Many retail shoppers today are looking for merchandise they want, not necessarily items they need. They search for the unique and exciting, not the usual. However, what they find is virtually the same merchandise in every store they visit. This sameness does nothing to inspire customer loyalty or promote driving a few extra miles to another store.
Vendors sell the same package deals to retailers at the same markets season after season. This reduces retailing to price competition. Successful, independent retailers know they cannot win a pricing war, but they can win big at value.
Customers reward the stores with the best value at the cash register, but make no mistake; price is only one piece of value. Value includes the bright, clean store stocked with unique appealing merchandise and staffed with knowledgeable customer-oriented sales representatives focused on customers’ satisfaction. Value means a good location, adequate parking, a well-known brand, and a varied merchandise selection at a fair price. It is a store that is the happening place. The store is a stage–a place to excite, involve, educate and entertain customers.
Successful independent retailers must be open to innovation and walk away from the “sea of sameness.” Find your niche and create a retail experience that your customers will look forward to. Retailers cannot sit back drifting with the tide. If they do, they may find themselves drowning in the sea of sameness. As an independent retailer, your choices are to innovate or evaporate.
Below you will find several national independent retail associations that understand and promote this philosophy. The future of independent retail is strong, however, the fight to stay relevant and on-trend is more important than ever.
 | HARDWARENational Independent Hardware Association of America – The NIHAA is home to independent hardware retailers across the country. As the local hardware stores become more diversified they rely on each other to find the best selling lines. |
 | GIFTAssociation of Gift Boutique Retailers of America – The AGBRA is a National Association of Gift Stores, Boutique Retailers and Stationary Shops. They are the small business owners that are the backbone of the American economy. |
 | PHARMACYIndependent Retail Pharmacy Association – We are dedicated to the continuing growth and prosperity of independent community pharmacy in the United States. We are committed to pharmacist care and to restoring, maintaining, and promoting the well-being of the public we serve. |
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 | NUTRITIONIndependent Nutrition Retailer Association – The INRA is an association of nutrition retailers dedicated to the betterment of human potential through ideal sport and supplement nutrition. |
 | PETIndependent Pet Retailer Association – The IPRA is dedicated to the betterment and wellbeing of our furry, feathery and fin’d friends. Working as an association, this group of independent pet retailers is passionate about finding the best new products for their clients best friends. |
 | BEAUTYIndependent Hair & Beauty Retailer Association – The IHBRA is a national retail association of owners that are dedicated to delivering their clients the most transformative product lines and up to date style trends. |
 | SPORTING GOODSIndependent Sporting Goods Retailer Association – The ISGRA was created to support its members’ efforts to grow the business, discover and share new trending product lines and create a platform for it’s members to stay educated on new retail opportunities. |
 | GROCERYNatural Grocers – Was founded to bring together independent grocers across the United States to ensure that the trusted, family-owned local grocery store remained strong in the face of growing chain competition. |
 | ADULTAdult Retailer Association – The ARA was created to bring together independent retail owners of adult stores nationally to keep track of manufacturing changes, industry trends and the latest in employment law. |