Fall 2015
THINK. SHOP. BUY. LOCAL REIMAGINED Since its inception in 2009, the goal of the Think. Shop. Buy. Local program (TSBL) has been to educate consumers on the importance of shopping locally; and to encourage consumers to think before they shop and to buy locally whenever possible. Through the years, RMA has used a variety of tactics to promote TSBL including advertisements, promotions, contests, social media and websites.
engagement with the brand. This means, we want consumers to do more than recognize the TSBL sticker. We want them to embrace shopping locally as their first choice for purchasing. In order to do this, we need to move the consumer along the spectrum of engagement with TSBL. Now this may sound like “marketing-ese”, but it’s really a logical approach to changing behavior.
local businesses, creating relevance for our audience. These will include consumer testimonials, member spotlights and retail news. They’ll illustrate the level of service, relationships and unique experiences that can only be gained through local shopping.
WHERE can you find these stories? They will be shared through the TSBL blog, website and e-communications. Plus they’ll be referenced in TSBL social media While we’ve had some success in raising Consider the spectrum of engagement in posts and then further distributed through the leveraged networks of RMA members. awareness, RMA is ready to take TSBL four stages: In fact, we’ve already started! Check to the next level by increasing consumers’ Unaware » Aware » Engaged » Advocate out the newly updated TSBL website In This Issue... (ThinkShopBuyLocal.com) and see for Currently, most consumers fall into the yourself! We’ve streamlined the site to unaware or aware stage. To be honest, 1 Think. Shop. Buy. be cleaner, easier to navigate, and more even some of our RMA members are still Local Reimagined compelling for visitors. Here consumers in these stages. To move consumers along 2 Letter to Members the spectrum, we need to educate them can find all the TSBL favorites: Stories, about WHY it’s important to shop locally. Deals, Events and our Directory. 3 Welcome & Congratulations! In other words, we need to get them to see Visit the site often and stay connected why they should care! to the TSBL social media channels and 4 The RMA Scene
6 RMA Members in the News 7 RMA Members Who Made the Inc. 5000 List 8 RMA Endorsed Vendors 9 Welcome New Members 10 Virginia Retail Federation Update 11 RMA Events Calendar
HOW will we do this? While we’ll continue to advertise and share facts about shopping locally, it is time to tell some stories. Stories help us connect with our audiences in a way that charts, graphs, and statistics can never do. And stories motivate audiences to act.
e-newsletters to keep up with new stories and fresh content. As consumers see their friends, neighbors and favorite shops in these stories, they’ll be able to comment, share and participate in telling the stories as well. In fact, we are already seeing a growth in engagement.
WHAT kind of stories? We’ll be telling stories that relay the depth and breadth of the local retail scene. They will be compelling narratives that relate consumers’ personal experiences with
We‘ve got a growing list of both consumers and retailers who have a story to tell. All of which will lead them to engagement, and eventually, to advocacy. So join in the movement and help tell the TSBL story.
STAFF CORNER Dear Members, Crisp air, shorter days, turning leaves, football... For most of our community, these are the thoughts evoked by the Fall season. But as retailers, we’ve got other things on our minds. As we roll into the busiest quarter of the year, we’re thinking inventory, holiday sales, 4th quarter projections, seasonal staff, and a myriad of other “To Do’s” swirling around in our heads. Here at Retail Merchants Association, Fall also brings our busiest season of events: the Economic Forecast, the Annual Valor Awards, and the Distinguished Retailer of the Year celebration come in a succession of first Fridays. These events, along with our Connect @s, RMA Recycle Day and Key Sessions provide opportunities to educate, network and honor. We hope you’ll have time to join us for some of these events, but most importantly, we hope you’ll let Retail Merchants Association help you have a successful fourth quarter. Take advantage of your member benefits – including the new and revamped features on the Think. Shop. Buy. Local platforms (See front page). These features are aimed to help you connect with the consumers, to tell the local retail story, and in this season especially - to remind consumers that gifts bring greater joy when they are bought locally. With gratitude, Jenna
Core Values
Vision
Creating vibrant retail communities, together
We are committed to our members and the retail industry. We are passionate about our community. We are open,
honest and direct communicators.
