It’s not going to be long now… and if you put your ear to the ground, you can clearly hear the ominous rumble of the train coming right at you. Black Friday will be upon us in a big hurry, and if you aren’t watching the signs of sales trends and predictions, you might be working harder than you need to during the Christmas rush, in order to recoup your losses! The category lists are growing fast on sites like  toptenwholesale.com, manufacturer.com, wholesaleu.com, and offpricenetwork.com as products find their place in the ever-widening scope of goods that make their mark on the radar screen. Here’s some information that might come in handy if you’re looking to catch a few of the opportunities that come during a time of record unemployment and foreclosures, huge decreases in consumer credit, a big surge in über-frugal discretionary spending, and the audible hiss of air being let out of the tires as overall confidence lulls…

I’m predicting that consumers will spend more on Black Friday, but less overall during the 2009 holidays.

• Last year’s data shows us that this was the case then, and it will most likely be the case now. Shoppers are getting early bird-itis, and it’s already looking like the deal-hunters aren’t waiting for the waves of bargain shoppers to come crashing into them as they try to snag a few good finds with minimal fuss. Convenience will be the biggest selling point, and those who offer the goods that consumers want - at a bare minimum of effort - will be the winners.

• Quantity limits may sour the deal. I’m seeing a lot of people pointing out the fact that stores and online shopping sites who try to coerce or twist the arm of the consumer will end up feeling the pain… since there is a huge playing field, and choice is at an all-time high for those who are doing their purchasing from their armchair. I’m not talking about the people who make the trip to the mall, I’m talking about the consumers who make their buying decisions as they point and click on the sites that reward them with a feeling of security, not a take-away close… either be prepared to sell the item, or mark it as SOLD OUT, but don’t tease!

• Help them visualize the purchase… because it’s going to be the sites that show consumers what they’re getting that will reach the point of purchase! If you think it’s not worth the time and effort to post pictures, pictures, and more pictures… then you should at least be posting some entertaining video content of your goods in action! When buying dollars are in short supply, the sellers who bring the purchase into a visual context will get the sale.

• Watch out for that strange stuff coming out of strange places. I’m suddenly seeing a LOT of heavy-hitting content that raves about the great deals to be had buying discount goods from China… but some of the actual articles are almost impossible to understand. If you are reading some copy on a seller site, and it doesn’t sound like something that your third-grade English teacher would have passed with a D-, stay away. Some of the big guns (ahem, Alibaba) are literally pouring content out there, and it’s being written by underpaid college grads who don’t even know who’s going to be reading the stuff they write. I know what I’m talking about… I’ve met some of them. Times are tough in China too, and these kids are having a hard time scoring decent jobs.

• Electronics rule! Games, cameras, laptops and desktop computers, HDTV, and GPS will be too hot to handle in some cases, and it’s the sellers who make it as easy as possible to ship – for no fee – that will land the sales! These goods are everywhere, so don’t rely on the basics for getting your customer to pay attention. Be creative. Offer online demos and reviews of the hardware, to help the customer visualize and feel out the product before clicking on their shopping cart icon. On the subject of laptops, I must stress the importance of categorizing and illustrating the feature sets of these products, because the strategy this year is to educate the customer as much as possible on what they will get from their purchase, in order to avoid the dreaded returns and complaints from people who didn’t know what they were getting. If you think people won’t be quick to call customer service, just look at how many PC products are out there… and apply the math to some other popular wholesale or retail items while you’re at it.

Take care of the customer, and they will take care of you. This year is all about making sure people are feeling good about their purchase, so don’t be afraid to apply more of your efforts towards the presale. Good luck, and happy wholesaling as you continue to Find it. Source it. Profit!

Without a good strategy, it’s going to be tough this time. That’s the awful truth, and reports from trusted research sites like the NRF only add to the stress levels, as they forecast sales figures that are just 15 below the reported sales from last year. Not entirely encouraging, but not completely disappointing either… and if you follow these TopTen Tips to Increase Your Online Holiday Sales, you might have an added level of security to give you something to smile about.

• This may seem like a no-brainer, but if you aren’t ramping up your site with attractive features, discounted items, and special offers to holiday shoppers… then you might want to do it now. Well… right after you read this article, that is!

