Learning new tricks

It is possible to learn new tricks of the trade.

You’ve heard the cliché many times that “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” I for one think that is a falsehood, though thinking back to my childhood dog, I’ve never literally tried to teach him anything new as he got older. Our shih-tzu, Fred, was able to adapt quite well in his later years to my sisters and I going off to college and my parents downsizing.

As humans, we have a much greater capacity to learn new ways of doing things, whether we’ve been in business a few months or even a few decades. There’s still so much to learn and new ideas and market conditions are evolving every day. Seaside Retailer has its pulse on the industry and is covering these trends to help your retail store stay relevant and successful.

COVID-19 has certainly tested our ability to learn new tricks, and by and large retailers have not only adapted, many have surpassed where they were before the pandemic started. Many grew their online stores and had fourth-quarter 2020 sales that were unheard of before COVID.

Now the pandemic has brought with it new challenges, particularly in the area of supply chain and even employment shortages. At the same time seaside retailers are experiencing record sales. These may be hectic times and you may be stretched to the limit, but I know you’ve got this. Just like you adapted to the circumstances of 2020, you’ll be able to navigate through the challenges you face today. Experts interviewed in this issue’s article, “Bringing Destinations Home” on page 24 share advice on how to handle ordering for the rest of the year.

Just like you adapted to the circumstances of 2020, you’ll be able to navigate through the challenges you face today.

And that’s not all you’ll learn in this issue and subsequent issues of Seaside Retailer. Every issue features the Taking Stock column by Natalie Tan, which provides a fresh perspective on store displays. The Customers Count column by Tom Borg in each issue suggests approaches for achieving excellent customer service. You’ll also find feature articles on style trends and products designed to keep you up to date on the popular styles your customers are seeking.

We also share insights from seaside retailers like you, such as the stores featured in our cover stories and the new Coastal Connection. Launched in 2021, this section reminds us how store owners hundreds and even thousands of miles away from each other share a common thread.

I recently received an email from a reader in New England who found the “Buying Made in the USA” article from our May/June issue “helpful and informative.” This reader stated that retailers often have incorrect or outdated information and Seaside Retailer was able to simplify many of the questions retailers often have regarding this complex topic.

Correspondence like that helps us know we are on the right track. We want to make sure the subjects we cover are helpful. If you have any feedback or topics you’d like to see covered in an upcoming issue of Seaside Retailer, email me at kristin@seasideretailer.com. Covering topics and product categories that can help your retail business excel is what our magazine is all about.