Trends & Au Revoir

Now is not the time for drastic change in gift and home decor products, according to the manufacturers and vendors surveyed for our annual Trends and Forecasts report. It's an evolutionary, rather than revolutionary, period in design, with colors trending back to a more neutral range. There's so little margin for error in today's competitive market that few can afford to risk taking bold steps: consumers need assurance and specialty retailers have to support their customers' needs. Still, there's a lot of great product slated for next year and beyond. See what we mean by turning to page 47.

These unsettled times had us wondering what the major concerns of our industry manufacturers and vendors are. We spoke with 14 company leaders, asking them what challenges and opportunities they see in 2006. While each has a different focus on the overall market, they all know that the challenges of today are like none the industry has faced before. As for the future, Andy Niemeyer of Crazy Mountain Imports put it as well as anyone, saying, “It's the responsibility of everyone in the industry to change the way they do business.” See what they all have to say, starting on page 36.

Two other industry veterans who know a little about retailing, Randy Eller and Ken Nisch, come to the aid of the independent. Randy writes about the strength of independents and what they have to do to be successful, page tk, while Ken lays out the steps to turning a store into a community icon, page tk.

After nearly nine years at the editorial helm of G&DA, the time has come for me to lay down my blue pencil, and I do so with this issue. It's been a rare privilege to occupy this spot, as an observer of and participant in a unique industry filled with wonderful people: the editors and sales staff of this magazine, all the folks at the trade show producers, our vendors and advertisers and their p.r. and marketing people, and, mostly, the specialty retailers we all try to serve. It's been a terrific run with nary a dull moment. I thank you all.

My successor, Maria Weiskott, takes over beginning with the January issue. Read more about Maria on page 14.