Savvy Shopkeeper Retail Podcast

288. Why Your Retail Team Isn't Following Your SOPs

You wrote the SOP. You put it in a binder or a shared drive. Maybe you even handed it to your employee during training. So why is the work still not getting done correctl

287. 22 Years of Retail Resilience: How Ali Schuch Grew Fells Point Surf Company to Four Locations and Is Preparing to Scale

What does it take to run four retail stores, keep them profitable, and still make time for what matters most? Kathy sits down with Allison Schuch, owner of Fells Point

A Quick Update from the Road: Why I'm Adding Financial Coaching to MSK in 2027

A Wednesday-night podcast episode... recorded in my car? Kinda crazy for me, right? Well, I was traveling today so this MSK update wasn't willing to wait for my microphon

286. When Pushing Through Is the Wrong Move for Your Business

In this short and heartfelt episode, Kathy Cruz shares the story behind her podcast sign-off, "Be savvy and boss up," and the late Master Shopkeepers founding member, Apr

285. What Your Retail Return Policy Is Really Costing You

Ever wonder what a single frustrating return is really costing your store? In Episode 285, Kathy Cruz breaks down why your retail return policy affects a lot more than th

284. A Better Way to Plan Your Shop's Year

Most business planners were never built for retail. They give you a place to write goals, but not a system for knowing when to start buying for a major season, when to re

283. Planning Isn't What You Think It Is

Kathy challenges the common belief that "I'm just not a planner person." She explains why using a planner and actually planning are two completely different skills, and w

282. Why You Feel Like You're Always Behind as a Retail Store Owner

Kathy shares the results of a poll inside MSK where 67% of independent retailers said they always feel behind, and breaks down why that feeling usually has nothing to do

281. When to Flip Your Store to Christmas: What the Data Says About Timing Your Holiday Merchandising

Every fall, shop owners split into two camps. One says never rush the season. The other says shoppers are already out there spending, so meet them where they are. Both ca

280. I've Changed My Mind: Why Savvy Shopkeeper is Evolving

Episode 280: I've Changed My Mind: Why Savvy Shopkeeper is Evolving This episode looks a little different. Instead of teaching a topic, Kathy is pulling back the curtai

279. From Nearly Giving Up to Growing Again: The Numbers That Saved This Retail Store. A Shopkeeper Story with Vintage Green Review.

What if the biggest thing holding your retail business back isn't your location, your products, or even your marketing? In this Shopkeeper Story, Kathy sits down with Sar

278. The Modern-Day General Store: How Christine Klein of The Vintage Hammer Ditched the Guesswork to Double Her Impact

Starting a retail store without experience didn't stop Christine, owner of The Vintage Hammer, from building two thriving locations and creating a business that's growing

277. How One Retail Store Achieved 110% Growth in a Small Town. Shopkeeper Stories with Elena Gustavson of Magpie and Tiger.

In this Shopkeeper Story, Kathy interviews Elena Gustavson of Magpie and Tiger about building a profitable stationery and gift shop in a town of fewer than 8,000 people.

276. From Store Operator to Store Owner: The Leadership Shift Retailers Must Make.

In this episode, we're continuing the conversation from Episode 268 and breaking down what it really means to move from store operator to store owner. If your business st

275. Is Brick and Mortar Retail Dying? What the Data Actually Says

Is brick-and-mortar retail really dying? After months analyzing 13 years of U.S. Census retail data, this episode uncovers Kathy's new report available for download, "Bri

274. How to Get Rid of Dead Inventory in a Retail Store: Max Retail Review & Strategy

If you're carrying inventory that just won't sell, this episode is for you. Kathy breaks down what dead inventory in retail is really costing your business and why it's

273. Don't Ask Your Business to Carry More Financial Responsibility Than It Is Built to Carry

Episode 273 Show Notes: Do Not Ask Your Business to Carry More Financial Responsibility Than It Is Built to Carry Hosted by Kathy Cruz | Savvy Shopkeeper Retail Podcast

272. The Q4 Pressure Test: Are You Prepared for Retail's Busy Season? Seven Profit Decisions to Make Now

Q4 isn't just another quarter in retail—it's often the one that determines how your entire year performs. And yet, most store owners head into their busiest season feelin

271. What Earned a Place in My Office Reset

In the last episode, Kathy talked about how to reset your office, desk, or cash wrap so it actually supports how you run your business. In this follow-up, she shares some

270. Resetting Your Office Space So It Actually Works for You

If you have a desk, office, or cash wrap area in your store that you keep avoiding, this episode is for you. Sometimes a space isn't messy, it's just no longer aligned