Over the last few months I have seen quite a few stores in my 'hood (Y&E) close up shop (Nike, Ten Thousand Villages, Nine West to name a few).

These brands may have closed their stores in this specific location, but surely, they did not close business completely. In fact, their ecommerce sites are still quite robust and they still have stores in prominent areas like the Eaton Centre.

In all of these instances, there was never any warning to local customers of the store closure. No sign on the window, no announcement online. Just here one day, and gone the next.

As a shopper at these stores - would you be disappointed that you were not informed? Here are some quick and easy ways to keep customers, even if you are on your way out.

1. Put a sign on the window "Thank you for your patronage, please visit us at one of our other locations or online at www."
2. If you have a store locator online - let customers know when it is closing.
3. Have a sale.
4. If you have a good database, send out a direct mail or email announcing the closure and perhaps a small discount at one of the other locations.