Retail Matters 2024 Report
Produced in partnership with Virginia Retail Alliance, the 2024 Retail Matters research report features the economic, consumer, and technology trends impacting a wide spectrum of entrepreneurs and small business owners.
As part of our Small Biz Digital Trainer series, in this webinar you’ll learn how to promote your products online using Google tools. We’ll show how local brick-and-mortar businesses can list products on a Google Business Profile. We’ll also cover Google Merchant Center, a no-cost tool that allows both e‑commerce and brick-and-mortar businesses to create free Product Listings on Google.
In this session, we’ll show you how to:
- Highlight products on your Google Business Profile
- Use Pointy to promote in-store inventory with your point-of-sale system
- Use Google Merchant Center to showcase in-store and online product inventory
This session is led by Courtney Stringer, MSA Small Biz Digital Trainer.
Related Resources
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Back to the Pivot — Navigating Your Small Business in a Challenging Economy
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In this episode, recorded in front of a live audience at the Maine Downtown Conference in November 2024 in Biddeford, Maine, host Matt Wagner explores the world of crowdfunding as a financing alternative for small businesses.
Small Business Predictions for 2025
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12 Tips for Navigating Tariffs: A Guide for Main Street Businesses
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In this episode of Main Street Business Insights, Matt talks with Joshua and Jared Ravenscraft, co-founders of New Frontier, a sustainable apparel brand in Morehead, Kentucky.
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In this episode of Main Street Business Insights, Matt sat down with Mindy Bergstrom, owner of Cooks Emporium, Nook & Nest, Z.W. Mercantile, and The Recipe, all located in downtown Ames, Iowa.
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David West, Main Street South Australia
Join host Matt Wagner as he welcomes David West, director of Premier Retail Marketing and based in Adelaide, South Australia.
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In this episode, Matt reveals the data-driven trends that will define the 2024 holiday shopping season — and shows you exactly how to leverage them for your small business.
Tee Rowe, America’s SBDC
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Mileyka Burgos-Flores, Allapattah Collaborative CDC
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With articles written by industry experts on topics ranging from the future of retail to Main Street advocacy, the publication is brimming with tools, tips, and strategies that will help you lead a results-oriented revitalization effort.
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In this conversation, Matt explores the story of Elements: Books Coffee Beer, nestled in the heart of Biddeford, Maine, with co-owners Katie Pinard and Michael Macomber.
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In this episode of Main Street Business Insights, Matt chats with Ross Chanowski, owner and founder of NuMarket. NuMarket is a leader in crowdfunding solutions for small businesses with a focus on food services.
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In the last episode of season two of Main Street Business Insights, tune in as host Matt Wagner breaks down how to understand and synthesize local market data.
Glen Ellis, Sycamore Education and Milady Coffeehouse
In this episode of Main Street Business Insights, Matt sits down with Glen Ellis, owner of Sycamore Education, Dominion Catalyst Services, and Milady Coffeehouse in Fremont, Nebraska.
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In this episode of Main Street Business Insights, Matt sits down with Casey Woods, Executive Director of Emporia Main Street in Emporia, Kansas.
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In this episode of Main Street Business Insights, Matt sits down with Janet Hurn, owner of Future Ready Consulting in Cincinatti, Ohio.
Cincinnati, Ohio © Janet Hurn
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Building Your Digital Footprint
Learn how customers can find accurate, updated information about your local business online.
Make Better Business Decisions with Analytics
Learn best practices and analyze trends about how customers engage with your business online, then turn these insights into well-informed, actionable decisions.
Basics for Branding Your Business
This webinar will guide you through the basics of branding for your small business. Learn how to define your brand, build awareness, and maintain consistency across all touch-points.
Essential Digital Techniques to Unlock Your Business’s Potential
Are you a small business owner looking to maximize your online presence and streamline your digital strategies? In this webinar, discover essential digital tools and techniques to unlock the full potential of your business.
Communicate with Calendar and Gmail
This workshop covers how to use Google Calendar and Gmail to share important dates, reminders, and events with others.
