Footwear Insight

National Shoe Retailers Association America's Largest Organization Representing Independent Footwear Retailers Join NSRA to enjoy these benefits of membership, and more! Visit nsra.org, or call 800-673-8446 Improving the business performance of our members since 1912 Financial Services & Savings Opportunities Membership gives you access to programs which directly affect your bottom line. Our cost-saving member benefits include: • Bank of America Merchant Services Credit/Debit Card Processing • FedEx Shipping through PartnerShip Retail Training & Consulting The Friedman Group is the leader in retail sales training and retail management consulting. NSRA and The Friedman Group have formed a partnership to provide members access to invaluable training programs and resources at an exclusive NSRA Members-Only Rate! Shoe Retailing Today A bi-monthly industry publication featuring informative topics such as: • Best Practices/Business Management • NextGen/Succession Planning • Inventory Management • Marketing • Retail Store Training, and more! Six Principles to Close Deals Faster p. 6 What Do My Employees Need to Know about Cybersecurity? p. 10 Compensation Must Be Fair p. 12 63907 01SRT_07.08.18.indd 1 6/13/18 5:51 PM NSRA OnLine Bi-weekly electronic newsletter featuring: • Industry News • Educational Articles • NSRA Member Updates • Vendor Product Showcases • Best Practices, and more Member Newsletter August 15, 2018 MEMBER UPDATES There's more business education ahead with NSRA! Hope to see you Monday in Atlanta! Retail Training Workshop Monday, August 20 Renaissance Waverly Hotel Kennesaw Ballroom Atlanta, GA View Details If space is still available the morning of the seminar, onsite registration will be offered. See Location Map NextGen Registration Closes August 24th! NextGen Leadership Program September 30 - October 2 Embassy Suites by Hilton Denver International Airport, Denver, CO Student Registration Form | 2018 Program Content In This Issue Retail Training Workshop at Atlanta Shoe Market NextGen Leadership Program 2018 Leadership Conference Speakers Announced Retail Education Webinar Registration Managing Stress in a Retail Job Rockport Sold, New CEO Takes Reins To Sell On Amazon or Not To Sell On Amazon? Retail 'Apocalypse' Impacts Teens' Summer Jobs Small Business Marketing Trends for 2018 'Shoe Dog' Will be Made Into a Netflix Movie 2018 Leadership Conference Speakers Announced! Gaylord National Harbor Resort & Convention Center on the historic Potomac River waterfront Speaker Announcement View Details To request a registration packet, please call 800-673-8446. Webinar Announced & Registration Open! Presented by Noah Barsky, Ph.D, CPA Member Newsletter August 15, 2018 MEMBER UPDATES There's more business education ahead with NSRA! Hope to see you Monday in Atlanta! Retail Training Workshop Monday, August 20 Renaissance Waverly Hotel Kennesaw Ballroom Atlanta, GA View Details I f space is still available the morning of the seminar, onsite registration will be offered. See Location Map NextGen Registration Closes August 24th! NextGen Leadership Program September 30 - October 2 Embassy Suites by Hilton Denver International Airport, Denver, CO Student Registration Form | 2018 Program Content In This Issue Retail Training Workshop at Atlanta Shoe Market NextGen Leadership Program 2018 Leadership Conference Speakers Announced Retail Education Webinar Registration Managing Stress in a Retail Job Rockport Sold, New CEO Takes Reins To Sell On Amazon or Not To Sell On Amazon? Retail 'Apocalypse' Impacts Teens' Summer Jobs Small Business Marketing Trends for 2018 'Shoe Dog' Will be Made Into a Netflix Movie 2018 Leadership Conference Speakers Announced! Gaylord National Harbor Resort & Convention Center on the historic Potomac River waterfront Speaker Announcement View Details To request a registration packet, please call 800-673-8446. Webinar Announced & Registration Open! Presented by Noah Barsky, Ph.D, CPA Thursday, September 27, 2018 at 3 p.m. (ET) View details and register here View flyer RETAIL NEWS Managing Stress in a Retail Job Retailers are going through a huge transformation and the 16 million workers employed in the field are feeling the waves of change. Across the board, sales professionals are feeling the heat to keep revenue up and buyers happy. Such profound industry changes affect everyone and often lead to the negative side of stress that keeps you from being your best. Most of the significant changes t aking place are from technology, influencing the way customers buy and how products are delivered. The shift in retail adds more pressure in providing customer satisfaction while maintaining a sales quota. Keeping your skills current with new retail processes and automation can help your career advance, but learning how to manage stress that comes from change will make your career more enjoyable. Here are some ways to reduce stress d uring change: * Attitude plays a crucial role in determining your outlook with change, it helps you adapt with an open mind. The more you build a barrier of trying to keep things the way they were in the past, the harder it is to accept change. * Keep your sense of humor going strong. Laughter helps reduce stress levels and keeps things in perspective. Read more VENDOR NEWS Rockport Sold, New CEO Takes Reins Charlesbank Capital Partners has officially acquired the assets of The Rockport Group - and industry veteran Gregg Ribatt has been tapped lead the brand as CEO. The sale of the company's assets was approved by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court on July 18. The deal includes Rockport's North American wholesale and e- commerce operations, all of the brand's international operations