Trends and Retail

Once again, it's that time of year for our annual trends and forecasts report, in which furniture, decorative accessories, and tabletop manufacturers tell us what to expect for 2005. There's a younger consumer shopping today, demanding simpler looks, brighter colors, and understated design. That's best summed up as "cool." What's not so cool, however, is the state of the independent specialty retailer. While there are no hard statistics regarding the number of mom-and-pops in the country, anecdotal reports say that more are closing every year than opening. It takes a smart, dedicated retailer to survive. (Of course, it might be smart to stop calling them mom-and-pops, a tag that isn't going to attract a lot of young consumers.)

This issue offers suggestions on how retailers can improve their business. Store architect Ken Nisch, page 42, reminds retailers that their best marketing vehicle is the store itself, and that the right retail "experience" encourages customers to stay longer, browse, and immerse themselves in the store. Marketing consultant Robin Albing, page 58, says independents have to constantly re-evaluate what consumers are looking for, pay close attention to location (an ugly strip mall can be better than a glitzy enclosed mall), and make sure their product lineup is different. One place to source unique products is with fair trade vendors offering goods made by the world's artisans. We take a closer look at the fair trade phenomenon on page 132. And we visit one retailer whose unusual merchandise mix includes tabletop and bathtubs, page 36.

Two of specialty retailers' greatest friends are Laurie Karzen and Charlotte Morrill, whose "Can This Store Be Saved?" column has been a feature of this magazine for the past ten years. But all good things must come to an end, and the ladies' final column appears on page 30. In the meantime, at an island residence off the coast of Maine, and in a home on San Francisco Bay, Charlotte and Laurie, respectively, will put up their feet and take a much deserved rest. We'll revisit some of their past articles in upcoming issues under the title, "Karzen and Morrill Classics."