To boost January sales as a small business, focus on targeted marketing campaigns highlighting special offers, utilize email marketing to reach customers, refresh your online presence, consider New Year-themed promotions, and actively engage with potential customers by reminding them about their resolutions and offering relevant products or services to help them achieve their goals. 

Key strategies:

• New Year Resolution Promotions:
  Create special deals or packages tied to common New Year's resolutions like health, fitness, self-improvement, or budgeting.  Collaborate with another health-conscious business such as yoga or health food to pair your items with.
• Email Marketing Campaigns:
  Send targeted emails to your customer list with exclusive January offers, reminders about gift cards, or special deals on post-holiday items.   Collect those emails now during your holiday sales. 
• Social Media Engagement:
  Utilize social media platforms to promote January sales, run contests, and engage with followers by sharing inspirational content related to New Year goals. 
• Inventory Review:
  Analyze your inventory and identify products that might be slow-selling, offering discounts or bundled deals to move them. 
• Clearance Sales:
  Host a "New Year, New You" clearance sale to clear out old stock and attract customers looking for bargains. 
• Customer Loyalty Programs:
  Reward loyal customers with special January deals or bonus points to encourage repeat business. 
• Website Optimization:
  Update your website with fresh content, January promotions, and appealing visuals to capture attention. 
• Targeted Advertising:
  Utilize online advertising platforms to reach new customers based on their New Year's interests and goals. 
• Personalized Outreach:
  Reach out to existing customers with personalized offers based on their past purchase history. 
• In-Store Experience:
  Create a welcoming atmosphere in your physical store, highlighting January deals and offering special in-store promotions. 

Important Considerations:

• Understand Customer Psychology:
  Recognize that January can be a budget-conscious month for many customers, so focus on value-driven offers. 
• Data Analysis:
  Track your sales data to identify which January promotions are most effective and adjust your strategies accordingly. 
• Be Flexible:
  Be prepared to adapt your sales tactics based on customer response and market trends. ​

In May/June of this year, PCDA Trustees and City Commissioners voted to add housing and retail assistance to the trust indenture. This means that PCDA can now work with and incentivize these sectors.   

PCDA recently announced the intent to purchase the former AMC Movie Theater and contract with Icon Cinemas to operate a movie theater. We know that workforce is the number one issue for industry growth. We also know that this workforce expects a certain level of amenities in a community to even consider living there. Reopening the theater will be a great start to workforce attraction, as well as keeping local folks happy and engaged in the community. Theater renovations should begin in January, and Icon Cinemas hopes to open by the summer blockbuster season. We are excited to make this project a reality for our city, and will plan a grand opening when it is ready to go, so stay tuned! 

If you have any questions or need further information about the Icon Cinemas Project, please do not hesitate to contact Lori Henderson, PCDA Executive Director.  This includes information about incentives and the building purchase.  

Bid projects for the HVAC and Roof are out and will be opened and announced in early December. 

This guy knows his merchandising!  Check out his website www.retaildoc.com for more tips on sales and retail development.  Especially Love "Concentrate on the front of your store."  This means flow, merchandising, pricing and sale items.

1.  Change Displays Monthly
Holidays and seasons only last so long, and promotional items have a short shelf life. Feature new arrivals in your store layout first.   If you ordered products meant to go together, keep them together. You don’t want their first appearance to be diluted or the potential add-on sale to be lost.  Later, group any leftover items with new arrivals to change their look.
2. Visually merchandise the products people want, not need.Don’t choose to highlight products the customer already needs; that is what they are coming in for. Customers respond to product displays of items they want.
For example, don’t display the cheap hand mixer when every Emeril wannabe desires the fancy KitchenAid.  Just because they need a mixer doesn’t mean they won’t treat themselves to the expensive model if it is displayed well.
3. Look for one thing that makes a grouping other than price.While all of one product works well in a grocery store, it is little more than warehousing the items in a retail store.

Your visual merchandising strategy should include making displays according to product use – an assortment of items related to brewing and drinking tea, for example. Or display by colors – the strongest color combinations to attract attention in retail are red, white, and black.  Try related or contrasting colors. Our eyes quickly get the point and move on, so never make a monochromatic display.
4. Focus on the front of your storeStart with the display area closest to the front door and highlight your newest and most expensive items.

Be sure to have several levels of height—even on shelves. Make sure your store fixtures are clean from top to bottom and filled with enough products so that customers can pick up and touch them without having to totally dismantle your display.
5. Add a stuffed pig to at least one window. Really.Find an unrelated item and put it on your display. It serves as a prop, and its only purpose is to grab your customer’s attention. Add a stuffed toy pig to complete your KitchenAid display.

