Want to get more from this season of Step by Step? Download our free accompanying guide.A Blendification of BrandsState and local governments have continued to rely on sales tax as it is one of the three pillars that governments rely on for income.Retail invoices have a lot of key components because SKU, price, and tax all have to be correct. Recently, Michael is witnessing more retailers demanding more and more precision.Believe it or not, over the last 30 years, the sales tax base has actually shrunk. State legislatures have written bills to minimize what can be taxed. In turn, governments can only raise tax rates on discretionary income.“You always want to select a vendor that will grow with you and can actually meet your needs.” - MichaelThe biggest challenge that brands face is selecting the right vendor and not having the right systems to troubleshoot in the wake of a crisis.Retailers of all sizes come to the table with different billing systems. Pick a partner who can move smoothly between systems.Services overlooked when choosing a vendor are self-service ability and flexibility, so you can have the option to move your dollars around easily.“The voice of the customer should be the customer.” - BrianIf brands want to differentiate themselves they need to find software that allows them to be a part of the process.Associated Links:Want to learn more about how to take your brand to the next level? Download our free Step by Step guide!CO drops Feminine Product TaxesGet connected with fabric.Learn more about Michael Bernard and Vertex Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.