By Sandra J. Pennecke It’s no secret new businesses face tough odds. Fifty percent of new businesses fail within the first 12 months of operation, said Ray Mattes, president and CEO of the Retail Alliance. Nationwide, he expects more than 8,500 storefronts to close in 2017. The Norfolk-based Retail Alliance launched its Center for Retail… [Read More]
Archives for 2017
Retail Alliance works to continue to be a trusted resource for the success of local retailers
July 17, 2017 by Filed Under: Advocacy, Articles from Retail Angles, Buy Local, Economy, News Articles, Retail Careers, Retail Companies, Technology
Member Spotlight: Dream Vacations
July 15, 2017 by Filed Under: Articles from Retail Angles, Member Spotlight
Americans leave hundreds of millions of vacation days unused. Contrary to conventional wisdom, this can make employees less effective, not more so. Researcher Mark Rosekind of Alertness Solutions, a scientific consulting firm, conducted a study that found the benefits of a vacation can increase performance by 80%. “Employers should encourage their employees to take time… [Read More]
LOVEVA Voted “Best Of” Local App
July 11, 2017 by Filed Under: Buy Local, Economy, News Articles, Press Releases, Technology
Retail Alliance launched the LOVEVA program in October 2014 with the goal of promoting and supporting local businesses to keep our dollars here in the Hampton Roads community. LOVEVA currently has well over 16,000 users with 342 participating local businesses in the app and growing. We are proud to announce that LOVEVA has been voted… [Read More]
Practical Training Alternatives for Business Owners on the Rise
July 10, 2017 by Filed Under: News Articles, Retail Careers
That education is the portal to a good job is an often-mentioned statement that doesn’t always hold true. In business today, many owners and entrepreneurs don’t have the practical expertise and knowledge required to build a business that will succeed in the long-term, with the result being that nearly a quarter will fail in the… [Read More]
Interview with Center for Retail Excellence Facilitator, Tara Jones: Education is Key to Business Success
July 10, 2017 by Filed Under: Articles from Retail Angles, Business Management, Education
“The Center for Retail Excellence program has fueled me to believe in myself more. The training experience has already pushed me far beyond my original expected goals and to see the potential inside of me.” – Nina, Current Student “The one thing that I have found very valuable about the class training is learning about… [Read More]
Legislative Update Q3 2017
July 2, 2017 by Filed Under: Advocacy, Articles from Retail Angles, Economy, Public Policy
New Virginia Laws Effective July 1, 2017 Several new laws, which impact the retail industry, came out of the 2017 General Assembly Session. Most of these will go into effect July 1, 2017. Below is a list of new laws that impact our members. Sales Tax Nexus Storage of inventory in the Commonwealth of Virginia… [Read More]
Ray’s Corner Post: Our Hats Go Off To Our ROTY Winners!
July 1, 2017 by Filed Under: Articles from Retail Angles, Corner Post, Events
Our tenth Retailer of the Year awards started off with a crash. A crash of thunder that is! Fortunately, the storm that passed through the Norfolk Botanical Garden was over before we had eaten our first hors d’oeuvre. The beautiful weather held throughout the cocktail hour and the gazebo was the perfect setting to view… [Read More]
MAYA HOLIHAN: Her Perspective on Growth and Expansion
June 20, 2017 by Filed Under: Articles from Retail Angles, Board Member Spotlight, Member Spotlight
A few months ago, House of Maya Bridal Salons announced that their Pure English Couture Bridal, Silk Social Occasion Studio, Maya Couture and Maya Couture on Main would merge into one storefront. The new 13,000 square foot retail space opened in early March in downtown Norfolk at 258 Granby St. The question I think a… [Read More]
Member Spotlight: Colley Ave Copies & Graphics Norfolk
June 14, 2017 by Filed Under: Articles from Retail Angles, Member Spotlight
Colley Avenue Copies & Graphics (CACG), Inc. was founded in 1997 by Joaquin and Holly Chacon. They currently have one location located in Norfolk and provide high quality prints, posters, vinyl, banners, color and black and white printing, book binding, signage, and graphic design services to a variety of both small and large businesses. The… [Read More]
LOVEVA in the news!
June 8, 2017 by Filed Under: Buy Local, News Articles
We were fortunate to have CoVaBIZ Magazine interview us about our buy local program, LOVEVA, recently. The interview was published in their latest issue which we’re stoked about! Check it out here in PDF format or read the content below: CoVaBIZ Magazine June/July 2017 BEYOND THE BIZ By Ryan Miller Retail Alliance is connecting business… [Read More]