Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/1354534
Whether you have one retail store or many, the National Shoe Retailers Association can help you revitalize and grow your independent business. America's largest organization representing independent footwear retailers – since 1912 BECOME A BETTER RETAILER Retail Education Seminars Join your peers at industry trade shows for NSRA's complimentary retail education seminars. We bring experts who offer top-quality business education to independents ― conveniently to you at the show. NSRA Leadership Conference Ready to reinvigorate your business? Spend two days learning from nationally recognized experts, and enjoy networking events with retailers and vendors by night. Relax with your peers by the pool, and take in the beautiful views! Join us November 3 &4, 2021 in sunny Tucson, Arizona at the Hilton El Conquistador Resort. Next Generation Leadership Program NSRA's exclusive program helps with generational transitions within retail businesses. Learn from and network with others in the same position as you. Sales & Management Training Now's the perfect time to train your staff with the help and creative ideas of John Lees! John offers members complimentary and confidential training that's tailored to your needs, courtesy of NSRA. Trends Sharing Look to NSRA for the sharing of monthly and quarterly reports of activity in independent footwear retailing, including sales, margins, inventory, and brand and category performance. Retail Education Webinars Virtually attend live educational seminars featuring industry professionals discussing topics that will help energize your business. For more information, visit www.NSRA.org or call 520-209-1710 INDUSTRY INFORMATION & NEWS Shoe Retailing Today Magazine Read in-depth articles on industry topics such as marketing, staff training, inventory management, succession planning, and more in this bi-monthly publication. January 20, 2021 NSRA ANNOUNCEMENTS NSRA offers members FREE Retail Education Webinars on many topics. If you missed a live session, we have a library of many of our past webinars that you can access and share with your staff at any time. Just sign in to your membership on www.nsra.org, access the Webinar Library from the main menu, choose a topic, and learn away! Stay Connected www.nsra.org OPERATING STORES DURING COVID-19 The Next Round of PPP Loans Will Soon Be Available. Here's What You Need to Know to Apply Small businesses hit by the pandemic recently got some good news – the $900 billion relief act signed into law by President Donald Trump granted additional funding for the Paycheck Protection Program, a forgivable loan program established by the CARES Act. The $284 billion allocated gives those that weren't approv ed for the first iteration another chance to apply and allows businesses that have exhausted previous PPP money and have been significantly impacted by the pandemic to apply for a second draw. It also makes forgiveness easier for businesses that use the majority of the money for payroll and makes the loans tax-free. Read more Spotlight on Store Sanitization The pandemic forced retailers to rethink how to sanitize shared spaces. Committed to supporting employee and customer health, retailers are creating new health policies and procedures, and adopting new equipment, such as innovative air filters, to deliver safer shopping environments. That's according to Jessica Rose Cooper, chief commercial officer for International Well Building Institute (IWBI), which work to bring health-focused design and policy solutions to diverse buildings and human environments worldwide. Cooper spoke with Chain Store Age about how retailers are renewing their commitment to store-level health and safety. Read more TRAINING CORNER WITH JOHN LEES Many Associates are Polite. The Best Associates are Polite, Professional, Productive and Persistent. Without doubt it is nice for consumers to meet staff that are polite, and in this instance 'polite' refers to someone who greets people warmly, listens and responds to what is 'wanted'. If consumers come into NSRA OnLine Newsletter Stay current with quick-read, NSRA updates and industry- related news in your inbox every two weeks. DIRECT SAVINGS Shipping Let your shipping program work for YOU – set up FedEx Shipping through PartnerShip and NSRA – and count the ways to save! RyTech Online Marketing Services Receive a free website assessment and exclusive 10% discount on online marketing services from RyTech, a full-service digital marketing firm. Next-Generation Payments Are Here Increase your sales and loyalty by creating frictionless payments and offering the most popular digital payment options to your customers. As your preferred payments partner, you also get specially negotiated rates on credit and debit card processing. Email Marketing Use Constant Contact for your email marketing and save up to 30%.