We are professional and accountable.
Mission
We are collaborators who promote connectivity, change and creativity.
We help local retailers thrive.
We are a resource for our members. We expect
excellence in ourselves and in our work.
2 | Retail Partners | RetailMerchants.com | ThinkShopBuyLocal.com | Fall 2015
Welcome And Congratulations! Welcome Danni Neal, RMA’s new Publications and Communications Coordinator. Danni is a Virginia Tech graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts. Since graduating, Danni has held a number of positions in small offices which allowed her to take on a wide range of responsibilities, many of which involved tapping into her desktop publishing and design skills. Danni has also been working as a freelance graphic designer. Here at RMA, Danni will tackle RMA’s e-communications, publications and graphic design work. She’ll also be the go-to staff member if you would like to place an ad in any RMA publications. We are thrilled to have Danni on board. Also, we would like to congratulate Gretchen
The Retail Partners Newsletter is published four times annually. Editorial Offices Retail Merchants Association 5101 Monument Ave Richmond, VA 23230 804.726.5043 Publisher Diana Kent dkent@retailmerchants.com Editor Diana Kent dkent@retailmerchants.com Contributing Writers Jenna Mosman Mary Huffard Kegley Ad Sales Jenna Mosman - 804.323.5739 jmosman@retailmerchants.com © 2015 Retail Merchants Association, Richmond VA. All rights reserved.
Nurnberger, who has been promoted to Events and Sponsorship Coordinator. This is a new position here at RMA and we couldn’t think of better person for its inaugural hire! Gretchen has been working as an Intern at RMA since April 2015 and has had plenty of hands-on experience preparing for and executing RMA events. Through her trial by fire, Gretchen has shown she’s an adept multi-tasker, who keeps her calm, professionalism and sense of humor even in the busiest of times. Gretchen is also a graduate of Virginia Tech where she majored in History and minored in Art History. With these two great additions to the RMA staff, all we can say now is…. Go Hokies!?
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Amy DuFour & Linzy Brown (Capital Ale House) at the Connect@ Capital Ale House 2 Carolyn Clements (Ball Office Products), Gail Hubbard (EVB), & Danna Geisler (Chesterfield Chamber) at the Connect@ Capital Ale House 3 Greg Gilligan & Tom Silvestri (Richmond Times-Dispatch) at the Economic Forecast Breakfast 4 Marilyn Wayland (Free Agents Marketing), Nancy Thomas (RMA), & Denise Wilkerson (Free Agents Marketing) at the Connect@ Free Agents Marketing 5 Nhat Pham (SUCCESSWERKS), Ken Wayland (Free Agents Marketing), Kelly Pham (SUCCESSWERKS), & Jim Roman (Business Owners Institute) at the Connect@ Capital Ale House 6 Michelle Simon & Lauren Portluck (EVB) at the Connect@ Free Agents Marketing 7 Gary Glover (Puritan Cleaners) & Len East (RMA) at the Economic Forecast Breakfast 8 Networking & good cheer at the Connect@ Free Agents Marketing 9 A packed room at the Economic Forecast Breakfast to hear President Lacker of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond 10 John Stallings (SunTrust Bank) & Jeffrey Lacker (Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond) at the Economic Forecast Breakfast 11 Grand Opening Celebration at BetterMed Urgent Care 12 Danna Geisler (Chesterfield Chamber) & Len East (RMA) at the Connect@ Capital Ale House 13 Jodi Roth (Virginia Retail Federation) & Bill Selden (C.P. Dean) at the Economic Forecast Breakfast 14 Ken Wayland (Free Agents Marketing) & Nancy Thomas welcoming guests at the Connect@ Free Agents Marketing 15 Doris Ann Kane (Richmond TimesDispatch), Diana Kent (RMA) & Julie Hill (EVB) at the Economic Forecast Breakfast 16 Making connections at the Connect@ Free Agents Marketing 17 Mary Warren (Regency Mall) & Sherry Minson (RMA) at the Economic Forecast Breakfast 18 Grand Opening Celebration at Fleet Feet Sports in Short Pump 19 Grand Opening Celebration at Chesapeake Bank 20 President Lacker (Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond) addressing a full room at the Economic Forecast Breakfast 21 Bob Charlton (Global View Capital Management), Natalie Toalson McNamara (WKH Solutions) & Rudy Garcia (Global View Capital Management) at the Connect @ Free Agents Marketing
