An excellent article surfaced today on CNN that expertly covers how to market your retail business in order to increase noteriety and sales.

Unfortunately for me, the real message of the article is hidden behind paragraphs detailing how Maxine Clark started Build-a-Bear. Fortunately for you, I’m here to cut through the clutter and bring home the bacon!

What you all should take away from this article is something that, unfortunately, most retail owners forget: customer experience should be one of the pillars upon which you build your success — and the most important types of customer experience in retail, I would argue, are fun and convenience.

Build-a-Bear has appropriately built their marketing scheme upon these pillars (and, of course, others), and are reaping the benefits even in a down economy.

What you should take away from this: If your customers are having fun, they’re going to spend more money.

Go out there and make it happen!