Retail Details the Podcast

John Traver began working at Samuel's Sweet Shop during high school. After graduating from college, he returned to Rhinebeck, NY to manage the store. When John's dear friend and mentor, Ira Gutner, owner of Samuel's, passed away suddenly, local residents Hilarie Burton, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Andy Ostroy, Phoebe Jonas, Paul Rudd and his wife Julie approached John with a proposal to become partners and purchase the store. Six years later, John explains how they have adapted during a pandemic and how the Village of Rhinebeck is managing well by embracing outdoor spaces. Get ready to be inspired by this story and by a community that values and supports local businesses.

In this episode, Becky interviews Chandra Greer owner of GREER a stationery store in Chicago and a store-within-a-store inside Wolf and Badger in New York City. A writer for InStyle Magazine once described Chandra's store like "walking into an eccentric professor's study", and Chandra explains how she embraces that aesthetic. Other topics discussed are how her website "met the moment" during the pandemic and the lack of black-owned card companies. Just for fun, Chandra shares her favorite holiday to buy for and she and Becky discuss a prediction for a holiday that might be "big" in 2021! Get ready to take some notes as another retailer generously shares their knowledge.

Barbara Mooney opened Daisy's in Alameda, California sixteen years ago. In this episode, she explains that it was not a "grand plan", but an opportunity presented to her. Barb understands the power of leveraging opportunities and used the time closed during the Covid-19 pandemic to make improvements to her retail space. Barb also tells Becky how much she will miss seeing other store owners and industry friends at the summer trade shows and how important trade shows are to her, beyond simply the procurement of products, but she is busy preparing a brand new classroom space that will be used for virtual classes, too! Get ready to take some notes as another retailer generously shares their knowledge on the podcast that is for and about independent retail.

In this special episode, Becky interviews eight independent retailers from across the U.S. to discuss what they have learned since their retail stores closed to the public during the coronavirus pandemic and their thoughts moving forward. Many are finding unexpected avenues of success and plan to continue those strategies. Some are formulating plans for reopening events. Others are rethinking their business models completely. There are some great take-a-ways and inspirations in this episode as once again, retailers share ideas with retailers!

Instead of a single guest, Becky interviews a number of retailers and has several guests call-in with what they are doing to sell products curbside or online during the Covid-19 crisis. Some are completely closed and talk about their plans for making the most of some down time and predictions for whether we will have trade shows to attend and how to plan for holiday sales when stores finally reopen. Will customers be excited to get out and shop or wary of crowds for a while? Retailers share how they are finding success selling gift cards and wellness baskets and the importance of staying in touch with customers during this crucial time.

Julie Horowitz Jackson opened VIRTU in Chicago 19 years ago. Becky met up with her at NY NOW and in this interview, Julie shares the logistics behind arranging a vacation when you have to close your store to take one, why she prefers a trade show with aisles instead of showrooms and what she has learned from sharing her opinions and views through her social media, product mix and store window displays. Get ready to take some notes as another retailer shares her knowledge in the podcast that is for and about independent retailers!

Season two of the podcast begins at Atlanta Market in front of a live audience. Host Becky Tyre interviews Amy Rutherford, owner of Red Barn Mercantile and Penny Post in Alexandria, Virginia, as part of the educational programming for retailers attending AmericasMart in January 2020. Amy shares ideas for Partnering for Promotions and Successful Store Events and attendees left with pages of notes and inspirations for in-store and community events to implement back in their stores and towns, including specific ways to market the events, sources for promotional materials and tips for getting others involved.

Janna Moats opened Willows Boutique in Vancouver, Washington in 1997 and the store has evolved from selling mostly bed and bath linens to apparel and accessories over the years. In 2019, Moats added a webstore. In this episode, she tells Becky Tyre what she wishes she knew when she started that process and also explains how the word "belong" fits into her customer service training and how that training works hand in hand with the store's merchandising and decor to provide a welcoming, boutique experience normally expected at more high-end retail shops. Get ready to take some notes as another retailer shares their knowledge in the podcast that is for and about independent retailers!

Christy Degenhart and her husband own Wimberley Ace Hardware, the independently-owned hardware store in Wimberley, Texas. In this episode, Christy tells Becky Tyre how their store became the official spirit store for Texans merchandise, how she uses text messaging to connect with customers and what they will be doing differently this year at their annual stocking stuffer in-store event. Get ready to take some notes as another retailer shares their knowledge!

Tom Raub and his wife Michelle own two stores in Blacksburg, VA. In this episode, Tom tells host, Becky Tyre how one of their stores was chosen to be Wing's first independent retail store to participate in a pilot program to deliver products by drone. Tom also shares their success in working with several national brands to develop products with local themes that have become some of the best selling merchandise in their gift shop. Get ready to take some notes as retailers share their knowledge in the podcast that is for and about independent retailers!