Retail Roundtable: 5 Obstacles Facing Retail Small Businesses

Description

Local owners and managers of Chamber retail member businesses will share content and conversation with their peers, addressing known challenges, opportunities, trends, and resources at a Retail Roundtable  on Wednesday, October 19, 2016, from 7:00 - 9:00 a.m. 
 
This Retail Roundtable is scheduled ahead of the holiday shopping season and related seasonal events, which create potential to win or lose retail customers.  The Roundtable will touch upon specific topics, including those listed below, while allowing time for participants to share their challenges and best practices in a friendly, helpful, and innovation-sharing environment.

If you have specific topics or issues you would like to address, please contact Mark Sturgell in advance at the Greater Decatur Chamber of Commerce.
 
Roundtables are informative and sometimes free-forum “think-tanks” among Chamber members that address shared goals and challenges. They generally last about 2 hours, and address common issues, best practices, helpful resources, and ideas shared among Chamber member peers and subject-matter experts.  Results from Roundtable discussions can inform, shape, and lead to more in-depth public and individualized programs, as well as business improvements that help attract and maintain customers, increase profitability and sustainability.

6:45 a.m.        Doors open, continental breakfast available
7:00 a.m.        Participant Introductions
7:10 a.m.        “5 Obstacles Facing Retail Small Businesses”

Finding Financing

• Alternative Utility Services – introducing a financial capital source to upgrade your lighting & save on energy costs (5 mins)
• Commercial loans – John West, 1^st Mid-Illinois Bank & Trust (20 mins)

• Nurture marketing & Social Media – panel discussion – Secret Garden, Main Hangar, Papa Murphy’s, Residence Inn (20 mins)

• Increasing Customer Loyalty and its effect on Profitability – Brass Horn and Mark Sturgell (20 mins)

• Shop Small Saturday, November 26, 2016 – Jarrod Cox (20 min.)