It's easy to understand that customers who feel ignored or dismissed when they walk into a store won't stick around for long. But knowing just what to say to get them engaged isn't as simple.

We spoke with six small business owners to get ideas on what to tell each customer who walks through the door:

1. "How's the weather treating you?"

The key here isn't that the weather will drive sales; rather, it's an example of a neutral topic that can effectively start a casual conversation. "If I start conversations with customers about a neutral event, they will let their guard down and start chatting. Then I will be able to find out what they are really looking for that day," says Liana C. Ling, president of Tiger Quest, a sales consulting firm in Toronto.

2. "Let me introduce you to our team."

Quiana Green, president of Chicago-based entertainment promotion company No Vacancy ENT, ensures that every potential client meets at least four of her 12 staff members. "It shows clients, 'a lot of people can take time out of their busy schedules to meet me because I'm special,'" she says.

3. "Have you visited our store before?"

Sherri Comstock, owner of retail boutiques The Cheshire Cat and The Spotted Crocodile in Grayslake, Ill., began encouraging her staff to ask this question after reading a study that showed it could increase sales by 16 percent. "If the reply is 'no,' it gives my staff an opening to give a brief elevator speech as to what brands and products we offer," she says. "It also allows us to track how they heard of us."  

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Source: NFIB

By Associated Press

NEW YORK -- Americans are feeling more chipper about the economy than they have in three years.

The Consumer Confidence Index rose to 70.4 this month, up from 64.8 in January, as Americans expressed more optimism about their income prospects and the direction the economy is headed, a private research group reported Tuesday.

It's the strongest reading since the early days of the most severe recession the United States has seen since the 1930s.

A robust stock market and falling unemployment are lifting Americans' spirits in spite of rising food and energy prices and a still-weak housing sector. In addition, a cut to the Social Security tax meant Americans started seeing more money in their paychecks in January, which may be boosting consumer spending.

Retailers including Macy's Inc., Home Depot Inc. and VF Corp., maker of Lee jeans and Vans shoes, reported better-than-expected earnings. Home Depot posted its first annual revenue increase since before the housing crash in 2006, while Macy's, the country's second-largest department store chain, saw sales at stores open at least a year climb 4.3 percent.

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Source: TribLive - Business