Retail Pro 2007 User Conference

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2007 RETAIL USER CONFERENCE

Retail is constantly changing.
How do I keep up?

Find out how Retail Pro can help.

Attend the only User Conference Sponsored
by the Developers of Retail Pro

Retailers are always looking for a competitive edge and Retail Pro Can help. Retail Pro is bringing together some of the best known retailers and product experts to meet and discuss the most important topics that impact you, the Retail Pro User.

Don?t miss this opportunity to attend the Retail Pro User Conference in La Jolla, California to see what is new with Retail Pro. As the thought leader in specialty retail for over 20 years, Retail Pro is constantly evolving to help your retail business run more profitably and achieve impressive returns on your technology investments.

Why should you attend this conference? This is your chance to:

• See and test the brand new functionality in Retail Pro
• Learn about other products such Payment Solutions, Planning and Business Intelligence
• Explore the latest industry trends
• Learn to be more competitive and stay nimble in the current retail environment
• Meet other successful retailers from around the country
• Learn directly from the Retail Pro staff
• Meet some of the staff from the Retail Pro team at Advanced Retail Management Systems

Other forums available include:

• Ask Support ? talk with Retail Pro?s Technical Support team
• Planning for Success ? learn from Retail Pro?s Planning Team how the Planning Tool can improve profitability
• Ask Training ? talk directly with Retail Pro?s Training team
• And much more

The Retail Pro User Conference takes place:

Date: October 14 ? 16, 2007
Place: Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines, La Jolla, CA

Who should attend:

If you are one of the nearly 10,000 customers of Retail Pro, this event is a must! CIOs, Merchandising and Operations Executives, IT managers, Store Managers, Owners and others will benefit enormously from the information at this Partner / User Conference! You will also have a chance to learn about Retail Pro's suite of products.

Why you should attend:

With thousands of decisions to make about merchandise, stores, products, inventory, customers, and employees, the most successful retailers must stay on top of the latest trends and technology. At the Retail Pro User conference, attendees will have the chance to meet with other retail executives and product experts and learn the tips and tricks for success. Attendees will be able to share ideas, participate in open forums, and attend sessions focusing on how to get the most out of their products.

Register now by visiting the registration page, downloading the registration form or by contacting Jim Phillips at 1-949-399-3803 or jphillips@retailpro.com.

The Value of Respect

Part 6 in a Series on Loyalty Retailing

Are we fast approaching a world of retailing where every consumer is just a walking profile that retailers will be able to target with precision? How can a retailer use its customers' data in a way that respects their privacy and their individuality?

In redefining the way consumers shop in the future, retailers need to walk the fine line between respecting their customers' time by presenting a targeted selection and invading their customers' privacy. Retailers who are able to use their loyalty and customer relationship programs wisely will become the big winners.

In order for a retailer to become a loyal friend they first need to become a brand, and then infuse their brand with human qualities. Humanized retailers create an atmosphere where customers are able to relate with it and form emotional attachments, much like the way they relate to human beings. This type of branding is not the same as the creative process used by marketers. It is the core essence of a retailer -- who they are and what they represent to consumers.

Retailers who humanize their brands react to their customers in a manner that shows their own humanity. These retailers respect the customers and communities they serve because it is a sound business decision and the right thing to do. They seek to belong to the community because the community is made up of their customers and potential customers. As part of the community, retailers gain respect as "one of us," who live and breathe in our neighborhoods.

Communities can be geographic or demographic, virtual or three-dimensional. As long as it is a space where interaction takes place, there is the potential for community. In building their stores or Web sites to reach their community, retailers can begin the branding and loyalty process.

As members of the community, retailers gain entry into their customers' lives. This allows the retailer to begin the courtship of friendship and personalization. By showing respect, interacting, providing help and information, and respecting customers' privacy, the retailer becomes a friend.

Once a friend, customers are willing to open up and share their private information. Information that the customers give to help their friends get to know and help them, and in return, the customers help the retailers with their loyalty. After all, everyone is more loyal to those they have shared their secrets and private information with, and have proven themselves worthy of the honor.

Using a customer's private information to show her exciting and interesting solutions and meeting her unique needs wins friendship. It is about personalizing, not targeting. It reinforces the retailer's brand and the friendship with the customer. It creates a win-win for both retailer and consumer.

In being seen as a unique and special person inside a larger community that both the customer and the retailer belong to, the targeting process is humanized. It becomes desirable personalization instead of an annoying commercial targeting tactic. Personalizing a friend's shopping experience enforces branding.

Retailers need to remember that their brand is their personality, what makes them unique and personal. Retailers who shift the focus of their marketing away from their brand and onto consumer targeting may face the loss of their community appeal and find out that they no longer belong.

Next week we'll tie this series together with a number of useful links to resources, vendors and articles you can use to improve loyalty and build friendships in your business.

Read More...

Technical Tips

Would you like to setup a workstation to launch a specific document or changer of a document when you select the E-manuals button?

By default the E-manuals button launches the e-manuals home page.  You can configure your system to directly display a specific document or chapter from within the User?s Guide when the button is selected.

