Fall forward
Fall is not generally considered a time of growth and renewal, but the "little green shoots" are looking a bit stronger each month
Jenny Heinzen York -- Kids Today, 9/1/2009 12:00:00 AM
Fall is not generally considered a time of growth and renewal, but the "little green shoots" are looking a bit stronger each month, and there are growing signs that even with winter approaching, they will continue to grow.
Case in point: The ABC Kids Expo this month, where you are likely to be reading this issue. As of press time, more than 1,900 retailers (represented by more than 5,000 buyers) had registered to attend, representing the largest ABC pre-registration ever.
On the vendor side, 915 exhibitors are showing this month, and we have proof that they are aggressively introducing new product — we heard from more than 200 of them with product info and photography for this issue and the daily issue to be published Monday during the show.
I am one of the judges this season for the JPMA Innovation Awards. There were so many entries this year that we had to pre-judge the nearly 100 submissions to narrow it down to a manageable level for actual in-person judging here at the show.
What does this tell me? It tells me to be optimistic. The world is still turning, we are in the midst of a baby boom bigger than that of post-World War II, retailers are still shopping, and creative and entrepreneurial people are still coming to market with big ideas and solid business strategies.
On the greater economic front, the news is also steadily improving — with upticks in consumer confidence, housing stats, the stock markets and even joblessness rates, there seems to be a steady drumbeat of — if not good — at least, better news.
Trust me that I am no Pollyanna. I believe in tangible proof. So, I offer you a Kids Today issue that is bigger in page-count and packed with more editorial and advertising than any one we have put together in two years.
Combine that with all the other points I have made above, and it sure looks like proof to me that something is starting to go right.
This will be my first ABC show in five years. If you see me around, please stop me and introduce (or re-introduce) yourself. Or if you will be over at World Market Center for the furniture market, look for me there too as I will be doing double-duty with the two shows. I look forward to seeing you all and spreading some more good news.
We would love your feedback!
-
K.I.D.S. enters furniture market at High Point
Oct 25, 2011
Featured Company
-
Wright Labels
Bill and Tom Wright founded Wright of Thomasville in 1961 on the idea that printing was a creative medium and the belief that "a promise made is a promise kept." The Wright brothers focused their attention on providing exceptional printing for the... more
