Bald Guys Rock, LLC, which can be found at www.baldguysrock.com, is a fun but inspirational company whose main goal is to empower the bald and the beautiful. Their core values encourage natural beauty in all of its stripped-down glory, adopting a minimalist but optimistic view of the world. We should embrace who we are regardless of our outward appearances. We shouldn’t hide our perceived flaws from the world; we should flaunt them. According to the company’s creator, “It’s about not comparing ourselves to others, but rather looking within to see what strengths we have that we can offer the world…starting with a shiny bald (or balding) head.”

I found the company’s Website to be quite personable with an exceptionally warm feel to it. Customer service is obviously very important to them. The site was simple to navigate and it had a great deal of personality. I particularly enjoyed the “Bald Story of the Month” section where users can submit their own stories with the chance of winning free merchandise and the opportunity to be featured on the site for an entire month.

Bald Guys Rock offers a unique line of t-shirts celebrating baldness among not only men but women and babies as well. While you can only buy t-shirts and onesies at this time, they will be adding more products to their inventory within the next six months and are always open to suggestions. So tell your bald and balding friends and family to check them out, and remember: “Bald is SEXY. Bald is CONFIDENT. Bald is BRAVE and bald is BEAUTIFUL.”

For more information please contact:

Bald Guys Rock, LLC
2033 San Elijo Avenue Suite # 472
Cardiff-by-the-Sea, Ca 92007
Tel.: 760-479-1586
Email: info@baldguysrock.com
Website: http://www.baldguysrock.com

A big sister company to 1 Fashion Clothing Inc., its headquarter is right at the heart of the prestigious Garment District in downtown Los Angeles, California. Big Deal 4 U, a wholesaler of women’s stylish clothing and accessories, is frequented by smart shoppers from all over the world for its known rock bottom prices.
Wholesale clothing inspected and approved for quality and style without having to sacrifice comfort.

Big Deal 4 U obsessively thrives to please their valued customers by offering a wide array of wholesale women’s clothing from decent to tasteful undergarments, to either rugged, sporty, trendy, casual, sophisticated, classy or elegant attire. Its huge inventory of wholesale apparel includes, but is not limited to, dresses, coordinates and separates, tops, halter tops, T-shirts, denim jeans and jackets, pants, capris and bermudas ( denim or non-denim), skirts and mini-skirts ( denim or non-denim ), sportswears, pajamas, lingerie and sweaters. Moreover, we top ourselves by creating a special section on the net for all clearance items for an even lower price.

These wholesale women’s garments are complimented by our various belts and bags and finally accessorized by our intricately designed jewelry sets. Big Deal 4 U certainly would not fail to remember to cater our buff and healthy customers! Hence, Junior and Adult Plus sizes are differentiated. Size ranges from xs to 5x’s depending upon the merchandise. We got it made in the wholesale women’s fashion apparel and we have all of you to thank for.

Therefore, we are obliged to bravely explore a new venture that we may now introduce to you – the world of wholesale boy’s formal suits.

Consider this a warning! People with heart ailments should proceed with caution while shopping because our unbelievably low prices might give you a heart attack!
For more information, contact:

www.BigDeal4U.com <http://www.BigDeal4U.com>
1923 S. Los Angeles St
Los Angeles CA, 90011
Toll Free: 1-800-388-8249
International: 1-213-749-1304
Fax: 1-213-749-1405

With forty years of experience, Hayes Specialties Corporation is a leader in the Direct Import industry. With such a vast selection of merchandise they are able to suit the needs of just about any kind of business. One of their specialties is wholesale toys. They are one of the largest importers of toys and other novelties in the United States, and they pride themselves on discovering hot new items light-years ahead of the competition.

One of their newest products, which made its debut at the ASD/AMD Trade Show in Vegas earlier this month, is the exciting new Fountain Duck. Haye’s Fountain Duck is a brand new spin on the conventional rubber ducky. Everyone knows what a rubber duck is; it was immortalized by Sesame Street’s Ernie in the 1970 smash hit “Rubber Ducky”. But Haye’s new Fountain Duck isn’t the rubber duck you and I grew up with.

Ladies and gentlemen, this is no average duck. What makes this little duck extra-special is that it immediately lights up when placed in water—and it quacks! It also squirts water from its cute little head up to a foot in the air. This adorable little guy is approximately four inches long and comes with batteries so that it is bathtub-ready upon receipt. Hayes Fountain Duck has the potential to make bath time far more enjoyable for both parents and children alike.

