Columns By Bill McCurry

Profit-Prospects-web

Profit Prospects: One Idea Paid for the Entire Convention

We all remember where we were on historic days like 9/11. Not as globally earth shattering as 9/11, but massively impactful to me, was...
Profit-Prospects-web

Profit Prospects: Secrets of a Successful Sale

Let’s examine the secrets of a successful sale. Last September in Fresno, California, Stan and Shelly Grosz finalized the sale of Horn Photo to...
2022-Dealer-of-Year-Banner

Digital Imaging Reporter’s 2022 Dealer of the Year: Colonial Photo & Hobby

Three generations have successfully maintained an exemplary ambiance and shopping experience for more than 68 years. Orlando, Florida, is known for make-believe tourist attractions. However,...
Profit-Prospects-web

Successful Succession: The Legacy of Photo-Imaging Family Businesses

In the previous issue, we reported on industry newcomers changing how their businesses interact with customers compared to their stores’ prior owners. Now, we...
Profit-Prospects-web

Profit Prospects: Newcomers Revitalize Old Camera Stores

Rumors of camera store deaths are greatly exaggerated. Some stores that didn’t keep up with contemporary retailing have closed. However, in the last three...
Profit-Prospects-web

Profit Prospects: Be Careful What You Wish

Every retailer is moaning, “If only manufacturers would ship what’s on backorder.” Well, be careful what you wish for. Furthermore, any complaint starting “if...
DIR-12-2021-Issue-Cover

Editor’s Note: With Gratitude

We’re thrilled to honor Service Photo as our 2021 Dealer of the Year. I’ve known Burke Siem for several years and have always found...
Profit-Prospects-web

Profit Prospects— We’re Still Learning: Customer Photo Education Adapts

We recently asked photo specialty retailers for an update on customer photo education during the current climate. How has Covid changed consumer education? What’s...
EoY-Banner-Dans-2021

Digital Imaging Reporter’s 2021 E-tailer of the Year: Dan’s Camera City

Dan’s Camera City invested heavily in e-marketing tools and is reaping the rewards. Its multichannel approach enables customers to shop any way they want,...
Retailer-Roundtable-4-21

Retailer Roundtable: Pandemic Ponderings

In general, a retailer roundtable generates great ideas. However, it is difficult to replicate in a pandemic. Instead, we asked photo specialty retailers what...
DIR-2020-DOY-BANNER

Precision Camera & Video: Digital Imaging Reporter’s 2020 Dealer of the Year

This Data-Driven Store Excels with Core Values and Relationship Building Precision Camera opened in 1976 as a camera repair shop in then laid-back Austin, Texas....
E-tailer-of-Year-2020-PixelConnectionR

Pixel Connection: Digital Imaging Reporter’s 2020 E-tailer of the Year

Pixel Connection is committed to serving its creators and community with the best possible service—in-store and online. Rahul Tuteja, founder and vice president of Pixel...
Profit-Prospects-web

Profit Prospects: We’re All in This Together, Bringing Different Perspectives

“You need to care for your customers, not wait on them, no matter where your store sits along the ‘Covid-19 Reopening Scale,’” says Bob...
Profit-Prospects-web

Profit Prospects: The Fine Art of Customer Negotiation

If you are an FBI hostage negotiator, someone’s life is on the line. Chris Voss negotiated for real lives in real situations. His book,...
HornPhoto-DOY-banner-12-19

Horn Photo: Digital Imaging Reporter’s 2019 Dealer of the Year

Horn Photo succeeds through inventive marketing and a dedication to not only their customers but the art and craft of photography. When the flight attendant...
HP20-Horn-Photo-Van-ClickingCaravan

Clicking Caravan’s Nine Rules for Success

In a digital world where almost everyone over the age of 12 has a camera in their back pocket, it’s increasingly vital for retailers...
Profit-Prospects-web

Profit Prospects: Reading Fall Tea Leaves

Let’s read the fall tea leaves based on PRO’s recent 61st annual convention/trade show. Buying, enthusiasm, strategic planning and more all went full speed,...
Profit-Prospects-web

Profit Prospects: CSR, Social Responsibility for Good Business

Younger employees are accused of not being respectful of authority, lacking initiative and generally ignoring the criteria senior employees demand. However, many don’t fit...
YMcamera-banner-7-2019

YM camera: Digital Imaging Reporter’s 2019 E-tailer of the Year

If you were running the third-generation family business founded as Youngstown Microfilm in 1951, would you locate it in Boardman, Ohio? Consider that the...
Profit-Prospects-web

Profit Prospects: Death and Taxes

Death and Taxes. Once upon a time they were the only things that never changed. This past year has provided significant changes in taxes,...
Profit-Prospects-web

Profit Prospects: Make More Money by Policing Costs

Successful retailers make a profit by selling things for more than they paid for them, keeping costs below that margin. However, policing costs isn’t...
TIA-RealCamerasRock

The Imaging Alliance: Sales for Members, Benefits for the Entire Industry

“We no longer need to focus on recruitment. We have teams together. It’s time to put our programs in place.” Jerry Grossman, executive director...
DoY-2018 -Arts-Banner

Digital Imaging Reporter’s 2018 Dealer of the Year: Art’s Cameras Plus

Don’t worry about the future of specialty photo retailing. Art’s Cameras Plus understands the need for optimum customer and employee experiences to foster their...
Profit-Prospects-web

Profit Prospects: Let Your Customer Dream Her Dream

Why are some retailers painting a bull’s eye on their toes? Our industry is poised for the best year in recent memory. Nikon just...
Profit-Prospects-web

Profit Prospects: Why Do Employees Really Quit?

“I love it here, but my kid’s going to college . . . my wife lost her job . . . we’re having a...
Profit-Prospects-web

Profit Prospects: NAB—Just Another Convention, or Is It More?

Since the decline of PMA, our industry has been looking for a trade show or convention to embrace. Thought-leading retailers have been looking for...
Profit-Prospects-web

Profit Prospects: Does Awakening in a Pool of Blood Equal Success?

Arianna Huffington said it was a wake-up call when she collapsed in her office from exhaustion in 2007, breaking her cheekbone and adding blood...
Profit-Prospects-web

It’s Not You. It’s Me: Customers Adopt Mobile Shopping

“This is a red flag in any relationship, and retailers are hearing it a lot lately in the form of customers leaving . ....
Profit-Prospects-web

Profit Prospects: The Taxman Cometh

In the early 20th century, Henry Ford had a problem on his assembly line that his engineers couldn’t fix. Ford called on the renowned...
Midwest-Photo-Banner-12-2017

Midwest Photo: DIR’s 2017 Dealer of the Year

A family-owned business with traditional values, Midwest Photo has thrived by embracing change and focusing on relationship building. “He’s like a rock star. Customers would...

NO COMMENTS

News Brief (footer)

Sign Up for Digital Imaging Reporter’s Weekly News Briefs Today!