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A new perspective
March 4, 2008
Jami Myers, owner of Jami Bz in Scottsdale, Arizona attended the NY Gift show for the first time in January. Jami's an astute business owner and is well-regarded throughout the industry, both ours and the mainline furniture business. She was with Bruenner's Arizona for 16 years before she opened her own store last year when Bruenner's closed; she's a friend to Kids Today and she's on our Retail Advisory board. I've been attending the NY Gift show for about 6-7 years now so I was eager to hear Jami's thoughts about her first experience there. She graciously shared them with me and is allowing me to share them with you.
From Jami Myers
I have never in my 16 years in this industry been to the NY Gift Show. Drop me in High Point with a blindfold on and I can get to where I need to be in minutes. New York...not so much! But, I have always wanted to attend this show and now I had the chance. That is what being your own boss can do.
The traffic at the show was fantastic (I don’t know what their actual counts were) but it felt really busy and everyone (buyers and sellers) seemed really happy. The mood was upbeat, I saw people writing orders in every space. The Just Kids section at the Javits Center was mainly geared towards baby. Lots of plush and lots of what I call tchotchkes...little gifty items (makes sense since it is called a “gift” show). There were rows of manufactures showing product for pet stores, candy stores (great samples) and candles let alone all of the jewelry vendors as well. Shows like this make a buyer even more challenged to stay focused. Often over the two days of shopping I found myself trying to justify spending $400 for a tiny necklace display for little girls (I passed).
I found myself saying aloud albeit in a whisper...I am a children’s furniture and accessory store over and over again.
The Piers were more sophisticated, I thought, in product offerings and certainly in vignette displays, unfortunately not a lot of youth product. I walked down every isle at the Javits Center and at both Piers searching for that one hidden gem that would help separate my store from a competitor's. Did I find one? Yeah a couple. Were they gems? Not necessarily but they will add to the personality of the store, which I know is priceless. So, were there enough things to buy to justify flying across the country and being out of the store for four days, no probably not. Am I glad I went and fulfilled my curiosities...absolutely!
Posted by Lisa Casinger on March 4, 2008 | Comments (0)
