How to be Successful in Retail

In this series of posts Dan Merns, Founder & CEO of MerchantFuse, highlights key factors that lead to success in retail.      

• Make the Customer Happy

• Customer Service

• Customer Service All Stars

• Merchandising

• Conclusion: Be Entrepreneurial! 

Stay tuned as we will post parts three, four, and five this series over the next few weeks! 

How do retailers find my company on MerchantFuse?

How to Think About Big Data in Retail

Big Data is the epitome of a buzzword.  It is overused, often misunderstood, and seems to always have a nebulous air to it.  This is because Big Data is a very broad term.  It can have different applications and meanings for different industries.  One company that utilizes Big Data might do something completely differently from another company that uses Big Data.  Even though it is non-descriptive, it is a popular term, and it seems that we are all relegated to using it until we can find language to better capture the specific situations in which Big Data has an impact.  Hopefully this post will help you to think about how Big Data is impacting retail.

Great Products on MerchantFuse

In just a few months we already have over 1,000 products listed on MerchantFuse.  We would love to feature all of our favorite ones here, but there are too many to choose from! Here are a handful of them.  If you are a MerchantFuse Retailer, click on a company link below after logging in and you will be directed to the relevant company profile.  

Sticks and Stones from Sea Stones: No need for ice or a stirrer when you
use this practical and good looking sea stone chilling set, and the glass is included! 

Internet Retailer Covers MerchantFuse Launch

We are excited to be written up in Internet Retailer! Read the article here. 

International Home + Housewares Show 2013 Recap

I just wrapped up four productive days at The International Home + Housewares Show at Chicago's McCormick Place.  The show, which had 2100+ exhibitors, includes companies from across the spectrum in both category and size.  The show stands out for its over-the-top displays, new product introductions, celebrity chefs, and endless product demos, which often conclude with samples of coffee, fresh squeezed juice, or dessert (if you ever attend the show, don't buy breakfast, just start your day in the Lakeside building).

The Wall of Cookware

Some trends worth noting:

Knowledge Sharing in Retail & Wholesale

At MerchantFuse we interact with two very distinct worlds on a daily basis: retail/wholesale and startups.  As we market our product, we interact with hundreds of retail and wholesale companies both small and large.  As a technology startup working in New York City, we interact with startups and participate in a vibrant startup community.  One of the biggest differences between these two worlds is the presence of knowledge sharing.  In the startup world there are countless websites, blogs, newsletters, groups, and other resources that offer valuable and reliable information.  Meanwhile, retail and wholesale operate on the opposite end of this spectrum.