New Specialty Retail Board Meets for Independent Baby Store Retailers

On July 11 -12, 2012, the members of the new Specialty Retail Board met for the first time in Chicago. They have been charged with creating a new umbrella organization for independent specialty baby stores in the United States, and have the full backing of the industry via both ABC and the JPMA.

The board is committed to creating a warm, welcoming and supportive community for retailers that will focus on programs, marketing, education, advocacy and resources that will help all specialty stores thrive in today’s changing marketplace.

The first meeting was preliminary, but extremely positive. It was very productive and the members of the board, who represent a wide cross-section of retailers from across the country, were in alignment on many of the goals and objectives for this new organization. There’s a timeline in place to continue the process.

“We have a lot of work to do, but we are extremely optimistic about the outcome,” says Mark Simon, owner of Simon’s Baby & Teen in Rochester, NY, and the Specialty Retail Board liaison to the ABC Board.

Members of the Board include:
Lisa Cook – Juvenile Shop
Phil Fairey – Baby Furniture Plus Kids
Ron Fletcher – Fletcher’s For Children
Sheri Gurock – Magic Beans
Beth Jenkins – USA Baby
Aaron Pederson – Kids Stuff Superstore
Winn Query – Baby Bloomers
Mark Simon – Simon’s Baby & Teen

The newly created organization is seeking an Executive Director to run the day-to-day operations of the new group. See more details here: http://thegiggleguide.com/classified/help-wanted/2012-07/executive-direc…