The harsher market needs new measures in retailing. The basic steps to succeed are to know your market and to be active, and when it comes to practice there are a few simple things you could try.

Being a good neighbour and a team player is a good idea in retailing as elsewhere. Working with your neighbours and collaboration between retailers and shopping centres will make you stronger and more attractive.
Rearrange your windows and isles over the cause of the day to suite the customers on their lunch-brake, the ones going for a cup of coffee in the afternoon and the workers hurrying home in the evening.

A satisfied customer is the best advertisement. Good service and a smile will take you a long way, but take extra care to ensure a returning customer. They will also tell their friends about you.

Advertisements should not be regarded as limited to ads in the local press. We will probably see a lot more of the creative and often cost-efficient guerrilla like advertising in the future.

Try out new ways of communicating with your customers. Maybe a blog suits your company? Maybe an in-store TV prolongs your customers’ stay? Again, knowing your customers and your market gives you new opportunities to act upon.