The Solano College Small Business Development Center has scheduled a workshop, Retail Profitability Tactics, from 1-5 p.m. today in the Benicia Community Center, 370 East L St.

Registration begins at 12:45 p.m. at the community center.

Consumer psychologist and retailing consultant Bruce D. Sanders will describe techniques for setting prices, launching sales promotions, increasing the size of purchases, changing shoppers’ preferences and ensuring customers return soon.

The workshop targets owners and operators of small- to medium-sized businesses that sell products and services locally, that can devote time to increasing their profitability and that are willing to work with other retailers to build and maintain a profitable commercial community.

Each participant will receive a copy of Sanders’s book, “Retailer’s Edge: Boost Profits Using Shopper Psychology,” and follow-up, one-on-one counseling by SBDC business advisers.

A Wells Fargo Foundation grant is underwriting the workshop, so no fee will be charged. Enrollment is limited to 20.

Those interested may call the SBDC at 707-864-3382 or visit its website, www.solanosbdc.org.

Adobe extends thrift shop evening hours

The Adobe Second Chance Thrift Shop, 292 First St., is expanding its evening hours so those who can’t get downtown before 6 p.m. during the week still have a place to shop.

“Instead of being limited to Saturdays, folks can shop in evenings, too,” Director Pat Purvis said. “Adobe calls it ‘Open Till 6 p.m. Plus.’”

Depending on foot traffic to the store, the shop may remain open as late as 9 p.m., Purvis said.

“Adobe is looking to accommodate folks just out for an evening walk, or coming and going to one of the fine First Street restaurants nearby, or commuters who never get home before 6 p.m.,” he said.

The Adobe Second Chance Thrift Shop is open Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, “from 11 a.m. till 6 p.m. plus,” Purvis said. Those wanting to call the store to assure it is open may call 707-745-4565.

Is your business complying with wage, hour law?

San Francisco-based Attorney R. Brian Dixon, co-chairperson with Littler Mendelson’s wage and hour practice group, will speak in Fairfield on May 28 about the wage and hour law, common overtime exemptions, limits of compensable work time, meal breaks and heat recovery period regulations.

Those registering by May 21 will be entered to win a gift basket.

Dixon’s talk is a program of the Solano Napa Employer Advisory Council, in partnership with the Employment Development Department. He has litigated before federal and state courts in settling disputes with the Department of Labor, California Division of Labor Standards Enforcement, out of state enforcement agencies and other agencies.

Attendees will hear updates on wage and hour law covering overtime, travel time, training, standby time, compensable work time, lunch and meal breaks.

In addition, they’ll learn about new heat recovery period regulations.

Among the discussion topics will be common exemptions, including executives, administrators and various professionals, and common litigation matters.

Business owners, employee benefits managers and staff, human resources managers and staff, other managers and supervisors and special employment program staff are welcome.

Cost is $55 for those registering in advance, and $75 the day of the event. Checks may be made payable to Solano Napa EAC, and may be sent to Solano Napa EAC, attention C. Fair, in care of Super Store Industries, P.O. Box 2898, Fairfield, 94533.

Registration also may be made by through Valerie Nagle at 707-576-2014 or vnagle@edd./ca.gov. The EAC’s website is www.solano-napa.ceac.org.

The event begins with late registration and continental breakfast at 8 a.m. May 28, at Courtyard by Marriott, 1350 Holiday Lane, Fairfield.

The Benicia Herald’s weekly Benicia Business Beat column is an opportunity for local businesses and companies to tell our readers about such news as moves, grand openings, awards, promotion of employees, staff changes and changes in goods and services.

Submissions need to answer the questions who, what, when, where, why and how, preferably in the body of an email, and provide contact information.

Deadline is 3 p.m. Friday for news items that will appear in the next Tuesday edition’s Benicia Business Beat. Please email news releases and accompanying high-resolution photographs and logos to beniciaherald@gmail.com, and put “Attn. Business Beat” in the subject line, as well as the name of the business.

The Benicia Herald also appreciates area companies’ advertising patronage. For advertising services, call 707-745-0733 or email adsbenicia@yahoo.com.