Industry experts: Is your store's sales pitch off base?
Travel Goods Association
Are you sure your store is positioned correctly in the marketplace? It's not if you think you're in the luggage business. And it's definitely off base if the typical customer you imagine is a man. Now's your chance to put your store back on target at The 2010 Travel Goods Show.

• Today's travelers aren't looking for luggage help -- they're after travel expertise. Join Chuck Weisbart of It's in the Bag as he explains how today's customers want someone who can outfit them from their underwear out, and advise them on more than just the right bag but also on what should go into that bag.
• With 90 percent of household purchases and buying decisions made by women, it only makes sense to be sure you're speaking their language. ExOfficio's Steve Bendzak illustrates just how to build a woman-friendly store environment, from merchandising to sales approach.

Everyone needs friends; TGA needs you
Travel Goods Association
TGA is your way to stay in touch with the travel goods industry. And with Facebook, staying on top of the latest industry news never has been easier. Friend TGA on Facebook and you'll get the scoop on travel industry news, legislative happenings in D.C. and opportunities to help promote your business through TGA. And speaking of news, TGA is your best way to broadcast your latest media hit for maximum impact. Whether you've just scored a feature story in the local paper, landed in a magazine, or grabbed a sound bite on TV or radio, we want to know about it. E-mail your latest media mention to kim@travel-goods.org, and we'll post it on our Facebook page.More

Survey finds book, magazine must-have travel accessories
Reuters
The must-have travel accessory that most people would not fly without isn't an iPod, laptop or a portable DVD player. It's a printed book or magazine. Despite the growing popularity of the Kindle and the recent launch of the iPad, 73 percent of travelers questioned in a poll said a low-tech book or magazine was what they wanted with them on a flight.More

4 trends reshaping tourism
PhoCusWright
The travel industry has a pretty good handle on many aspects of its marketplace. For example, we know how many people in the U.S. travel, how often, what products they purchase, how they purchase them and how much they spend. We also know a great deal about the different segments of the travel industry: the transportation and accommodation elements of travel. But when it comes to the things travelers do when they get there -- in-destination activities and services -- we know surprisingly little.More

Small businesses slightly more optimistic
The Wall Street Journal
Small businesses grew slightly more optimistic last month, although they still are climbing out of a funk brought on by a credit crunch and a severe recession. The Index of Small Business Optimism, released by the National Federation of Independent Business, rose 1.3 points to 89.3 in January. It is up 8.3 points from March 2009, the index's low since the recession began and its second-lowest reading in history.More

Can high-speed rail reduce reliance on air travel?
Fast Company
The Obama Administration's $8 billion plan to bring high-speed rail to the U.S. is ambitious, to say the least. And with so much cash riding on its success, it better have some redeeming merits. One possible benefit: a reduced reliance on air travel. China's vast network of high-speed trains has cut into air travel so much that China Southern Airlines Co. (the country's largest carrier) and Air China Ltd. have reduced prices by up to 80 perecent to compete with the rail network.More

Airlines making a big push to offer in-flight Wi-Fi service
The Record via NorthJersey.com
In-flight Wi-Fi, the next big-fee income generator for airlines, is available so far on 711 commercial aircraft, and the number is growing. Eight airlines, so far, have deals with technology provider Aircell to offer its Gogo in-flight service for $4.95 per flight segment and up, based on the length of the trip.More

Why branding makes it harder to sell
BNET
The big lie of "brand marketing" is that "branding" makes your brand stronger, making it easier to sell the product. In fact, much of the time "branding" makes a brand weaker and, in the worst case scenario, can make selling more difficult. The problem lies in the entire concept. Most people older than age 5 now realize that the claims companies make about themselves and their products simply cannot be trusted.More

Retail sales up 0.5 percent in January
The Associated Press via Los Angeles Times
Retail sales posted a better-than-expected increase in January, a welcome development that could mean stronger economic growth in coming months. The Commerce Department reported retail sales last month increased by 0.5 percent over December, the best showing since November and better than the 0.3 percent increase economists had expected. Excluding autos, sales posted a 0.6 percent reading, also better than expected, with strength coming from a surge at general merchandise stores.More

Facebook big with online shoppers
Marketing Daily
As more retailers look to develop effective social media strategies, a new study finds that Facebook is by far the most effective way to woo would-be shoppers. And chains that use their Facebook pages to promote new products and special sales are most appealing, with brands like Victoria's Secret leading the way. Facebook is by far the dominant player: Among online shoppers who engage in social media, more than 80 percent are using Facebook.More

Give them more to love
Entrepreneur
There are two basic ways to increase sales: get new business or increase repeat business. So, as you plan your sales strategy for the new year, start singing the tune "Baby, come back..." because if you aren't working to capture clients for life, you are letting money walk out the door. Don't sell just once. Bring customers back again and again.More

Opinion: Why 2010 will be the year of the travel deal
The Houston Chronicle
If you thought the travel bargains were unbelievable this year, just wait until 2010. I'm fully aware that this prediction flies in the face of conventional wisdom. I mean, how many travel experts have you seen on TV lately, warning that the deals are going, going, gone? They're everywhere. But they're probably wrong.More