Coming Together
Caroline Kennedy, Editor-in-Chief -- Gifts and Dec, 8/1/2009 12:00:00 AM
|
| Caroline Kennedy, Editor-in-Chief |
It has now been a year since I took over the position of editor-in-chief of Gifts & Decorative Accessories, and what a year it has been! Little did I know when I took on this responsibility how dramatically the business landscape would change. Needless to say, it has been a very challenging year. But it has brought rewards as well.
One of the more rewarding things that I have seen this year is the response to our Retailer Excellence Awards program. As I noted in this column last month, we received an unprecedented number of entries; more entries than I ever expected, and actually more entries than I have seen submitted in many years. The high quality of all the entries made the judging a very difficult task indeed. But that is a difficulty I will gladly handle any day! What it showed me is that in this increasingly competitive retail environment, our retailers are becoming more sophisticated, creative and pro-active in promoting their businesses to maintain their competitive edge.
I am also gratified by the support that the program is receiving from our trade show colleagues, manufacturers and reps. They have all been extremely pro-active in nominating retailers and/or encouraging them to enter their stores for consideration. And many have been hugely supportive of the Awards Gala Event, which takes place this month during the New York International Gift Fair. Their support helps make it possible for us all to come together for a special evening, to recognize the finalists, reveal and honor the winners, and take time out to appreciate the diversity and creativity of this wonderful industry of which we are all a part.
And speaking of coming together, that is one of the other things that I have noticed recently — how difficult times can draw people together. The community of this industry is working together to help each other weather these difficult times. Retailers are helping retailers through all the "buy local" grassroots campaigns. Reps are helping retailers by trend-spotting, going to them if they can't get to market and helping to provide better business tools. More vendors are creating quality lower-price offerings, lowering minimums or offering other incentives to help budget-strapped retailers keep their stores stocked with fresh merchandise. And some show managers are cutting booth prices to make exhibiting more affordable. That's an industry pulling together.
The resiliency that I have seen around market is amazing. Everywhere we go, we encounter such positive attitudes. Business is not as bad as we read in the news, and that is reflected in show attendance and sales. While show traffic visually looks leaner, it is not what it seems. Most shows are reporting that attendance numbers are holding steady in the very least; and the recent California Gift Show actually saw an increase in attendance at its recent show. That's a positive sign, don't you think?
We would love your feedback!
-
Sweden's Store Wars
Oct 1, 2008 -
Tricks of the Trade Show
Jul 23, 2011 -
To Market, To Market
Nov 1, 2007 -
Double Take: New York (Aug. 28, 2007)
Mar 27, 2008
VIEW ALL GALLERIES
