I recently attended a seminar entitled “Working Across Generations” in which the facilitator challenged attendees to work in small groups and develop strategies for how to bridge generational divides in the workplace.  Our discussion started with the stereotypes associated with each generation.

Greatest Generation:  Strong work ethic with patriotic undertones.

Baby Boomers:  hard workers with rebellious streaks.

Generation Xers:  Rebel consumers with minimal time for work.

Millennials:  Tech-obsessed, self-centered, but driven to succeed. 

This discussion got me thinking about how brick-and-mortar businesses might reach this new generation of millennials, many of whom are experiencing disposable income for the first time.  This disposable income, I will note, is relatively scarce due to the soaring cost of higher education.  This presents a challenge for retailers hoping to earn the trust necessary for new consumers to spend their precious dollars on a particular brand.

What’s the secret?  Well, the key to gaining a market share of the millennials is not much different than the generations before them.  It’s communication.  Below are a few practical tips.

1. Believe it or not, there is such thing as social media overload.  Yes, millennials are more virtually connected than any generation that has come before.  This might lead a retailer to believe that the more social media tools they utilize the better.  Wrong.  Choose a social media channel that makes sense for your business.  Millennial consumers are savvy; they won’t spend any time at all on your social media sites if they don’t make sense or are clunky to navigate.  Make a commitment to a social media channel that makes sense for your business and stick with it before hopping on another channel.  You, like consumers, have a limited amount of time to spend generating content and keeping your content relevant.  Go easy on yourself and don’t spread your business too thin on social media.
   
   
2. Don’t confuse consumers with your social media “savvy.”  So you just read Tip #1, and you think you’ve overcome this problem by linking all of your social media accounts to efficiently update and maintain your presence.  Unfortunately, this isn’t the smartest move.  Every social media channel has unique qualities that attract a specific consumer set.  It is critical, particularly for millennials that you interact with your consumers in the style used by each site.  For example, Twitter followers expect short, real-time updates from retailers so sending them a longer, visual post that aligns more with Facebook could alienate or confuse your Twitter customers.  Unlink your accounts.  You don’t have to like it.  Just do it.
   
   
3. Thank us.  Thank us.  Thank us.  A millennial walks into your store (no, this is not the beginning of a bad joke), you interact with them, they purchase something, they exit the store.  What now?  (Don’t worry, it’s not a trick question.)  Millennials are just like any other life generation, they like to be thanked.  Nothing beats the power of a good, old-fashioned thank you.  Even millennials love a postcard in the mail.  A shout-out on Twitter, while slightly less personable, can also be effective.

For these and other fantastic tips for communicating with customers from all generations, check out “The Ann E. Answers Guide to Communications Etiquette in the Digital Age.”  The book was written by my company and can be purchased at anneanswers.com.  All book proceeds go to Dress for Success, a local nonprofit dedicated to promoting the economic independence of disadvantaged women in the Twin Cities.

National reports from Thanksgiving weekend concluded traffic was up at retailers across the country, however there was a slight dip in spending--largely attributed to strong retail competition including deals and "doorbusters". The National Retail Federation reported consumers spent  $407.02 from Thanksgiving through the weekend, down from $423.55 a year ago.

In an unscientific survey of members, the Minnesota Retailers Association (MnRA) found that 55 percent of retailers saw more customers walking through their doors than anticipated, with another 30 percent seeing the level of traffic they expected.

Also in good news for Minnesota's economy, 45 percent of retailers reported more sales Thanksgiving weekend over the same period last year, along with 22 percent saying the two years were about equal.

Despite reports of strong traffic and sales, retailers in Minnesota are cautious when it comes to the economy and consumer spending around the holidays.  Fifty-five percent of retail respondents anticipate this year's holiday season sales to match last year's, and 20 percent said they anticipate sales to be less. Only 20 percent of retailers expect sales to be above the 2012 holiday season level.

Depending on how you look at the numbers, Minnesota's retailers still haven't completely recovered from the slow spending years that started in 2008, and arguably are still trying to return to the pre-September 11, 2001 employment levels. But with improving consumer spending over the past 18 months providing some optimism this holiday season, MnRA checked in with a few retailers to see what strategies are being employed during the important week of spending between now and December 24. Here is a digest of the tools being used by Minnesota retailers to drive consumers in the door.

Advertising: More television and radio; more local newspaper advertising. Across the board, retailers report stronger use of newspaper, radio, and television advertising to drive traffic in the door this last week of holiday spending. Consumers seem to welcome sales and product ads with the long political campaign advertisement season still fresh on their minds.

Hours: Expanded hours in the days leading up to December 24 are not new to the industry, but this year's list of stores open more hours and even 24 hours is longer than ever. From independent retail operations to national retailers like Macy's staying open 48 hours straight, the open-early, stay-open-late strategy seen on Black Friday is back for the last week of the holidays. As an example, family-owned retailer Norby's Department Store in Detroit Lakes extends its hours to 8:00 p.m. each night while it ramps up radio and newspaper advertising to drive a strong finish to the holiday season.

Sales/Specials: With social media being embraced by retailers of all sizes, daily deals and specials have become quick to put together and easy to get out to customers. As a result, final holiday sales and daily deals can be seen all over Minnesota this final week. In addition, stores are employing the tested and true week before Christmas sale. Target will host its "Last Minute Sale" from December 20-24 with gift card incentives and discounts on select items. Specialty retail dance store Grand Jeté is using its Facebook page to put out unique gift ideas on a daily basis while offering a monthly 10% off coupon on its website to get customers to browse their website before coming to the store.

Return-To-Store Incentives: Retailers have reported that return-to-store incentives are being used heavily this holiday season. Especially noticeable are bonus incentive programs offered to customers making purchases during the Black Friday weekend and dated for redemption this week, putting stores in a position to see repeat customers. For the first time, Pawn America is using a return-to-store cash-like coupon offered during Black Friday to encourage customers to comeback between December 12-24 to see its ever-rotating inventory, and has reported success with the program.

Specialty Retail: Specialty niche retailers are focusing sales efforts on complimentary products, better known as stocking stuffers. Retailers like Thrifty White Pharmacy (whose general merchandise sales the last two weeks of December account for nearly 15% of its yearly related sales) are focusing their advertising dollars on key categories like fragrances, candies, holiday decor, and of course gift cards. Games by James store owner Glenn McKee reports that historically its strongest sales of the year are the last ten days before Christmas, so shelves and the backroom are stocked, sales staff trained, and he keeps checkout lines moving fast, further reporting that shoppers have gone from thinking about purchasing to actual buying.

Readying for 2013: Several retailers reported that the final week of holiday spending is about showing off new products, new showrooms, new ownership, or new strategies. From independent stores under new ownership like Fashionologie at 50th and France, to national retailer J. C. Penny, retailers know that exposing customers to its new retail strategy is key to turning holiday traffic into 2013's customers. Now is the time to look your best.

Tune in to WCCO radio AM830 Tuesday morning at 9:35 a.m. as MnRA President Bruce Nustad discusses the final week of holiday sales with host John Hines,