Fountain Duck is sure to be enormously popular with today’s kids; the first shipment of this product has already sold out in advance! But you can still order your Fountain Duck shipment just in time for the holiday season; Hayes Specialties Corporation expects further delivery in October. Just ask for Item #15920, “Fountain Duck.” You can purchase them in shipments of 1, 12 or 24 pieces. Pricing is as follows: 1 pc/$4.00 each, 24 pc/$3.00 each, or 48 pc/$2.75 each.

For more information, please contact:
eHayes.com
1761 East Genesee
Saginaw, MI 48601
Toll Free: 800-248-3603
Fax: 989-755-2341
Website: www.eHayes.com

Because of the difficulty involved in forging business relationships in China, there are very few brands there at this time. It seems only world famous brands have a presence there, brands like Chanel, Louis Vuitton, DKNY, and Polo. But the Chinese consumer is dying to have new brands from international retailers who can show various products for modern lifestyles. There currently exists a vacuum for up-and-coming brands from the U.S., Canada and Europe, and this presents exciting new opportunities for the international retailers of these countries.

ASAP Show is organizing a very special, very rare event to bring international retailers to meet with heads of major Chinese department stores in the three metropolitan Chinese cities, and this is going to be done on a one-to-one basis. The three cities include Beijing, Shang-hai, and Chong Qing. These three cities have had massive development and growth rates over the past decade and so are the ideal places to build new business relationships. The department stores that will be visited during the ASAP Show trip include Youyi Shopping City’s Beijing Luthansa Center, Beijing Modern Plaza, MaiSon Mode, Chong Qing Pacific Store, City Power Commercial Center, Orient Shopping Centre Ltd, and Shanghai No. 1 YaoHan Co. Ltd.

The 10th edition China Department Store trip will be held Monday March 24, 2008 through Thursday April 3rd, 2008. Participants may depart from the U.S.A. or E.U. and will arrive in Beijing where they will check in to the Beijing Landmark Hotel. The first day will begin with a CEO summit where there will be a round table discussion with Chinese department store heads. There is much to be gained by participating in this event.

For more information, please contact:
ASAP Show
Tel.: (626) 279-1800
Fax: (866) 401-2986
Email: info@asapshow.com

The buying trip will include visits to Hangzhou and Ningbo. Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang province, is Zhejiang’s political, cultural and economic center. It is an important city of economy on the south wing of Yangzte Delta, and since the adoption of the reform and opening-up policy the GDP of Hangzhou has increased at an average rate of 22.3% annually. The main industries of this region include the business of textile, silk, machinery, electronics, chemicals, light industry, and food processing.

Ningbo is a coastal city in the Zhejing province and is one of the most important ports in all of China as it enjoys a sound infrastructural basis. Since the beginning of reform and opening up, Ningbo has undergone extraordinary growth both in social and economic development. It has become a very important industrial city and foreign trade port in eastern China.

During this trip participants will have the opportunity to attend the 11th China International Fashion Trade Fair, a part of the Ningbo International Fashion Festival. It will take place at the Ningbo International Convention Center from October 22-25th, 2007. The show is spread over 500,000 square feet with more than 2200 companies exhibiting their fashion and production capabilities. The show attracts over 20,000 visitors from allover the world.

All buyers would have much to gain by visiting Ningbo and Hangzhou in terms of new supply sources, key partners, and finding distribution channels in two of the most vibrant cities in China. FITS is the ideal venue for US fashion brands to meet with master licensees and find local distribution agents to market their product in China.

For more information, please contact:
ASAP Show
Tel.: (626) 279-1800
Fax: (866) 401-2986
Email: info@asapshow.com

With over twelve years of experience under their belts, CEO Jerry Phlippeau and VP Joe Harzheim really knew what they were doing when they created Flipo Group USA, a manufacturer, distributor and importer of unique and original consumer goods. With products like flameless candles, pet blinkers, and scrolling belt buckles, your virtual tour through Flipo.com will be one you won’t soon forget, and neither will your customers if you take my advice and add some of their products to your inventory.

Flipo’s comprehensive Website, which can be found at www.Flipo.com, includes a dozen different categories of wholesale merchandise including but not limited to Christmas items, home accents, pens, jewelry, pet products, novelties and more. The creative geniuses at Flipo take average products (e.g. pens) and reinvent them into fresh, newfangled fun. One of their hottest and most popular products is their line of Fuze jewelry, a creative take on gem necklaces. These quartz-derived necklaces feature hand-picked, hand-polished gems from the Far East which radiate soft, incandescent light in a soothing array of brilliant colors. A few of Fuze’s famous fans include such celebrities as Jennifer Garner, Britney Spears and Jennifer Coolidge.

