Déjà Vu Again

Before starting this letter, I looked back at what I had written for the October issue last year. Wouldn’t you know, it was about hurricanes and the effect they were having on retailing. Last year, of course, it was Florida. At the time of this writing, relief efforts along the Gulf Coast and in New Orleans are just getting underway. It’s like déjà vu all over again.

We can’t imagine the number of independent retailers who are either out of business altogether or have had their operations seriously curtailed. And we haven’t tried to find out, yet, as everyone in the region has more urgent matters to deal with, such as safeguarding family, securing accommodations, and other vital measures.

But we will learn more about them — how they dealt with the crisis, what they did to survive, and what lessons can be learned from their experience — in the months to come. In the meantime, if you’re one of those retailers, please know that we at Gifts & Decorative Accessories extend our best wishes, and if there’s anything we can help you with, please let us know. Our phone numbers and email addresses are listed at the right.

We’d also like to hear from specialty retailers around the country with suggestions and comments about what their fellow entrepreneurs in the South can do to get back on their feet. Rebuilding won’t be just a matter of clearing mud off the shelves and re-ordering inventory. It will require many months of locating financing, dealing with insurance companies, and connecting with a customer base equally ravaged by the storms. If you’ve had any experience with such challenges and have any helpful tips for retailers affected by Katrina and Rita, let us know and we’ll pass them along.

We know, too, that there is an outpouring of assistance from vendors, manufacturers, mart buildings, and trade show organizers, as we all work to help those affected rebuild their businesses and their lives.