Basically, merchandising is marketing (in other words, in-store marketing), and your store is a form of tactile media. Put the two together and combine them with traditional outside marketing, and you get a strong link to grow your store’s sales.

Pay attention to the statistics that speak to you about your most probable customer – it is always easier to pick the low-lying fruit.

This season has presented our industry with a big challenge: poor weather. For us Northerners, it’s been cold, wet and just plain gray and dreary. Customers are very reactive to this.

As the season drives forward at full speed there are signs of recovery and growth. OEMs have new financing, unit sales are up, and there seems to be a small national sigh of relief. But is your business aligned for success?

Last month, I attended the Global Shop retail solutions trade show. Each year I have two missions: one, to seek out new products and systems to aid visual display needs, and two, seek information and hear the talking points the retail industry is discussing.

Another season is coming and this year is going to go one of two ways: Really, really well or slightly better than last year.