The Gray Cat Blog

A comprehensive collection of blogs designed to assist small business owners and multi-unit operators. 

Four Wall Analysis Feb 06, 2023

When it comes to managing a profitable operation, knowing your key financial drivers of the store is paramount. Developing a “Four-Wall Analysis” is a helpful tool to better...

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Labor Management Feb 06, 2023

Labor management is perhaps one of the most fundamental aspects of running a profitable business. Servicing the customer with too few people on staff and sales will be negatively impacted as...

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The Basics Of Franchising Feb 06, 2023

Upon opening their first store, many single-store operators come to an often premature conclusion that they are going to franchise. While this may be a noble end-game goal, what is often missing...

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Getting Your Products Into Retail Feb 06, 2023

Eureka! A new product is born!

Created in your kitchen or the garage, it is your dream, your vision. It’s your baby. Now what? How does one go about selling the product through the retail...

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The Keys To Merchandising Feb 06, 2023

“Merchandising, merchandising, where the real money from the movie is made. Spaceballs the T-shirt. Spaceballs the lunchbox. Spaceballs the coloring book. Spaceballs… the flamethrower!...

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Creating An Advertising Plan Feb 06, 2023

As you have probably gathered from reading my other articles, I am a firm believer in planning for success. Whether it is operational excellence, de-branding a store or outlining your procedures...

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Strategic Process for Site Planning Feb 06, 2023

Real estate site selection can be a complex web of evaluating store attributes within a potential store trade area.  The process utilizes both a science and an art to the overall...

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Maintaining A Store-By-Store Database Feb 06, 2023

There comes a time in every multi-unit retailer’s business cycle that they want to launch a new product that requires a reconfiguration to their store. I am not talking about a...

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Retail Facilities Management Feb 06, 2023

It was the situation that everyone dreads. Out of the blue, the anxiety-filled request was made – the CEO had summoned me to his office. Thoughts raced through my head – mostly bad...

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Optimizing A Convention Feb 06, 2023

Whether this is your first industry convention or you are a seasoned pro, I am a firm believer that establishing a well-thought out plan in advance of attending an industry convention is...

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Integrating Acquisitions Feb 06, 2023

Growing your enterprise can usually be accomplished following two paths: a) organic growth – the process of building your overall portfolio of stores through the development of ground-up...

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HELP! I Have To Deliver A Presentation! Feb 06, 2023

“The human brain starts working the moment you are born and never stops until you stand up to speak in public.”

– George Jessel

What is it about public speaking that drives...

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