August 8, 2016

Brought to you by:








Participants at MnRA's August 4 Retail TAP Talk
discuss innovative practices for onboarding new employees
with Hillary Feder, Hillary's.

Back-To_School 
With Back-To-School Investments Near, Minnesotans Reminded Of Property Tax Refund August 15 Deadline

Via Minnesota Retailers Association press release, August 8, 2016

It is likely that thousands of Minnesotans miss an important opportunity to claim a refund on their renter's property tax or homestead credit, in spite of the State's best efforts to notify potentially eligible taxpayers.
 
On August 15, 2016, the filing period for the 2015 homestead credit expires, and that same day the filing period for claiming the 2014 renters' credit expires. Based on the 2013 renter's credit and 2014 homestead credit, these two opportunities collectively represent over $584 million in available refunds for Minnesotans at a time when families have back-to-school as well as other expenses.
 
"Retailers in every community across the State know firsthand that families could use help paying for back-to-schools items-from paper to printers, and pencils to pants. Depending on timing, the State's property tax refund programs can go a long way in helping Minnesotans meet their back-to-school needs," said Minnesota Retailers Association president Bruce Nustad.
 
According to estimates released by the National Retail Federation, the average family with children in grades K-12 will spend $673 on apparel and accessories, electronics, shoes and school supplies this year. In 2013 the average refund for the renters' credit refund was $647 and the average 2014 homestead credit refund was $865.
 
"Given the competitive market today as evidenced in the number of back-to-school deals, it's a great time for families to go school shopping. We think it's important that the retail community do what it can to remind people of the availability of these important programs that could help families when making those essential purchases and investments," added Nustad.
 
The Minnesota Department of Revenue has tips for refund seekers on its website, including determining eligibility, not spending your refund before it is received, and tracking refunds with its Where's My Refund? system. In addition the Department has short tips videos available for the renter's refund and homeowner's refund programs.
 

2016 Recap 
MnRA Releases 2016 Session Recap For Retailers

Late last month the Minnesota Retailers Association released its annual legislative recap report digesting policies considered, passed and vetoed during the 2016 session.

In addition to a letter to members from Board Chair Glen Thompson (JCPenney) and Legislative Committee Chair Jeff Lindoo (Thrifty White Pharmacy - retired), the report contains a quick glance summary of retail issues as well as a digest of bills impacting retailers.

Members were sent the report directly, however the document can also be requested by clicking here.

Non-members, partners, and media can request a copy of the recap or summary by clicking here. MnRA reserves the right to limit document availability to non-members. 
Consumer Intelligence 
9 Ways to Learn From Your Customers Without Spending A Fortune

From Inc., John Rampton, August 1, 2016


"Your customers are the lifeblood of your business. Their needs and wants impact every aspect of your business, from product development, to content marketing, to sales, to customer service.

This means you need to constantly be learning from your customers, and adapting your strategies based on what you've learned. Forrester Research calls this becoming "customer-obsessed", and they aptly describe what's at stake for businesses who don't take this path: "Simply put, customers expect consistent and high-value in-person and digital experiences. They don't care if building these experiences is hard or requires a complex, multifunction approach from across your business. They want immediate value and will go elsewhere if you can't provide it."

Learning about and from your customers isn't always easy, and requires a commitment to continual observation. This post will look at 9 ways you can become "customer-obsessed", learning from your customers at every point of contact. 
  1. Social media monitoring
  2. Ethnographic research
  3. Website analytics
  4. Blog and social media comments
  5. Keyword research
  6. Surveys and questionnaires
  7. Ask questions at every touchpoint
  8. Online communities
  9. Customer complaints"
Local Update 
Editorial: Concerns About St. Paul's Sick-Time Process   

From the Pioneer Press, Editorial Board, August 5, 2016

"While St. Paul debates a mandate for earned sick- and safe-time that would apply citywide, we listened last week to concerns about the nature of the process and the character of the conversation.

City documents, business advocates maintain, show key decisions about the proposed ordinance were made in advance and behind the scenes. The concerns bear serious consideration.

"When government starts operating behind the scenes, without involving its citizens, it's just extraordinarily disappointing," St. Paul Chamber of Commerce President Matt Kramer told us.

The documents show city staff "privately orchestrated and choreographed the false impression that the public would have any input" into the ordinance, says a summary of material compiled by the Grand Avenue Business Association. "The emails show city staff withheld the proposed language of the ordinance from the public for months, while privately coordinating a public relations facade to deceive the business leaders in St. Paul" about progress of the ordinance, the group argues." 

Trends
5 Trends Impacting Retail Sales   

From Retailing Today, Marianne Wilson, August 5, 2016

"These are among the five trends identified by consumer financial services company Synchrony Financial as impacting both the retail and mobile payments space.
 
Here's a review of what Synchrony says consumers are especially interested in:
 
Content Marketing: Over 40% of consumers said in a recent survey they like to shop at stores that reflect their values. With shoppers' moral and emotional viewpoints in mind, retailers are tailoring their marketing efforts to convey a lifestyle or experience, rather than just sell a product.
 
People who believe in the brand message can help share excitement for the brand. Social media can also offer marketers the opportunity for free content advertising, which gains traction through sharing by people who believe in the brand message.
 
Athleisure Wear: For many people, casual clothing designed for exercising and (almost) everything else has become the "new denim." Some athleisure brands have surpassed sales of denim classics, and 80% of respondents in a recent survey by Crowdtap said they have worn "athleisure" clothing for occasions other than working out.  Of these, 69% said they wear athleisure instead of jeans at least once a week.
 
Instant Delivery: With apps providing amenities ranging from personal chauffeurs to doorstep delivery, retailers are going beyond free shipping and launching same-day delivery services. Some car services are even partnering with retailers to provide same day delivery of groceries, clothing and other goods. Many customers value convenience and instant gratification, and will pay to get it.
 
Affordable High-End Fashion: To extend their reach, many retailers are fostering partnerships to provide accessibility to high fashion brands. Between mass merchant retail brands offering high fashion lines and low-cost retail brands collaborating with high fashion lines, these items are made available to a wider range of the income scale. Low-cost retailers house high fashion trends to satisfy the affluent customer on a bargain hunt, while high-end brand names offer lower-cost merchandise to attract customers at the big-box retailers.
 
Rented/Used Apparel: Almost one-quarter (24%) of U.S. consumers in a recent Crowdtop survey said they have rented clothing, and one-third (34%) said they find the concept of renting appealing." 

ORC
Popular Organized Retail Crime Conference Returns For Second Year August 16
 
Registration is open for the second annual Twin Cities Organized Retail Crime Association (TCORCA) Training & Conference to be held at the Crowne Plaza Minneapolis West in Plymouth, August 16-17, 2016.

Don't miss the premier training event for retail and financial investigators, prosecutors, crime analysts, crime prevention specialists, and law enforcement officers.

Bar code
Minnesota Retailers Associaiton
400 Robert Street North, suite 1540
St. Paul, MN 55101
Tel. (651) 227-6631 - mnretail.org - [email protected]