Sell Online with E‑Commerce Tools
This webinar explores how retailers can leverage powerful digital tools to expand their online reach and boost sales.
How to Master Soft Skills for Small Business Success Webinar
Learn how to enhance your productivity and professional presence as a small business owner.
How to Take Product Photos for Your E‑Commerce Site
Whether you're a beginner or looking to improve your existing photography skills, this webinar will provide you with valuable insights and practical advice.
Cybersecurity Tips for Small Business Owners
As part of Main Street America's Small Biz Digital Trainers series, this workshop offers guidance for improving your cybersecurity tactics as a small business owner.
Coach Your Team to Success
As part of Main Street America's Small Biz Digital Trainers series, this workshop gives you tips for becoming a more effective leader as a small business owner.
How to Do a Virtual Tour of Your Physical Store
Discover the basics of how to create an engaging virtual tour that showcases your physical store and connects with customers online. In this webinar, you’ll learn ways to plan, shoot, and promote a virtual tour that enhances your online presence and drives foot traffic.
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Learn the Basics of Google Calendar
As part of Main Street America’s Small Biz Digital Trainers series, this workshop walks you through the basic information you need to set-up and optimize your Google Calendar to maximize efficiency at your small business.
Managing Your Online Presence & Developing a Marketing Plan
A strong online presence is essential for any small business in today’s digital age. This workshop will guide you through the process of keeping your Google Business Profile, social media accounts, and website up-to-date and optimized.
Cultivating the Entrepreneurial Mindset
Whether you are a solopreneur or lead a small team, this one-hour workshop will provide you with valuable strategies to foster innovation, resilience, and growth in your business.
Make Better Business Decisions with Analytics
Learn how to improve your small business using data and analytics.
Making Your Website Work For You
Learn how to optimize your website using Google tools.
Get Your Local Business on Google Search and Maps
Learn how to get your business listed on Google search and maps.
Top 10 Google Tools to Grow Your Business
Whether you're just starting out or you're looking to take your business to the next level, you'll learn valuable insights that you can use to grow your business in this Small Biz Digital Trainers webinar.
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In this Small Biz Digital Trainers webinar, learn tools to increase your holiday sales for free, even if you don’t have an e-commerce website or a website at all.
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In this Small Biz Digital Trainers webinar, you'll learn to use AI to simplify your work, develop your messaging and voice, create buyer personas, and more.
Bonus Episode 2: Featuring Season 1 Guests
Learn about small business owners who are succeeding along Main Street, and the advice they have for others doing the same.
© Ketut Subiyanto
Bonus Episode 3: Featuring Season 1 Guests
In this episode, you'll hear from small business owners from our first season who make connecting with their community a top priority.
Bonus Episode 1: Featuring Season 1 Guests
Learn how local entrepreneurs have leveraged the power of a Main Street community to establish, maintain, and grow their ventures.
Jamie & Jerry Baker, Trendy Teachers
In this episode of Main Street Business Insights, Matt sits down with Jamie and Jerry Baker, co-owners and founders of Trendy Teachers, a teaching boutique and educational toy store located in downtown Rome, Georgia.
Anette Soto Landeros, Casa Azul Coffee
In this episode of Main Street Business Insights, Matt sits down with Anette Soto Landeros, co-owner of Casa Azul Coffee and President and CEO of the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in Fort Worth, Texas.
Danny Reynolds, Stephenson’s Clothing
In this episode of Main Street Business Insights, Matt sits down with Danny Reynolds, owner and president of Stephenson’s of Elkhart, an independently owned high-end fashion retailer in downtown Elkhart, Indiana.
Harvey Williams, Delta Dirt Distillery
In this episode, Matt sits down with Harvey Williams, Co-Founder and CEO of Delta Dirt Distillery in Helena, Arkansas. Delta Dirt Distillery is the only Black-owned farm-to-bottled distillery in the United States.
Lindsay Goodson McDonald, Keith McDonald Plumbing
In this episode of the Main Street Business Insights podcast host Matt Wagner sat down with the CEO of Keith McDonald Plumbing in Milledgeville, Ga., Lindsay Goodson McDonald.
