Comments on: How the smallmarts compete http://www.ducttapemarketing.com/blog/2007/12/03/how-the-smallmarts-compete/ Small business marketing blog Thu, 21 Apr 2011 08:39:07 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Dave Sutherland http://www.ducttapemarketing.com/blog/2007/12/03/how-the-smallmarts-compete/#comment-195008 Dave Sutherland Tue, 11 Dec 2007 13:29:24 +0000 http://www.ducttapemarketing.com/blog/2007/12/03/how-the-smallmarts-compete/#comment-195008 As a lifetime broadcaster and for some strange reason the owner of a small (3700 sq.ft.)retail store...specialty toys, gifts, gift baskets... I concur with the comments in the article...in addition, small retailers also know more about their products..actually help customers and know where they can find a product if they don't have it. We have Sears Essentials, JC Penney, Michaels, IParty, Bed Bath and Beyond, Target and Walmart within a half-mile of our retail complex...all selling lots of the same products...But..we're connected to the community, know lots of people and reinvest in the community. We work with our local media..particularly radio which is very strong in Keene, NH, while our big box neighbors load up the mail box and local papers with endless look alike flyers with one incredible sale after another..we talk directly to our customers..My businesses and many of the businesses I service as a marketing manager..go on the air and do their own ads..It's personal, friendly, measureable - part of the fabric of the region. You can't out-Walmart 'em..you can invite them to your store, personally, everyday. As a lifetime broadcaster and for some strange reason the owner of a small (3700 sq.ft.)retail store…specialty toys, gifts, gift baskets… I concur with the comments in the article…in addition, small retailers also know more about their products..actually help customers and know where they can find a product if they don’t have it. We have Sears Essentials, JC Penney, Michaels, IParty, Bed Bath and Beyond, Target and Walmart within a half-mile of our retail complex…all selling lots of the same products…But..we’re connected to the community, know lots of people and reinvest in the community. We work with our local media..particularly radio which is very strong in Keene, NH, while our big box neighbors load up the mail box and local papers with endless look alike flyers with one incredible sale after another..we talk directly to our customers..My businesses and many of the businesses I service as a marketing manager..go on the air and do their own ads..It’s personal, friendly, measureable – part of the fabric of the region. You can’t out-Walmart ‘em..you can invite them to your store, personally, everyday.

]]> By: Jim Smith http://www.ducttapemarketing.com/blog/2007/12/03/how-the-smallmarts-compete/#comment-192253 Jim Smith Sun, 09 Dec 2007 21:04:43 +0000 http://www.ducttapemarketing.com/blog/2007/12/03/how-the-smallmarts-compete/#comment-192253 I spend a lot of time counseling small businesses and I have to say that you are spot on. They aren't selling products, they are selling relationships. Isn't that the essence of customer oriented selling. Getting under the skin of your customer. Appealing to emotion. Thanks John... Great Post I spend a lot of time counseling small businesses and I have to say that you are spot on. They aren’t selling products, they are selling relationships. Isn’t that the essence of customer oriented selling. Getting under the skin of your customer. Appealing to emotion.

Thanks John… Great Post

]]> By: Scott http://www.ducttapemarketing.com/blog/2007/12/03/how-the-smallmarts-compete/#comment-184674 Scott Tue, 04 Dec 2007 23:24:34 +0000 http://www.ducttapemarketing.com/blog/2007/12/03/how-the-smallmarts-compete/#comment-184674 Great post. Any wisdom (or follow up posts) for mom/pop e-tailers? I know plenty of small web-businesses that struggle to stand out in a much larger crowd with customers with shorter attention spans. Great post. Any wisdom (or follow up posts) for mom/pop e-tailers?

I know plenty of small web-businesses that struggle to stand out in a much larger crowd with customers with shorter attention spans.

