News from Minnesota Municipal Beverage Association

Minnesota Municipal Beverage Association Newsletter

(December 30, 2012 - January 5, 2013)

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MMBA Website

As I See It...

2013

I have survived Mayan predictions.

I do not yet know the full extent of my injuries from the "Cliff" incident.

My customer's New Year's resolutions to "live healthier" should last for about 11 or 12 more days, during this hopefully, brief, quiet time of the year there is much that can be accomplished.

*Clean out the file cabinets, without fear or reservation.

*Plan the monthly specials for the year.

*Pull the beer cooler apart and scrub out the viscous goo and bits of glass from broken bottles.

*Update MSDS sheets.

*Make reservation for MMBA Boot Camp.

*Check and double check pricing and shelf sets.

*Deal with inventory that is not moving. It is not making the store any money.

* Take a field trip to a competitor's store.

* Learn something new.

*Solidify plans and scheduling for Legislative Day.

*Review safety and security with staff.

* Schedule alcohol server training.

* Plan in store tastings with vendors.

*Communicate 2012 financial results with the city council.

*Take a critical look at staffing.

* Make 2013 the best year yet!

Happy New Year!

Cathy Pletta

Kasson Liquor

The Importance of Internal Controls

The Statement of Position from the Minnesota State Auditor entitled The Importance of Internal Controls has been revised for clarity.

Click Here to See the Document

Visual Merchandising: Are You Blocking Your Customer's Path To Purchase?

Stop Hand

By Bob Phibbs, The Retail Doctor

Is there some book for visual merchandising out there titled, How To Make a 6000 Square Foot Store Look Like It is Only 60?

I'm talking about this obnoxious habit of retailers putting a long table right across the front of the store entrance.

What makes it worse is it is within about 8 feet of the front door.

Click Here for Entire Article

How to Evaluate Your Facility from a Shopper's Perspective

Evaluate

By the Retail Owners Institute

As a customer, you already critique other retail stores. Now learn to evaluate your own!

We've all shopped stores that have made such a bad first impression we've vowed they won't have the opportunity to make a second.

But even if you consider yourself a critical shopper, you may have a blind spot when it comes to evaluating your own store. That's why it's important to step back and look at your store from a shopper's point of view.

Look at your store through your customers' eyes.

While few customers will enter your store with a checklist and clipboard, all will form opinions the moment they step inside. As a retailer, you need to be aware of the subconscious impressions your store makes.

With our 25-item checklist as a guide, take an afternoon to walk your store as a customer, not a manager or owner. Get your staff to do the same.

Then, automate the scoring process by CLICKING HERE

On a Bitterly Cold Winter's Morning...

On a bitterly cold winter's morning a husband and wife in were listening to the radio during breakfast.

They heard the announcer say, "We are going to have 8 to 10 inches of snow today. You must park your car on the even-numbered side of the street, so the snowplows can get through conveniently".

So the good wife went out and moved her car as instructed.

A week later while they are eating breakfast again, the radio announcer said, "We are expecting 10 to 12 inches of snow today. You must park your car on the odd-numbered side of the street, so the snowplows can get through."

The good wife went out and moved her car again.

The next week they are again having breakfast when the radio announcer says, "We are expecting 12 to 14 inches of snow today. You must park......." Then the power went off.

The good wife was very upset, and with a worried look on her face she said, "I don't know what to do. Which side of the street do I need to park on so the snowplows can get through?"

Then, with all the love and understanding in his voice that men who are married always exhibit, the husband replied, "Why don't you just leave the car in the garage this time?"

The people at the bottom are the ones who get you to the top. Treat them with respect.

Future Dates to Remember!!