These Testing Times

The first big test of the resiliency of our economy and the willingness of the American consumer to continue to spend on home furnishings and decorative accessories takes place in the middle of this month. The fall High Point market is the first major furniture market to be held since the fateful events of September 11, 2001. However, should it prove to be a disappointing market, that wouldn't necessarily indicate the beginning of a lengthy economic downturn; the market might simply be taking place too soon after that infamous day. Americans will be timid about committing themselves to travel, to spending, to just about everything except sticking close to home and family.

It probably won't be until the winter gift and home markets that we know what real fallout, if any, has taken place in our industry. Show organizers have moved quickly to reschedule the smaller fall markets that had to be cancelled, and to assure buyers that other fall markets will proceed as scheduled. George Little Management faced big challenges because of the number of shows it holds at New York's Javits Convention Center, which became a command post for the search and rescue teams working at the World Trade Center site. GLM's first New York Gift Cash & Carry Show, scheduled for the September 15 weekend, has been moved to November 8–10. At press time, GLM was in the process of rescheduling the New York Home Textiles Show, ExTracts, and Surtex Gallery, originally scheduled for October 12–15. At the end of this month, the New York Tabletop Market, October 27–November 1, will run at 41 Madison Avenue, 225 Fifth Avenue, and 230 Fifth Avenue.

The cover of our June issue, "Waving the flag for Americana," featured a Midwest of Cannon Falls Uncle Sam figure posed against the New York skyline. We think it is the perfect image for the way Americans are feeling today, and are running it again on page 5 as a tribute to the American spirit. Patriotic product is in for a big boost, and Gifts & Dec is being flooded with releases about such new products. One example is "America," the new Beanie Baby that Ty Inc. created to benefit the American Red Cross. You can read about that on page 12. In the coming months, we will feature new introductions of patriotic product and tell you about all the cause-related merchandise that will be available.

In the meantime, it's important for retailers not to be spooked by these recent threats to our security. Remember your responsibility to your business, your employees, your customers, and your community by acting in a prudent manner and following the advice of New York's mayor, Rudy Giuliani, to "continue with business as usual."