• While we’re on the topic of procrastination, let’s not forget the shoppers who will not be too excited about fighting their way through crowds, parking spaces, and all the general mayhem of the holiday season… especially if they’re just going to wait and see what kinds of deals present themselves at the last minute. Be ready for this, and position some sales items specifically for this demographic. Of course, it wouldn’t hurt to start advertising this feature now.

• Get specific about who you’re targeting… don’t rely too much on generalities when there’s specific buyer habits to pay attention to. Review the habits of your customers from last year, and look for the patterns that reveal the valuable stuff.

• Group your marketing efforts dynamically… utilize all possible means of getting your message out there, and then tying it all together by leading them back to your site. I’m still amazed when I see advertising that tells people to “Call us today!” and place an order. Nobody calls for orders any more. People like to see the information in front of them, and they like to order from an online order form, unless they take the time to step inside your brick and mortar location.

• Once you’ve got their attention, don’t scare them away… with a badly-designed site. Do you have an easy and intuitive interface? Are you using simple terms and attractive pictures on your site, or just some stuff that looks like a slapped-together job? Definitely get rid of the annoying pop-ups and intrusive banner ads… they definitely have their place, but the order form is not one of them.

• Recommend products to each one of your shoppers… because a personalized recommendation is a lot better than a ton of ads screaming at site visitors from all directions! Invest the time and money in automated systems for making product recommendations, and you’ll see your sales increase.

• Be willing to go the extra mile… by offering special deals that your competition won’t. Break large orders down into smaller ones, and offer them as sets on their own. Example: Have you ever wanted to try a nice glass of expensive French wine? Instead of forcing diners to commit to a bottle, many restaurants offer wine by the glass. Yes, it’s less convenient for you… but in the end, it could be the way to score sales that would otherwise pass you by…

• Watch your budget… and don’t blow the whole thing on holiday sales campaigns. While the holiday shopping season is important, it’s not the end of the line. Be ready to keep a little extra money on the side for follow-up marketing that caters to those who didn’t buy from you during the holidays, or better still, the ones who did.

• Keep up with the vernacular… because as we all know, things change at the click of a mouse these days. If you are selling bags, bags, and more bags… but the hot word du jour is ‘handbag’… guess which one will be getting more hits on the search engines?

• While you’re at it, watch out for the latest click-stream behavior, as shoppers will be using certain strings of text and phrases in their quest for deal this year. If you use these terms, you will be on their list of favorites in no time.

Ready for some serious work on the site? Don’t put it off… it’s already the end of the month, and it won’t be long before it’s the end of the year! Remember to check our own collection of sites for ideas and inspiration as you continue to Find it. Source it. Profit!

With a total attendance of over 10,000 at the recent August 2009 Off-Price Specialist Show, and over 450 exhibitors showing off their best merchandise, there was an atmosphere of high-energy activity that resulted in the formation of intense, exciting, and fresh new buzz over the steals-and-deals in the Closeout and Off-price Industry. While many of the doomsday-types predicted a rapid cooling period for the Retail and Wholesale business that would lead to catastrophic results for anyone who dared to get involved in such a volatile and dangerous market… the people who make up the Wholesale and Retail sector know that the show must go on, and it’s really up to us to determine whether that show is going to be a comedy, a tragedy, or a gut-wrenching drama…

There were a lot of smiles at the show, and reports from the field were all rather upbeat and similarly positive about the great turnout, the attitude of the buyers who showed up, and the unexpectedly good order rate on the sales floor. For some sellers it was not a matter of trying to capture the attention of buyers, but instead a matter of trying to get the orders filled out quickly, so they could give everyone the attention they deserved!

“It was nice to meet a lot of new customers and future friends. Thanks to everyone that was patient enough to wait in line for our product!”

Kenneth Delaney

Bordan Shoe Company in Los Angeles

One of the truly surprising features of the show was a huge focus on the low price-point merchandise that was being put right next to luxury-brand goods. In an economy that seems to be shifting with the winds, and a lot of dollar-pinching going on… innovation sometimes takes place in some unlikely ways. While the Luxury Market’s share of the consumer pool is slipping downward, the Budget and Discounted Goods Industry is seeing tremendous growth. Of course, this is what anyone would expect to see during a financial pinch, but what’s become one of the hot topics of the business is the fact that these two areas of retail –- which were once miles apart — are now rubbing shoulders and competing on the same sales floor. In a brilliant move, the sellers and distributors have adapted to the changes, and made the move to put these high-end goods to the test by offering choice to their customers that was not available in the past.

