Monday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 4/11/2016

Florida-Cuba ferry could start as early as June

Ferry operators interested in carrying cargo and passengers to Cuba have opened discussions with officials at several Florida ports. The Cuban government has not yet approved a U.S. ferry to use one of its ports, but ferries are expected to be a popular way to travel and ship cargo from Florida to the Caribbean island. More from the AP.

Sales and Marketing Advice
Zombie email subscribers could be dragging your list down

No active engagement means your wonderful email content, campaigns, and call-to-actions lower your response rate. It becomes a vicious cycle of lower and lower open rates. You get frustrated and sell less. More from Ron Stein.

Small businesses can build a legacy

Small businesses accomplish more than just creating jobs. Researchers in an International Small Business Journal study revealed that “small enterprises are essential contributors to community civic environments.” More from the Pensacola News-Journal.

Brands chasing younger plus-size shoppers, but in-store options still sparse

The market for plus-size apparel in the U.S. is growing, with sales hitting $20.4 billion in the year ending in February 2016, up 3 percent from the year before, according to market research firm The NPD Group. Interest in the category is growing particularly quickly among teens and younger women. More from the Orlando Sentinel.

Small Business Advice
A key way to grow business is to encourage customer loyalty

When first starting a business, your focus is trying to attract customers by offering products and services they want. Once you have an established customer base, however, your focus should switch to finding ways to keep them coming back on a regular basis. More from Jerry Osteryoung.

Business Profile
Seagrape Seafood

Seagrape Seafood Market recently opened on Palmetto's 10th Avenue. The owners are Helen Dixon and her husband, chef Ted Pasquantonio. Dixon is a former professional marine biologist and seafood specialist.

» More from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.

Economic Yearbook 2016
Northwest Florida: A Home Run

Pensacola’s downtown is developing around its minor league baseball team as retailers, restaurateurs and companies move in. Meanwhile, in Tallahassee, students continue to drive downtown development.