Items tagged “Other Specialty Stores”

Several years ago, I attended a retail association’s meeting prior to the start of a national trade show. The leaders had gotten the names of every first-time exhibitor at the event. Each buyer picked one name out of a hat. They were asked to go to that exhibitor first thing and thank them for attending the show. The idea that retailers thanked a manufacturer for supporting a trade show struck me as a practice that truly recognizes the time, money and effort that manufacturers expend when they participate in a trade show.

At a trade show for Spring 2009 collecttions several months ago, I overheard two buyers complain, “I did not buy enough in March ‘08 and I could have sold more this Fall!” Last year, these retailers were among the many that were worried about the economy, mainly as it related to fuel prices. Things seemed uncertain and buyers started to become more cautious. A few months later, we had more than ever to worry about! Some retailers ended up not having enough product on their shelves so they actually lost business. We are in the peak of buying season for Fall 2009 product.

“The man who stops advertising to save money is like the man who stops the clock to save time”
I was amazed to learn that this is a quote from Thomas Jefferson! Every ad salesman knows of an account that has stopped advertising, due to the economy. With daylight savings here once again, it is good to ponder the penny-wise wisdom of how we can really save both time and money.