Whether you sell products in stores or online, you need to constantly update your selling processes. If you have a website on Squarespace, updating your process by accepting payments with Paypal Express just got a lot easier. And for local retail stores, a new store model from Amazon could be of interest.
You can read about these updates and more in this week’s Small Business Trends news and information roundup.
Retail Trends
Squarespace Merchants Can Now Take Payments with PayPal Express Checkout
In its effort to give small business customers comprehensive web services, Squarespace has added yet another feature, the ability to take payments via PayPal (NASDAQ:PYPL) Express Checkout. Squarespace has taken do it yourself web design to a whole new level.
Amazon Go Store Eliminates Need for Check Out Lines (Watch)
No one loves waiting in long checkout lines. But customers might not have to worry about those lengthy waits much longer. Amazon just introduced a new store concept called Amazon Go that eliminates the need for lines — or any real checkout process at all. Here’s how it works. Customers enter the store using their account on the free Amazon mobile app.
Legalized Marijuana Sales Cause Drop in Alcohol Sales
As legal marijuana grows in popularity, domestic beer brewers are starting to take big profit hits in states where recreational pot is legal. People are now spending their money on weed at a similar rate to alcohol states with legalization, especially among the younger generation. The shifting landscape is digging into the profits of the major brewers and craft brewers alike.
8 in 10 U.S. Internet Users Now Buy Online, Says GlobalWebIndex
Americans are filling up their virtual shopping carts fast, a new study has found. According to GlobalWebIndex’s bi-annual report on the latest trends in online commerce, 8 in 10 American internet users shop online. The report also found high engagement rates across all major demographics.
Economy
It’s Official! Wrestling Entrepreneur Tweets She’s the New SBA Chief
Sorry, Sergeant Slaughter! Linda McMahon will be the next Administrator of the Small Business Administration. New Small Business Administration Chief Announced McMahon confirmed in a tweet on Wednesday afternoon that President-elect Donald Trump has selected her for the position.
Dasheroo Gets Second Chance, Announces It Has Been Acquired
In early October this year, web solution Dasheroo, announced that it is closing its doors due to an inability to secure funding or locate a purchaser.
Making the Most of a Post-Brexit U.K.: What Opportunities Exist for U.S. Small Businesses?
With Britain’s breakaway — affectionately called Brexit — from the European Union pending, U.S. small businesses may be wondering what economic opportunities exist in the U.K. post-Brexit? For the answer, Small Business Trends turned to Professor Stephen Roper, Ph.D., Director, Enterprise Research Centre, Warwick Business School, Coventry, U.K.
Employment
Transportation Tops Most In-Demand Non-Degree Jobs for Small Businesses
No degree, no problem? Not so fast. Job seekers without a college degree still have plenty of opportunities in this economy. And small businesses are seeking lots of people for jobs that don’t require the sheepskin. That doesn’t mean these jobs don’t require some level of expertise and, in some cases, extra certifications and licenses.
How to Train Temporary Workers During the Busy Holiday Season
Many businesses hire additional workers during the holiday season to help with increased demand. This year, retailers are expected to employ between 640,000 and 690,000 temporary workers, according to the National Retail Federation. Improperly trained temporary hires can present workplace safety risks.
Management
Now Chipotle’s Customer Service Is Suffering (Watch)
Chipotle’s problems are far from over. The restaurant chain’s founder admitted this week that half of the Chipotle restaurants in the U.S. aren’t meeting service standards. This is likely due, at least in part, to the E. coli and norovirus outbreaks at Chipotle restaurants earlier this year.
Holiday Marketing
Bing Adds Holiday Hours for Business Listings
As the holiday season gets into full gear, businesses of all sizes are keeping odd hours. Whether you are shopping for a last minute gift or you just need to grab a bite to eat, the Bing holiday hours feature will let you know who is open and when.
50 Tips for Marketing Your Business This Holiday Season
The holiday season is upon us. And it provides many unique opportunities for all different types of businesses to market to customers in new and unique ways. Whether you own an online business, a local store, or even a B2B company, there are ways you can promote your business throughout the coming months. Here are some ideas you can use to market your business this holiday season.
50 Main Street Local Marketing Ideas for the Holidays
The holiday shopping season can be a great time for Main Street organizations and Chambers of Commerce to support local merchants and other downtown businesses. There are plenty of different paths you can take to encourage support for business districts. Here are 50 different ideas for marketing Main Street this holiday season.