“My lower price point items performed better than the upscale goods that we are known for!” Kathy Chikato

Commerce, CA–based DLM Off Price Specialists

Another point to consider is the influx of new vendors who showed up to announce their goods. According to David Lapidos, Senior Vice President for the Off Price Show, conversations with attendees revealed that everyone was quite able to find what they needed at this event. A good mix of general merchandise, specialty items, and everything from bulk costume jewelry to sports wear and athletic gear made their presence felt and heard at the show. Wait a minute… wasn’t this supposed to a bad year for everyone in the business? Shouldn’t we be slowing things down, and waiting for the right time to promote our products and services again? Mr. Lapidos added that “All who attended will re-affirm that this industry is very much alive.”

It looks like the slow and cautious strategy couldn’t be more out of tune with the sound of people filling the convention center… and the songs of victory that were being hummed by happy vendors at this event. Winter merchandise made a huge hit on the sales floor, and the variety of goods in all categories on offer was a clear sign that making your move sooner — rather than later — is the only strategy to consider. This show experienced a 10% increase in buyer attendance and an equal increase in exhibit space from last year’s show, so there’s little doubt that the following shows will yield similar results. Remember, this is just the beginning… and if you missed out on the amazing August event, you’ll be pleased to know that another chance is coming up fast. For information regarding the upcoming Off Price Show on February 14-17, 2010 at the Sands Expo & Convention Center, Hall G, Las Vegas, you can follow the link we’ve provided. Happy wholesaling to everyone who made the August show such a success!

On July 5, officials from China’s Ministry of State Security took four employees of the Anglo-Australian mining giant Rio Tinto into custody, and created a shockwave that rocked the news wires with a steady stream of updates on the scandal between the Chinese government and Australia. It might seem like doing business with China is taking a turn for the worse, and the days of building mutually-beneficial relationships are quickly being ushered out, as the PRC asserts itself as a my way or the highway kind of country. No apologies, and no prisoners… unless you’re holding back the GDP, that is.

Seemed like a good idea at the time.

All of this is not entirely untrue… but let’s look at it from a wholesaler’s perspective, before we panic. First of all, the sky is not falling, because there’s too much business going on for that to happen. China needs the world as much as the rest of the world needs China, so there’s no danger of the supply chains being cut off by the CPC, and no signs pointing at a revision of trade policy that will hamper the wholesale business.

In order to resist the doom and gloom of scathing editorials and journalism that tends to promote an agenda of punishing China for making the latest bad move, you have to understand a little about China’s position in the grand scheme of things first. I’m talking about the fact that there are more than a billion people in the PRC, and the country cannot support itself without doing trade. That much is a no-brainer. There are also a lot of things going on every day that make China a highly unstable place, and that alone explains the need for such an authoritarian government to keep it all in check.

Here’s some food for thought: China is roughly the same size as the USA, in terms of land mass, and oddly enough, Beijing is located near the Northern part of the East Coast, just like Washington DC… and that’s pretty much where the similarities stop. Money is rather concentrated along the lower portion of the East Coast, and within the Southern regions of Guangzhou and Hong Kong. Population density reflects the economic values, and that makes the coastal locations suffocatingly crowded almost year-round. I sometimes scratch my head in amazement, since I would expect the country to simply break off at the borders, and slide right into the Pacific with that much of an imbalance! Meanwhile, way out West, it’s rather far-flung and sparsely populated… and recent turmoil over XinJiang and its inhabitants isn’t making anybody really excited about buying a house or launching a venture out there any time soon, either.

Having this all right up in front of you should make one thing quite clear: business in China is largely motivated by accelerated asset gains, and immediate returns on investment. It’s a lot different from the way things are done in the West, with contracts and negotiations… in China, there are no negotiations; just lengthy standoffs until one side caves to the other side’s concessions. After that, it’s a race to grab as much as you can before somebody notices what’s happening… and making a clean getaway afterward.

