A slowdown for fall?

by Steve Pruitt

Q: I’ve heard that this fall won’t be as strong as last fall. What should I do to prepare now for this likely slowdown?

A: Yes, after gains for two seasons there is typically a slowdown, though, this rule may not hold true for all stores. It could be argued that while the fall of 2009 had gains, after a horrible 2008, the increases were by no means significant. In turn, this slowdown period may not apply to this cycle.

However, if we do face a slowdown, which I think is likely, stores need to fight this by bringing a higher level of excitement to their products and by adding new product and initiatives. You need to improve the metrics of your business and everything that entails to stay ahead.