Two Minute Tips

Retail

The businesses behind fear

Fear is one of life’s constants. We’re all going to feel it at some point, with varying reasons why. Humans have no problem identifying fear in our lives, says Ralph

Influencers at heart of new brand marketing approach

Log onto Instagram and you’ll find brightly-hued photos of influencers offering glimpses of their lives, enviable travels, and of course the products they promote to their adoring fans. These followers

A beginner’s guide to covering retail

The following is an excerpt from a Beat Basics Update originally by Ylan Q. Mui and updated by Yael Grauer on covering retail.  The good news about covering retail is that it’s one of

Don’t mail it in

The greeting card industry faced significant turmoil throughout 2020. National paper goods retailer Papyrus collapsed in January amid debt woes and was forced to close its 254 stores. In early

Reporting on the future of malls

Traditional shopping malls haven’t been doing so hot for the past decade or so, and the pandemic has only accelerated their decline. So what’s going to happen to all that

Localizing a St. Patrick’s Day in transition

The National Retail Federation (NRF) conducts an annual survey in advance of St. Patrick’s Day asking Americans how they plan to celebrate the holiday, and compiles the data into a

Be wary of experiential retail

The e-commerce website for New England furniture store chain Jordan’s Furniture looks like any other, with attractive, if staid, photographs of red leather couches and delicately arranged mahogany chairs.  But

How are small businesses weathering covid-19?

Small businesses generate 99% of the U.S. Gross Domestic Product (GDP), but dig deeper into those numbers and a more surprising picture emerges: Rural areas (10,000 or less population) count

More ideas for localizing Halloween retail stories

COVID-19 has had a significant impact on the economy. That has afforded business reporters many opportunities to examine how specific industries are being impacted. As Halloween draws closer, reporters would

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