In all fairness, not all Chinese partners will work this way. Some of them actually do try to follow internationally-accepted procedures, and abide by widely-adopted business practices and ethical standards. However, the caveat is that the local governments often don’t play by these rules, and that forces people to make decisions that might seem underhanded and conniving to some, while simply being a matter of survival for others.

Here then, is my TopTen List of things to be sure about before doing business in China:

• Make sure you are looking to China for the right reasons. Re-evaluation of the currency, rising labor costs, and a higher standard of living have impacted China’s status as the ‘cheap alternative’ in the manufacturing game. On the other hand, increased awareness of competition, higher quality standards, and a growing population of educated workers is turning the spotlight on low-end technology, foods and supplements, and educational materials, to name a few.

• Research everything, and then research some more after that. This cannot be overemphasized.

• Choose a city, any city… there’s a lot of good things about the first-tier cities like Shanghai and Beijing that could be worth your while, but I would suggest checking out the smaller, less saturated locations like Hangzhou, Qingdao, and other second-tier cities that are on the rise.

• Which way to go? Do you want to set up a rep office, a joint venture, or go all out with a Wholly Foreign-Owned Enterprise (WFOE) under your belt? It’s no secret that wholesale can benefit greatly from having some form of presence in China.

• Understand some Chinese history and culture. Easier said than done… but it’s not impossible. I can tell you that living here has made a huge difference, and there are some basic truths that I will explore and present to you in greater detail in the future.

• Determine what business you want to do. there’s a lot of options, but some sectors are more difficult to master than others… and some will pay off faster than others too.

• Shop around. Some other countries are emerging as the new kids on the block for manufacturing and trade, and it makes the Chinese more receptive to any leverage you may have over a deal. Have you ever been to Brazil? Nice place, and it’s booming right now.

• Establish your limits. This is almost the same advice I would give anyone who is going into a risky personal relationship; make some boundaries clear to the other party, and be prepared to defend them when they are not respected.

• Not all Chinese are the same. Do you know the difference between people from Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong? Have you ever met somebody from Wenzhou? Does any of this matter? Sure it does. Just like the people from the Deep South don’t always ‘take a shine’ to those slick New-Yorkers… the Chinese also have some regional idiosyncrasies that are worth noting.

• Learn how to work with the currency. I saved the best part for last. China is a controlled economy, and that means that repatriating cash or simply transferring funds can be an obstacle, depending upon the political climate at the time. Be ready to have some holdings in China to fuel your local operation, and don’t expect to see all of your profits turn back to your country. This may sound like you’re losing money, but in the end, it’s just asset allocation.

In conclusion: there’s more than meets the eye in dealing with the Chinese, but at the end of the day, it’s all about getting your share of the winnings. As China continues to shock, awe, and sometimes disappoint us… remember that there are a lot of people living there who are not going to sit idly and wait for their government to provide everything to them. I’ve met some highly proactive people here, and they are eager to make changes on their own, all in the name of doing good business with good partners. Perhaps checking some sourcing sites like Manufacturer.com will help you to find a viable trade partner. Happy hunting for your wholesale partner, and good luck! I’ll be posting follow-up articles to this one, to help you learn more about China and the mysteries of doing business with the Chinese, so keep checking back here!

One of the things I have noticed is a general streamlining of things in the foreign trade business; in the area of trade fairs, a sort of cost-cutting effort to trim some fat from trade shows that were usually hosted in multiple venues… multiple cities… and required a lot of legwork on the part of the visitors to get something accomplished. This year, the reality of the CPC missing its elusive 8% GDP goal — by a mile — is pretty clear, and it means that once-headstrong wholesaler juggernaut China is responding with a more intelligent approach to the way business is done, as global market contraction steadily continues.

I can hear the collective sighs of relief, from people who have had more than enough of poorly-executed trade fairs and haphazardly-organized shows of the past. After all, business is still business… but it will be nice to know that efficiency will be of greater value this time around.

