· Conventional merchandise advertising channels, like metro newspapers and broadcast spots, are losing revenue to online marketing channels.

· Economic weakness, job losses and slowdowns in key industries caused disappointing Holiday 2008 sales and caution in consumer spending that ripples up the supply and demand chain.

But, what gets less play in economic bad news cycles is the unconventional results, such as:

· Online retail sales outperformed brick-and-mortar store sales for the 2008 shopping season. According to credit card network data on total sales for November-December, conventional store sales were down as much as 8% compared to 2007 … but online shoppers pulled back only 2% on their shopping.

· Citing Personal Electronics and Discount/Independent Merchandisers in particular, comScore (an online market tracker) concluded:

Right Timing. Right Pricing. Liquidation Expo gathers under one roof many segments of deep-discount merchandise sources for gifts, housewares, health and beauty supplies, POP impulse goods and seasonal items. And, in the current economy, this clustering of liquidation and closeout merchandise sellers offers buyers unique opportunities to leverage value-priced product sourcing … supporting retailer margins.

“By bringing many qualified exhibitors together, Liquidation Expo will consolidate this historically fragmented market, allowing retailers to take advantage of timely opportunities,” said Chris McCabe, Vice President of Nielsen Business Media’s Merchandise Group.

Observers who focus more on Individual Legal & Constitutional Rights (less on Fashion Trend Gossip) have other names for Baggy Pants Laws, including “Criminalizing Fashion” and “Racial-Ethnic Profiling via Clothes.” (See the link below to a blog post, Racial Undertones of Baggy Pants Laws.)

You With The Droopy Drawers, Halt! I’ve Got A Ruler.

Laws banning “baggy pants” include fines (up to $1,000) on Urban Wear “offenders.” Or they threaten jail time (!) on either youth who wear pants below their waistlines … or on their parents. (Apparently, for not supervising their offspring’s wardrobe “malfunctions.”)

Sunglasses buyers and sellers, wholesalers and retailers, certainly see the light! And, not only the ultra-violet beta kind. Besides blocking UVBs and protecting our eyes, sunglasses are all about making a statement.

Sunglasses say:

I’m a team sports fan or motorcyclist always leaning into the wind. I’m the Undiscovered Celebrity hiding from paparazzi or Trendy Club Crawler in these wrap-around designer shades. Would you believe Surfer Betty or Dashing Aviator, sporting minimalist oval lenses and wire-framed sunglasses to prove it?

Whether you’re looking to supply demand for uber-Cool Shades, Kiddie beach wear, haut couture look-alikes or genuine, imitation knockoffs from popular films and outer space, there’s a wholesale supplier who has pre-packs, display racks and discount-priced small lots ready to ship.

Here’s a look at hot sunglasses trends, buyer demands and niche market needs. Just in time for the big Summer Trade Shows.

When a potential Customer asks: “Do you take credit cards? Debit or check cards? Checks?”

Is Your Answer:
(a) “I don’t have my credit card terminal with me.”

(b) “We keep our prices low by not paying high payment processing fees. Cash, Certified or Letter of Credit Only.”

(c) “Certainly. But the Special Discount Prices can not be applied.”

(d) “Sorry. But, we do take PayPal or Cash.”

All the above are Buyer Deal Breakers.

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