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38 Inspiring Retail Quotes That Would Keep You Motivated

One of the best ways to keep up motivation is by remembering why you got into this line of work in the first place. Here, we’ll be giving you inspiring retail quotes to keep you motivated.

We all know that motivation is a crucial part of success. But what happens when we hit a rough patch or need to shake things up? A good inspirational quote can help us be the best and push through obstacles.

Share their words of wisdom with your team and use them as a reminder when you need motivation.

retail quotes

 

Retail Quotes on getting started

The only thing worse than starting something and failing is not creating something. — Seth Godin, Author

You should start a business even if you’re afraid of failing. Unless you try, there’s no way to know what could happen.

Retail Quotes on the customer experience

People are always going to go shopping. A lot oMuch effort is ‘how do we make the retail experience a great one? — Phillip Green, Chairman, Arcadia Group 

To differentiate yourself from competitors, provide a high level of customer service. The easiest way to do this is by providing great experiences for customers.

Retail Quotes on being memorable 

You walk into a retail store, whatever it is, and if there’s a sense of entertainment and excitement and electricity, you want to be there.  — Howard Schultz, CEO, Starbucks 

Creating a memorable retail experience is crucial to succeeding in the market. With so much clutter, retailers need to give customers reasons to spend their time and money.

Retail Quotes on risk-taking

Be brave. Take risks. Nothing can substitute experience. – Paulo Coelho, author    

Learning from mistakes is a great way to grow. I have learned many lessons by taking risks and trying new things.

Retail Quotes on caring

Your customer doesn’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.  — Damon Richards

When trying to sell your product,  you have to show them that they can trust you; the customer must feel like their best interests are in mind before being sold anything.

Retail Quotes on being customer-focused

Retail is a customer business. You’re trying to take care of the customer—solve something for the customer. And there’s no way to learn that in the classroom or the corner of, corner the customer. You’ve got to be in front of the customer.  — Erik Nordstrom, President, Nordstrom Direct 

Retail Quotes on consumer trust

Our brands—Nike, Converse, Jordan Brand, and Hurley—are loved by customers all over the world. But we never take that for granted; we know that we have to earn their trust every day can quickly strategie by serving themaltogethery and adding real value to their lives through products and experiences. — Mark Parker, CEO, Nike

To maintain a customer’s trust, you must always be willing to go the extra mile for them. This can mean providing better service than they have ever had before or solving their problems in ways no one else has been willing to do.

Retail Quotes on creating brand advocates

  Make a customer, not a sale. — Katherine Barchetti, Founder, K. Barchetti Shops   

Katherine Barchetti, the founder of K. Barchetti Shops, says that it is essential to consider what motivates each person when designing a pay structure.

One key takeaway is that it’s better to make a sale than just getting someone in the door. Companies like Glossier and Kendra Scott know this, as they focus on building an identity for their company that makes long-term customers buy consistently from them.

Retail Quotes on marketing

Let your store associates be active on social. “Friendorsers” are more important than paid models in showing our clothes—social influencers, but also our store associates, who are 100% our customers too. — Emily Watkins, SVP, Real Estate & Construction, Charlotte Russe  

Emily Watkins, a senior vice president at Charlotte Russe, was initially unsure about motivating people. She tried the old-fashioned approach of rewarding high performers with bonuses and promotions but found that this did not work.

We often try to curb social media activity because we think it’s a distraction, but this is one of the most powerful marketing tools. It turns out that 92% of people trust product recommendations from friends or family, and your store associates can quickly reach their closest circle by posting about you on their personal social media pages.

Retail Quotes on consistency

People like consistency. Whether it’s a store or a restaurant, they want to come in and see what you are famous for. — Mickey Drexler, Former CEO and current Chairman, J. Crew Group

Mickey Drexler, the former CEO and current Chairman of J. Crew Group, recently expressed his thoughts on management in an interview with Fortune magazine.

The key takeaway is that customers are looking for consistency in their retail experience. If you can’t provide this, they will go elsewhere.

Retail Quotes on technology 

It is a well-known fact that bringing in technologies in the retail sector is good for customers.  — N. R. Narayana Murthy, co-Founder, Infosys

“If you are in the business of hiring people, pay is not enough,” says Narayana Murthy.

