Continuing the conversation

Jane Kitchen -- Kids Today, 9/1/2012 2:00:00 AM

Well September is here, and that means everyone is gearing up for the fall shows: this month, Kind + Jugend in Germany, next month, High Point Market and the ABC Expo.
     This month, we dive into the first in our series of three ambitious, in-depth surveys of moms' buying habits, put together in conjunction with Moms manufactures or sells infant furniture should be particularly interested in this month's survey.
     We look at how moms feel about furniture shopping, how much they expect to pay for a crib, what features would entice them to pay more, and what type of stores they shop in for infant furniture.
     The marketplace has changed in many ways recently, and unfortunately, the specialty stores have suffered, with competition coming at them from all angles. But recently, specialty stores have taken a big step towards fighting back, by coming together under a new umbrella organization for all baby specialty stores in the United States.
     This organization is just getting started, but everyone seems optimistic about the direction it's going in, and I can't wait to see how this move will revitalize the channel.
     Last month, we brought you an opinion column by specialty retailer (and new retail board member) Sheri Gurock ("The Problems We Face," Kids Today, August 2012, p. 18) outlining problems and solutions for the specialty market.
Stellario D'Urso, president of distributor Kastel International, took me up on it when I said I'd like to see thoughtfully written pieces on the state of the industry in every issue of Kids Today. And he wrote a response to Sheri's article from the other side of the table (see story, p. 20).
     I hope you'll all take the time to read it, and I hope we can continue this conversation in October, when we'll all be coming together in person at the trade shows. Please feel free to email me if you'd like to join in.