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]
News Articles
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
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]
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]
W.T. Patrick & Sons Awarded 2017 Lifetime Achievement Award
May 20, 2017 by Filed Under: News Articles
Surviving four generations is no small feat in business. Cary E. Patrick, owner of Patrick’s Hardware and Patrick’s Glass in Hampton, knows firsthand what it’s taken to get where they are today. “My grandfather, W.T. Patrick, was a tough, but fair, businessman. His mantra of “treat your customers as family” has been a simple lesson… [Read More]
Retail Alliance to Honor W.T. Patrick & Sons with 2017 “Lifetime Achievement Award” at Retailer of the Year Event
March 27, 2017 by Filed Under: Advocacy, News Articles, Press Releases, Retail Companies
Retail Alliance, the non-profit association representing retailers throughout Hampton Roads, announced today that W.T. Patrick & Sons (dba Patrick’s Hardware) is the recipient of the 2017 Lifetime Achievement award at their Retailer of the Year event on May 25, 2017. The award will be presented to owner Cary E. Patrick. “W.T. Patrick & Sons has… [Read More]
Brick-and-Mortar Survival Depends on Level Playing Field
January 17, 2017 by Filed Under: Advocacy, E-Commerce, News Articles
Holiday retail sales are increasing. Consumer confidence is climbing. Yet all is not nirvana in the rocky world of the retail economy. According to Forbes, Cyber Monday 2016 was the biggest day in the history of U.S. e-commerce. Sales surpassed initial expectations by hitting a record $3.9 billion during this online-focused day of the holiday… [Read More]
Shift Your Shopping – Buy local first throughout the holidays and win!
November 17, 2016 by Filed Under: Buy Local, Holiday, News Articles
Retail Alliance’s Be A Local LOVEVA program features a downloadable app and rewards shoppers for buying local in Hampton Roads. Since its launch in 2014, the LOVEVA app has helped change the landscape for our region’s independent retailers. What started as a grassroots campaign, the program has grown to include hundreds of retailers and serve… [Read More]
Make Your List and Check it Twice
November 2, 2016 by Filed Under: Articles from Retail Angles, Holiday, News Articles
When planning your strategies for this coming season, it’s imperative to look at what has been and what just might be ahead. National Retail Federation released their 2016 Holiday Planning Playbook recently which gave an insight into the past holiday season and what to look for when planning for this year. Let’s get to unwrapping,… [Read More]
Member Spotlight: Adele Diamond
September 10, 2016 by Filed Under: Articles from Retail Angles, Member Spotlight, News Articles
Chris Lyons is the first to admit, the jewelry industry is a difficult one to break into. Two years of groundwork, including a six-month process to get their online store running, transpired before Adele Diamond opened their retail location in Hilltop Shopping Center in Virginia Beach. Initially, Chris says, “We were hesitant to jump in… [Read More]