To see some of their innovations in action be sure to check out www.FlipoTV.com. Here you can view a variety of Flipo’s inventive pet supplies, LED products, solar powered home décor, novelties and security items. My personal favorite is the night light which doubles as a miniature lava lamp. (Where do they come up with this stuff?)

Jerry and Joe of Flipo.com pride themselves on bringing “innovative ideas to market—first.” In addition to providing exceptional merchandise, the company also boasts a conveniently central location in the US so that no matter what continental state you order in, your delivery is rarely more than four working days away. Because they operate two fully staffed warehouses, most in-stock items ship within 24 hours of order receipt. Come take advantage of their revolutionary product lines today and watch your profits increase.

For more information, contact:
Flipo Group, Inc.
613 First Street
La Salle, Illinois 61301
Phone: 815-223-9942
Toll Free: 800-396-6966
Email: info@flipo.com
Website: www.flipo.com

With the important holiday selling season looming just around the proverbial corner and a series of highly publicized toy recalls in the not-so-distant past, several multichannel toy merchants are re-evaluating the product mix, making toy-testing information available on their Websites or adjusting their search marketing strategies with a focus on making consumers feel safer about buying toys.

Some toy retailers generate almost half of their business between Thanksgiving Day and Christmas. This year, however, many are nervously waiting to see if the recent deluge of Chinese product recalls will affect their sales.

While not all of the recalls were related to toys, the sheer number of recalls has been unprecedented and the fear is that some consumers may start putting away their wallets as soon as they see the words, “Made in China.” If so, this could hit the toy industry especially hard since approximately 85% of all toys available in the United States are made in China.

“We’ve had some items returned simply because they were made in China, no matter who the vendor is,” said Deb Wilson, general manager of Sensational Beginnings, a specialty toy cataloger based in Michigan.

However, when customers see that a product is made in Europe or the United States, “they feel better,” Wilson said. The company is considering adjusting its product mix to put more of an emphasis on products made outside of China, a move other retailers said they are more apt to begin looking at.

Specialty toy retailers often differentiate themselves from large toy retailers like Toys R Us and Wal-Mart by carrying a wide variety of high-quality toys that emphasize learning. Many, although not all, of these toys are made outside of China. This means specialty toy retailers could be in a position to benefit this holiday season if consumers continue looking for alternatives to the “Made in China” label.

National toy retailers, on the other hand, often market themselves based on their ability to deliver the lowest-priced toys. However, this year, with “cheap toys” quickly becoming synonymous with “Made in China,” it remains to be seen if they will continue to employ the same strategy this year. According to Toys R Us and Wal-Mart sources, neither has released its fourth quarter marketing plans as of yet. Toys R Us typically announces the hottest toys of the season every year at September’s end.

The concern over where toys are made could be just a passing issue. “My sense is that like with every other event that has been similar to this, the furor will wane,” said Sharon DiMinico, founder of Learning Express, a chain of 134 franchised specialty toy stores.
For example, sales dropped off for Thomas the Tank Engine products after a product recall related to the brand was announced earlier this year. But they’ve already returned to normal levels, DiMinico stated.

Still, Learning Express is taking measures to make sure consumers’ concerns are addressed. The retailer is sending out a letter to all of its vendors asking them where they manufacture other than in China and will disseminate this information to all of its stores and put it on its Website.

The chain is also reevaluating its product mix, and is considering dropping some items. “We’ve been selling Polly Pocket items for years but I’m not quite sure what the consumer response will be to those items now,” DiMinico said. Polly Pocket was one of the lines included in a recent Mattel toy recall.

Conversely, DiMinico pointed out, “products made outside of China could benefit from this.” For example, Habba, which makes building blocks and other toys for babies, toddlers and children, is one of the few toy companies still manufacturing in Europe. “I think Habba’s business is going to increase,” DiMinico noted.

Fat Brain Toys, a specialty toy multichannel merchant based in Nebraska posted a toy safety information center on its Website in mid-August, soon after the second big Mattel toy recall. The information center provides links to other sites involved in the testing and certification of toys.

“We’re getting our customers the information and the disclosures that they are looking for,” said Mark Carson, co-founder, Fat Brain Toys. The retailer has also asked its suppliers, including those based in China, to provide a safety statement that Fat Brain Toys will post on its Website.

“Not all toys made in China are bad,” Carson said. This sentiment was echoed by other retailers, who agreed that what consumers and retailers need to look for is if the manufacturing process is being consistently tested by an independent third party.

