Bookstores: The Church’s Guide to Discovery
It seems to come in waves—independent Christian stores closing, Barnes & Noble laying off skilled employees to save the ship, LifeWay making fundamental organizational changes to how it
[ Read More ]Guide with Empathy and Authority
It has been a great learning experience for our Christian retail store to meet regularly to discuss Donald Miller’s latest book, Building a StoryBrand. Centered on this book, our leadership team
[ Read More ]Learning from the Booksellers Across the Aisle
I love reading articles about bookselling. I’m particularly sweet on how independent bookstores are making a return. Lately, I ended up in an article titled Why Independent Bookstores Have
[ Read More ]It’s Not About Us
After the Christmas rush, with the pace of retail calming down, January seems like the perfect time to reset our business goals and priorities. Juliet Funt of WhiteSpaceAtWork.com states, “There
[ Read More ]Come in from the Cold
Nothing is better than autumn in Michigan—until it ends abruptly overnight. Temperatures fall, the snow starts to signal winter, and Christmas retail is in full swing. As our customers enter our
[ Read More ]Merchandising DIY
There is an excitement about do-it-yourself projects that might easily be replicated in the retail space. Shows like Fixer Upper have inspired millions to turn ordinary objects into beautiful
[ Read More ]Rethinking Performance Management
During the slower pace this summer, one of the best decisions I made was to attend the Global Leadership Summit, which was broadcasted from Willow Creek Church. It was not only a respite from the
[ Read More ]Key Strategy for Sustainability: Know Your Customer
“Love your customer, the money will follow.” Retail expert Bob Negen holds to this principle at all levels. If we do anything else in our business with laser focus, this should be the top
[ Read More ]Driving Traffic All Summer Long
The summer sales slump is something retailers all know too well. Families are busy carting kids to sports practices, camp, and the neighborhood pool. So, how can stores stand out enough to draw
[ Read More ]Examining the Amazon Store
The jury is no longer out. According to the Quartz Daily Brief, Amazon’s first bookstore in New York City “sucks the joy out of buying books.” Let’s admit it—most of us brick-and-mortar retailers
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