Pretty Windows: A great window(s) is key when times are tough. Your window presentation lets the customer know you are still there, so make it unique and special. Be Nicer Than Ever: Even the less-than-friendly retailers are being more cordial and responsive to customers. Some retailers are offering on-the-spot discounts on single item or bulk purchases so the customer feels they “got a deal.” Provide a Service: Free gift wrap. Free delivery. Have a special drawing for discounts on future purchases. Friends and Family night: Have a late night shopping party for friends and family — a holiday gathering can lift everyone's spirits. Co-op this party with a local wine shop, bakery or deli. It also gives you direct contact with their customers. Reach Out: Dedicate one night to a local charity, with a percentage of sales going to the group. You can cap the total you give, make a margin and, most importantly, move your inventory before year end. — Paul Thompson

Apart from my interior design studio, I also own a retail store called Square One Furniture based in the seasonal resort town of Los Cabos, Mexico, where we only have six months in which to make or break the year. We give people a reason to come in by continually reinventing our interiors. Apart from the staples we're known for — fabulous lamps, bed linens and unique imported accessories — we always have fun new items displayed in the front to lure customers in. We're also very involved in the community and donate to various organizations throughout the year. E-mailing clients with photos of new arrivals has been successful for us. We've developed a large base of repeat clients over the years and we keep in touch via e-mail, sending them updates or discount coupons to use on their next visit. When you know someone on a first name basis, your e-mails bypass the junk mail and people respond to it. — Sandy Espinet

I feel better shopping at a store where I know they are giving a certain percentage of sales to charity. Being a New Yorker, and knowing how low the food banks are getting, an evening event for City Harvest would draw me in to spend. People always ante up for their kids. If you're a gift or home store and you bring in some great new domestically-made learning product, people will spend, especially if for every X amount of dollars spent, a gift is sent to Toys for Tots. — Babette Holland