Companies seeking to enter the China market may have a golden opportunity to see and be seen by some of the biggest names in leather-related manufacture and production in the world. All China Leather Exhibition (ACLE) will be in its 11^th year, as it continues to bring all major Chinese producers, distributors, and buyers together into one massive show space. This is a very big event, and it should be noted that last year turned out over 15,700 buyers (over 13,800 from mainland China) and media representatives from around the world. China International Footwear Fair (CIFF) & Moda Shanghai 2009 will also be represented, since they are major co-organizers of the event.

From the press release:

“China International Footwear Fair and Moda Shanghai 2009 will be one of the leading trade shows of its kind in Shanghai. Organized with a joint venture of APLF Limited and China Leather Industry Association, the event will take place concurrent to the All China Leather Exhibition (ACLE) 2009. The event will display an extensive range of fashion goods including leather garments, handbags, travel-ware, and fashion accessories, giving buyers an overall preview of fashion total-look. China International Footwear Fair (CIFF) and Moda Shanghai 2009 is a must attend event for professionals from footwear industry.”

Another important point to consider is the fact that 22 group pavilions have already been confirmed, and pavilion groups from Australia, Brazil, Ethiopia, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Pakistan, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey and USA, have been slated to participate in ACLE and CIFF 2009.

Sounds pretty good, eh? There is still a chance to book a spot now, and it always pays to be early when dealing with the logistics of international travel. For some specifics on getting the info you need to make your reservations, I have listed some of the vital information below:

All China Leather Exhibition (ACLE) 2009

in a joint presentation with

China International Footwear Fair (CIFF) & Moda Shanghai 2009

September 2 - 4, 2009

Shanghai New International Expo Centre
Longyang Road
Pudong, Shanghai, 201204
China

Last but certainly not least, for those who would like to know who this show is specifically for, here’s a list of the visitor profiles (by industry sector) that the show organizers have produced:

* Importers & Exporters

* Semi-Finished

* Finished Leather

* Hides & Skins

* Components & Accessories

* Process Chemicals

* Tanning Machinery

* Synthetic Materials

* Man-made Leather

* Exotic Leather

* Shoe Machinery

* Technology

* General Public

* Footwear

* Handbags and Leather Goods

* Garment

* Fashion Accessories

* Travel Wares

* Related Services

Some of the hungry power-players looking to get a minute of your time will be hailing from companies like Dongguan Wanhua Leather Co.,Ltd, Wenzhou Ruixin Leather Co., Ltd, Wai Hing Leather Mfg Co.,Ltd, Chaei Hsin Enterprise Co.,Ltd, Wenzhou Synthetic Leather Co., Ltd, Zhejiang Longyue Technology Co., Ltd, Taiwan Haoquan Enterprises Co.,Ltd,Comshoe Spanish Shoe Component, Wenzhou Baifeng Shoes Material Industry Co., Ltd, Haining Haixiang Group Co.,Ltd, Wenzhou Liyu Shoe Materials Co.,Ltd, Wenzhou Nanfang Shoes Material Co.,Ltd, Nanjing Great Eastern Resins Co., Ltd, Nanbao Resins Co.,Ltd. Desma (Guangzhou) Machinery & Engineering Co., Ltd, and Wenzhou Shenming Shoe-making Machinery. be on your guard, but remember that the event will also be geared toward makin this a fun experience for all, and I hear that there will even be a scheduled trip to local factories for selected participants on the second day of the fair. More is expected to materialize, as the show date draws nearer.

As you can see, this event is certainly not limited to shoes, and should be considered seriously by anyone who wants to get to know the climate in China’s leather business, as the attending exhibitors and promoters strive to put on their best show for eager buyers. Come to think of it, Shanghai isn’t far from Hangzhou, and I’ll be very interested to see what goes on at this particular event. Maybe I’ll see you there!

Those who were loyal die-hard fans of Michael Jackson, and those who were often shocked by his highly controversial and eccentric lifestyle.

