Share this on

Happy New Decade!

Caroline Kennedy, Editor-in-Chief -- Gifts and Dec, 1/1/2010 12:00:00 AM

Caroline Kennedy,
Editor-in-Chief

This month we enter not only a new year, but a new decade — the second decade of the new millennium. We entered the new millennium with trepidation, fearing that the Y2K factor was going to crash all of our computers, creating chaos and plunge us, at least temporarily, practically back into the Dark Ages. We survived.

And we proceeded into the new era with confidence. With Y2K behind us, the future seemed bright, yet the ensuing years have not been without their challenges and changes that have affected both our lives and our businesses — 9/11, the war in Iraq, the proliferation of digital technology and the economic crisis. We continue to survive, because we adapt.

As we move into this new year (and decade), we are facing forward, looking ahead. Although the economic situation is still a concern, we have a brighter outlook for the year ahead than we did a year ago. The business climate is improving. The winter markets have a lot to offer retailers looking for fresh inventory and ways to improve their businesses. Vendors are confidently introducing a lot of new things to stock store shelves, and market programming offers great information on trends and business tools.

Digital technology is changing the way we do many things, including how we communicate, how we keep records and even how we conduct business. In last month's issue, Gifts & Decorative Accessories introduced you to a number of new technology tools that connect vendors to reps to retailers to consumers. Many of you will get to experience some of these new tools, such as Synqware, BWConnect and SnapRetail, first hand, when you come to market.

This month, we share with you another technology trend helping to highlight the "specialty" in gift retailing: digital technology that allows the retailer to provide a way for shoppers to create more individualized custom product.

And speaking of specialty retailing ... one of the things that we have always said about specialty retailing is that one of its strengths, and the quality that separates independent retailers from the mass stores, it quality customer service. But did you ever wonder whether providing good customer service is all that it is cracked up to be in terms of payback to your bottom line? You'll wonder no more, once you have read "Making Cents of Service."

I'll be on the road over the next month or so attending quite a few gift shows across the country, seeing what's new and listening to what's going on. I hope to see you in the aisles, wearing big smiles, confident of a good year ahead.

Share this on

Talkback

We would love your feedback!

Rebuilding Momentum

Feb 1, 2010

The Sky is Not Falling

Feb 1, 2009

Customization: Make it yourself!

Jan 1, 2010

Gifted Retailer: Silver Papery

Jun 12, 2009

Gifted Retailer Roundtable

Mar 31, 2009

Also by this author

»MORE

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