and retail stores and the Aravon and Dunham brands. According to a statement from Charlesbank, Rockp ort "has emerged with its balance sheet largely deleveraged and with significant capital available for acquisitions and future growth." As he looks to move the business forward, Ribatt will tap into his extensive experience. He has led companies such as Crocs, Collective Brands Performance & Lifestyle Group (Sperry-Top Sider, Saucony, Keds and Stride Rite) and Stuart Weitzman. "This is an exciting day for Rockport," the exec said in a release. "After significant hard work from the Rockport team, we emerge as a better company with a solid capital base, ready to capitalize on the potential for growth in both men's and women's footwear and to build on Rockport's excellent brand awareness, diverse product line and strong legacy. I am fully confident that, together, we are on the path to a stronger future." Read more To Sell On Amazon or Not To Sell On Amazon? Thursday, September 27, 2018 at 3 p.m. (ET) View details and register here View flyer RETAIL NEWS Managing Stress in a Retail Job Retailers are going through a huge transformation and the 16 million workers employed in the field are feeling the waves of change. Across the board, sales professionals are feeling the heat to keep revenue up and buyers happy. Such profound industry changes affect everyone and often lead to the negative side of stress that keeps you from being your best. Most of the significant changes taking place are from technology, influencing the way customers buy and how products are delivered. The shift in retail adds more pressure in providing customer satisfaction while maintaining a sales quota. Keeping your skills current with new retail processes and automation can help your career advance, but learning how to manage stress that comes from change will make your career more enjoyable. Here are some ways to reduce stress during chang e: * Attitude plays a crucial role in determining your outlook with change, it helps you adapt with an open mind. The more you build a barrier of trying to keep things the way they were in the past, the harder it is to accept change. * Keep your sense of humor going strong. Laughter helps reduce stress levels and keeps things in perspective. Read more VENDOR NEWS Rockport Sold, New CEO Takes Reins Charlesbank Capital Partners has officially acquired the assets of The Rockport Group - and industry veteran Gregg Ribatt has been tapped lead the brand as CEO. The sale of the company's assets was approved by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court on July 18. The deal includes Rockport's North American wholesale and e- commerce operations, all of the brand's international operations and retail stores and the Aravon and Dunham brands. According to a statement from Charlesbank, Rockport "has em erged with its balance sheet largely deleveraged and with significant capital available for acquisitions and future growth." As he looks to move the business forward, Ribatt will tap into his extensive experience. He has led companies such as Crocs, Collective Brands Performance & Lifestyle Group (Sperry-Top Sider, Saucony, Keds and Stride Rite) and Stuart Weitzman. "This is an exciting day for Rockport," the exec said in a release . "After significant hard work from the Rockport team, we emerge as a better company with a solid capital base, ready to capitalize on the potential for growth in both men's and women's footwear and to build on Rockport's excellent brand awareness, diverse product line and strong legacy. I am fully confident that, together, we are on the path to a stronger future." Read more To Sell On Amazon or Not To Sell On Amazon? NSRA's Leadership Conference Discover new ways to grow your business and connect with industry leaders to discuss challenges and opportunities. Learn from nationally recognized experts who explore retail business topics and provide leadership insights. NSRA's conference is the largest of its kind, giving attendees a unique opportunity to connect and network with top independent retailers and the vendors who support them. Trends Sharing Pivotal Research Group offers monthly and quarterly reports of activity in the independent footwear retailing, including sales, margins, inventory, and brand and category performance. Results are anonymous, and are extracted from quick surveys completed by participating retailers. Next Generation Leadership Program A program that answers the needs of the next generation of leaders and their parents with cutting-edge and hands-on sessions that focus on practical solutions for generational transitions, including the latest business topics. GEN Retail Education Webinars Join industry professionals and NSRA in live education seminars via the internet, discussing topics that will help grow your business: • Sales Training • Retail Finance • Securing Leases • Succession Planning W EBINARS Retail Education Business Performance Report The footwear industry's only financial analysis resource for comparing expenses and revenues with national averages reported by America's leading independent footwear retailers. E-Marketing via Constant Contact Join the Business Partner Program with Constant Contact. • NSRA members save up to 30% annually • Reach customers quickly, inexpensively and frequently • Design ads and newsletters with hundreds of templates • Built-in anti-spam checker Retail Education Seminars NSRA's bi-annual educational programs are held in conjunction with the premier shoe shows, and are complimentary to attendees. They feature leading industry experts addressing 'hot' and timely issues for independent retailers. Las Vegas, NV Atlanta, GA

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