• In Japan what kinds of badges do department store sales people wear to promote customer bonding?

Answer: Employees at one Japanese store wear badges that identify their hobbies so that customers can relate to them on a more personal level. The badges might read "Veteran Golfer" or "Flower Arranger."

                           From 283 Useful Ideas From Japan by Leonard Koren

• What are the best "buy words" to use when selling to teens?

                    Answer: "This is what you need to belong."

                           From Why They Buy by Settle and Alreck.

• Where is the best location in the store for "destination" items for sale?

Answer: In the back of the store. Make the customer walk through all the other merchandise for sale.

                          From The Retail Store by William Green. Available at Amazon.com

• Why are people attracted to stores which appear to be crowded?

Answer: It’s a matter of "social proof." If everyone is here, it must be good.

                           From Influence by Robert B. Cialdini. Available at Amazon.com

•  Eye Q: Up or down or somewhere in between what is the best place for the most expensive items for sale?

  Answer: The "sweet spot" is at eye-level. An item displayed lower or higher than eye-level is perceived to be less desirable.

  From The Retail Store by William Green. Available at Amazon.com

• Recently, Jimmy Choo, the shoe designer, had a custom fragrance created for stores which would emiited into a store and will become part of the Jimmy Choo brand. What was this scent?

                   The lemongrass blend includes green ivy and cardamom.

                         From Forbes: What's That Smell?. October 2, 2006 by Suzanne Hoppough