In other words; some people may have loved him, and some may have hated him, but he was impossible to ignore. His career was a classic tale of a musical genius who found his sanctuary in making unforgettable chart-toppers, despite frequently relegating himself to being a lonesome, alien-like figure in the real world. Frequently accused and even persecuted by many, his followers always far outnumbered the naysayers, and they continue to be ardent supporters of his unique and unforgettable style. Legions of Michael Jackson fans — which rank in the several millions – will be on the hunt for anything that can bring them some solace, as news of his death on June 25, 2009 leaves an enormous void that will be impossible to fill. Wholesalers are faced with a vast collection of memorabilia to remember him by (Michael Jackson gifts, souvenirs, novelties, posters, etc.), and these goods are going to be on the move… so it’s up to you to supply them to the world! Are you ready? There’s a lot of people out there, and Michael Jackson products are going to be in high demand… which means all buyers and sellers should start making their purchases now to meet their customers’ huge demand for these types of products.

Okay, it’s an enormous world of Jackson paraphernalia out there, and it will be hard to filter through the thousands of links that will lead you to all-things-MJ… but since time is of the essence, here are some keywords you might want to try out right now that are based upon some of his best-known work in music, in the form of my very own TopTen list of Michael Jackson’s greatest hits:

Ben (1972)

Off the Wall (1979)

Thriller (1982)

Michael Jackson Bad (1987)

Dangerous (1991)

History: Past, Present And Future Book 1 (1995)

Blood On The Dance Floor: HIStory In The Mix (1997)

The Best of Michael Jackson (Anthology Series) (1998)

Invincible (2001)

Number Ones (2003)

If you’re not convinced that Rock and Pop icons make for some heavy-hitting merchandise, try to do a search on the TopTenWholesale site for names like the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Elvis Presley, and Jimi Hendrix to see some impressive results. It pays to research these items in order to get a feel for what people will be looking for as they scour the Internet in search of the best deals on lookalikes and replicas of the originals. Eric Clapton’s prized Fender Stratocaster, Elvis Presley’s love letters, Elton John’s outrageous outfits, and Madonna’s famous black bustier are amongst a few of the items that made news… and inspired a LOT of wholesale merchandising.

Don’t let this occasion pass you by, because being one of the first to supply your buyers with this kind of hot wholesale merchandise will forever put you on their own personal Top Ten list forever! I should probably mention that you have great resources available to you right now, in the form of Top Ten Wholesale.com, Manufacturer.com, and Off Price Network.com sites. Do I even need to mention the Michael Jackson tribute events that are surely going to take place in the near future?

Yes, that’s the beginning of next month. No, there wasn’t much advance notice.

It’s a rather tall order, considering that PC makers supplied more than 40 million new PC’s to China last year (New York Times) and it’s anticipated that the world’s largest online community (over 300 million to date) are going to keep buying new computers. It begs the question: who will supply these new PC’s to the Chinese market? I’m willing to bet that PC makers like the bruised-and-battered DELL (Ouch. Wasn’t it a 34% reduction in PC sales last month?) would like to know the answer, immediately.

This spells big trouble for the folks who have to go back into the warehouses to open up sealed boxes and install the new software, which is already being decried as “unstable, ineffective, and problematic…” even before Beijing’s unrealistic rollout date. According to the Beijing News, the program is “less than stellar” in its ability to filter content.

Immediate backlash notwithstanding, pundits are already stepping up to the plate, as they attempt to defend the decision by the central government. In a related statement, Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang made it clear:

“The purpose of this is to effectively manage harmful material for the public

and prevent it from being spread.”

Screen capture of Green Dam warning page.

While all of this may sound deviously Orwellian in nature, it should come as no surprise to the crafty wholesale / retail virtuosos (that would be YOU!) that a severe, near-crippling bottleneck in the system introduces an opportunity to pick up some product that does no good to anyone, as it sits in containers and warehouses gathering dust… and reaching the end of its technology cycle, before resulting in a profit for the manufacturers. In other words, there may be some leveraging power for those who want to help move the goods, and this could be a boom year in the domestic wholesale PC business, despite all the hand-wringing from the likes of political activists, to the PC industry giants that have been stopped in their tracks by this sudden boondoggle in the path of Q3 sales for the year.

Checking out some Top10 results like these can reveal a soon-to-be exploding market in Personal Computer liquidation. Get in there while you have the chance, and don’t be surprised as the market swings wildly from one end of the pendulum to the other.

Whether this thing really becomes a problem in the long-run is unclear at this point, but until the politicos can resolve things from the highest diplomatic levels, PC makers the world over might be heard saying: “Frankly my dear, I don’t give a Dam… but what will you give me for these computers?”

