Now that the holiday dust has settled and we’re working toward a successful 2009, it’s important to take a look at your fourth-quarter sales. If they were down, is there anything you could have done differently? If they were steady, how can you maintain this moving forward? If they were up, consider yourself lucky!

An article at OrlandoSentinel.com explored how even though the economy was struggling, specialty stores were still seeing steady holiday sales. The key? Retailers credit factors such as knowledgeable sales staffs, unique offerings and loyal customers.

Eli Portnoy, chief brand strategist for The Portnoy Group, said, "Empirical evidence shows that the vast majority of small retailers ... just can't compete" but that local stores that are successful might be succeeding because "their brand identity, their position in the market, their expertise, is well-defined and well-understood."

Sounds like a business plan for success to me! Retailers that are competing and staying afloat have most likely accomplished this by connecting with their customers and carving out their niche. As you know, even when times are tough, you have to keep resolving to succeed and to stay positive. In fact, the National Retail Federation predicts that in the year ahead, shoppers will be looking for an antidote to gloom, and retailers who provide it will keep cash registers ringing.

So what goals can you set for the first quarter? They don’t have to be monetary — maybe you would like to experiment with a new display or finally clean out that back room and reorganize — just make an attainable goal and take things a day, a month, a quarter at a time. It’s a new year and a new chance to be successful!