Now that the crowd is gone, I’m finding myself with a little more free time these days. For me, free time means time to read. So for the next few months I'll catch up on some of the bestsellers I missed last year. However, the bulk of my reading time will be devoted to trade journals and industry-related reading.

The list of business books explaining how to start a business is almost endless. Regrettably, the number of good guides to opening and operating a retail store are few. The following list features my top 10 picks for books I recommend to retailers starting their own shop.

Have you read an excellent retailing book I haven't mentioned in my 10 Books for Retailers? If so, drop me a note.

Related:

• Submit Your Own Book Reviews
• 10 Business Plan Books
• 10 Loss Prevention Books
• 5 Retail Management Books
• More Retailing Books & Magazines

Have you ever found yourself so wrapped up with the daily operations of your store that didn't even have time to say hello to a customer you passed on the sales floor? Too often retailers become overly focused on running their store and planning ways to attract new customers that they loose loyal shoppers in the process.

A Harvard Business Review study showed that if you retain only 5% of the customers who defect to other vendors your profitability will go up by 30-85%, depending on your industry. This is why it is so important to not only save the sale when dealing with a disgruntled customer, but to save the customer as well.

Joel R. Evans, Ph.D. and Barry Berman, Ph.D. suggest ways retailers can appeal to repeat customers.

Retailers are busy people and some may find it overwhelming to stay up to date on all of the laws and regulations governing our businesses. Unfortunately, many direct marketers know this and some may try to take advantage of those retailers.

The other day I received a direct marketing piece threatening hefty fines if our business doesn't immediately replace our current labor law posters. Naturally the letter was complete with an order form for our convenience. But what the pitch failed to mention was that the current poster we're using is still valid.

The United States Department of Labor has certain regulations requiring posters or notices to be displayed in the workplace. Is your retail store following the law? Do you know which notices you are required to post? Before you spend money with a poster provider, browse these workplace posters and requirements to be sure your shop is in compliance. I've even included links for you to download the posters for free.

Image courtesy of U.S. Department of Labor

Some retailers take advantage of a summer slump to work on their marketing calendar. However, for many retail stores this is the slowest time of the year. It is also the time many choose to put together a promotional plan. Have you finished your marketing plan for 2009? Have you even started?

If you haven't already written yours, don't worry. It's never too late to put together a marketing plan. Laura Lake, our About.com Guide to Marketing, has created a handy marketing calendar tool to help you plan your marketing strategy.