After years of coaching clients through market strategies I decided to go to a trade show and walk the walk. Here is what I learned.
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August is the time to get ahead of fall and holiday staffing by assessing your current team, recruiting proactively, hiring for potential, building flexibility, and investing in retention before a staffing crisis hits.
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Shoppe Object's August show was especially energizing — full booths, color and pattern everywhere, and a list of brands we can't stop thinking about. We're sharing five standouts worth knowing.
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Market is your opportunity to buy with purpose, not just excitement—combining trend awareness with a data-driven plan is what leads to a stronger season. That's exactly where The Indxx comes in: helping independent retailers turn data into smarter buying decisions, stronger inventory productivity, and more profitable results. Read more for trends, tips, and our special Q4 playbook offer for new clients.
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The Q4 Playbook is a focused strategic planning engagement designed specifically for independent retailers preparing for the most important quarter of the year. Using your business's data, we build a customized roadmap to help you maximize sales, improve inventory productivity, and make smarter decisions throughout the holiday season. Read our blog to learn more.
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It’s that time of year again where the weather is warm, but you are thinking all things holiday (or even next year). As you prep your calendar for market travel, here are our top 3 tips for a successful trip.
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It’s hard to believe fall merchandise will be arriving in just a few weeks, if it hasn’t started already. While summer may have officially just begun, the retail calendar is ten steps ahead. Now is the time to start clearing through summer inventory to make room for incoming fall product. Our biggest piece of advice: an in-season markdown will almost always put more money back in your pocket than waiting until the season is over and being forced into deeper discounts later. Read more on what to consider when taking end of season markdowns on today’s blog.
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If you've been feeling a shift on the floor or in your order patterns, the data confirms what your instincts already knew. Today's shoppers are more deliberate, more selective, and harder to win than they were even two years ago.
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While independent retailers can't win a race to the bottom against big-box and online giants, they also can't ignore what customers see on their phones while standing in the aisle. Read more as we discuss weighing your options in the price matching debate.
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A former boss and mentor of mine once led a company overhaul with the phrase: “Change or die.” At the time, it felt dramatic. Today, watching AI bulldoze its way into every industry, it feels less like a slogan and more like a forecast.
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We Read the report so you don’t have to.
In April 2026, JOOR released its Top 5 Trends in Wholesale report. From in-season buying to environmental impacts, we gathered the key takeaways for both indie retailers and brands.
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We put together five questions worth sitting with honestly before your next collection, rebrand, or marketing push. They're the same ones we ask at the start of every engagement, and the answers tend to reveal quite a lot.
If any of them give you pause, that's a good place to begin.
Coming off the heels of the Fall 2026 trade shows, we’re sharing our perspective on the biggest trends for the upcoming season. From layered separates and rich textures to color and pattern mixing, along with show-stopping outerwear, we’re excited for what’s ahead and to see how each of our clients curates their fall assortments around these trends.
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Today, there is a call for a nationwide shutdown. There is no single “right” answer. January is historically one of the most difficult months for retailers. Cash flow is tight, foot traffic is slow, and expenses don't take a month off.
However today looks for you, we hope it includes spending with intention and supporting businesses that make our communities what they are.
A strong incentive program connects effort to reward and people to purpose, showing employees they’re valued so they bring their best to every shift—no big budget needed, just consistency, attention to what motivates your team, and a focus on recognition that drives performance, engagement, and long-term success.
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Take a deep dive into Q4 marketing calendars and execution from our guest editor, Nicole Prince! She’s also offering a special treat for The Indxx subscribers.
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Welcome to the quarterly edition of The Indxx Newsletter! Like many of you, we spent the summer navigating the highs and lows of the retail rollercoaster—and now our sights are set on one of the busiest times of year: the 4th quarter. In this issue, we’re recapping key business trends (yes, travel and tariffs are part of the story) and sharing a 4th quarter checklist to help you prepare. While summer may feel like it just wrapped, peak season is already around the corner.
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In the April newsletter, we’re diving into tariffs. While the details are still evolving, now is the time for retailers to start building a game plan—whether that means talking to vendors, reevaluating customer segments, or adjusting buy strategies. Click through to find our one-page cheat sheet to help you get started.
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Spring product is in, now what? If you are feeling like you’re doing everything right but still missing sales goals you are not alone. In our March newsletter we are sharing tips to boost customer connections and keep your business going as we close out the first quarter of 2025.
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