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4 | Retail Partners | RetailMerchants.com | ThinkShopBuyLocal.com | Fall 2015
2012 DISTINGUISHED RETAILER OF THETHE YEAR RMA AWARD CEREMONY SCENE 10
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RMA MEMBERS IN THE NEWS
Look Who Made Richmond Magazine’s “Best” List... News, Media & Arts Best Museum #1 Virginia Museum of Fine Art (VMFA) #2 Science Museum of VA & The Valentine (tie) Best Local Comedy Show #2 Comedy Sportz Improv Best Locally Owned Live Music Venue #2 The Tin Pan & Innsbrook After Hours (tie) Best Music Series or Festival #3 Innsbrook After Hours Shopping & Services Best Shop for Children’s Gifts #1 World of Mirth Best Hair Salon #2 Mango Salon Best Shop with RichmondMade Goods #3 Tweed Best Place to Buy Anniversary Gift Jewelry #1 Schwarzschild Jewelers #3 Adolf Jewelers & Cowardin’s Jewelers (tie) Best Watch & Jewelry Repair #1 Schwarzschild Jewelers #3 Cowardin’s Jewelers Best Custom Jeweler #1 Schwarzschild Jewelers #2 Carrera’s Jewelers #3 Vera’s Fine Jewelers & Cowardin’s Jewelers (tie) Best Richmond-Made Jewelry Selection #1 Vera’s Fine Jewelers #2 Schwarzschild Jewelers #3 Adolf Jewelers & Stevens Jewelers (tie)
Best Bank Services #1 Wells Fargo #2 Virginia Credit Union #3 Union Bank & Trust Best Place for Bicycle Repairs #1 Agee’s Bicycles Best Dance Classes for Adults #3 ACAC Best Fitness Class #2 Pure Barre (Near West End) Best Equipped Gym #1 ACAC Best Shop for Wedding Gifts #1 Tweed #3 Fraiche Best Place to Buy Father’s Day Gifts #2 Green Top Sporting Goods #3 Pleasant’s Hardware Best Place to Buy Mother’s Day Gifts #1 Tweed #3 The Shops at 5807
Best Women’s Shoe Selection #1 Saxon Shoes #3 Need Supply Co. Best Vintage Shop #3 Goodwill Best Thrift Shop #1 Goodwill Dining & Nightlife Best Take-out Place in Richmond #2 Sticky To-go-go Restaurant that Epitomizes Richmond #1 Lemaire @ the Jefferson Hotel Best Happy Hour #1 Lemaire @ the Jefferson Hotel Best Restaurant South of the James #3 Ruth’s Chris Steak House
Best Men’s Shop #1 Franco’s Fine Clothier #2 Peter-Blair
Best Place for a Healthy Lunch #2 Ellwood Thompson’s #3 Urban Farmhouse
Best Shop for Women’s Casual Wear #1 Need Supply Co. #3 Frances Khan
Best Carytown Restaurant #1 Can Can Brasserie
Best Shop for Women’s Evening Wear #1 Lex’s of Carytown #3 Cynthia Steele Best Place to Buy Glasses #1 Need Supply Co. Best Place to Get a Prom Dress #1 Lex’s of Carytown #2 Cynthia Steele Best Place to Get a Suit Altered #3 Franco’s Fine Clothier
Best West End Restaurant #2 Toast Best Restaurant Overall #3 Lemaire @ the Jefferson Hotel Best Chop House #1 Buckhead’s #2 Hondo’s #3 Ruth’s Chris Steak House Best Variety of Beer on Tap and/ or Bottled (Not a Brewery) #2 Capital Ale House Continued on page 7
6 | Retail Partners | RetailMerchants.com | ThinkShopBuyLocal.com | Fall 2015
“Best” continued... Best Barbeque #1 Buz and Ned’s Real Barbeque #3 Q Barbeque Best Specialty/ Gourmet Grocery Shop #3 Ellwood Thompson’s Best Organic/ Health Food Store #1 Ellwood Thompson’s #3 Good Foods Grocery Best Late-Night Snack #1 Red-Eye Cookie Company Best Restaurant that Accommodates Dietary Restrictions #3 Toast & Lemaire @ the Jefferson (tie) Best Community Meeting Space #1 Ellwood Thompson’s Best Chocolate and/ or Candy Shop
#3 Gearharts Fine Chocolates Best Local Frozen Treat Shop #2 Gelati Celesti Best Selection of Soups #2 Ellwood Thompson’s & Union Market (tie) Best Coffee Shop #2 Rostov’s Best Restaurant for a Business Meeting #1 Lemaire @ the Jefferson Hotel #2 Can Can Brasserie & Hondo’s (tie) Family & Neighborhoods Best Art Classes for Kids #1 VMFA Best Kid Friendly Coffee Shop #2 Perk!