Christina Hollerbach, Hollerbach’s German Restaurant
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The Barbershop Conversation Podcast Team
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Terrand Smith, 37 Oaks
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How to Engage Your Downtown Business Owners
This training from Indiana Main Street explains the best practices for getting to know your downtown business owners and getting them engaged in the Main Street organization.
Building a Community Entrepreneurial Ecosystem
Use this self-guided training to understand how to build a robust environment to support small business creation and sustainability.
Supporting the Creation & Growth of Businesses in Our Communities
Learn how to connect entrepreneurs of color with resources, grants, and loans to support sustainable economic growth.
Skowhegan Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Development Plan
A sample entrepreneurial ecosystem development plan to support small business creation and sustainability. Published by Skowhegan Main Street.
Sjowhegan, ME
Advancing Inclusive Entrepreneurship
Watch this webinar to learn techniques and strategies to support minority entrepreneurs and create a diverse small business ecosystem.
Commercial District Design: Small Businesses
In this AARP guide, learn how important small businesses are for vibrant and sustainable commercial districts.
The Future of Retail
This webinar provides a roadmap on how to adapt to the evolving retail landscape to build strong entrepreneurial ecosystems for small business owners.
The Future of Retail
Explore research on how businesses can adapt to the evolving retail landscape using place-based and community-driven stratgies.
Atlanta, GA © Blulz60
National Report on Early-Stage Entrepreneurship in the United States: 2020
This 2020 report provides an overview of the landscape of small businesses, start-ups, and new entrepreneurs in the United States. Published by Kauffman Foundation.
State of Main: Winter 2019
With articles written by industry experts on topics ranging from the transformative placemaking to inclusive entrepreneurship, the publication is brimming with tools, tips, and strategies that will help you lead a results-oriented revitalization effort.
17th Avenue – Allapattah Action Plan
A sample entrepreneurial action plan to provide support for local small business owners in Miami, Florida. Published by Allapattah Collaborative.
The Importance of Inclusive Entrepreneurship Ecosystems
An article from State of Main exploring the impact of entrepreneurship and examining ways to create inclusion in the development of entrepreneurship ecosystems. Published in State of Main.
Metuchen, NJ © Isaac Kremer
Entrepreneurial Ecosystems and the Role of Commercial Districts
A comprehensive guide to local small business support to encourage entrepreneurs and create a vibrant downtown commercial district.
The Future of Retail (State of Main)
There’s no doubt about it, the retail landscape is changing and getting more complex. Main Street has a unique competitive advantage and it’s up to local leaders and local business owners to understand how to tap into this opportunity.
Metuchen, NJ © Isaac Kremer
Manufacturers Finding New Homes along Main Street
Independent makers and manufacturers are helping to fuel a renaissance in downtowns and commercial districts, harnessing renewed interest in locally produced materials and experiential shopping. Published in State of Main.
Read the Street
Learn the importance of the storefront design and tips on ways to increase the allure of every store’s exterior to grab the attention of potential customers. Published in Main Street Now Journal.
Measuring the Economic Impact of Special Events
Two Mississippi Main Street communities explain how they collected data on the small business impact of downtown events.
The Arkansas DeltaMade Program
Learn how a regional branding initiative, Arkansas DeltaMade, uncovered hidden entrepreneurial assets and fostered the creation of new businesses built around the distinctive character of the Arkansas Delta.
Siloam Springs, AR © Brandonrush
Cash Mobs
First there were “flash mobs.” Now there are cash mobs, the shop-local equivalent. At these events, 'mobs' of people visit a small business with the commitment to spend at least $20 each. Published in Main Street Now magazine. Written by Andrea L. Dono.
Multicultural Merchandising
The importance of understanding multicultural design preferences as our business environment becomes increasingly diverse.
A New Take on Pop-Ups
To reduce storefront vacancies, the Main Street program in Cambridge, Maryland, created the Holiday Pop-Up Project, which gave two entrepreneurs the chance to test out their retail concepts rent-free for two months.
Community-Owned Businesses
Innovative entrepreneurs and alternative business models can open up businesses that fill a void in the community. Published in Main Street Now Journal.