]]> By: Parks Bros. Farm Blog » Blog Archive » Are you a ‘Smallmart’? http://www.ducttapemarketing.com/blog/2007/12/03/how-the-smallmarts-compete/#comment-184160 Parks Bros. Farm Blog » Blog Archive » Are you a ‘Smallmart’? Tue, 04 Dec 2007 17:07:24 +0000 http://www.ducttapemarketing.com/blog/2007/12/03/how-the-smallmarts-compete/#comment-184160 [...] Ducktape Marketing Blog has a posting that gives some examples of three ‘Smallmarts’ and what differentiates [...] [...] Ducktape Marketing Blog has a posting that gives some examples of three ‘Smallmarts’ and what differentiates [...]

]]> By: John Jantsch http://www.ducttapemarketing.com/blog/2007/12/03/how-the-smallmarts-compete/#comment-183903 John Jantsch Tue, 04 Dec 2007 13:08:18 +0000 http://www.ducttapemarketing.com/blog/2007/12/03/how-the-smallmarts-compete/#comment-183903 Amy - Seattle has a rich history of Indy stuff doesn't it? There is a great city funded program in Littleton, CO called Economic Gardening. They decided to pour everything they have, business development wise, into organically growing the local businesses instead of going big game hunting. It's paid off and become a national model of how to do it. Amy – Seattle has a rich history of Indy stuff doesn’t it?

There is a great city funded program in Littleton, CO called Economic Gardening. They decided to pour everything they have, business development wise, into organically growing the local businesses instead of going big game hunting. It’s paid off and become a national model of how to do it.

]]> By: Amy Vercruysse http://www.ducttapemarketing.com/blog/2007/12/03/how-the-smallmarts-compete/#comment-183234 Amy Vercruysse Tue, 04 Dec 2007 03:52:30 +0000 http://www.ducttapemarketing.com/blog/2007/12/03/how-the-smallmarts-compete/#comment-183234 It always comes down to relationships, doesn't it? And that's why emotions play such a key part. (I posted a similar sentiment on my blog just last week: http://www.comboplatter.net/2007/11/13/emotions-mean-business) I live in Seattle, and you can't throw a rock in any direction without hitting at least a couple of smallmarts. There's a lot of support here for local business of any kind, as the multi-national conglomerates tend to be mistrusted and viewed as taking advantage of every possible loophole, tax and business law, politician, ethic, etc. Me, I like the idea of getting something unique that can't necessarily play in Peoria. That said, we do have one or two successful conglomerates as well. :) It always comes down to relationships, doesn’t it? And that’s why emotions play such a key part. (I posted a similar sentiment on my blog just last week: http://www.comboplatter.net/2007/11/13/emotions-mean-business)

I live in Seattle, and you can’t throw a rock in any direction without hitting at least a couple of smallmarts. There’s a lot of support here for local business of any kind, as the multi-national conglomerates tend to be mistrusted and viewed as taking advantage of every possible loophole, tax and business law, politician, ethic, etc. Me, I like the idea of getting something unique that can’t necessarily play in Peoria.

That said, we do have one or two successful conglomerates as well. :)

]]> By: kerrin http://www.ducttapemarketing.com/blog/2007/12/03/how-the-smallmarts-compete/#comment-183149 kerrin Tue, 04 Dec 2007 02:28:20 +0000 http://www.ducttapemarketing.com/blog/2007/12/03/how-the-smallmarts-compete/#comment-183149 We have a small hardware store within walking distance of our home (1 mile). The key with this store is the location. There are bigbox hardware stores with in 15 miles of this neighborhood (10 minute drive). This store however doesn't compete on price (they are more expensive) they bank on Harry-home-owner needing something to fix his house in a hurry. We have a small hardware store within walking distance of our home (1 mile). The key with this store is the location. There are bigbox hardware stores with in 15 miles of this neighborhood (10 minute drive). This store however doesn’t compete on price (they are more expensive) they bank on Harry-home-owner needing something to fix his house in a hurry.

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