In Episode 41 of the Retail Success Series, we tackle a common challenge for product-based business owners: running out of space. Whether you're managing an e-commerce store, a bricks-and-mortar shop, or a hybrid business, storage issues can become overwhelming as your inventory grows. This episode explores practical solutions for managing stock and space throughout the year, helping you avoid costly mistakes and keep operations running smoothly.

Nicole shares firsthand experiences managing inventory through different stages of business growth, from working at home to transitioning into retail spaces, storage units, and shared warehouse solutions like CLIK Collective. She highlights the pros and cons of each option and explains how these choices impacted daily operations, costs, and team productivity. These insights provide valuable guidance for independent retailers weighing the decision to expand into warehouses or collaborate with third-party logistics providers.

Listeners will also learn about important considerations like balancing storage costs with operational efficiency, maximising space during seasonal peaks, and how to scale inventory without sacrificing profitability. Nicole discusses how different solutions—such as using storage units, shared warehouse spaces, or full-scale warehouses—can either streamline or complicate logistics depending on your business model.

If you're a retail business owner planning for growth in 2025, this episode is packed with actionable advice to help you make smarter decisions about managing stock and storage. Tune in to discover space-saving strategies that will support your business's success without stretching your budget or overwhelming your team.

Instagram: @theretailmarketers
Website: theretailmarketers.com
YouTube Channel: youtube.com/@theretailmarketers

In this episode of the Retail Success Series, we’re diving into why connection is the key to unlocking growth for independent retail businesses in 2025. As small business owners, competing on price alone is tough—but building meaningful connections with customers and other businesses can set you apart. I’ll share personal stories about how small steps outside my comfort zone led to big wins, and why fostering relationships can drive sales and create valuable opportunities for growth.

One major focus is the power of business collaborations. Partnering with like-minded retailers can expand your audience and grow your email list without a hefty marketing budget. I’ll share how two simple collaborations in my own business cost me less than $100 but added over 500 subscribers to my email list in just one week. This kind of growth can open doors to increased sales and customer engagement—something every small business owner can benefit from.

Plus, I’ll walk you through two actionable steps you can take right now to start building stronger connections. From updating your About Us page to better connect with customers to brainstorming potential business partners, these strategies are designed to be simple yet impactful. And if the idea of collaborating feels overwhelming, I’m here to guide you through the process—or even connect you with ready-to-partner businesses if you’re in Australia.

If you’re a retail business owner looking for ways to grow your audience, strengthen customer relationships, and collaborate effectively in 2025, this episode is packed with insights and easy-to-implement strategies. Tune in to discover how small, intentional steps toward connection can lead to big results for your business!

Instagram: @theretailmarketers
Website: theretailmarketers.com
YouTube Channel: youtube.com/@theretailmarketers

Welcome back to the Retail Success Series, and Happy New Year! I’m Nicole, and I’m thrilled to kick off 2025 with fresh energy and focus. Whether you’re a long-time listener or new to the podcast, I’m so glad you’re here. After taking time over the holidays to reflect, I’ve gained clarity on how I can better support independent retail business owners like you. This year, it’s all about building stronger connections—with your customers, other businesses, and your own passion for your store.

In this episode, I’m sharing my core focus areas for 2025: creating meaningful customer connections, enhancing the customer experience, making the most of your physical store space, embracing collaborations, and learning from successful retailers. These strategies aren’t about flashy marketing tactics but about simple, impactful ways to grow your business and reignite your love for retail.

If you’re ready to attract loyal customers, increase sales, and feel more connected to your work, this episode is for you. Let’s dive into how you can turn small actions into big results this year.

Instagram: @theretailmarketers
Website: theretailmarketers.com
YouTube Channel: youtube.com/@theretailmarketers

As we hit the final week of the Christmas trade, many of us are busy with last-minute sales, helping customers, and wrapping up what has been a whirlwind season. But once the dust settles, it’s the perfect time to step back and think about what lies ahead. For me, this is when planning for the new year begins—a chance to reflect, reset, and strategise for the year ahead.