Most Kid Friendly Menu at a Locally Owned Restaurant #3 Toast Best Youth Summer Athletic Camp #3 ACAC Best Pet Boarding #1 Holiday Barn Pet Resorts Best Local Athletic Complex #1 ACAC Best Pet Day Care #2 Holiday Barn Pet Resorts Best Place for a Family Outing on a Rainy Day #1 Science Museum of Virginia #3 VMFA Congratulations to all of the RMA members who were recognized & all of those who continue to provide excellent products and services in Richmond!
Congratulations To Our Members Who Made The Inc. 5000 List! We’re thrilled to congratulate three RMA members who made Inc. Magazine’s 2015 Inc. 5000 List of the fastest-growing, privately owned companies in the country! The list, published each year, showcases the top 5,000 private companies in the nation ranked by percent growth over the past three years. Congratulations to our three members, Dominion Payroll Services, NetSearch Direct and Taradel for receiving this recognition.
Dominion Payroll Services (DPS) makes the list for the sixth time, at #3750, with 82% growth over three years and the addition of 20 new jobs. DPS was founded in 2002 and provides complete outsourcing services such as payroll processing, HR services, credit card processing and more. Taradel, a new member at RMA, makes the list for the eighth year at #2126, with 184% growth and the addition of 10 new jobs. Taradel is a full-service marketing firm specializing in full-color printing and Every Door Direct Mail.
This is NetSearch Direct’s second year making the list, at #3133 with 110% three year growth and the addition of 11 jobs. NetSearch Direct was founded in Kudos to these member companies for this 2006 and is a full-service digital marketing agency specializing in SEO, pay-per-click advertising and web recognition, and all RMA member companies making design services. strides in their businesses! 7 | Retail Partners | RetailMerchants.com | ThinkShopBuyLocal.com | Fall 2015
MEMBER BENEFITS Dominion Payroll Services When money matters…. Payroll is one of the most important functions of your business – for both you and your employees. When something plays such a critical role in the success of your business, you want to know you are in good hands. For this reason, consider Dominion Payroll Services (DPS) as the partner you’ve been looking for.
Endorsed Vendors RMA’s Endorsed Vendors offer free consultations and reduced pricing to RMA members.
DPS is more than just a payroll company. They offer payroll, HR, timekeeping and pre-employment solutions to businesses ranging from 1 to 2,500 employees. But most importantly, DPS is a community champion. They pride themselves in being engaged with and giving back to our community. For RMA members, DPS offers a no-obligation review of your current payroll system and provides a 15% discount on payroll services when you join the DPS family. Get the best of both worlds by partnering with DPS - a company that is both an industry leader and a hometown business. For your free, no-obligation review, or to learn more about Dominion Payroll Services and its services, contact Joe LaBella at jlabella@dominionpayroll.com or 804.355.3430.