Fat Brain Toys is also adjusting its search engine marketing and optimization efforts as a result of the recent toy recalls. For example, the company is bidding higher to advertise on some keywords based on the fact that there is rising interest in American- and European-made toys. The company is targeting consumers who are “tired of cheap toys” and are looking for quality items, Carson said.

Another strategy the retailer is working on is putting the country of origin on all of its product pages and creating special sections for American-made toys. “This is a little more organic in nature,” Carson explained, “but we think it will make a big difference as the season goes on.”

One decision that Fat Brain Toys is not currently considering, however, is revamping its merchandise mix. “We’re going to be reinforcing the quality of our toys,” Carson said, adding that this is true regardless of where the toys are made.

With warehouses in both the U.S. and Canada, Symak Sales Co. Inc. has been putting customers first for over six decades, providing fast and efficient service to customers allover North America. With a superabundance of over 6,000 different products, orders are shipped with over a 98% completion rate with virtually no back-orders. Primarily a dollar store supplier, they offer a vast selection of quality discount wholesale merchandise with products like kitchen gadgets, housewares, pet accessories, toys, sewing materials, cosmetics, medical supplies and much, much more.

Their dollar store wholesale and distribution Website can be found at www.Symaksales.com where you will be redirected to their newly revamped site. The new site features both quick and advanced internal search options so that anyone can locate any of their products in a snap. The site is simple to navigate. Their products can also be browsed by category, and their “Symak News” center features brand new products, promotions and upcoming events, e.g. the New York ASD/AMD Trade Show they’ll be attending from September 8-11th.

One of the new products they’re really excited about is their brand new Charmin knitting yarn. This worsted weight yarn is 100% acrylic and is very soft and durable. It would be the ideal material for a delightful little throw or baby blanket. Symak is currently promoting an introductory offer of 360 balls of yarn for only $181.18. Get yours in a dozen different colors. This offer can be combined with another promotion they are running: Purchase a minimum $600 in Symak merchandise and receive free freight. Take advantage of three deals and receive free shipping on your goods.

They say of their company, “All of our attention goes towards satisfying our clients. We are focused on providing our customers with what they want: fast-moving, attractively packaged products at extremely competitive prices, delivered quickly and completely.”

For more information, please contact:
Symaksales.com
88 Industrial Blvd.
Plattsburgh, N.Y., U.S.A., 12901-0316
Toll Free: 800-883-5788
Email: service@symaksales.com
Website: www.symaksales.com

As consumers, we’re interacting with companies more than ever before. Not only because we can, but also because we’re encouraged and motivated to do so. When consumers have unlimited options at their fingertips, every interaction becomes key—whether it’s in store, online, via catalog or over the phone. Never before has it been more crucial to reinforce your brand message at every turn. In an industry ripe with change, the path to a seamless brand experience and deepened consumer engagement begins and ends with a multichannel strategy. Here are a few tips to get you started:

Don’t be afraid to send consumers online.
A simple bounce back at in-store checkout as a reminder to go online for any forgotten gifts is an easy add-on.

Even when you’re closed, you’re open.
Why wait until Black Friday when you can shop online Thanksgiving Day? Promotions for Thursday specials can keep your consumers busy through dessert. (And did we mention no lines?)

Order online, pick up in-store.
For multichannel retailers that offer in-store pickup, 31 percent of online orders are picked up in store. Twenty-seven percent of those consumers make additional in-store purchases.

Show brand sites some love.
Create cross-channel messaging that’s consistent. Feature in-store what’s featured online. Allow site access in-store and allow access to the entire product offering, avoiding any potential for disappointment when an item isn’t available.

Allow online purchases to be returned in-store.
For multichannel retailers, 6 percent of orders bought online are returned to the store; 22 percent of consumers that return to store make an in-store purchase.

Localization of Websites.
Communicate local store events and specials online.

Service across channels.
Offer live chat online that connects consumers to a contact center associate.

The folks over at SilverandCZ.com have been supplying quality stones to manufacturers for over twenty years and expanded into the finished jewelry business about seven years ago when they began supplying to wholesalers and distributors. Their Website was launched about three years ago and was redone this year to sell to stand alone jewelry stores, gift shops and flea marketers. Specializing in wholesale sterling silver jewelry, this New York based company also boasts a vast assortment of brilliant cubic zirconia jewelry.

