Times Union
July 2, 2024
For Kathryn and Richard Busse, owners of Silver Fox Gift Shop in Cooperstown, helping customers find the perfect keepsake to remember their time in town has been their mission since 2008.
But with the advent of online shopping, remaining relevant in the current retail landscape is critical to the success of these mom-and-pop shops. That’s why the Busses are members of the Retail Council of New York State, which recently partnered with Wix.com to bring even more services to members like the Busses.
Retail Council staff traveled to Silver Fox to install the Wix point-of-sale system and showed the owners how to use it. Such hands-on personal service is a hallmark of the Retail Council, which constantly strives to find ways to make small business owners’ lives easier.
Background & benefits
The Retail Council was incorporated in 1931 by a group of New York-based merchants, whose mission was simply to grow the state’s retail industry. Now, nearly 100 years later, it is a full-fledged retail association offering valuable money-saving programs and advocacy to approximately 5,000 small and large retailers across New York State. Its subsidiary, Retail Council Services Corp., administers a comprehensive suite of merchant services.
Benefits include:
- Up to 50 percent savings on workers’ compensation insurance
- Competitive pricing on business and health insurance packages
- Participation in a group 401(k) program
- Point-of-sale and e-commerce software and hardware tailored to meet the needs of a wide variety of retail businesses
- Payroll processing
- Energy savings and discounted shipping rates
For new businesses in New York, this list of benefits translates into one-stop shopping with the Retail Council, which helps complete the checklist for everything a business needs before opening its doors. Additionally, when members call the Retail Council, a real person answers the phone, ready to help them with whatever they need.
The Wix advantage
Last fall, the Retail Council announced a new partnership with Wix.com to help members create, manage and grow their online presence. The platform enables users to combine a beautifully designed website with a point-of-sale system, all while streamlining daily business operations and offering customers sleek, user-friendly hardware and software.
“Wix is perfect for business owners who want to upgrade their technology but don’t know where to start,” Retail Council President and CEO Melissa O’Connor said in a press release. “It’s also perfect for new business owners who want to save on overhead and create an efficient business model without prohibitively expensive start-up costs or monthly fees.”
Wix websites can integrate with hundreds of apps, including QuickBooks online accounting, Avalara simplified tax reporting, and more. This integration is particularly important to small business owners who may be struggling to compete.
“Our members tell us they want to remain competitive by using the latest technology to make shopping an easy, seamless experience,” O’Connor added. “We chose Wix for its user-friendliness and its compatibility with so many integrations.”
Member testimonies
Why should New York-based business owners become members of the Retail Council? The testimonies speak for themselves. Sharon L. Fenno is the owner of Circles in Albany’s Stuyvesant Plaza and the chair of the Retail Council’s Board of Directors.
“As a small merchant, I do not have the in-house support services or ‘buying power’ of a large store,” Fenno said. “[The Retail Council’s] experts answer all of your questions, the products and services are excellent, and the prices are competitive and sharp.”
Retail Council member Rob Leonard, owner of Best Pallet & Crate in Albany, said, “Getting my business insurance through the Retail Council’s partner is saving me more than $20,000 a year, and the coverage is better than my previous policy. I recommend them to anyone who will listen.”
Jacqueline M. Davis, Gift Shop and Craft Fair manager for Shaker Heritage Society, has seen direct results since signing on to the Retail Council’s Wix program.
“Sales for our holiday market grew 15 percent over last year thanks in part to Wix,” she said. “It was so easy to get Wix through the Retail Council, and the discount pricing helps our bottom line. Most importantly, our customers are happy. We love Wix!”
David Hannoush is the owner of Hannoush Jewelers, which has several locations in New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts.
“Joining the Retail Council saved me 50 percent on my workers’ compensation insurance, and working with their staff made the transition quick and easy,” he said. “I’d encourage all retailers in New York to learn more about their products and services. I wish I had known about them years ago.”
For more information or to learn how to become a member of the Retail Council, call (518) 465-3586 or email info@rcnys.com.
