237: 2025 Retail Trends for Independent Retailers: How to Thrive in the Year Ahead
Savvy Shopkeeper Retail Podcast
Release Date: 12/19/2024
255. Smart Planning Strategies for Brick and Mortar Store Owners
Savvy Shopkeeper Retail Podcast
Want to stop scrambling and start executing with ease? This episode covers how smart store owners plan their promotions, inventory, and events before the chaos hits. I break down the retail systems built into the Savvy Shopkeeper Planner so you can run your shop like a well-oiled machine. 👉 Website & Mastermind Group: 📲 Instagram: Planner:
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254. Reverse Engineering Your Week: Why Joy Comes First on the Calendar
Savvy Shopkeeper Retail Podcast
Tired of work creeping into every open space? In this episode, I share how planning your life before your to-do list can reduce burnout, increase clarity, and help you run your business on your terms. Learn how to reverse engineer your week, make space for joy, and use your planner to lighten your mental load—not add to it. 👉 Website & Mastermind Group: 📲 Instagram: Planner:
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253. Raise Your Speed Bar: A New Way to Break Through Fear and Grow Fast
Savvy Shopkeeper Retail Podcast
In this episode, I’m diving into a concept that’s shifted the way I make decisions in my business—and how quickly I take action: The Speed Bar. If fear, overthinking, or “what if” spirals tend to keep you stuck, this one’s for you. I’ll share what the speed bar is, how mine has evolved over the years, and why increasing yours can completely change the momentum in your business. Plus, I’ll walk you through the real cost of a slow speed bar, how to tell if fear is running the show, and what small steps you can take to start making bolder, faster decisions as a store owner....
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252. From Minimum Wage to CEO Pay – How to Work Smarter and Make More
Savvy Shopkeeper Retail Podcast
In this episode, I’m sharing how I went from paying myself minimum wage to setting—and hitting—a real CEO-level salary. If you’re a store owner who wants to make more and work smarter, this one’s for you. I’ll walk you through how to set a salary goal, calculate the revenue needed to support it, and start delegating tasks so you can focus on growing your business. Plus, we’ll talk about the revenue cap solo store owners hit and why hiring a store lead is a game-changer once you hit $350K+ in annual revenue. Ready to step into your leadership role? Let’s do this. Visit...
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Bonus Episode: You Skipped The Boring Business Stuff and It's Costing You - It's Time for a Retail Reset!
Savvy Shopkeeper Retail Podcast
In this bonus episode, I’m introducing Retail Reset—a brand new Zoom workshop for store owners who feel like their business is being held together by duct tape and guesswork. This is not about analyzing reports or digging into deep financials. Retail Reset is the class for store owners who feel behind on the business side of things—and are ready to fix it. Retail Reset is about setup, cleanup, and getting your business on solid ground—so you can finally see your numbers, track what matters, and make better decisions in the future. It's the foundational work you've needed but either...
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251. Behind the Door Prizes: Tools That Can Transform Your Retail Business
Savvy Shopkeeper Retail Podcast
One of my favorite parts of hosting a yearly conference for retail store owners is sharing the tools I use (and love) to market, support, and get insight into my brick-and-mortar store. These tools can seriously support and streamline your retail business—and they made great door prizes as sponsors at this year’s conference—but here’s a little more about what they do, who they’re for, and why I believe they’re valuable. Listen to epsiode 251 of the Savvy Shopkeeper Retail Podcast for the 3 Tools for Retail Store Owners That’ll Save You Time (And Help Generate Revenue). Find...
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250. Designing Certainty: Behavioral Strategies for Indie Retailers in an Uncertain Economy
Savvy Shopkeeper Retail Podcast
When economic uncertainty rises, consumers don’t just “spend less,” they fundamentally change how they make decisions. that during periods of instability, people shift from “promotion-focused” thinking (seeking gains and opportunities) to “prevention-focused” thinking—avoiding losses and protecting what they have. Your customers aren’t just being more careful with money; they’re operating from an entirely different psychological framework. If you, as a retailer, can’t adapt your marketing strategy to better fit this mindset, it’ll be difficult to grow or even maintain...
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BONUS EPISODE: Get Traffic Recap: Reflections, Revelations & If We’ll Do In-Person Events Again
Savvy Shopkeeper Retail Podcast
In this bonus episode, Kathy shares heartfelt reflections and key takeaways from the Get Traffic Savvy Shopkeeper Conference in Cleveland. From Amanda Herring’s unforgettable Instagram session to the video memorial honoring April to Mamita’s surprise visit, this episode captures the magic, learning, and love that filled the room. Kathy also opens up about what she learned as a leader, why this event has to happen again, and the power of connecting with fellow shopkeepers. Whether you attended or not, this recap is full of insight, inspiration, and gratitude. Mentioned in the episode: The...
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249. Why Your Margins Matter More Than Ever (And How Not to Price Yourself Out of Business)
Savvy Shopkeeper Retail Podcast
If there’s something that every store owner wants to review or discuss, but the discomfort of the conversation is convincing you to avoid it, it’s your margins. With rising costs, inflation, and the constant pressure to keep your customers happy, this is one of the trickiest but most important things you need to dial in this year. So, if you’ve been wrestling with pricing decisions or you’re feeling nervous about charging “too much,” then this is for you! Listen to episode 249 for seven ways you can improve and protect your profit margins. For show notes, visit . Kathy...
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248. Doing a Cost-Benefit Analysis of Extending Store Hours
Savvy Shopkeeper Retail Podcast
At first glance, extending store hours might seem like a simple decision. Just “stay open a little later, and customers will come,” right? But, not quite. A decision like this deserves a thoughtful approach, and that’s where a cost-benefit analysis can make all the difference. But, if you’re wondering why, this is for you. Here are five reasons why you should do a cost-benefit analysis of extending your store hours. Listen to episode 248 for five reasons why conducting a cost-benefit analysis is so valuable when you’re considering extending your store hours. For shownotes visit...
info_outlineAs independent retail store owners, we’re well-versed in the challenges we face, especially as the retail industry, the economy, and the world continuously shift. So what upcoming trends can help us not just survive but thrive in 2025?
In this episode, we’re diving deep into the future of retail, specifically focusing on how indie retailers can stand out by embracing emerging trends.
From curation over stock volume to hyper-personalization via omnichannel retail and embracing AI tools for efficiency, we’re looking at a variety of strategies that can elevate your retail business in 2025.
But it's not just about the trends—it's about making them work for you! Whether you're looking to enhance your customer experience or explore new revenue streams like subscription models, there's a 2025 retail trend that you should embrace to meet your business goals.
For show notes, including links to anything mentioned in this episode, visit www.savvyshopkeeper.com/episode237.
Kathy Cruz is an Independent Retail Coach who helps store owners work smarter, profit more, and grow their brick and mortar businesses. Connect with Kathy and learn more here:
Website: Retail Business Coach For Brick & Mortar Store Owners • Savvy Shopkeeper
Instagram: @savvyshopkeeper
Mastermind Group: Master Shopkeepers