Adding a prop to every product display is unnecessary, but the idea should always be there. These visual elements make  the customer ask themselves, "Why is that there?" They are intrigued by your visual merchandising picture and come in to learn more.
6. Add additional lighting so the merchandise stands outLight your display like it’s important. Adjust overhead lighting. If you have a particularly dark display with no way to highlight it from above, consider moving your best-selling products to an existing light source or light from below with small spotlights. Remember, light makes the merchandise pop.
7. Add compelling signageAdd a few well-placed, well-worded signs - even on store fixtures. Ensure the signs are short and easy to read to catch customers' attention.

If your customers are mostly seniors, use larger fonts to make it easy on them. Handwritten signs with markers are okay for a kid’s lemonade stand, but they tend to look amateurish anywhere else.  Don’t ever put up signage that says DO NOT TOUCH. You might as well put up a sign that says DO NOT BUY. Displays are supposed to get messed up.
8. Rotate your displays but not your fixturesMove existing displays around the sales floor when new merchandise comes in. Since the fairly new inventory will still sell, switch your store layout two weeks after arrival. Move one from the front to the middle of the sales floor and the other from the middle to the back.
9. Track your sales by SKUMonitor your computer printouts and inventory levels weekly. If something takes off, be prepared to reorder these best-selling products immediately.

If you have sold through your inventory and have no back stock, change your visual merchandising plan to something you have plenty of.  If something doesn’t sell, try moving the same display to another location or incorporating different product placement before giving up on it.
10. Make sure every product in each arrangement is pricedMake sure all of your product is priced. No one wants to have to ask how much something is.
11. Engage more than one sense in your storeYou may have seen those stores selling health aides in malls with several oil diffusers working, pictured at right.

You're probably already wondering what they smell like. That's the power of engaging more than one sense.  I've seen retailers use ScentAir for beachy Tommy Bahama clothes departments to engage the nose, high-end grocery stores to offer fine food tastings to engage the mouth, and sound retailers to have separate rooms to engage the ears.  Just make sure to go easy on scent. Many people have allergies or other preferences. 
12. Add motion to your displayIt is easy to only think about what the display looks like in terms of colors and textures. Still, you can go further and add movement with a fan carefully placed out of sight to slightly billow out a summer dress, add a toy train during the holidays, or demonstrate your product in use. Usually, the motion also provides a sound, which is a bonus.
Or, check out a company that works with in-store media for retailers.  See also: How to craft a retail merchandising plan with this comprehensive primer
The most important element of visual merchandisingWhat's the most important aspect of visual merchandising? Your creativity. You must learn the science and the art of arranging beyond just SKUs and discounts.
These retail merchandising tips do not include all possible ways to organize merchandise into your silent salesperson. Still, they form a foundation any retailer or small business can use to boost sales.

Be careful that your floor plan remains open and that aisles are easy to walk down. Customer service extends to the ease with which they can navigate around your stellar displays.

- From www.Retaildoc.com.  Bob Phipps

After nearly four years of vacancy following the closure of a local cinema due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Ponca City is set for an advance in the entertainment sector. The Ponca City Development Authority (PCDA) is thrilled to announce a strategic partnership with the Icon Cinemas, owned by theater operator Stetson Snell, to reopen the movie theater on the corner of 5th and Prospect in Ponca City, Oklahoma.
​
The four screen AMC Theater officially closed its doors in November 2020, leaving a significant gap in local entertainment options. This closure has led to a leak of sales tax dollars as residents have traveled to neighboring communities, such as Tonkawa, Winfield, and Stillwater, for movies and dining experiences. Recognizing the economic impact, the Ponca City Development Authority prioritized the revival of the theater as a vital step in bolstering the local economy.
“Entertainment options have become a workforce issue,” said Lori Henderson, Executive Director of PCDA.   “Ultimately, a well-rounded entertainment landscape can make Ponca City a more desirable destination for both current residents and newcomers alike.”

Liz Leaming, Ponca Works Director at PCDA continued that “Workforce development has expanded to encompass various aspects that impact work-life balance. This theater incentive can be directly tied to workforce retention and attraction. Think about moving to a community that lacks entertainment options—this initiative will not only enhance local entertainment options but will also attract more restaurants and retail opportunities.”
A vibrant entertainment scene can foster community engagement, bringing residents together for shared experiences. By revitalizing the theater, PCDA aims to create a social hub where families and friends can gather, thus strengthening community ties. The hope is that these new offerings will not only draw in local audiences but also attract visitors from surrounding areas, boosting the local economy. This investment signals a commitment to improving the quality of life for residents, making Ponca City a more appealing place to live and work.
In discussions with Icon Cinemas, the theater will undergo significant upgrades, including the installation of advanced audio/visual equipment in all 4 screening rooms, new interiors, and reclining loungers in all theaters. Stetson Snell, who operates multiple theaters across the region with the closest in Edmond, Oklahoma, expressed his enthusiasm: “I’m excited to bring a quality theater experience to Ponca City. Our goal is to create a welcoming space for families and movie enthusiasts alike.”

Construction on the theater is set to begin in early January, with hopes to be ready for the summer blockbuster season. “We are entering an exciting new chapter for Ponca City,” added Erica Fetters, PCDA Board President. “The new leadership and innovative strategies from the PCDA promise to continue our track record of accomplishments and further grow our economy.”