One of the best ways to keep your store running smoothly is by embracing new technology. Think about what tools you’re currently using and whether or not they need an upgrade.

Retail Quotes on memory 

You cannot run a successful retail business from memory. – Josh Hartford 

Key takeaway: Even if you are an expert in your field, it is essential to use a tracking system. The suitable systems will make running a business easier, from inventory to customer purchases.

Retail Quotes on efficiency

  One order management system, one database, one inventory. Without these you will never seem seamless to your customer. — Andy Laudato, COO of The Vitamin Shoppe

One of the most important things to a customer is an easy-to-navigate website. If you have multiple systems, databases, and inventories all in one place, then your customers will be more satisfied.

Running your business becomes easier when you have a commerce solution that keeps your inventory synced across all platforms.

Retail Quotes on greeting customers 

The thing is, I don’t want to be sold to when I walk into a store. I want to be welcomed. — Angela Ahrendts, former SVP of Retail, Apple Inc.

A former executive of Apple Inc., Angela Ahrendts, said in an interview that she regrets not having created more incentives for employees when they were low on the totem pole.

Many things can motivate a salesperson, but people want to feel welcomed at the end of the day. It’s essential not only for customer satisfaction but also because it will make your job easier.

Retail Quotes on enriching your customers’ lives

Their job is to figure out what you need and help you get it, even if it’s a product Apple doesn’t carry. Compare that with other retailers where the emphasis is on cross-selling and upsetting and, basically, encouraging customers to buy more, even if they don’t want or need it. That doesn’t enrich their lives, and it doesn’t deepen the retailer’s relationship with them. It just makes their wallets lighter.  — Ron Johnson, former SVP of Retail at Apple

Retail Quotes on pressure sales

One of my most important principles was never to have a mandatory sell. This rule gets violated all the time; it just drives me nuts. ‘Buy now!’ You should never give an order to a customer.  — Joe Coulombe, Founder, Trader Joe’s 

People are more likely to buy if they feel that the decision is their own. When you’re selling, it’s important not to pressure people into making a quick purchase by using hard-sell tactics.

Retail Quotes on company culture

Businesses often forget about the culture, and ultimately, they suffer for it because you can’t deliver good service from unhappy employees.  — Tony Hsieh, CEO, Zappos

The takeaway from this article is that retail store employees are the most important brand ambassadors. When they’re happy, their customer service will be excellent; thus, your business will thrive.

Retail Quotes on leadership

When you look at the reasons people leave companies, it’s usually because their boss is a jerk or because they aren’t learning and growing. So we spend a lot of time developing leaders internally and creating learning opportunities. — Neil Blumenthal, CEO, Warby Parker

Neil Blumenthal, CEO of Warby Parker, said: “You can’t just focus on one part. You have to be thoughtful about the whole package.”

The bottom line is that happy employees will stay at your company. The key takeaway here is to focus on giving them opportunities for growth and treating everyone with compassion.

Retail Quotes on employee happiness

Too many businesses today are based on driving prices lower by screwing over somebody: pounding suppliers or squeezing employees. We’re the opposite. We put our employees first. If you take care of them, they will care for your customers better than anybody else.  — Kip Tindell, CEO, Container Store

One of the most successful CEOs, Kip Tindell from Container Store, said that he has found his salespeople are not motivated by pay alone.

The critical takeaway from what we need is ensuring our employees are taken care of. If they’re happy, then the customers will be too.

Retail Quotes on the future of brick-and-mortar

I was reading all these reports that were down on retail brick-and-mortar, saying it’s all about online…I think brick-and-mortar is an amazing opportua fantastice our stores and our store staff as a vehicle to truly engage with the community in a way no other retailers are doing. — Jim Brett, President, West Elm

Jim Brett, the president of West Elm, shared his story about how he learned that salespeople are not just motivated by pay.

One of the best ways to reach out and build relationships with customers is through brick-and-mortar stores. While eCommerce has changed how people shop, it doesn’t mean that physical shopping locations are gone.

Retail Quotes on customer feedback

Your most unhappy customers are your greatest source of learning. — Bill Gates, Founder, Microsoft

Bill Gates, the founder of Microsoft and one of the wealthiest people in America, has spoken out about what motivates his employees.