ASD/AMD Show

Top Ten Wholesale went to ASD/AMD Las Vegas and, maybe, should have launched satellite cameras and Big Picture macro lenses to take in all of the huge ASD/AMD trade show from March 15 to 18. Fortunately, trade show directors (big shout out to Chris, Dell and many others!) streamlined show navigation and traffic, with special market sections across four trade shows at all three venues.

We could focus on person-to-person buyer-seller interactions.

All-Access Passes. Every registrant got an All-Access Pass to Gift, Value, Variety Merchandise, Jewelry and Military-Tactical Outdoor Shows … multiplying access to more exhibitors and more product categories. As we cruised through all the venues, ASD/AMD became all-in-one opportunities for Buyers to add complimentary products to their merchandise mix, compare price points and leverage diverse exhibitors and products.

How To Navigate ASD/AMD

Spotted in Special Show Sections

Individual shows broke into markets and specialized sections. The combined Value and Variety Merchandise shows gathered 2200 exhibitors (275 new to ASD/AMD) into one-stop product sourcing, which made it more manageable and time efficient to track down exhibitors by market … Fashion Accessories, Toys & Novelties, Licensed Products, Health & Beauty Products, Smoking Accessories, Military Tactical Outdoor, Value Apparel, Tools and Hardware, General Merchandise and Closeouts.

Value-Priced General Merchandise. Dominating discount general merchandise exhibits in the Las Vegas Convention Center, we saw discount store inventory source Kole Imports and 4 Seasons General Merchandise , with its sports and outdoor hot items – including Flashing Clicker Balls – and its large home décor exhibit, featuring seasonal gifts, novelties, flowers and more.

Via Trading boasted a big presence in the Closeouts special section of the convention center, befitting a one-stop source for Overstocks, Closeouts and Customer Returns. And, tip of the hat to Jacobs Trading Company — direct-source specialists of customer returns, overstocks and shelf-pulls for discount/surplus stores, flea market vendors, auctioneers and online wholesalers and retailers. Jacobs Trading Company’s hot show commodities were electronics (video games) and value-price apparel.

Apparel, Accessories, Specialty Gifts Sellers Spotted. Ranging from manufacturer-direct irregulars, first-run and overstock inventory … to liquidation lots and narrow-market specialty items. We met up with R. G. Riley source of manufacturer-direct (Gildan, Hanes, Fruit of the Loom, Russel, Delta) irregulars and casual clothes for men, women and children. Plus GENCO, home of liquidation auctions (Fixed Price, Sealed Bids) supplying over $5 Million in liquidation, below-wholesale retail inventory every day); and Great Lakes Wholesale . All at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

We found specialty clothing, gifts and accessories exhibitors, including Emby Hosiery , Trans USA Products (v. cool LED key rings), Eagle Emblems , Fun Express and Knockout Decals. PLUS the Seasonal & Holiday Specials – food, gift and party supplies; health & beauty products; supplies for babies, pets, household) lines from Jasmine Trading .

ASD/AMD’s dedicated market sections also helped us find booths focused on lifestyle or product segments, like Hip Hop Wholesale , Accessories West Imports , Cesti Handbags , Selni Neckwear and Capico Accessories . Oh … saw the latest in fashionable and functional shades at Jay-Y Sunglasses’ large booth.

Putting “Skin” in the Game. It was nice to sense the large booth and presence of Perfume Center America , as well as “second skin” sellers at Dealer Leather and Leather Impressions.

As the largest national gift show in the Western U.S., ASD/AMD’s Las Vegas Gift Show presented 360 exhibitors (more than 100 of them new to this show), with section breakouts for Home Décor, Gourmet Foods, Religious-Spiritual Products, and Plush & Dolls.

Full Bling Ahead. The Jewelry Show at ASD/AMD runs full-range at the Mirage Grand Ballroom and Events Center: From Fine and Custom Jewelry to Fashion and Costume lines; from loose gemstones and beads to engagement/wedding rings, diamonds, and estate jewelry. The jewelry show, too, was clustered by dedicated product categories for every-sized retail channel, working at all price points.

Hellos to jewelry designer-manufacturer-wholesaler J. Good and to Philips International Cool Jewels .

