Not even franchise or chain retail stores are immune to the effects of recession. This year, 2,415 Hollywood Video and Game Crazy locations were closed, 545 Blockbusters, 200 Borders, 149 F.Y.E.'s, 145 Men's Warehouses, 177 Foot Lockers even the Gap closed 80 stores.  The number of retailers liquidating their inventory, laying off employees and ultimately going out of business is in the tens of thousands.

Experts have deduced that with the increasing restrictions of consumer credit and the rising rate of unemployment, consumers are willing to spend less and demand more for their dollar. The neighbor hood retail chain store is now overpriced. Paying for the convenience of it's proximity is not as reasonable as it was five years ago. Those succeeding in these times are the competitors with clever marketing agendas, incentives and offering customers what they need at a more appealing price.

Clever Marketing Agendas: Today's advertising campaigns are no longer exclusively built on jingles, mascots and logos. The most effective method of standing out from competitors and gaining recognition from the community is to give to them. Participating in fund raising efforts or donating to a national or local cause sets a business apart from and above the rest.

Incentives:  Points, Gift Certificates, Gift Cards or Merchandise, it's been debated that consumer incentives are in fact the best way for business to establish a positive reputation. So besides  contributing to national or local causes, keep the incentives and customer loyalty programs rolling. 

Offering Customer's What They Need at More Appealing Prices: Definitively simple, A price lower than that offered by the competitors, or again, combined with the aforementioned incentives.