Planning for 2025 might feel like just another thing to add to the to-do list, but trust me, a little forward thinking now will save you stress and set you up for success in the months to come. That’s why, in the next two podcast episodes, I’ll be sharing my thoughts on six key areas of your business that I believe deserve your focus as you plan for growth in 2025.

We’ll break this into two sessions, each covering three essential factors. In today’s episode, we’ll dive into the final three, giving you actionable insights and ideas you can start working on right away. 

Whether you're wrapping up a strong year or have had some challenges, these six areas will help you set a clear direction and priorities for 2025.

Instagram: @theretailmarketers
Website: theretailmarketers.com
YouTube Channel: youtube.com/@theretailmarketers

Ready to make 2025 your most successful year yet? 🚀 Whether you’re excited about planning or feeling a little overwhelmed, this episode is packed with simple, actionable strategies to help you grow your retail business—without the stress.

Welcome to the first episode in our 2-part series on planning for success in 2025! 🌟 Today, we’re diving into three key activities you can start focusing on right now to boost sales, improve cash flow, and create a business that’s both profitable and enjoyable in the year ahead.

If you’re someone who loves strategy, this is the perfect time of year to dig in and reflect. But if planning feels intimidating, don’t worry—I’ll walk you through each idea step-by-step, keeping it practical and easy to implement. Whether you’re running a bricks-and-mortar store or an e-commerce business, these tips will help you take action without getting stuck in overthinking mode.

In this first episode, we’ll cover email marketing, getting real with your numbers, and maximising your zone of genius—three areas that can dramatically improve your results. Then, in part two, we’ll explore the next three strategies to keep building momentum and setting your business up for long-term success.

So grab a notepad, get comfy, and let’s start making 2025 the year your business truly thrives! ✨

Instagram: @theretailmarketers
Website: theretailmarketers.com
YouTube Channel: youtube.com/@theretailmarketers

Are you ready to make 2025 your most successful year yet? In this episode of the Retail Success Series, host Nicole Keleher shares a powerful strategy for evaluating your business and planning for growth. Drawing inspiration from her seasonal review process, aptly named "The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly," Nicole reveals how to assess what worked, what didn’t, and what needs a complete overhaul to set your business up for success.

Nicole kicks off the episode by explaining the importance of reflection and honest evaluation. She highlights how breaking down your business operations into categories—products, processes, staff management, and customer interactions—can provide clarity and actionable insights. By focusing first on gathering raw feedback without filtering or problem-solving, you create a foundation for strategic planning that prioritizes growth and efficiency.

Throughout the episode, Nicole shares practical tips for conducting this review with your team, ensuring they feel empowered to provide honest feedback. From identifying small tweaks that enhance performance to recognizing major problem areas requiring deeper fixes, this method simplifies the planning process. She also explains how to use these insights beyond annual reviews, applying the process after major events like holiday sales, promotions, or seasonal launches.

Listeners will walk away with a step-by-step framework for conducting their own "Good, Bad, and Ugly" sessions. Nicole emphasizes the importance of capturing feedback while it’s fresh, ensuring you’re ready to implement changes that improve your bottom line and create a more enjoyable, fulfilling business.

Tune in now to discover how this simple yet powerful process can transform your retail business and set the stage for a successful and rewarding 2025!

Instagram: @theretailmarketers
Website: theretailmarketers.com
YouTube Channel: youtube.com/@theretailmarketers

In Episode 35 of the Retail Success Series Podcast, we dive into one of the biggest decisions product-based businesses face—how to manage order fulfillment. Should you continue packing orders in-house, or is it time to partner with a third-party logistics provider (3PL)? Host Nicole Keleher shares her personal journey from handling orders herself to outsourcing fulfillment, detailing the pros, cons, and surprising insights along the way. If you’ve spent countless hours packing orders this holiday season, this episode offers practical advice and inspiration to help you rethink your approach for 2025.

Nicole recounts how outsourcing started as a quick-fix solution during a staff shortage but eventually transformed her business operations. She explores the initial fears many business owners face—losing control, sacrificing personalization, and increased costs—and explains how these concerns were resolved through strategic planning and partnership with the right 3PL provider. Nicole also provides insider tips on managing large or fragile inventory, negotiating fair rates, and ensuring seamless customer experiences with a third-party warehouse.