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DOMINION PAYROLL SERVICES
Joe LaBella 804.355.3430 jlabella@dominionpayroll.com
Brooke Barnes 804.290.1124 brooke.barnes@vafb.com Meagan Vickery 804.382.1274 meagan.vickery@vafb.com
Doris Ann Kane 804.649.6291 dkane@timesdispatch.com
Allison Cherry 804.317.3432 allisoncherry@ups.com
Scott Johnston 804.836.6798 scott.johnston@worldpay.us Chris Harrison 703.969.8302 chris.harrison@worldpay.us 8 | Retail Partners | RetailMerchants.com | ThinkShopBuyLocal.com | Fall 2015
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS!
Check out who’s joined since the last Retail Partners issue: 3Sports
Parallel Management Company
Tidewater Physical Therapy, Inc.
Radio Communications of VA
TowneBank
The Idea Center
Uniforms Bay
City of Colonial Heights Economic Development
The Tin Pan
UpTech
Discount Medical
The Virginia Cliffe Inn
Wythken Printing
BodyBrite Brandermill Woods Retirement Community
New Members At The September First Friday Forum
Event Title Sponsor
New Member Sponsor
Back row, left to right: Matthew McDonald (Follow Media Consulting, Sponsor), Ric Withers (Wythken Printing), Dr. Alvaro Zeballos (BetterMed Urgent Care), Andy Williams (3Sports), Todd Bradberry (Parallel Management Corporation), Greg Duncan (Simplicity VoIP) and Pat Collins (TowneBank) Front row, left to right: Betsy McElfresh (BetterMed Urgent Care), Julie Brendle (BodyBrite), Kristin Peck (BodyBrite), Barbara Paris (Wythken Printing), Stephanie Kirksey (Capital One) and Karen Epps (City of Colonial Heights)
VIRGINIA RETAIL FEDERATION Election Day Is Right Around The Corner! November 3, 2015 marks Election Day for all 140 Virginia House of Delegates and Virginia Senate seats. Take the time to get to know the candidates and share your retail business issues with them. This is the ideal opportunity to let them know how the legislation developed at the Virginia General Assembly affects your retail business. Find out more about the candidates running in the upcoming election at VirginiaRetailFederation.com. Be sure to get out and vote on November 3rd. While you get ready to vote, the Virginia Retail Federation (VRF) team is gearing up to represent the retail industry
at the 2016 Virginia General Assembly. This year the Virginia General Assembly will convene on January 13, 2016 and the session will last through March 12, 2016. The VRF team will be monitoring and updating you as bills that affect the retail industry are passed or denied. Keep an eye out for weekly email updates in the Retail Advocate during the General Assembly on the status of potential legislation affecting retail. Visit VirginiaRetailFederation.com to sign up for the Retail Advocate e-newsletter. Questions? Contact Mary Huffard Kegley at mhkegley@virginiaretailfederation.com or 804.662.5505.
Generous hearts make warm kids
Bring in your coats and donations to any Puritan Cleaners location throughout November!
To drop off a donation, please visit us online to find the Puritan Cleaners location nearest to you.
Visit online or call 355-5726
10 | Retail Partners | RetailMerchants.com | ThinkShopBuyLocal.com |Fall 2015
RMA EVENTS CALENDAR OCTOBER
DECEMBER
27 Connect@ Franco’s Fine Clothier
4
NOVEMBER 6
26th Annual Valor Awards
13
RMA Recycle Day
17
Key Session - Digital Platforms
REGISTER TODAY! To register for events online, visit:
2015 Distinguished Retail of the Year Awards & Holiday Celebration
JANUARY 8
January First Friday Forum
18
VRF Legislative Reception
26
th
www.retailmerchants.com
OR Contact Len East at len@retailmerchants.com
or 804.359.1709
11.06.15 Greater Richmond Convention Center 7:30 - 9:30 am
attend & be moved.
PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID RICHMOND, VA PERMIT #2254 Retail Merchants Association | 5101 Monument Avenue | Richmond, VA 23230 Phone (804) 662-5500 | Toll free (866) 750-2532 | www.RetailMerchants.com Facebook.com/RetailMerchants Facebook.com/ThinkShopBuyLocal Facebook.com/VirginiaRetailFederation Twitter.com/RetailMerchants Twitter.com/ShopLocalRVA Twitter.com/VARetailFed
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