In addition to the renovation of the old AMC theater, the historic Poncan Theatre has renovated their interiors to be able to show first run movies as well.  PCDA is excited about this investment into the entertainment options in Ponca City and is partnering with the Poncan Theatre to help keep the theater operating at the high level that the community is used to. Poncan Theater will continue its legacy of supporting local arts, featuring Evans Children's Academy, a vibrant youth theater troupe, alongside first-run movies and various performances throughout the year.
“We are thankful to the City of Ponca. The funds allocated through PCDA ensure any money made by the Poncan Theatre on future movie showings has an instant return on investment. This will allow the Poncan to focus on future production and sustainment cost of our nearly 100-year-old Historic theatre,” says Luke Garrison, Poncan Theatre Board President. “The new (Icon Cinemas) theater will help keep entertainment dollars within our community, changing the perception that residents must leave Ponca City for quality entertainment. We believe this shift will ultimately benefit the Poncan Theatre, as we are likely to become more relevant in the minds of citizens looking for something to during with their family on the weekend.”

Craig Stephenson, the City Manager of Ponca City, remarked, “We anticipate an increase in sales tax revenues and a revitalized environment where residents will enjoy spending their time. This initiative aligns with our vision for community enhancement.”

PCDA remains committed to providing exceptional services to residents by supporting primary enterprises. “Workforce retention and attraction have become top priorities for most businesses, making this partnership crucial for our community's future,” Lori Henderson noted. “A heartfelt thank you goes to Retail Attractions for facilitating our connection with Icon Cinemas and to our board members for their forward-thinking vision in supporting this project.”

As Ponca City looks forward to a vibrant future, the reopening of the movie theater and investment into the Poncan Theater signifies a renewed commitment to culture, community, and economic growth.

- by Jordan Jackson-Gross
Pictured below: Senior Jackson Hunt, who interns at US Army Corps of Engineers Kaw Lake office, volunteered to help park rangers over the busy Labor Day weekend.

As the new school year has started, over 125 new Wildcat Interns have begun work-based learning experiences at businesses all over Ponca City! This year, we are excited to build new partnerships with businesses in high interest career areas, including the medical field (especially physical therapy and occupational therapy), construction trades, engineering, law, and graphic design. Be on the lookout for young people in your favorite businesses and organizations around Ponca City wearing Wildcat Intern badges, and be sure to say hello. If you have time to chat with them about what they’re learning on the job, you’ll be blown away by the incredible experiences they are having.

Each semester, qualifying juniors and seniors at PoHi apply to participate in the internship program, which allows them to leave during the school day for up to two hours to gain professional experience at a job site. Using results from career assessments, students explore different career pathways and request internship placements at local businesses and organizations where they can gain work experience and connect to mentors in the professions they are interested in. These experiences and relationships provide invaluable real-world opportunities that help our young adults make the best choices possible about their futures as they face the transition from the school system to the world of work.

This program has experienced incredible growth over the past several years, and that is thanks to our businesses who say yes to the call and invest as participating stakeholders in our students’ career learning opportunities. With over 100 partnering businesses in Ponca City, chances are, you and your organization have probably gotten a request to host an intern. If so, we at Ponca City Public Schools would like to say thank you! This program is one of many that reminds us that our community is full of champions for children. I look forward to sharing more of the amazing work based learning experiences our students are getting to participate in over the weeks to come.

If your business is interested in learning more about hosting a Wildcat Intern in the future, please reach out to Jordan Jackson-Gross at [email protected] or 580-718-4878 and we’ll help you understand the program and work to connect the right students with you.

Ponca City is know for the companies we keep. Over the years, industries and businesses have started, grown and thrived right here. One of those industries is food and agriculture. Think Lopez Dorada Foods, Log10, Cookshack, CPM Bliss and of course, Century Products. All of these companies reflect the Ponca City success story: start small and grow, grow, grow.

Sometimes. that growth is reflected in jobs; sometimes, in production.  For example, when Dorada Foods opened in the old Tyson building in 2011, their job counts were projected to grow from 200 to 400 employees.  Today, Lopez Dorada has over 800 employees and could handle a few more hires if there was available workforce. 

More recently, Century Products relocated from a smaller community.  Century needed a larger building and more land.  FIrst, the D&M building was purchased giving the company some breathing space.  But soon, Century's five employees had doubled and the 70,000+ square foot building wasn't too big; it wasn't big enough.  Century acquired the old Smith Building last year and are now over 30 employees and continue to grow to fit their capacity.  The Century Products new building is over 200,000 square feet.  That is alot of growing room. 

Read more about Century Products Colorful Colaboration here. 

No matter the growth trajectory, Ponca City has a little something for every business.  Just take a tour through the Duke building in the Airport Industrial Park.  Laurence is ready.  Just give the office a call at 580.765.7070 for more information about growing your business in Ponca City.