Right Merchandise Mix-Ups. A great feature of ASD/AMD is its wide-open, wide-ranging variety – where fine jewelry buyers cross paths with sword and knife sellers; where men’s / women’s / children’s discount apparel wholesalers easily cross tracks with all-terrain vehicles and dirt bikes.

The Military Tactical Outdoor Show again appeared alongside ASD/AMD’s three main trade shows — so that buyers who focus only on their pre-show shopping lists can mix their merchandise lines and boost profit margins. We saw these profitable merchandise “mix ups” with Military Collectibles (like Sczo Supplies), with deeply discounted and popular Military Surplus Clothing, Government Issue Surplus Merchandise. Even motorized vehicles and ATVs … plus the leather “biker” apparel and accessories that go with the machines.

Booths With Buzz. These featured new products that attracted lots of trade show attention: Varabella with a uniquely designed 4-in-1 purse. Smoking Everywhere , among many new suppliers of electronic, smokeless and flavored faux cigarettes, smoking accessories. Plus Ortery , a light box/photo capture device.

“Cool” In Eye of Beholder. These caught the eye of ASD/AMD attendee – Susette of Top Ten Wholesale – as Cool Products: 95 and Sunny’s glass nail files (lifetime guaranteed) and hand-painted wine glasses. (It’s true!! I was gifted last season with a giant and gorgeous Happy Birthday hand-painted martini glass. Yes, it’s a work of handcrafted art; and it is way cool.) M&M General Fashion (colored fashion eye lenses). Peace Electronics’ “fun novelty items” including caps with hair extensions.

At first, I thought this Cool New Product tip might look like this …

Knit Cap with Hair Extensions

But that’s an OLD hot product, Pet Halloween Apparel

Rasta Cat Halloween

Here’s the real deal, the foldable Magic Visor with three fun changeable heads of hair … Gray (salt ‘n pepper), Brunette or Blonde.

Magic Visor Fun Hair

Email Peace Electronics at PeaceEle@aol.com for more on Fun Hair.

Linking Qualified Buyers and Sellers Globally … with Refined Marketing Tactics

Hat tip, again, to ASD/AMD show managers, who keep expanding the range of product Buy/Sell opportunities, and who also refine exhibitor floor plans to help show goers navigate through this major trade show to find the right deals.

A proven online path to linking up with the right wholesalers, manufacturers and retailers is by using search engines, ad networks, product directories and other industry vertical channels that are customized to the needs of Buyers and Sellers in the general merchandise, footwear and apparel industries.

Pinpoint Vertical Marketing Strategies. Free insider tips were available at ASD/AMD Las Vegas’ Industry Seminars. Topics covered: Branding; Buying and Selling Online; Email Marketing; Boosting eBay Auction Profits … and a basic Understanding Search Engine Marketing.

Beyond the Basics. Top Ten Wholesale.com (a media partner of ASD/AMD) publicized its link up with global product source Manufacturer.com (which remains HQ’d in China) … to drill down into the worldwide supply chain. Anyone see that sea of white bags at both Sands Expo and the Las Vegas Convention Center?? That’s where two global brands …

Top Ten Wholesale

and

Manufacturer.com

met.

No borders!

Search marketing opportunities refined for vertical, industry B2B searchers … Ad network reach … and industry Product Sourcing Directories of Top Ten Wholesale – plus, now, Manufacturer.com – are part of a global network. It includes Wholezilla, Off Price Network, WholesaleU, Top Ten Trends, Industry News Feeds, Professional Blogs. And more.

Benefits Beyond the Basics:

· Reach product sourcing Buyers and Sellers at every level of the supply chain;

· Gain visibility among qualified industry prospects and customer leads … who are in specific product category search mode. Vertical search prospects are ready to deal;

· Pinpoint advertising, rank on search results pages and reach an insider network of wholesalers, contract manufacturers, resellers, chain store buyers, auction power-sellers and retailers … 24/7/365.

Get an Individual Profile from global partner Manufacturer.com or check on Advertising with Manufacturer.com .

Benefit way Beyond the Basics with expert, insider vertical networking and search marketing through Top Ten Wholesale Advertising . You put the entire JP Communications Network to work for you, too!!