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Monday 8am - 4:30pm Tuesday 8am - 4:30pm Wednesday 8am - 4:30pm Thursday 8am - 4:30pm Friday 8am - 4:30pm

Retail Alliance

Name: Retail Alliance
Address: 101 West Main Street Suite 905, Norfolk, VA, 23510, US
Telephone: +17574661600

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We care passionately about the success of our retail community and their accomplishments.

10/30/2026

A little holiday inspiration to get us ready for the busy season ahead! 🎁

Last week, we gathered at Please and Thankyou in Virginia Beach for Retail 360: Holiday Merchandising, where we got a closer look at how thoughtful displays, gift bundles, and the overall shopping experience can help retailers make the most of the holiday season.

A big thank-you to Becky Bailey for welcoming us into her shop and sharing her approach to holiday merchandising, and to our own Brandi Zenzel for helping lead the morning!

We loved seeing retailers come together, exchange ideas, and find a little inspiration to bring back to their own businesses. 💙

10/30/2026

GLP-1 medications and retail trends. Bet you didn’t expect to see those in the same conversation!

But when shopping habits change, the ripple effects can show up in some pretty unexpected places.

In the first episode of The Retail Thread, Jenny Crittenden and Matt Wagner of Main Street America get into how GLP-1 medications could influence everything from restaurant menus to apparel shopping, along with plenty of other shifts retailers are keeping an eye on. 🪡

And the best part? The full conversation is officially here! 🎙️

Episode 1 of The Retail Thread, presented by Retail Alliance, is now available on YouTube.

Watch the full conversation now: https://bit.ly/4e8P9zT

10/29/2026

Remember when going to the mall was the plan for the entire afternoon? Just walking around, checking out stores, and hanging out with friends? 🛍️

Well, it sounds like some younger shoppers might be discovering that experience for themselves!

In our first episode of The Retail Thread, Jenny Crittenden chats with Matt Wagner of Main Street America about Gen Z, Gen Alpha, and their interest in spending time at malls, town centers, and Main Streets.

For generations that have always had shopping at their fingertips, there’s something interesting about wanting to get out, explore, and connect with people in person.

There’s a lot more to this conversation, and we’re looking forward to sharing it with you! Catch the full episode on YouTube tomorrow – link in bio.

10/28/2026

We’ve got a new conversation we’d love to share with you! 🪡

Meet The Retail Thread, presented by Retail Alliance, our new video podcast hosted by our President & CEO, Jenny Crittenden.

Jenny will be sitting down with people who know the retail world in all kinds of ways, talking about what’s changing, what they’re seeing, and how it all connects to the businesses and communities around us.

And we couldn’t think of a better person to kick things off with than Matt Wagner, Chief Innovation Officer at Main Street America! Jenny and Matt go way back, so there’s plenty to talk about, including changing shopping habits, surprising retail trends, and what’s ahead for Main Street.

We’re sharing the first few minutes of their conversation so you can get a feel for what The Retail Thread is all about. Take a peek, get to know our first guest, and mark your calendar for the full episode on October 30.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel so you’re ready when the first episode drops! https://bit.ly/4srqU5G

10/27/2026

Running a retail business comes with a lot of “who do I even ask about this?” moments. 💙

A lease question you’ve never had to think about before. A vendor situation that’s gone sideways. A staffing problem with no obvious right answer. Some things you can search your way through, but sometimes you really just want to talk to someone who understands retail and can help point you in the right direction.

That’s a big part of what Retail Alliance membership is about. You have people in your corner who understand the retail community and can help you find the right resource, make a connection, or talk through what comes next.

If that kind of support sounds useful, take a look at Retail Alliance membership: https://retailalliance.com/membership/

10/23/2026

We’re taking Retail 360 on the road for an afternoon of holiday inspiration! 🎁

On November 4, Retail 360: Holiday Customer Experience will take us through three local businesses to experience the season from a shopper’s point of view. We’ll start at York and Main, make our way to Up South, and wrap things up with discussion and bites at Kelsick Specialty Market.

Facilitated by our very own Jenny Crittenden, the afternoon will give retailers a chance to explore different spaces, see the details shaping each customer experience, and leave thinking about what they might bring back to their own businesses this holiday season.

Save the date for November 4 from 3:00–5:00 PM. Reserve your spot today: https://bit.ly/3WeAJrw

10/21/2026

When you walk into your store every day, it’s easy to stop noticing what a first-time customer sees before they ever reach the door. 👀

Step outside this week and give your storefront a fresh look. Is your signage easy to read from the sidewalk or parking lot? Does the entrance clearly look open? Are your windows helping draw people in?

Then check it again after dark. With earlier sunsets, more customers are seeing your storefront in lower light, and small details like lighting, visibility, or a cluttered entrance can make a bigger difference than you think.

Take five minutes this week to give your storefront the customer test and see what stands out.

10/20/2026

We love seeing new opportunities for local business owners take shape across Hampton Roads! 💙

Our team recently joined the ribbon-cutting celebration for the Women's Business Center at ODU at The Mustard Seed Place, a space dedicated to helping women entrepreneurs and small business owners grow and thrive.

It was a wonderful opportunity to connect with fellow community partners, celebrate the people making this resource possible, and learn more about the support available to business owners in our region.

Help us celebrate this exciting milestone and share some love for the women entrepreneurs making an impact in our community!

10/16/2026

As holiday shopping picks up, price isn’t the only way to compete. Virginia Retail Matters research points to local positioning and memorable customer experiences as important ways small retailers can stand apart, especially as shoppers become more selective about where they spend. 🎁

For an independent retailer, that difference might be the products customers can’t find everywhere else, the story behind what you carry, the way your team helps someone find the right gift, or an in-store experience that makes shopping feel personal.

Heading into the holidays, it’s worth asking what gives someone a clear reason to choose your business and how that answer can shape your merchandising, messaging, and customer experience this season.

Retail Alliance members get exclusive access to the full Virginia Retail Matters 2026 Report and more insights like these. Learn more about membership and the resources available to you: https://bit.ly/4rnqz1G

10/14/2026

A little time outside the boardroom with our Board of Directors! 💙

We recently got together for our Board retreat, giving everyone a chance to slow down, connect in a more relaxed setting, and enjoy conversations that don't always happen during a typical meeting.

There was plenty of idea-sharing, thoughtful discussion, and excitement about what's ahead. It's these kinds of moments that help us build stronger relationships, learn from one another, and reconnect with why we're all here: supporting the local businesses and communities that make our region special.

We're grateful for a Board that brings so much heart and dedication to Retail Alliance's mission, and we're excited to see where these conversations lead. Take a look at a few moments from our time together!

Address

101 West Main Street Suite 905
Norfolk, VA
23510

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 4:30pm
Tuesday	8am - 4:30pm
Wednesday	8am - 4:30pm
Thursday	8am - 4:30pm
Friday	8am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+17574661600

Website

http://retailalliance.com/, https://www.youtube.com/@RetailAlliance, https://members.retailalliance.com/events/

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