Operations

Small businesses are often called the backbone of the American economy, but never has that truth been clearer than during this pandemic. In addition to sickening millions of people, the outbreak abruptly crippled much of the global economy. The downturn …

The COVID-19 pandemic has required many business operators to test their agility to the extreme. There have been numerous stories about retailers supporting their community members with supplies to stay safe at home and providing frontline workers with supplies to …

Across grocery, pharmacy, home improvement and select other sectors, essential retailers are leading the way to reopen the world as we enter Phase 3 (“management”) of the COVID-19 pandemic. We estimate that this phase will last from now into early …

Julie Schweber, senior knowledge adviser with the Society for Human Resource Management, says keeping your business on track during the COVID-19 pandemic is critical. One way to maintain continuity with your business is by upholding traditional HR activities, like performance …

There are only days left to contribute your operation’s financial data to the annual Cost of Doing Business Study. Learn more about the study and submit your data before July 15. Tracking each aspect of your business’s performance is more …

Summertime in North America is traditionally a season of momentum for the home improvement industry. Construction crews take advantage of warm weather to build new homes and offices. Families spend more time outdoors, discovering small projects—a doorknob to replace, pavers …

As part of its continuing Retail Leadership webinar series, the National Retail Federation invited Hal Lawton, president and CEO of Tractor Supply Co., to discuss how his company is adapting to a new retail landscape and quickly shifting customer expectations. …

An executive order signed into law by California governor Gavin Newsom in April is causing concern among many independent home improvement operators in the state, who say the law is ambiguous and lowers the margins on thousands of common home …