10 Things No Retailer Should Be Without

10. Emergency copies
The following items should be kept off-site, in a secure, locked, fireproof location: all passwords, PIN numbers, bank information, xerox copies of the front and back of your store credit cards, an extra set of keys, and computer logins. Don’t forget to add contact info for the landlord, alarm company, insurance company, and store manager or key employee. If you’re hit by a bus, a loved one or trusted employee can get to the information necessary to keep your doors open ‘til you’re up on your feet again.

9. A corded telephone
It’s inevitable. The power will, on occasion, go out. Whether weather, nearby construction, or just plain line failure, it’s good to know you can still answer the phone when a customer calls.

8. A manual credit card ratchet and carbon slips
Yup. The kind you (or your folks) grew up with. That same pesky power failure cuts off credit card transactions immediately. Old school ratchets allow you to take the card, then call it in for approval (now, if you also have a corded phone).

7. An extra pack of printer/fax paper
Stash this out of sight so no one uses it then forgets to tell you...until it’s gone and you’re waiting for an important fax.

6. An extra set of critical ink cartridges
Fax, credit card machine, and your main desktop printer. Stash them with the extra pack of printer/fax paper to be safe. Keep an eye on any by HP, though, since they have expiration dates that make them non-functional (been there, done that...not a pretty sight).

5. A bottle of decent champagne and glass flutes (not plastic)
Bonus points go to retailers who have bubbly on hand when their best customer comes in to announce they’re engaged, a new grandparent, bought their first house, or celebrating some other major milestone. Maybe the good news will be a winning lotto ticket and they’ll share.

4. Quick fix
Advil, Pepcid AC (fast antacid), BandAids, Listerine strips, and eye drops are invaluable. Think: 60-second “saves” for whatever ails ya. Put extra Listerine strips behind the counter so employees can sneak one when retrieving an “accidentally” dropped pen or pencil in a pinch.

3. A stash of Power Bars and bottled water
That headache might be more about dehydration and hunger than Mrs. Nastypants and her nitpicking. Or not. Add an M&M dispenser and you’re golden (chocolate cures all ills).

2. An accountant and an attorney with retail experience
Ours is a business that follows some pretty unique rules. Make sure your numbers guy and legal eagle know those rules first hand.

1. A trusted industry mentor
My first was a consultant named Laurie. Later, it was a fellow retailer named Judy. Over time, it became a small group of trusted friends in the industry who emailed daily. Find yours. Ask questions. Listen. Repeat.