Their recently refurbished site, which can be found at SilverandCZ.com, is easily navigable and features site maps that allow customers to shop by category or by collection. When it comes to high-quality, attractive wholesale sterling silver jewelry, SilverandCZ truly has it all; their marvelous collection includes bracelets, chains, necklaces, earrings, pendants, rings and stunning jewelry sets.

SilverandCZ.com offers both classic and contemporary styles. Whether you’re going for a look that is trendy or sophisticated there are treasures waiting to satisfy anyone and everyone who comes through your shop. Browse their exquisite collection of Tiffany inspired designs or peruse their fine collection of stunning journey designs made to symbolize your life’s most meaningful journeys. With SilverandCZ.com, you can stock your shop with elegant silver jewelry without breaking the bank because everything is offered at extraordinarily low prices.

Aside from their competitive prices and quality products which are proven sellers, what makes SilverandCZ.com stand out from the rest is their utmost dedication to customer service. They make customer satisfaction their number one priority by being extremely attentive to their customers’ individual needs. According to their motto, they “are not satisfied until your customer is satisfied. Period.”

Additionally, SilverandCZ.com offers a minimum purchase order of $50 which includes free shipping to anywhere in the continental US. They are currently offering a back-to-school promotion of 15% off your purchase of $150 or more by using coupon code “bts07” during the checkout process. This offer expires on September 15th. Now is a great time to check out SilverandCZ.com because they have just added many exciting products to their inventory over the summer. While at their site be sure to register for updates so you can be notified whenever they add new products or have promotional offers.

Flexible, durable, and fashionable, sterling silver is a classic addition to any wardrobe. Get yours at SilverandCZ.com today.

For more information, contact:
SilverandCZ.com
1615 – 54th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11204
Toll Free: 800-232-4367
Email: store@silverandcz.com
Website: www.SilverandCZ.com

Your business depends on being able to source quality products from wholesale liquidators at a good price. There are great deals to be had, but it helps to be an informed buyer. Here are some rules to follow:

#1 – Source from stable, financially sound companies
There are few barriers to entry in the wholesale liquidation industry. Consequently, you encounter the rare company that wants to turn a quick profit. When evaluating sources of supply, look for companies with a track record of ethical behavior and a long-term strategy that depends on repeat business from happy customers. As the saying goes, “Adversity teaches us who our true friends are.” If problems arise – let’s say the lot you receive does not match the manifest — you want a partner that will stand behind transactions with honesty and integrity, not one who suddenly stops answering his phone.

#2 – Deal with companies that have direct liquidation contracts
In the secondary market, it’s not unusual for product to go through multiple liquidators on route to the end consumer. While many brokers provide an excellent service, there are advantages to dealing with companies who hold the direct liquidation contracts with retailers and manufacturers:
• Lower your risk. Direct liquidators have warehouses where they assess the product condition to assure the quality of the lot is consistent with how it’s represented.
• Avoid multiple mark-ups as products move through several brokers.
• Deal direct for faster service. For instance, pick-up times can be arranged by calling the warehouse directly rather than working through a middle man.

By building a relationship with a partner that holds multiple direct liquidation contracts, you gain access to many different commodities through a single source. That means you spend less time sourcing and more time selling and making money.

#3 – Look for lots accompanied by a detailed manifest
A manifest is a list describing the items for sale in a particular lot. It includes the quantity, cost, and description of all products. In the secondary market, salvage products are often sold without a manifest in unsorted, bulk lots. Such lots can have good profit potential. But, if possible, purchase lots that come with a manifest. This allows you to confirm that what you paid for is what you received. Industry-wide less than 40% of salvage loads come with manifest. Some liquidators, like GENCO Marketplace, provide a manifest for over 70 percent of the inventories sold. In fact, GENCO allows you to examine the manifest on its website prior to purchase.

#4 – Understand the terms and conditions for reselling products.
Many retailers and manufacturers place restrictions on remarketing their products in order to protect their brands. For instance, some require that you remove the brand label from the product. Retailers often restrict resale of their products within a certain radius of their store locations. Some companies even require exportation of the merchandise. If you don’t clearly understand and follow these restrictions, you risk fines and other legal action. In addition, you’ll lose future opportunities to resell the company’s products.

#5 – Know your freight costs
As the buyer, you are responsible for freight costs from the liquidator to your location. These costs can mean the difference between profit or loss on the load. Buying from smaller, single-location liquidators may involve hefty freight costs that cut into your profit margin. Larger liquidators typically store products in multiple warehouses throughout the country, enabling you to cut freight costs by sourcing product from nearby warehouses.

