In these tough times we have all had to make sacrifices both personally and professionally.
 
When it comes to our municipal liquor operations we have to look at everything that can save our city some money. With the state making major cuts in LGA funding to our cities now is the time to act.
 
You can save thousands of dollars on your dram shop insurance if you have an on-sale operation? Check with Tony Baldwin to find out more. Click Here to Contact Tony 

Another way to save money is to get the best rate possible on your credit card fees. Edina, Apple Valley and Eden Prairie, to name a few cities, have been using US Bank and their Government Division to get the best rate when compared with other processors. Click Here to Contact US Bank 

Did you know you could add thousands to your bottom line by having a uniform pricing structure?
 
I have been to many stores that show prices such as .09, .15, .28, .54 .69, .89 and so on.
 
One explanation for this strange pricing is that, for example, $5.68 it will come out to and even $6.00 with tax.
 
I do not know of any other retail industry that prices their products to come out even.
 
Many stores have found great success only using .49 or .99 when they price items. Do you think most consumers would stop buying a product if it went from say $4.69 to $4.99? I think not.  Most would not hesitate to pay the higher price.
 
That's thirty cents profit to the bottom line and the last time I checked, profit is not a dirty word.
 
At our conference this spring, Tom Shay taught us about rounding prices. Here is what we learned:
 
Items priced from $2.00 to $9.99 should use .29, .49, .79 and .99 as their cents.

Items priced from $50.00 and above should use 2.99, 4.99, 7.99 and 9.99.
 
Remember, this is just a guideline. You have to find a system that works for you. If you don't have a pricing structure I recommend you adopt one.
 
Other ways we can add to the bottom line is by having tighter controls on our inventory and watching payroll.

 

Do you need to buy 20 cases of a product, when you only sell a case a week?
 
Do you need your employee in to work an hour before you open for business or can you get buy having them come in ½ hour instead?
 
These are just a few ways to help your bottom line.
 
If you need help with any part of your business contact one of our board members. We are here to help, and we want you to succeed.
 
Have a great summer!!!!

 

Throughout this past school year, the Columbia Heights Police Department has provided an ongoing effort to improve interactions and build positive relationships with community youth.

The Cops-N-Kids program involved hosting open gym time at Columbia Heights High School and Central Middle School in the fall and spring two nights a week. A total of about 100 youth attended the program per week.

From 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 2, the Cops-N-Kids program hosted a 3-on-3 basketball tournament at the high school.

According to a news release from the CHPD, the program is part of an overall initiative to build positive interactions with youth while providing a safe and fun environment for them when they aren't in school.

"The opportunities presented when police officers are engaged in positive activities with community youth are countless," said Police Chief Scott Nadeau. "Cops-N-Kids is...the perfect way for us to get out of the squad car and meet these kids."

While on duty, police personnel such as the school liaisons have been used to staff the Cops-N-Kids program. Most other expenses including gym rental, food and clothing were donated or purchased through the CHPD Community Programs budget, which is funded partly through municipal liquor sales.

Through the summer the CHPD will continue to host open gym time for youth at the new gym complex addition to the north of the high school.
 

17 June 2009

Source: just-drinks

Consumers have changed their spending habits in the recession and are unlikely to revert once the economy recovers, according to Rabobank.

A recent podcast by the financial services company showed that, while consumer confidence is at its highest level since November 2008, it doesn't mean consumers are spending more.

"An economic recovery would help loosen up consumer purse strings, and improve some of the consumer confidence levels," said Rabobank's food & agribusiness research and advisory executive director Stephen Rannekleiv. "But many of the pre-recession spending trends were somewhat unsustainable. I think consumers have changed."

In the podcast, Rannekleiv discussed how the economy has altered buying habits by creating more "price sensitive" consumers, who are looking for less expensive alternatives, reducing spending, and increasingly using coupons.

"This increased price sensitivity of consumers comes on the heels of an unprecedented trend of trading up. Where you saw consumers willing to spend more for small luxuries and premium products," said Rannekleiv.

In addition to higher unemployment rates, Rabobank believes much of the change can be attributed to the loss of wealth US households have experienced from the declining stock market and housing values.

"Moving forward, consumers are starting to replace some of that lost wealth by increasing their savings, and some of this increase in savings is often cited in one of the causes in the dip in consumer spending," said Rannekleiv.

He added: "I think this increase in savings rate is something we can expect longer term, and wouldn't expect it to drop dramatically any time soon."

 

 

The purchase must be delivered to one location, and have separate invoices for each participant.