Retail Success Series

In part 2 of our Cashflow series Nicole looks at what is likely to be your biggest expense in the business, stock, and what you actions you can take to ensure you minimise cashflow restraints that can result from your purchasing decisions.

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It's easy to get sucked into spending too much time on the next "big thing" when we have a business that needs our support and concentration. It is part of the entrepreneur DNA to keep considering what's next. But in this episode Nicole shares 3 of her favourite techniques for getting the important work done and not loosing focus.

Instagram: @theretailmarketers
Website: theretailmarketers.com
YouTube Channel: youtube.com/@theretailmarketers

In Episode 35 of the Retail Success Series Podcast, we dive into one of the biggest decisions product-based businesses face—how to manage order fulfillment. Should you continue packing orders in-house, or is it time to partner with a third-party logistics provider (3PL)? Host Nicole Keleher shares her personal journey from handling orders herself to outsourcing fulfillment, detailing the pros, cons, and surprising insights along the way. If you’ve spent countless hours packing orders this holiday season, this episode offers practical advice and inspiration to help you rethink your approach for 2025.

Nicole recounts how outsourcing started as a quick-fix solution during a staff shortage but eventually transformed her business operations. She explores the initial fears many business owners face—losing control, sacrificing personalization, and increased costs—and explains how these concerns were resolved through strategic planning and partnership with the right 3PL provider. Nicole also provides insider tips on managing large or fragile inventory, negotiating fair rates, and ensuring seamless customer experiences with a third-party warehouse.

For product-based businesses feeling overwhelmed by fulfillment, this episode is packed with valuable insights. Nicole shares lessons learned from costly mistakes, including navigating delivery cost glitches and inefficient inventory systems. She highlights the importance of asking the right questions when selecting a 3PL and outlines the unexpected benefits, like faster dispatch times, lower shipping rates, and the ability to scale quickly during busy sales seasons. Whether you’re an online-only retailer or managing both e-commerce and a brick-and-mortar store, this episode can help you streamline fulfillment and reclaim your time.

If the thought of another chaotic holiday season leaves you stressed, this episode is your roadmap to smoother operations in 2025. Nicole’s experience shows how outsourcing fulfillment doesn’t just save time—it can also reduce costs, improve logistics, and free you to focus on growth and customer relationships. Tune in for practical tips on finding the right 3PL partner, negotiating fair terms, and maintaining that personal touch that keeps customers coming back.

Instagram: @theretailmarketers
Website: theretailmarketers.com
YouTube Channel: youtube.com/@theretailmarketers

In this insightful podcast episode, Nicole welcomes back Jo Attard, director of Hart Financial, to share expert advice on securing bank loans for business growth or acquisition. Jo brings over 20 years of finance experience, offering practical tips on how entrepreneurs can prepare their financials and proposals to maximize their chances of getting approved. Whether you're looking to buy an established business or expand your current operations, Jo highlights the importance of detailed planning, financial transparency, and showcasing your vision for profitability to lenders.
Jo emphasizes that buying an existing business often presents fewer hurdles than starting one from scratch. She explains how banks prioritize financial statements from the last two years, profitability trends, and the borrower's industry experience when evaluating loan applications. The episode also covers alternative financing options, such as vendor financing and leveraging business assets, providing listeners with a range of strategies to secure funding. These insights are particularly valuable for anyone navigating the complexities of commercial lending, offering actionable steps to strengthen loan applications.
Listeners will appreciate Jo's practical approach to mitigating risks, including planning for unexpected challenges, analyzing personal finances, and creating cash buffers. She stresses the importance of having backup plans to weather uncertainties, citing real-world examples of businesses affected by economic fluctuations and interest rate changes. Jo also highlights the evolving landscape of lending, with banks now offering faster, low-documentation loans and non-bank lenders providing quick financing options—though often at higher interest rates.
For business owners considering expansion, Jo explores flexible financing solutions for shop fit-outs and inventory purchases, explaining how loan terms often align with lease agreements. She also sheds light on how brokers simplify the process by identifying the best lenders and structuring applications for success. The conversation underscores the growing role of brokers, with 75% of borrowers now choosing their services to navigate the lending market effectively.
This episode is packed with valuable tips and strategies, making it a must-listen for entrepreneurs ready to scale their businesses. From understanding bank expectations to exploring innovative funding options, Jo and Nicole deliver practical guidance that can make the difference between a loan approval and rejection. Tune in to gain the confidence and tools needed to secure financing and take your business to the next level!
Jo was also a guest on episode 17 with more information on general cash flow finance needs for your business.
To connect with Jo Attard: heartfinancial.com.au

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Website: theretailmarketers.com
YouTube Channel: youtube.com/@theretailmarketers

Sensory Marketing is all about creating an immersive, memorable experience for customers by engaging their senses—sight, sound, touch, smell, and even taste. Rather than relying solely on traditional advertising or visual merchandising, sensory marketing taps into how people feel in a space, influencing their emotions, behaviour, and ultimately, their buying decisions.

A well-designed retail environment can evoke nostalgia, excitement, or comfort, encouraging shoppers to stay longer and connect more deeply with your brand. Whether it’s the warm glow of lighting, the inviting scent of fresh coffee, the texture of high-quality fabrics, or the perfect background music, every sensory detail plays a role in shaping customer perception and driving sales.

In this episode, I’m diving deep into Sensory Marketing and how you can create an engaging, immersive shopping experience without blowing the budget. Last time, I explored the impact of scent on customer perception. Today, I’m widening the focus to include lighting, touch, and sound—three crucial elements that can enhance your space and encourage more sales.

I’ll also be discussing the importance of making your store more inviting for neurodiverse customers, who make up a significant part of the community. Simple adjustments—like tweaking lighting levels, reducing background noise, or introducing quiet shopping hours—can go a long way in creating a more inclusive environment.

From choosing the best lighting to showcase your products, to designing a more interactive shopping experience and curating the perfect store soundtrack, I’ll be sharing practical, cost-effective strategies you can implement straight away.

If you're keen to enhance your customer experience, boost engagement, and turn your store into a place people love to visit, then this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss. So, grab a cuppa, settle in, and let’s explore how Sensory Marketing can take your retail business to the next level!

Instagram: @theretailmarketers
Website: theretailmarketers.com
YouTube Channel: youtube.com/@theretailmarketers