Mike Jennings is vice president and general manager of wholesale liquidator GENCO Marketplace (https://www.gencomarketplace.com), which liquidates $3.5 million worth of quality product every day. Mike can be reached at 800-224-3141.

Actress Reese Witherspoon, in her “Legally Blonde” film role as Southern California fashion maven turned Bostonian and Harvard Law student, outlined the Apparel Buyer’s Challenge:

“Whoever said ‘peach’ is the new ‘pink’ was truly deranged.”

To buyers of women’s, men’s and youth apparel, forecasting color trends two or three seasons ahead can seem like a random turn of the roulette wheel. Fortunately, we improve our bets by watching Color Trend Forecasters, and by working the patterns that emerge from major trade shows and apparel industry insiders. Apologies to “Legally Blonde,” but buying color lots for next seasons need not be a bad deranged bet.

Cite the Color Authorities. The Color Association claims to be the oldest color forecasting service in the U.S., issuing color reports since 1915. Because its color trend predictions influence the front-end of the production chain — from textile manufacture and fiber arts to fashionable car colors — CAUS looks 12-to-20 months ahead. (Yes, that’s a geologic eon in e-commerce

Go to their web site < www.colorassociation.com > and click on Color Trends. You can view The Color Association’s palettes forecasted for the current season of Women’s, Men’s, Youth and
Interiors/Environmental design. For example, Women’s Apparel for Fall/Winter 2007-2008 features an array of color chips ranging from subtle blues and brick reds to slate gray and lighter salmon pinks, as well as that soft peach deemed “deranged” by Legally Blonde Reese.

Interesting site commentary on the many predicted shades of blue is: “These blues also underscore the wide and continuing acceptance of denim, and the fact that nearly any contemporary color must accommodate or enhance the most American of all fabrics.”

Do a color palette pulse check on Men’s and Youth clothing for the upcoming season. The site even displays texture blocks on which you drag-and-drop color chips to test fabric effects.

New palette forecasts from CAUS are now available for three apparel categories, up through Spring/Summer 2008 and Fall/Winter 2008-2009, for $425 per season of crystal ball swatches.

For a more global hue, check the site of the International Colour Authority at www.internationalcolourauthority.com. Panels of international color specialists cast their predictions twice a year in London and then market what they call “directional palettes” worldwide for women’s wear, men’s wear, leather fashion, furnishings, carpets and paints.

Press the Flesh at Fashion Shows. Major trade shows offer apparel buyers a unique opportunity to source product, network with industry colleagues and meet specialized industry publishers, who can help them niche-market to resellers, discounters, off-price jobbers and past-season retailers. The big shows also aggregate all those style, color and trend predictions noted above into one convenient convention hall. Easy viewing. Easy deal-making.

Fashion industry site infomat calendars fashion shows near and far – New York, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and regional fashion or sports apparel centers across the U.S., as well as Toronto, London, Rome, Paris, Copenhagen, Istanbul, Bangkok. Sign up for their monthly email calendar of shows at: < www.infomat.com/calendar/infsi0000164.html >.

Look for trade show news from Top Ten Wholesale and VSEs. See www.TopTenWholesale.com plus affiliate sites at www.Wholezilla.com, www.OffPriceNetwork.com and www.WholesaleU.com. You can also wiki it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JP_Communications .

Vertical Search Engine news and blogs drill down into what’s most useful to apparel buyers and sellers, in every fashion category, from wholesaler to reseller. Top Ten Wholesale joins 140,000 apparel industry insiders from throughout the U.S. and around the world to cover the August 2007 fashion industry extravaganza in Las Vegas. Representing:

• MAGIC (men’s apparel and accessories)
• ENK’s Women’s Show (designer), Lingerie Americas and The Exclusive (luxury)
• ASAP Global Sourcing Show and Global ECO Apparel Trade & Fashion (overseas apparel sourcing with an eye to the eco-friendly)
• The Accessories Show
• Kid Show Las Vegas
• International Swimwear / Activewear Market
• Moda Manhattan
And more.

Upcoming news and views on Las Vegas Fashion Week will include: trends, styles, price points, innovative sourcing and next season’s color palettes.

Did you know that in Hollywood courtrooms, designer footwear can save the day?

At the end of “Legally Blonde,” Reese Witherspoon wears neither pink nor peach in court. She dresses in quieter colors predicted by The Color Association for Fall/Winter 2007-2008. But it’s her Manolo Blahnik shoes (remember them from “Sex and the City” TV?) that won the case. See, the hostile witness was the kind of guy who not only perjured himself, but he recognized Reese’s Manolo Blahniks and claimed they were LAST season’s. !! It was enough to impeach his credibility on other matters. Case Dismissed.