For product-based businesses feeling overwhelmed by fulfillment, this episode is packed with valuable insights. Nicole shares lessons learned from costly mistakes, including navigating delivery cost glitches and inefficient inventory systems. She highlights the importance of asking the right questions when selecting a 3PL and outlines the unexpected benefits, like faster dispatch times, lower shipping rates, and the ability to scale quickly during busy sales seasons. Whether you’re an online-only retailer or managing both e-commerce and a brick-and-mortar store, this episode can help you streamline fulfillment and reclaim your time.

If the thought of another chaotic holiday season leaves you stressed, this episode is your roadmap to smoother operations in 2025. Nicole’s experience shows how outsourcing fulfillment doesn’t just save time—it can also reduce costs, improve logistics, and free you to focus on growth and customer relationships. Tune in for practical tips on finding the right 3PL partner, negotiating fair terms, and maintaining that personal touch that keeps customers coming back.

Instagram: @theretailmarketers
Website: theretailmarketers.com
YouTube Channel: youtube.com/@theretailmarketers

In today's episode Nicole shares her thoughts on how we can define our retail business to ensure a Customer First thinking.  Stop thinking about what you sell and start thinking about the problem you solve.

Instagram: @theretailmarketers
Website: theretailmarketers.com
YouTube Channel: youtube.com/@theretailmarketers

Are Loyalty Programs Worth It? Learn How to Make Them Work for Your Business!

Loyalty programs are one of the most effective tools for independent retailers to build customer relationships and drive repeat business. In fact, 57% of small retailers report loyalty programs as their top-performing marketing strategy. In this episode of the Retail Success Series Podcast, we break down the benefits of loyalty programs, how to set them up, and creative ways to maximize their impact. Whether you're already running a program or considering one, this episode provides actionable tips to make your program work harder for your business.

Why Loyalty Programs Matter for Independent Retailers
Loyalty programs are more than just discounts—they’re a strategy to gather valuable customer data and keep buyers engaged. By incentivizing shoppers to share their email addresses and purchase histories, you gain insights that allow you to personalise marketing efforts and increase conversions. For retailers competing with larger stores or online marketplaces, a well-designed loyalty program can make your store the preferred choice.

Setting Up an Effective Loyalty Program
With today’s point-of-sale systems and e-commerce platforms like Shopify, adding a loyalty program is easier than ever. From simple discount codes to point-based rewards, retailers can customise programs to suit their audience. The key is to ensure your system works seamlessly across both in-store and online purchases to provide a smooth experience for customers. Whether you opt for percentage-based rewards or membership-style programs, such as those used by Costco, the goal is to keep customers returning and spending more.

Creative Loyalty Program Strategies
Loyalty programs don’t have to focus solely on discounts. Offer early access to sales, exclusive events, or tiered membership benefits to make customers feel valued. Features like free shipping, seasonal gift cards, and VIP-only shopping hours can boost program engagement. Retailers should also test options like annual subscriptions that provide discounts for upfront fees, appealing to high-value customers who shop regularly.

Promote and Optimise Your Loyalty Program
Your loyalty program is only effective if customers know about it. Train your staff to introduce the program during transactions and highlight its benefits. Use email marketing to remind members of their points, upcoming offers, or special perks. Additionally, offering incentives for referrals and reviews can increase sign-ups and strengthen customer relationships.

Start Planning for 2025
If you don’t have a loyalty program yet, now is the time to add it to your 2025 business plan. Focus on simplicity, value, and seamless integration across platforms to create a program that keeps your customers engaged and coming back for more. If you already have a program in place, review its performance and explore enhancements to make it even more effective next year.

Instagram: @theretailmarketers
Website: theretailmarketers.com
YouTube Channel: youtube.com/@theretailmarketers

There is so much we can learn from Black Friday sales to help us with planning for future special events such as Boxing Day sales or other major events in your business.
In this episode of our KISS (Keep it Simple Series) Nicole shares a few tips on what you can do to ensure you have this information available for use in future planning.

Instagram: @theretailmarketers
Website: theretailmarketers.com
YouTube Channel: youtube.com/@theretailmarketers