Pizza-Pulling Reindeer Didn’t Work Out for Domino’s (Watch)
Think it would be cool to get your pizza delivered by an actual reindeer? You’re not alone. In fact, Domino’s recently tried to make this very thing happen in Japan. For the holiday season, the pizza chain announced that it would have reindeer pulling sleds with pizza deliveries on them. Then customers could track their pizzas by GPS just like with regular deliveries.
Small Biz Spotlight
Spotlight: Agency 2.0 Focuses on Marketing Crowdfunding Campaigns
Crowdfunding is becoming a huge opportunity for businesses to get off the ground. But some businesses that are just getting started with crowdfunding might not know how to market their offerings just yet. That’s where Agency 2.0 comes in. Agency 2.0 focuses on marketing specifically for crowdfunding campaigns and businesses.
Small Business Operations
Shipping FedEx This Holiday? Here are the Key Deadlines to Remember in 2016
Come holiday season and everybody is going to get super busy. If you’re planning on using FedEx (NYSE: FDX) for shipping during this busy time of the year, it’s a good idea to keep all the important dates in mind. 2016 FedEx Holiday Shipping Deadlines Luckily, FedEx has already announced the last days to ship this year so your shipments arrive on or before December 25.
UPS Holiday Shipping Deadlines for 2016 Approaching Quickly
Christmas is a hectic time for everyone. It’s frantic for your business, it’s frantic for your customers. But if you plan it properly, Christmas can also be the smoothest and most rewarding time of the year. One thing you can have under your control is shipping. All you need to do is keep all the important dates on your mind.
Here are the Critical USPS Holiday Postal Deadlines for 2016
The United States Postal Service (USPS) has announced the 2016 holiday mailing and shipping deadlines for domestic and international destinations. The Post Office says it’s encouraging customers to ship early.
Social Media
LinkedIn Becomes Locked Out in Russia
LinkedIn’s network just got a little smaller following a blocking order by a court that ruled that the social network had violated a law on data storage. Russia’s communications regulator Roskomnadzor ordered ISP’s to block LinkedIn (NYSE:LNKD) after a Moscow court upheld an earlier ruling that LinkedIn breached Russian privacy laws.
Finance
Opportunity Fund Targets Minority Businesses, Loans More Than $60 Million in 2016
Small businesses in California that can’t access capital through traditional lenders have another option. Opportunity Fund is an organization that provides microloans to small businesses. Since it was founded in 1994, the organization has loaned more than $164 million to more than 5,500 businesses.
10 Year-End Tax Planning Actions
The holiday shopping season is underway and the days remaining on the calendar for 2016 are few. Now is the time for taking actions to cut your tax bill for 2016. The following suggestions for actions are generalities, so be sure to tailor them to your particular situation.
Why It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year (For Angel Investors)
Beginning right before Thanksgiving and heading through New Year’s Day, I start humming the first line of the old Andy Williams song “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.” That’s not because I am really that much of a fan of the holidays or because I love Andy Williams’ songs. I do it because this really is the most wonderful time of the year to be an angel investor.
Technology Trends
Lifesize Conference Camera Brings Your Whole Team into Focus
Lifesize, an HD video conferencing technology company based in Austin, Texas, recently announced the launch of an audio and video solution designed to address a common problem: enabling video collaboration in small office settings cost-effectively and with greater ease.
New York Airbnb Nightmare Shows Impact of Regulation on Short-Term Rental Business
A Los Angeles couple vacationing in New York City during Thanksgiving was met with an “Unwelcome” sign merely because they booked an apartment through the home-sharing site, Airbnb, reports the New York Post. The couple, Annette van Duren and her husband Alan Sacks, reserved a Chelsea apartment through Airbnb on October 21, planning a 10-day stay.
Whiten Your Teeth and Give Yourself Flawless Skin with this Selfie App
If you’re looking for the perfect selfie image that looks a cut above for business profiles or company websites, the new Facetune 2 app is one option. The original Facetune app offered photo retouching for selfies and was known for its easy to use interface and powerful image-editing and beautifying tools.
Image: Amazon
This article, "In the News: Squarespace Partners With PayPal, Amazon Launches New Store" was first published on Small Business Trends
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