For example, at a POS workstation you might want the button to display the Recording Sales and Returns chapter instead of the E-manuals home page.  At a receiving station you could display the receiving chapter and so on.

Access Workstation preferences > System > E-Manuals URL at the workstation 

Retail SpotLight

Angler's Covey in Colorado Springs, Colorado has set itself apart from any other Fly Fishing Shop or big box retailer.  They have launched a Fly Fishing Learning Center concept and their store is the only place in the region that you can actually test out the gear before you buy it.   David Leinweber, Owner, has made it his mission to provide the best services to his clients.  He has done this by having 1,000 square feet of his 6,500 square foot store dedicated to a casting lane.  On top of this, there are two casting ponds outside.  One is 40 feet long and the other is 50 feet long.  Within a couple of minutes, you can cast several fly rods and choose the one that best matches your casting stroke.  How much better can it get?

Angler's Covey has been in business since 1981.  In 1994, Angler's Covey purchased Retail Pro from Advance Retail Management Systems.  Dave came on board in 1996 as a store manager, then a partner and then in 1999 he bought the business as the sole proprietor.  When Dave started at Angler's Covey, they had just begun using Retail Pro.  He had experience with Retail Pro at a former position.  This allowed him to jump in and really get the store running well on its point of sale and inventory control needs.

When asked what he likes about Retail Pro, Dave says it does just what he needs.  There are good reports and he is able to find the information he needs.  He also has added a new feature called Customer Loyalty Program and has tailored it to his learning center concept.  Customers are rewarded with ?Learning Dollars? from every purchase.  Retail Pro automatically keeps track and rewards every customer a $1 Learning Dollar for every $10 Dollars of merchandise that is purchased.  Giving away service instead of merchandise has helped David maintain higher margins and yet give customers a reward for being loyal.

If you are a fly fisher or have dreamed of being such, then a trip Colorado Springs and a visit with Dave and his staff will make your fishing dreams come true.  You can also visit their Website at http://www.anglerscovey.com

by Richard Fenton                                                

Here are a few ways to help you get those last minute staff members for your team?

Direct Recruiting?

Okay, the reality is, it is probably too late too start a direct recruiting campaign and have it actually impact your holiday hiring. Especially because, many of the great candidates you source may not be ready to make a job change at this time of year (especially if they look forward to special commissions or bonuses.) Many of the people you will see may in fact be holiday help which is great if that?s what you need however, in this case, the time you spend (doing recruiting the right way) will probably outweigh any potential benefits.

Now however, if you have a ?farm? of potential applicants, it is certainly a good time to give everyone a call to touch base. It?s also a good networking strategy as your candidates may know others who?d like to work a few extra hours during the holidays. And who knows, maybe they would like to!

Networking?

Some years back I worked for a company that was having a going out of business sale? during the holidays of all times? with prices up to 70% off! We weren?t busy? WE WERE MOBBED! The first day we did $53,000? at 70% off? in a 6,000 square foot store!  I needed people, and I needed them quick. We ran a newspaper ad, but didn?t get much response. So I did the only thing I could think of. I went around the mall and introduced myself to the manager of every store, telling them I needed people. Of the 40-50 managers I met, virtually every one of them said the same thing: ?Hey, we need people, too!? I said, ?Okay, thanks,? and left.

Not much happened for 2-3 days, then someone drifted in and said they were told by another store we were looking for people, and it was a good applicant! The next day, several more people came in, saying the same thing. Within a week I had more applicants than I knew what to do with!

Referrals?

Talk to your most reliable associates and gather referrals.  We say ?reliable? because you will find that associates tend to hang out with people like them. So you can increase your chances of a good hire by getting referrals from your best people. If possible consider offering some sort of referral bonus however small. Obviously if it is for a six-week stint, the bonus can?t be much more than lunch or a gift card to Starbucks and cannot be tied to longevity. But it could still be a nice incentive and could help you build your team.

Meet Our Staff

Anthony "Tony" Anderson, Hardware and Network Technician

Tony has been a part of the Advanced Retail Management Systems Technical Services Department for 8 months.  His job responsibilities include the set up of all new computers and peripheral hardware for clients.  Tony is always busy; as projects just keep coming in.  Prior to working for ARMS, Tony worked for another point of sale dealer that specialized in the hospitality industry.  He has brought a wealth of knowledge and experience to the job.

This Denver native is married to Sue and they have 3 sons ranging in age from 17 to 22.  Tony spent 8 years in the US Army and then worked for 14 years as a paramedic.  ARMS and its clients are very pleased to have someone with Tony?s work ethic and skills be a part of the team.

Back-to-School Spending to Rise 9% This Year
NRF SmartBrief

U.S. college students and their parents are expected to spend a combined average of $956.93 on back-to-school products this year, according to a new NRF survey. "Because the college years are an important time for young adults to express their individuality, retailers will pull out all the stops to catch students' attention," NRF CEO Tracy Mullin said in a statement. "Colored laptops, stylish cell phones and distinctive dorm furniture will appeal to today's students and should be big sellers in retail stores across the country."  Read More at Reuters (8/14)