Tobe, a division of The Doneger Group, is an international fashion and retail consulting service that provides in-depth fashion and retail analysis, trend forecasting and strategic planning. Their team of editors reviews retail and wholesale trends, while concentrating on consumer-based and industry shifts and the impact of pop culture and media.

“There is significant opportunity for retailers to increase sales by taking advantage of new technologies,” said Catherine Moellering, executive vice president of Tobe, an international fashion and retail authority.

In their 2010 Spring State of Retail Report, Tobe unveiled 10 key strategic initiatives that will immediately drive sales for online retailers: 

1. Treat your home page like a storefront window. Recognize it is the face of the brand and use it as a selling point, showing all features and enticing consumers to explore deeper into the site.

2. Blog. Ignoring the blogging community gives anyone the opportunity to become the voice of the brand. Whether penning their own blog or sending product to influential bloggers, retailers need a blogging strategy to ensure their point of view is conveyed.

3. Invest in new technologies. From streaming fashion shows to smart phone apps, a number of new technologies can directly translate to sales. Add expert commentary, and blast new promotions through mobile coupons.

4. Conduct tests through Internet exclusive product launches. The internet is a cost-efficient way to test new product lines and gain immediate customer feedback before making larger investments.

5. Improve customer service. Live-chat dialogues, online fit guides and personalized product recommendations can better serve online customers and reduce cart abandonment.

6. Build loyalty with a unique online selling proposition. A unique offering such as donating a percentage of sales to charity, matching competitor coupons, or providing year-round free shipping drives traffic to your site and makes your brand memorable.

7. Offer online gift registries and wish lists. These lists help you gain important lifestyle information about your consumers and the people who care about them. Anniversary reminders sent each year make repeat gift purchases convenient and build loyalty.

8. Reach your customers where they live online. Think beyond Facebook and Twitter to sites such as PopSugar, Tumblr and Delicious that are gaining traction with niche consumer audiences.

9. Keep search engines in mind. Social networking sites are important for maintaining a connection to the consumer, but purchases are more likely to occur through a search engine. Continue investing in SEO and keyword searches.

10. Build customer reviews. Consumers are more likely to make a purchase from retail sites that include product reviews. In-fact, sites that include occasional negative reviews are seen as being more credible than those listing only positive feedback.

You’ve probably heard the old adage that if you do what you love for a living, then it will never feel like work. Last night I received an email about Clark Little, a pioneer of surfing who has gained national and international recognition for his Hawaiian North Shore wave photography. He has taken his passion for surfing and the ocean – and turned it into a new career.

In 2007, Clark’s wife asked him for a picture of the ocean to decorate a bedroom wall. Clark grabbed a camera, jumped in the ocean, and started recording the beauty and power of Hawaiian waves from the inside out, a point of view most people will never experience. Now people are paying to hang his point of view on their walls!

The ocean has become his office. I’m sure what is “all in a day’s work” feels like play to him. Where do you like to play? What could you new office space be? I know that my creativity and curiosity keep my design work from ever feeling boring or mundane.

Clark is actively seeking galleries, museums, surf shops, community groups and art schools interested in hosting his slideshow presentation and book signing events. Learn more and view pricing at http://www.clarklittlephotography.com/tour.php.