In the ongoing commerce saga of Bricks Vs. Clicks and Online Auctions, how you source your inventory is becoming a point of friction, especially in the category of accessories, such as jewelry and handbags.

“eBay is like a modern-day yard sale,” noted John Devlin, an attorney representing Big Box retailers Home Depot, Nike and Nordstrom. Attorney Devlin, in “Online Resellers Worrying Some Retailers” by Elaine Hughes (August 7, 2007 USA Today via NewsFactor.com), concluded that retailers can do little to prevent their products from being resold on Internet auctions.

Little, except ban amateurs from the playing field. Bricks-and-mortar retail brand managers are pushing back, imposing limits on the number of Sale-Priced Designer Handbags or Same-Color Men’s Shirts they will let a retail customer purchase.

1. Major retailer Target caps the number of Special Sale products (like Rafe handbags on a limited-time promotion) or Collectibles that it will allow an individual to buy, lest Target see the extras show up for resale on eBay.

Even more worrisome, a “bulk-buying” retail customer – the one who tries to snatch up 50 sale-priced boy’s polo shirts in the exact same color, since that is an easy single listing at an online auction site — may try to return unsold shirts, abusing Target’s 90-day return policy.

2. Kids clothing store Gymboree won’t let customers buy more than five of the same thing at one time. As quoted in the article cited above, PR/Advertising director Jamie Falkowski says Gymboree is simply protecting its image. “We can’t ensure a product’s quality on eBay, and we don’t want people to think we’re selling things on eBay.”

3. For good measure, Target also warns online buyers about the questionable product quality of online goods, which are sold in “… a largely unregulated marketplace …” and could be “… stolen and fraudulent” (Target representative Paula Thornton-Greear quoted in “Online Resellers Worry Some Retailers”).

Auction amateurs can’t hide behind “carriage trade” goods, either. The more up-market or luxury the resale auction items are, such as designer leather goods and accessories, the harder a bricks-and-mortar Brand Manager will push. If Coach luxury leather goods maker matches eBay resellers of their products to their in-store customer database, then the unauthorized online distributors are banned from shopping in Coach stores.

This brand protection strategy is motivated by more than a corporate desire to control image: According to eBay, its clothing and accessories auction category has grown 73% since 2006. Retail consultant Ken Nisch of JGA focused on the Accessories half of the category when he noted, “Jewelry and handbag sales are especially hurt by e-commerce.” That, of course, is the end result of removing sizing worries from online purchase transactions.

Are big branded retailers right? Are online auctioneers practicing e-Evil Commerce??

Sourcing and contracting inventory is where auction amateurs get separated from online power-sellers. The latter acquire their products through transparent bid transactions and industry-specialized Wholesaler/Reseller auction networks.

That just so happens to be a starter description of a Vertical Search Engine or a Tier 3 Shopping Engine — one that organizes itself by categories of expertise and specialized industry knowledge. Some Wholesale/Resale vertical search and shopping engines offer value-added services to their members and affiliates, including:

• Paid advertising campaign support;
• Additional keyword, search ranking and placement opportunities;
• Media production services;
• Insider industry info
• Trade show coverage
• Tips and tactics to market wholesale, reseller, off-price and discount products
• Participant forums, blogs and peer-to-peer interactions.

Consult Wikipedia’s definition of Vertical Search Engine here
< http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JP_Communications >. (Disclosure: You’re reading one of that VSE’s News Articles.)

At minimum, help eliminate online auction amateurism. A Brand Ban is not the kind of “banner” that helps your ROI.

One reason to allocate more marketing budget on customer retention, as opposed to customer acquisition, is simply spelled ROI (Return on Investment) or ROAS (Return on Advertising Spend):

It costs 10 times more to find a new customer than it does
to keep a present customer satisfied.

That’s from Nadjii Tehrani, a customer relations management specialist with Customer Inter@ction Solutions.

That 10-times factor at the marketing bottom-line is the savvy manager’s motivation to value customer care through personalized communications. CRM Tehrani suggests simple, often non-tech personalization strategies:

• Lesson learned from successful telemarketing — Tailor the message and response to an audience of one, rather than using one-script-fits-all replies. This, Tehrani notes, is the definition of database marketing.

• Database marketing – A form of “mass customization” that, although it sounds like a contradiction, simply means personalizing messages to show value or benefits to the individual.

• Conducting Customer Relationship Management in the customer’s preferred mode.

