Beverage News Daily
July 14, 2009
 
 
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has been tracking alcohol levels in drivers for more than 30 years.  In 1973, 7.5% of those tested in roadside checks were at 0.08% or above.  Today, the agency said yesterday, that level plunged to 2.2% in 2007.
 
That doesn't mean you're safer on the road, however.  While the focus on intoxicated drivers has cut the number of drunk drivers nearly 70%, NHTSA for the first time began screening for drug use, and the results were alarming -16.3% of nighttime weekend drivers were drug positive. The survey focused on weekend nighttime drivers and found that the drugs used most commonly by drivers were: marijuana (8.6%); cocaine (3.9%); and over-the-counter and prescription drugs (3.9%).
 
"This troubling data shows us, for the first time, the scope of drugged driving in America, and reinforces the need to reduce drug abuse," said Gil Kerlikowske, Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy. "Drugged driving, like drunk driving, is a matter of public safety and health. It puts us all at risk and must be prevented."
 
NHTSA is conducting further research to assess how drug traces correspond to driver impairment since some drugs can remain in the body for days or even weeks. Should further research indicate that drugs pose the same type of traffic safety risk as alcohol, NHTSA is committed to applying lessons learned in fighting the drunk driving problem.
 
Among the findings of the latest roadside survey are these:
 
· The percentage of male drivers with illegal BAC levels was 42% higher than the percentage of alcohol-impaired female drivers.
 
· Drivers were more likely to be illegally drunk during late nighttime hours (1 a.m. to 3 a.m.) than during daytime or early evening hours.
 
· Motorcycle riders were more than twice as likely as passenger vehicle drivers to be drunk (5.6% compared with 2.3%). Pickup truck drivers were the next most likely to have illegal BACs (3.3%).

Retailers all have the same basic path to success. That is, we must increase sales and reduce expenses in order to improve profitability. The goal is the same but how we achieve each milestone may vary. Take a look at the following ways to better your business.

1. Reduce Shrinkage
You may believe employee theft and shoplifting aren't a problem in your business, but simple pricing mistakes can also cost retailers quite a bit. The average shrink percentage in the retail industry is about two percent of sales. Learn to identify and reduce sources of shrink.
 
2. Increase Sales Opportunities
Whether you're up-selling to a customer or planning an expansion, retailers should learn to notice and take advantage of every possible opportunity to sell.
 
3. Improve Customer Service
One easy way to better your business is to improve customer service. Retailers should develop customer-friendly policies, train employees to provide outstanding customer service, and learn how to create customer loyalty.
 
4. Add New Products or Product Lines
One way to keep customers returning to your shop is by offering new and exciting products. When adding new products or expanding product lines, keep in mind that not only should there be a demand for the item, but it must also be profitable and something you enjoy selling.
 
5. Buy From Vendors with Best Value
The vendor who sales an item at the lowest price isn't necessarily the vendor you want to buy from. When selecting a supplier, consider shipping, terms of sale and other factors to determine the vendor with the best value. These small details may erode a retailer's bottom line.

 

6. Increase Marketing
How often have you said you can't afford to advertise right now? Maybe once business picks up you'll place an ad. Or maybe you're holding those advertising dollars until the holiday shopping begins. Either way, you could be losing potential customers right now. Begin tailoring your marketing efforts to your target audience. If you don't spread the word, no one will know you exist.

 

7. Lower Expenses
To better your business and return more profits to your bottom line, learn where you can cut operating expenses. Look around your shop. Could buying instead of leasing save money? Are you outsourcing something you could easily do?

 

8. Get Out of the Store
Attend MMBA events. These activities are developed in order to give members the opportunity to meet existing suppliers, conduct business meetings, network with others in retail and investigate new products.

 

9. Add One New Time or Money Saving Piece of Technology
Every time we invest in a new piece of technology, we're always amazed at the results and wonder how we lived without it for so long. Find one new money or time saving piece of technology to implement in your store this year. For example, if you are using manual cash registers, consider a POS system.

 

10. Provide Training for Staff
Once you've determined how to best implement the nine ways to better your business listed above, pass that information on to your staff. Your retail employees are the ones on the front-line every day and should be trained to reduce shrink, improve customer service and increase sales opportunities.

According to a recent survey on WineSpectator.com, wine lovers turn to trusted sources for information.

 

When asked to name one or two factors that influenced their purchase of value wines new to them, 63 percent said they looked for those rated highly by critics, and 31 percent bought ones recommended by salespeople.