Running Great Stores

Today we’re diving into one of the most overlooked opportunities in brick-and-mortar retail — your foot traffic. Based on insights from Mark Ryski’s powerful book Store Traffic is a Gift, we’re going to unpack why every person who walks through your door ismore than just a potential sale — they’re a brand touchpoint, a loyalty moment, and a chance to grow.
If you’ve ever said “we’re not getting enough traffic,” this episode is for you — because what you do with the traffic you do get might be the real problem.
Let’s talk about what it means to turn traffic into results — and how to lead your store team to stop wasting the gift.

A little about Mark.  First and foremost, I am so thrilled to call him my friend, colleague, and mentor. He is a recognizedauthority on store traffic and shopper conversion. He is the author of When Retail Customers Count, the first book ever written dedicated to the study of store traffic, and Conversion: The LastGreat Retail Metric. His insights have been featured in leading business and retail publications and a featured Braintrust contributor on Retail Wire.com. He was named a RETHINKRetail TOP RETAIL EXPERT in 2025.

Mark is also the founder and CEO of HeadCount Corporation. For over twenty years, he has helped retailers—from independent stores to large-scale chains in more than twenty countries—understand their store traffic

Action Items from today's Podcast:

1. Align staff resources to traffic maximizing labor spend

2. Audit your traffic to conversion flow. When is there a dropoff in conversion? Who are your best converting managers? What can you learn from these "super converters" and apply to everyone else?

3. Understand your non-buyers. Talk to customers who are leaving without making a purchase to understand their why.

4. Train your sales team on the behaviors that drive conversion including treating customers like long lost friends, and not "selling" to them but providing service that meets the customers longing to look and feel beautiful.

5. Celebrate the wins. Don't wait for perfection, reward progress.

To learn more about Headcount, visit their website at https://www.headcount.com

To learn more about Running Great Stores, visit my website at https://www.runninggreatstores.com.

Subscribe to my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@rachelwilliamson1823

Subscribe to my Substack: https://runninggreatstores.substack.com/

Follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/runninggreatstores54/

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/runninggreatstoresThank you for listening!

xx, Rachel

Scott Kerby is today's guest.  He is currently the Head of Retail for Sephora Canada.  Scott has spent his career building leadership teams focused on winning at the retail fundamentals knowing retail is a game of inches and not miles.  He lives by the principle that if you run a fleet like you run a one store business, you will always win.

Enjoy the listen and don't forget to share the Running Great Stores podcast with friends, family and colleagues who love retail as much as we do!

xoxo,

Rachel

Welcome to our 4th Season of the Running Great Stores Podcast where we talk all retail all the time.  We are kicking off our 4th season with Cassie Kane, owner and principal consultant for Kane Learning, a boutique consulting firm that partners with companies to create and implement talent development and learning solutions.  She has a passion for helping companies create practical, meaningful and fun learning that teams can easily apply on the job, positively impacting their results.  

In today's episode, Cassie will be talking about the power of investing in today's retail leaders.  The way District and Store Managers show up and. how they lead their team has an impact on team members and customers!  She will share some of the key skills required that leaders need now...empathy, effective communication and resilience.  

Enjoy the listen!

Rachel Williamson

If you love retail, you will love today's episode!  Kendra shares her story and how she is building multi-million dollar businesses from her cell phone.  As a former corporate executive of over 15 years and someone who recently served on the Board of Directors for a local non-profit, Kendra knows great strategy, teamwork, and solid operations.

With five years of Network Marketing experience under her belt, Kendra spent the last two focused on building a business in the profession.

Taking her goal seriously in 2020, Kendra developed a team of leaders to $2.5 Million in sales in just 12-months. Not only is she proud of that achievement, but seeing her leaders recognized, winning incentive trips, bonuses, and awards, many for the first time in their career – is a hugely rewarding accomplishment.

Kendra loves being a professional encourager and global business builder, from the freedom of her cell phone.

Kendra Vuticevski and her husband love to travel with their two boys. They love watching their boys play sports and they’re an active family in their community.

I know you will LOVE this conversation~Enjoy the listen.

xoxo, Rachel

In this podcast, Tristan Rogers, CEO of Concrete Platform, shares his perspective on the future of stores and store operations...but not through the lens of everyone else.  Listen to his unique perspective (& fantastic British accent) on how Gen Z is shaping the future of retail.  Tristan brings his knowledge and authentic point of view on what retailers and landlords alike must do to make it in the post-covid world.

Enjoy the listen and share it with your friends and colleagues!

In today's episode, Scott Galloway of Galloway Resource Partners talks to us about how to reach our leadership potential.  He shares 5 important steps we all need to take.  While it isn't easy, the steps are simple.  It is really about becoming intentional about our own leadership.  It's a 'can't miss' episode!

Scott and his team connect People to the Talent and Resources they need.  As a trusted advisor, they come alongside businesses and business leaders wtih coaching, consulting and talent acquisition to play offense and grow your business!  www.gallowayresourcepartners.com

Melissa Latham has spent her entire career working in retail, from key holder to head of stores for multi-billion dollar companies.  When she experienced her second position elimination, she decided to pivot to a different career while still doing what she loves most...supporting people who work in retail.  She started her executive search firm, Global Recruiters Lowcountry to do just that.  

In today's podcast, Melissa shares the three things that have contributed to her career success.  If you work in retail or are a people leader, this podcast has something for you. 

Enjoy the listen,

Rachel