Retail Today with Bob Phibbs, The Retail Doctor

Navigating Retail Challenges with Bob Phibbs LIVE

Join Bob Phibbs, the Retail Doc, for an insightful live session on November 10th. Bob addresses various challenges faced by retailers, offering his expert advice from over 30 years of experience in the industry. From the effective use of QR codes to engaging customers and preventing shoplifting, Bob shares practical tips to enhance your retail operations.
Bob also tackles questions on managing staff, including handling sensitive issues like body odor and making tough decisions about payroll cuts. He emphasizes the importance of creating a welcoming environment and maintaining a positive outlook, regardless of external challenges.
With anecdotes from his extensive career, Bob encourages retailers to focus on delivering exceptional customer experiences and adapting to change. Whether you're a small boutique in Ohio or a large chain, there's something to learn from this episode. Tune in for more insights and strategies to thrive in the retail world.

Transform Your Online Presence: Stop Losing Leads and Boost Conversions

Join Bob Phibbs, The Retail Doctor, and his special guest, Ben from No Bounds Digital, as they dive into strategies to stop losing online leads. This insightful webinar is packed with actionable tips to enhance your website and CRM, ensuring you convert visitors into loyal customers.
Discover the secrets behind successful email marketing strategies and learn how to fix common website issues that might be hindering your business growth. From optimizing shopping cart abandonment strategies to improving website functionality, this episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to boost their online presence.
Get ready to uncover the importance of a fast-loading website, effective retargeting ads, and compelling offers that make your business stand out. Plus, gain insights into how to engage and retain existing customers using your web presence.
Whether you're a seasoned marketer or a retail newbie, this episode offers valuable insights and practical advice to help you take your business to the next level. Don't miss out on learning how to make your website and CRM work harder for you!

Unlocking Retail Success: The Power of Customer Greetings

Welcome back to another exciting deep dive! In this episode, we explore the often-overlooked yet incredibly powerful practice of customer greetings, guided by the insights of Bob Fibbs, the renowned "Retail Doctor." Discover how these initial interactions can transform a customer's experience in brick-and-mortar stores, creating a lasting impact on their perception and spending behavior.
We delve into Fibbs' six essential rules for crafting effective customer greetings, emphasizing the importance of genuine engagement, anticipating customer needs, and striking the right balance between attentiveness and space. Learn why traditional approaches like asking "Can I help you?" may backfire and how to create a welcoming atmosphere that fosters customer loyalty.
Join us as we unpack the art of greeting customers with warmth and sincerity, much like a politician working a room. Whether you're a business owner or manager, these strategies could be the key to boosting your bottom line and building lasting relationships with your customers. Tune in and discover how a simple greeting can unlock retail success! Check out the full blog post here 

The Retail Engagement Formula: Technology, Training, and Incentives

Join retail experts Bob Phibbs (the Retail Doctor), Paul Landry (Lightspeed Commerce), and Andrew Duffy (SparkPlug) as we unpack the secrets to transforming grumpy retail employees into engaged, high-performing team members. In this eye-opening episode, discover how effective onboarding can set the stage for success, learn to leverage cutting-edge technology for improved employee performance, and explore innovative incentive strategies that actually work.
Whether you're a seasoned retail manager or a small business owner, you'll gain actionable insights to create a positive work environment, boost customer satisfaction, and drive sales. Don't miss this power-packed discussion on turning your retail workplace from lackluster to legendary – because, as we reveal, happy employees don't just perform better, they're less likely to spit in your coffee!

Christmas Creep: Unpacking the Early Holiday Hype

In this episode, we explore the phenomenon of Christmas decorations appearing in stores well before Halloween. We delve into the reasons behind this trend, driven by retailers eager to capture holiday spending early on. Discover how these early displays tap into consumer psychology, creating a sense of urgency and fear of missing out, ultimately influencing our purchasing decisions.
We discuss the balance retailers must strike to avoid overwhelming consumers and risking sensory overload, drawing parallels with other marketing strategies. The episode also touches on the importance of mindful consumption and reclaiming the true spirit of the holidays, emphasizing connection and joy over commercialism.
Join us as we consider how to create meaningful holiday experiences, focusing on traditions and moments that don't require extravagant spending. Learn how to navigate the holiday season with intention, remembering that the most valuable gifts aren't found on store shelves. Why Stores Should Display Christmas Merch Before Halloween https://www.retaildoc.com/why-retailers-should-display-holiday-merchandise-before-halloween

