#027: Sales Feel Weird? You’re Not Alone (and Not Stuck) | State of Retail – May 2025

What’s really happening in independent retail right now? 

We’re kicking off a brand-new monthly State of Retail episode to help you clear through the noise, get grounded in the data, and take purposeful action based on current retail trends.

In this May episode, Cathy Donovan Wagner shares the latest shifts she’s seeing across the industry, everything from slowing traffic to changing customer behavior and customer sentiment and what it all means for your store. Don’t miss the Millie Moment, designed to help you take action and lead with clarity and confidence.

Whether you’re feeling steady, slow, or stuck on a retail rollercoaster, this is for you!

What You’ll Learn:

• What’s shifting in independent retail this month of May.
• Many retailers are experiencing a slowdown in traffic post-Easter.
• How to avoid panic discounts and instead promote slow-moving inventory creatively.
• Why experimenting with sales strategies and customer engagement is key right now.

Key Takeaways:

• [03:30] Why a “trust recession” is influencing customer behavior and impacting customer sentiment.
• [04:33] The Millie Move: Educate before you activate.
• [06:42] Activating your “pinkies” and of course your “thumbs” . Cathy’s signature metaphor for getting intentional with customer engagement.
• [09:32] QuickBooks tip: Save time with Bill Pay!.

Resources Mentioned:

• If you're serious about growth—and you're not interested in spinning your wheels—I invite you to book a call with one of our Maven experts. This isn't a casual Q&A. It's a qualifying conversation for retailers who want a proven coach in their corner and are ready to make smart, strategic moves toward more profit, more clarity, and more freedom.Ready to stop guessing and start growing? Apply for a strategy call to see if coaching is your next right move.
• Check out Captain Kirk's QuickBooks Corner for expert bookkeeping tips and insights every month inside our Richer Retailer community.

Your Millie Moment: Educate before you activate.

1. Look at what’s flying out the door, your top items by quantity.
2. Then, check what’s dead on the floor—items that haven’t moved in 4–6 weeks.
3. Give your customers a clear reason to buy both now.

Share this episode with a fellow store owner and help them tackle cash flow challenges!

You don’t have to figure this out alone. Retail is shifting, but one smart step at a time, you’ve got this. See you next month for the June State of Retail!