LA Mart to Celebrate "Independent's Day"
By Staff -- Gifts & Decorative Accessories, 5/15/2007 8:32:00 AM
Los Angeles -- The L.A. Mart will be celebrating its own version of Independence Day -- as in "Independent's Day" -- at the upcoming July 2007 Gift & Home Furnishings Market. The celebration will focus on the independent retailer.
To honor this significant retail niche, Saturday, July 21 will be dedicated to the independent retailer, with special programming throughout the day. An evening presentation of the “Independent Retailers’ Day” proclamation will be made by the Los Angeles Mayor’s Office at the 6th Annual Gift for Life Benefit, “Takin’ it to the Sea.”
Independents’ Day begins with a presentation by Randy Eller on the ever-changing global economy, offering the independent retailer insights and tools on how to stay vital and healthy in this evolving economy. The former CBK president will will present, “Maximize Your Potential: Helping Independent Retailers Succeed and Thrive,” an analysis of today’s retail wars among big box chains and independent retailers across America. Eller's presentation will encourage independent retailers to reexamine their business model and offer strategies to stay competitive, as well as share secrets that will better prepare the independent retailer to weather the competitive storm.In a separate presentation, independent retailer Mary Liz Curtin will take another spin on succeeding as an independent retailer: “Extreme Makeover: Retail Edition.” Her presentation will offer "an amusing look" at her first year in business at Leon & Lulu, the furniture, gift and accessory store she and her husband opened last April. Curtin shares what happens when an industry veteran, experienced sales manager and “retail expert” becomes an entrepreneur. She shares her branding strategy, publicity campaign secrets, online marketing plan and how to utilize eBay, all in an effort to differentiate her business from the big box retailers.
“We are honored to bring Randy and Mary Liz together for this unique program at the L.A. Mart,” said Michael Kessler, vice president and general manager of the L.A. Mart. “The industry’s focus on independent retailers is critical nationally and in particular on the West Coast. Their future is our future and we are commited to supporting their health and long-term success.”
Introductions will be made by Gifts & Decorative Accessories Editor-in-Chief Maria Weiskott. The keynote is presented by the Gift & Home Trade Association and the L.A. Mart and begins at 9:30 a.m. on July 21.
The newly proclaimed “Independent Retailers Day” in Los Angeles extends into the night under the stars at the 6th Annual Gift for Life Gala, “Takin’ it to the Sea.”