The Art of Standing Out: Creating Remarkable Retail Experiences

Ever walked into a store and felt like it just blended in with every other shop? In this episode, we dive into what makes a retail store truly stand out and why just having products to sell isn't enough anymore. People crave unique experiences, and that's where Bob Fibbs, the retail doctor, comes in.
We explore the concept of not being "beige"—blending into the background and becoming forgettable. Fibbs shares stories of retail successes and failures, emphasizing the importance of exceptional customer service, knowledgeable staff, captivating visuals, thoughtful store design, and value-driven pricing.
Discover the five elements of being remarkable in retail and how creating a connection with customers can transform their shopping experience. We also touch on how these principles apply to online stores, highlighting the importance of an omni-channel approach to retail.
Whether you're running a business or just love to shop, this episode is all about understanding what makes you feel welcome and wanting to come back for more. Read more at How To Fix The Fatal Mistake That's Losing You Retail Customers https://www.retaildoc.com/blog/how-to-fix-fatal-mistake-you-thats-losing-retail-customers-due-to-customer-service

The Human Touch: Transforming Retail Experiences with Empathy

In this episode, we delve into the nuances of customer service in retail, exploring the impact of those seemingly small interactions that can make or break a customer's experience. Guided by the insights from the article "50 Things Retail Sales Associates Should Avoid Doing," we uncover the power of first impressions, the significance of genuine engagement, and the importance of empathy.
Discover how a simple shift in language and demeanor can transform a negative interaction into a positive one, and why creating a supportive environment for employees is essential for exceptional customer service. Join us as we highlight the human element in retail and the lasting impact of treating customers with kindness, understanding, and respect.
Whether you're a customer or a retail associate, this episode offers valuable takeaways on the importance of connection and the ripple effects of a little empathy in the world of retail.
 
Excellent customer service is dependent on your sales associates. Likewise, a bad customer service experience depends on your associates delivering poor customer service in your retail store.
It doesn't matter if you are one of those brick-and-mortar retailers trying to do experiential retail, an established boutique, or a pop-up shop. Consumers, once burned, are likely never to return and more likely to take a chance online before retaking a chance after a poor shopping experience. Here are 50 of my blunt reminders for both staff and owners of specialty retailers based on real-world examples. They usually happen because the retailer does not use retail sales training courses to deliver an exceptional experience.
Unless you stop these things from happening, they will start a chain of unmanageable events.
Customer service skill is needed to avoid these things that can make the difference between customers saying, "I'll take it," and "I'm outta here."
Bad Customer Service Examples: 50 Employee Mistakes https://www.retaildoc.com/blog/50holidays

The Retail Refresh with Bob Phibbs: Special Guest April Sabral

Bob Phibbs hosts April Sabral to discuss key retail challenges. Topics include: overcoming the stigma of retail careers, motivating employees, managing accountability, acquiring new customers, and balancing manager-employee relationships. The experts share practical tips for small business owners and retail managers on leadership, customer service, and driving sales. Includes Q&A addressing common retail management issues.

Back-to-School Shopping: Costs, Inflation, and Smart Tips

With August just two weeks away, students and parents are putting together their back-to-school shopping lists. Bob Phibbs, CEO of the Retail Doctor in New York, joins Rachel Pierson on the WBBM Noon Business Hour discuss the financial impact of back-to-school shopping and how inflation and modern tech needs are driving up costs. Bob shares insights into the National Retail Federation's statistics, highlighting an average spend of $875, which for some families rivals their holiday budgets.
We explore how teachers are also feeling the pinch, often having to budget for classroom supplies themselves. Bob provides valuable advice for parents looking to find deals and manage expenses, especially during major sales events like Amazon's Prime Day and similar promotions from other retailers like Macy's and Target.
Finally, Bob suggests a collaborative approach to managing these costs by involving extended family members who might be eager to contribute to the students' academic success. Tune in for practical tips and strategies to make back-to-school shopping more manageable.

Retail Rants & Realities: Hiring & Training in 2024

Join me, as I dive into the challenges and solutions of hiring and training retail employees in 2024. In this live session, Bob answers questions from viewers, offering candid advice and insights on how to attract, train, and retain the best talent in the retail industry.
I discuss the evolving expectations of today's workforce, the importance of proper training, and the need for competitive compensation. I also address the common pitfalls of hiring practices and provide actionable tips for creating a motivated and loyal team.
Whether you're a store owner, manager, or aspiring retail professional, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways to help you navigate the complexities of modern retail employment.