It’s not easy to run a store and still have time to keep your finger on the pulse of inventive retailing around the world.  The Dutch web site Springwise.com can give you "your daily fix of entrepreneurial ideas" with the simple click of your computer mouse.

Springwise, established in 2002, claims to be one of the world’s leading sources of new business ideas.  They make use of a network of over 8,000 spotters around the globe, covering 70 different countries, and track more than 400 global offline and online business resources.  Their free weekly newsletter is sent to over 100,000 businesses in over 120 countries. 

To quote their home page, "Springwise is required brain food for entrepreneurial minds! Whether you’re a budding entrepreneur, head of a start-up, management consultant, marketing manager, consumer insights expert, trend watcher, journalist, private investor, business development director, or venture capitalist, Springwise will instantly inspire you by getting the world’s most promising new business ideas and young ventures right in front of you."

When you go to the Springwise site, click on the Idea Database marked Retail.  There you will find ideas for shops and marketing from a wide variety of sources.  Some of my favorites include "Store Perpetually Reopens," an article about "Pop to the Shops" from Wales, and "Coffee Chariot Caffeinates Copenhagen," which you have to admire for its great headline.

The articles on Springwise tend to focus on concepts that are big-city and big business, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t adapt an idea to your store if you are an independent, or in a smaller community.  For example, British grocer Waitrose has a locally focused giving program that enlists customers’ help in selecting the causes it donates to.  A simple idea, but it helps to see how it’s being done.  As with most Springwise articles, this one includes a link to the store’s web site and an e-mail contact within the organization.

Fresh ideas are important for facing the challenges in today’s marketplace. Take a look at this free source for cutting edge concepts!

Happy Retailing,

Carol "Orange" Schroeder

To learn more about creating your store concept, read Chapter a of my book, Specialty Shop Retailing: Everything You Need to Know to Run Your Own Store, available (autographed!) through our web site, Orange Tree Imports, or from any chain or independent bookseller.  To locate your local independent book store in person or online, go to Indie Bound.

Monday, October 6, 2008

Carol “Orange” Schroeder