Press

Speaker: Retailers need to adapt to changing consumer market By Ed Waters Jr.
April 7, 2011
Consumers have changed, according to a retail expert. It is now “chic to be frugal and saving.”
That was one of the many points made Tuesday night by Margie Johnson of Shop Talk. The nationally known speaker on retail trends and how small businesses can succeed in a tough economy spoke to about 100 people at the Delaplaine Visual Arts Education Center.
Read The Frederick News-Post

How to Have Customers Choose You Over Your Competitors
March 9, 2010
A workshop sponsored by Pilot Media, the largest newspaper in greater Hampton Roads, for small to mid-sized retail and service businesses.

Target to open store in Va. Beach’s Pembroke Mall By Deirdre Fernandes
March 4, 2011
VIRGINIA BEACH The retailer Target plans to open a store in Pembroke Mall, the oldest indoor mall in South Hampton Roads, in the fall of 2012. The Pembroke Mall location will be Target’s fourth store in Virginia Beach. The mall’s attorney told the city’s zoning board that the store will open behind the Kohl’s store, taking over space occupied by the Regal 8 Cinemas.
Read The Virginian-Pilot Article

Sales are hot when the weather’s cold By Jenny Kincaid Boone
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Popular Christmas songs conjure up images of cold. Jack Frost nips at your nose in “The Christmas Song.” Tree tops glisten in a “White Christmas.” Cheeks are nice and rosy in “Sleigh Ride.”
Read The Roanoke Times Article

Bargain hunting a full-time job this holiday season By Carolyn Shapiro
November 22, 2010
Michelle Schaefer and her family wouldn’t have much of a Christmas without deals.
The mother of six looks for discounts everywhere, mostly on the Internet. She scours frugal-shopper blogs, finds Facebook discounts and searches store sales.
Read The Virginian-Pilot Article

Brand-Speak How do customers define your brand? By Margie Johnson
July 20, 2010
As the economic climate continues to challenge businesses on many levels, I think it is the opportune time for independent merchants, restaurant owners, and owners of service businesses to ask themselves some difficult questions about the perception of their “brand.” Often, as Shop Talk analyzes customers’ feedback about businesses they continue to frequent, or have stopped frequenting, it seems to always come back to reflecting on issues regarding the business’ brand/promise. Therefore, many of the indicators that make a successful business will need to be carefully critiqued by all business owners/managers.
Read the Fashion Advantage Article

Instant stores are popping up By Jenny Kincaid Boone
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Many retailers are using kiosks and mall carts to augment sales over the holiday shopping season.
Read The Roanoke Times Article

Hiring for the holidays By Jenny Kincaid Boone
Sunday, November 01, 2009
Forecasts for seasonal employment nationwide have been dire, but several area retailers are already beefing up their work forces as people get ready to shop.
Read The Roanoke Times Article

Local Walmart rolling forward with a redesign By Jenny Kincaid Boone
Thursday, October 15, 2009
The Walmart in Rocky Mount is one of the chain’s latest stores to undergo a top-to-bottom overhaul.
Read The Roanoke Times Article

Cosmetics are pretty resilient By Jenny Kincaid Boone
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Despite a colorless spending climate, sales of women’s cosmetics are looking vibrant.
Read The Roanoke Times Article

Prime Outlets – Williamsburg unveils expansion amid weakening economy By Jennifer Jiggetts
April 19, 2008
WILLIAMSBURG Susan Hogan spent her lunch break Friday afternoon strolling past the new stores at Prime Outlets – Williamsburg. The part-time bookkeeper peeked into a few shops before entering American Eagle Outfitters and finding a bargain. The Williamsburg resident spent $30 on two shirts, saving, she said, about $70.
Read The Virginian-Pilot Article