As a business owner, it can be hard to take feedback personally. But remember that your customers are the lifeblood of your company y, and their input is invaluable in making improvements.

Retail Quotes on curiosity

Like most retailers, we don’t know exactly where we will land at the end of, it but our curiosity and willingness to create will be a guide for us.  — Jesper Brodin, CEO, Ikea

Sometimes, it is necessary to be creative and develop a new idea. It’s essential not to get stuck in the same routine because innovation will help you improve your work.

Retail Quotes on innovation

I learned to push the envelope when it comes to asking questions or making requests. And if you hear ’that’s not possible,’ then ask ‘what is possible,’ instead of just saying thank you and leaving. But also to think creatively about problem-solving. — Emily Weiss, Founder, Glossier

It’s important to remember that when you try something new, people will oppose it. Please don’t get discouraged by these naysayers; rather than trying to convince them why your idea is good, focus on what can realistically happen, and don’t let anyone off the hook until you make progress towards your goals.

  What differentiates sellers today is their ability to bring fresh ideas. — Jill Konrath, Author  

What makes the most successful salespeople today is their ability to think outside of the box and offer something new.

The author has learned that there is no one way to be successful. If you want to set yourself apart from the competition, it’s essential to do what others are doing and find your unique take on things.

Retail Quotes on goal-setting

Setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible into the visible. — Tony Robbins, Author

A key takeaway from this article is that you need to vocalize your dreams and make them a reality.

Retail Quotes on progress

  All progress takes place outside the comfort zone. — Michael John Bobak, Artist

All progress is achieved by those who take risks and put themselves out of their comfort zone.

It’s essential for growth and uncomfortable situations because you never know what skills will be needed in the future.

Click To Tweet Retail Quotes on making mistakes

Sometimes when you innovate, you make mistakes. It’s best to admit them quickly and get on with improving your other innovations.  — Steve Jobs, co-Founder, Apple Inc. 

Steve Jobs, the co-founder of Apple Inc., said that you need more than pay to succeed.

The key takeaway is that it’s okay to make mistakes. The sooner you find out what works, the better.

Retail Quotes on work ethic

You can’t build a reputation for what you are going to do. — Henry Ford, Founder, Ford Motors 

Retail Quotes on mindset

Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right. — Henry Ford, Founder, Ford Motors

Retail Quotes on corporate social responsibility (CSR) 

Why are you doing this? How are you making a difference? What is your reason for being, besides making money? There is no engine or vehicle-like business to make a difference. — Walter Robb, Co-CEO, Whole Foods

Retail Quotes on fundraising

I approached fundraising as an opportunity to align myself with partners who have more varied experience and diverse backgrounds than I do to help bring Glossier to life. — Emily Weiss, Founder, Glossier 

Retail Quotes on partnerships

The biggest sources of opportunity are collaboration and partnership. And today, with digital communication, there is more of that everywhere. We need to expose ourselves to that as a matter of doing business. — Mark Parker, CEO, Nike

Retail Quotes on iterating

  Every action is an opportunity to improve. ― Mark Graban, Author

Retail Quotes on time-management

It has been my observation that most people get ahead during the time that others waste.  — Henry Ford, Founder, Ford Motors

Retail Quotes on being solutions-oriented

You can make a million excuses for why something didn’t go well, but ultimately, just fix it and get on with it. Be a solutions person.  — Emily Weiss, Founder, Glossier 

Retail Quotes on store design

My company is an extension of me, so I wanted people to feel that they were in my home when I designed my stores.  — Tory Burch, Founder & Creative Director, Tory Burch

Retail Quotes on looking ahead:

  Change before you have to. ― Jack Welch, former chairman and CEO of General Electric

  Tomorrow belongs to those who can hear it coming. ― David Bowie

Tune in regularly to industry publications like verbalizing them and making them real, verbalizing them and making them real, vocalizing it out loud so that people can hear their reality Click To Tweet


 

Move forward with best-in-class tools. 

The following are just a few of the most important lessons I learned, but it is up to you to apply to your business. Regardless, considering these bits of wisdom before starting may help you have an easier time running your company.