The Retail Growth Interact community within ATA Connect is a safe, confidential space for retailers to network and solve industry challenges through constructive discussions. Members can pose questions, voice concerns and brainstorm solutions. “One of the things that we really wanted to do was give a platform for our members to communicate with one another,” said Smith. “ATA Connect is not open to the public, those already exist and those are not geared toward business. ATA Connect is a closed online community you have to be an ATA member to access.”
The forum was launched earlier this year. “We’re still growing it, but it’s something that we want retailers to especially take advantage of,” said Smith. ATA staff and ATA’s Retail Council, a committee focused on giving retailers the tools they need to succeed in business, created ATA Connect. Members of ATA’s Board of Directors lead the Retail Council. ATA staff will monitor ATA Connect but won’t be leading the discussions. What’s said in the forum can prompt action; if important issues arise, the information will be passed on to the Board. “You tell us what we need to do, or ask us questions,” said Smith.
ATA Connect is limited to retailers only. “The conversations between retailers and manufacturers are matters of business,” said Smith. “We felt that peer-to-peer connection between retailers was what we really wanted to focus on.”
ATA members can get started by following these steps:
- Click HERE to access the Retail Growth Interact community.
- Log in (requires an ATA membership and member login). (Please note: After logging in, users might need to click the “Sign In” button in the top right corner to gain full access to the community.)
- Set up a profile and start contributing using the “Discussions” tab.
