RIA Executive Director Update

Our first step is to ask our members to participate in the RIA’s Annual Retail Member Survey. This survey is a crucial opportunity for us to hear directly from you about the state of your business, how you’re connecting with your customers, and how you see those connections evolving. Additionally, we’re keen to learn which benefits from the RIA you’re utilizing and how we can further support your business in the future. The survey takes about ten minutes, and we thank everyone in advance for sharing your insights. 

It’s also a good time to update everyone on the progress of the RIA's Product Data Collaborative (PDC). Thanks to the feedback from the dozens of retailers who’ve attended our informational webinars or reached out directly, we’ve been able to fine tune the user interface, and we’re very pleased with the results. Next steps for the PDC will be to ensure a robust and accurately organized level of product data. As we work toward this goal, the RIA will continue to offer free access to the PDC, and we strongly encourage everyone to sign up and explore this powerful tool.

A few members have asked who the PDC is really for. One member in particular had this to say: "We're a small store. Do we really need the PDC?  We typically just enter data into our POS when our shipments arrive," That’s a fair question. To those of you thinking along these lines, we have some exciting news: your store is exactly the business that can benefit most from the PDC! When you use the PDC to export your assortments into your POS and other third-party platforms, you can significantly streamline your workflow. Instead of waiting until products arrive to scan into POS, you can input your data well before your shipments arrive. This is based on preference but could be as early as the start of your seasonal planning up until final revisions are made the month prior. 

Essentially, moving your data management from the back end to the front end is a more proactive approach that will lead to fewer errors, better inventory management, and substantial time savings. The PDC can make that happen, and subsequently will save you both time and money.  So, we encourage you to try it out.  If you want to learn more, be sure to join us for our next PDC webinar to be held Wednesday, August 28 at 11 a.m. PT- register now. We also have one scheduled for October 9 at 11 a.m. PT – register now. 

Thank you for your continued support and engagement with the RIA. And keep the feedback coming. Your input is invaluable in helping us determine next steps for the RIA in our mission to support the run specialty channel. 

Terry 

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Some content and resources may not be visible because you're not logged in. If you are a current member, use the login form below. Not yet a member? Join today!