“In the digital age, it might be easy to shirk real customer care. Instead of responding to all customer inquires via e-mail or digitally, it would be wise to find out the customer’s preference. In other words, if the customer prefers to be contacted by e-mail, then and only then can we respond to his or her customer service matters via e-mail.” (Nadjii Tehrani)

The last tip, above, is interesting applied to the latest news from an Internet Pure-Play Company.

Clash of the DVD Titans

Blockbuster and Netflix are in a competitive war for mind-share and market dominance in entertainment rentals/sales. Blockbuster’s competitive strategy has been to offer both Internet and bricks-and-mortar film orders and returns, and to undercut the competition with lowered pricing.

While Netflix operations are solely web-based, Netflix increased value-adds to its customer service, including an online instant film viewing service and adding social networking features to its site. Since Netflix is an Internet-based Pure Play company, with no bricks-and-mortar presence, the Netflix announcement of midAugust took many online business watchers by surprise:

Netflix dropped its “unresponsive” email-based customer service department and replaced it with “actual people.” That applies Nadjii Tehrani’s CRM principle of personalizing communications!

The second unexpected Internet Pure-Play action from Netflix came in the announcement of on-shoring its customer services. Specifically, the 200 “actual people” staffing Netflix’ now-dissolved email service department work in Portland, Oregon, not offshore. (According to Netflix, Oregon has the “friendliest-sounding voices” in the U.S.)

Last bit of CRM wisdom from Netflix: It’s human-only Customer Service Department is open 24/7 and is found only one click away from the “Help” page.

Future installments of this B2B Marketing Tips article will focus on Personalization Techniques to customize PayPerClick Search Marketing Campaigns … a far more digital approach to what Tehrani called “mass customization.”

School-aged children and parents are doing their annual back-to-school rituals:

 Subject notebooks, pencils, pens and folders: Check.
 List clothes and shoes that still fit; Fill in gaps with new sale-priced clothes: Check.
 Replace last year’s tired lunch box: Check.
 Find the latest knapsack, book bag, backpack, messenger bag, over-sized purse: Not Yet.

Off-price, overstock and surplus resellers of school supplies and carry-alls are past the buying season for this academic year. Then, maybe this is the year of repeat shoppers.

All students need to tote homework, books and papers. Teen girls look for a little extra style and space for personal care items. Everyone wants to be packing the “it” look.

The opportunity here is that this Bag Business isn’t settled yet in the schoolyard.

Backpack or Messenger? Well-equipped students, sporting last year’s or even a new backpack, may learn that this year’s “It” book pack is actually a messenger bag … a front-flap, deeper computer carrying case with shoulder strap and luggage handle. (Student trades occur when a brand new, cool backpack is surrendered for a weathered old messenger bag … considered a good trade for both.)

Backpacks are stretching their utilitarian looks and colors to compete with the messenger bags preferred by some teens this year, especially girls who prefer the look of an over-sized purse to a rustic looking backpack. Backpack must-haves now are several zipper pockets to hold small electronics (cell phones, digital music players) plus stashes for make-up and fragrance sticks. Victoria’s Secret (yes, that one, of lingerie cyber-cast fame) has even issued a bright-colored trendy “Pink” line of backpacks. Students who already shopped for their book bag and backpack may return long after school starts to upgrade their first choice.

Comfort or Style? Some parents force a later purchase based on balance. Heavy book bags can be hard on young backs; and this year’s “It” messenger bag can’t help but be lopsided, because the single carry strap goes over one shoulder.

Physical therapists advise parents of students who tote heavy book bags to opt either for camping-styled backpacks, with a frame that distributes weight to the hips and padding on shoulder straps. Or they suggest small backpacks, acknowledging that all available space will be filled, no matter what the size. If the shoulder-strap messenger bag is a student’s book bag style of choice, a physical therapist advises wearing it across the chest, rather than over the shoulder, to distribute the bag’s weight close to the torso.

Both. Tim Schifter, bag designer for singer Gwen Stefani’s fashion label, and Beyonce, singer with her own fashion label, say both backpacks and messenger bags. Both offer new styling and casual looks; but the bottom line is still functional and utilitarian for teens. Demand is also strong for scaled-down versions, like the “mini-messenger” bag, which the head of accessories sales at Rocawear noted is worn as an across-the-body purse.

Make Room for Oversized Handbags. According to one teen fashion watcher, this season’s carry-all of choice for teen girls is neither messenger bag nor backpack, but large handbags accessorized with charms.

This back-to-school buying season is not one to close out in September. With all the choices for stylishly toting books this year, new school shopping lists may appear again for the holidays.