About this episode

Wendy Batten discusses the importance of proper inventory pricing and management for retail growth in the second installment of the Retail Mystery series.

With host retail coach Wendy Batten https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/ Episode Overview Why would a shop that has been open for over a decade, has loyal customers, strong brands, and steady traffic have stalled growth or even a decline in business? In this second installment of the Retail Mystery series, I share the fictional case of a home decor shop owner who feels stuck after 13 years in business. Profits are still coming in, but not at the level they once did. The owner points to the economy, weather, rising wages, and shifting customer habits. All valid concerns. But when the deeper investigation begins, a different pattern starts to emerge. This episode invites experienced shop owners to pause and look beyond external factors. If business feels harder than it used to, I'm offering practical clarity on where to look and what may need to shift inside the store itself. Our Key Topics What happens when you stick with "comfortable" and "easy" when it comes to inventory planning Why you need to keep up with modern customer needs based on your goals: social selling, social media, e-commerce, etc. What happens when you blindly stick to the keystone method of pricing your goods…

People in this episode

Host: Wendy Batten

Topics covered

• inventory management
• pricing strategy
• retail growth
• customer habits
• business challenges

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Creative Shop Talk, home decor shop

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• 304. Hospitality is an Inside Job: How Leadership and Small Moments Shape Your Shop's Reputation with Guest Expert Stephanie Miller Vincent · April 13, 2026 · 40 min
• 303. How to Build an Exceptional Retail Brand That Attracts the Right Customers · April 6, 2026 · 24 min
• 302. Retail Mystery March: Why Your Shop Has a Big Following but You Aren't Making Money · March 30, 2026 · 19 min

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