retailconnection

LGBTQ+ Music and Media to Check Out

This month, take some time to check out content from and about members of the LGBTQ+ community, from stories of belonging to pop music. Here are some movies, directors, and artists to support and learn about this month! Continue reading →

Books by LGBTQ+ Authors to Check Out

This Pride Month, take time out of your schedules to read books written by and about members of the LGBTQ+ community. Whether you prefer romance novels or memoirs, we have the perfect book for you. Continue reading →

LGBTQ+ Inclusivity and Awareness

Happy Pride Month! The LGBTQ+ community has continued to grow in recent years, increasing from 5.6% of American adults in 2020 to 7.6 in 2024. More than 1 out of every 5 Gen Z’ers aged 18 to 26 identify as LGBTQ+. As this population continues to grow, here are some steps you can take to honor and celebrate Pride Month in your store: Continue reading →

How to Reach Millennials and Why They Are Careful Shoppers

The 80 million millennials have a bad rap for being indecisive, but millennials are not indecisive—they simply take their time when making purchases. In order to make the perfect decision, they will crowd-source purchasing decisions waiting for a social response. Millennials went as far to report that until they read user-generated reviews or engaged with … Continue reading →

The Power of Influence: Targeting Millennial Shoppers

Millennials’ purchasing power will soon surpass every other generation, however, for many retailers their purchasing decisions are still a mystery. Millennials are tech savvy and financially cautious folk. They are worried about student debt, yet look for the latest and greatest tech trend. Millennials take pride in their individuality and are quick to point out … Continue reading →

The Rules of Technology in Retail

Technology trends are rewriting the rules of retail. More stores are advancing the in-store experience to meet the demands of the younger generation while creating tools to maximize customer service. Retail technology blends physical and virtual experiences, keeping millennial customers engaged with the brand and increases business. It is harder for college stores to experiment … Continue reading →

5 Tips to Help Your Store Go Omnichannel

According to omnichannel expert Andy Katz-Mayfield, omni-channel is “less about creating another channel to sell a product, it’s about providing a really great experience.” You have heard us talk about the importance of optimizing the customer experience for brick and mortar stores before, but what does that look like? 1. Start off by increasing your … Continue reading →

The Do’s and Don’ts of Mobile Marketing in College Retail

Mobile is taking the retail world by storm, its gaining popularity ranges from one-click payments to POS systems to in-store shopping assistants. This provides retailers with an extra touch point to drive sales, however like any marketing it takes planning. With 61% of retailers believing mobile devices are a key driver of sales growth1 it’s … Continue reading →

Using Social Networks as Shopping Platforms: New Rules for eCommerce

Have you ever wondered about the ROI of social media? Well you are not alone, it’s hard to detect if your store’s Facebook page is actually driving sales or how many in-store visitors your Instagram creates. The key to discovering the value of social media is picking the right platform for your store. Just because … Continue reading →

Laptop and Tablet Love—6 Covers Students Can’t Get Enough Of

From notebooks and textbooks to tablets and e-readers the college market is going digital. With this constantly changing sphere there are two things we can count on in the college retail market: college students are dependent on technology and technology is a virtually recession-proof market.1 Students are constantly looking for the next best thing. Now … Continue reading →

10 Back-to-College Essentials

It’s that time of year again; the back-to-college countdown begins. According to the National Retail Federation, college students and their families will spend nearly $46 billion, an average of $836.83 per family, on back-to-college supplies this year.1 Tight budgets are pushing college students to be more resourceful with their time and money. Students are looking … Continue reading →

5 Not-So-Obvious Ways to Organize a Dorm Room

Moving away from home for the first time is a big deal, especially when students are going to college. It’s difficult for them to decide what they want to bring versus what they have room for. Some students are assigned a freakishly nice dorm room; unfortunately not everyone can be that lucky. Spending the year … Continue reading →

Fitness Frenzy–Trending Fitness Products

You’ve probably heard of the Freshmen 15 but it is not uncommon for all college students to gain weight while in school. Exercise is important no matter your age, but college students are reporting higher rates of depression, anxiety, and obesity1. Regular physical activity is known to reduce health risks and lessen the symptoms with … Continue reading →