Editor's notes
Lisa Casinger, Editor -- Kids Today, 10/1/2007 12:00:00 AM
Perseverance: To persist in a state, enterprise or undertaking in spite of counterinfluences, opposition or discouragement. Perseverance is what fuels our industry. Look around, it's everywhere.
Vendors persevere by showing up with new product season after season. Though their products are what drive the industry, they have little or no control over where or when or how long a trade show is and they have no control over how many buyers actually stop in to see them. They have influence, but not control. Kudos to all the vendors who "show up" in High Point this month and who showed up in Las Vegas at the ABC Kids Expo last month.
Retailers persevere by leaving their stores and making yet another trip to a trade show. It's been a tough year for most retailers across all industries, not just ours, but even during the tough times retailers know they have to go to the shows to see the new product, to find something that will tempt their customers and to keep building the relationships we all work so hard at maintaining. Whether they traverse aisle after aisle at ABC or building after building in High Point, or both, retailers are fueled by the passion to bring the best the industry has to offer to their customers.
I couldn't help but think about perseverance this month as I wrote the cover story on Louisiana-based Hurwitz Mintz. This well-known and well-respected third generation retailer not only survived Hurricane Katrina, it has bounced back and moved forward at lightening speed. The company's youth buyer, Charmaine Roy, has worked in almost every aspect of the business and shares her thoughts on the Junior Mintz department of this Top 100 retailer.
Despite the plethora of recalls rippling throughout our industry, I think one of our retail advisory board members, Ali Wing, hit the nail on the head in this month's Q & A when she said the bar is always being raised for better and better products.
Thanks for "showing up." We'll see you in High Point.
