Preparing to sell An overview of what you need to consider before your business sells anything including sales environments and channels The sales process How to follow a step-by-step process to achieve sales, and build long-term customer relationships Sales channels to reach your customers How to decide which sales channels to use to reach your customers, including face to face, retailers and sales agents Sell through a commercial agent How… Read More »Preparing to sell

Traditional marketing Advertising: the basics Why every business should consider the possible benefits of advertising, how to get the most from it, types of advertising and the pros and cons of each Comply with advertising standards The laws and codes of practice that govern advertisements and direct marketing and how to work within them by being honest, legal, decent and truthful Work with an advertising agency How to get the… Read More »Traditional marketing

Types of retail business Retail is a term which covers a vast range of business types and models. Some of the different types of retail store include: Convenience store – a small to medium grocery and convenience shop usually operating near residential areas. Speciality store – a store which concentrates on narrow product areas, eg clothing, electrical goods, entertainment. Supermarket – a medium to large grocery and household store aiming… Read More »Types of retail business

Visual merchandising for your retail business Introduction Visual merchandising is about presenting your retail premises and products in an attractive way to entice customers and drive sales. Attracting customers begins on the outside of your retail store. You can do this through visual merchandising methods, including strong signage and appealing window displays. These techniques should aim to bring customers inside the store. Considering your approach to these methods, alongside retail… Read More »Visual merchandising for your retail business

Advertising agency Advertising is the heavyweight champion of traditional marketing! Advertising can build awareness and change perceptions, fast! And direct response advertising can generate leads Fulcrum advertising agency. So we understand how to create effective advertising. We provide comprehensive advertising services and creative execution to some of the most successful and respected brands in the world—from global corporations to entrepreneurial start-ups, and every size of client in between. Advertising Services… Read More »Advertising agency

Grow your retail business Introduction Retailing can be a rewarding career choice but it’s a highly competitive business environment. Navigating the economic currents and dealing with shifting customers’ shopping habits is a challenge. However, flexible retailers can explore new retail opportunities in Northern Ireland and beyond. Knowing how to market your retail business can help your business to survive and thrive. Important traditional techniques of in-shop marketing, strong branding and… Read More »Grow your retail business

Keeping your customers Understand your customers’ needs Why understanding your customers’ needs is crucial to the success of your business, no matter how good your offering is, it’s vital that customers want it Manage your customer service Use customer contact, feedback, customer research, dealing properly with complaints and loyalty schemes to retain customers and increase your sales Manage your customer database How a customer database can enhance your business, what… Read More »Keeping your customers

Market research Market research and market reports How to use market research and market reports to gain knowledge about your marketplace, your customers and their behaviour to target them better Understand your competitors How to identify your competitors, find out more about them and then use this information to improve your business  

Online public relations Businesses need to consider how they manage public relations (PR) online. Traditional techniques may not always apply to online PR. With online PR, you communicate not only with targeted media channels and online journalists but also with the wider public who are talking about your business. Online PR is no longer driven by the few but rather by the many. The challenge is identifying the key influencers… Read More »Online public relations

Pricing Pricing information Guidance for traders on the regulations covering selling price information they provide to consumers to prevent misleading them Price lists, estimates, quotations and tenders Find out how to present prices to your customers, including how to draw up price lists, estimates and quotations and prices for tenders Negotiate the right deal with suppliers How to negotiate a purchase effectively, using your bargaining power to get value for… Read More »Pricing