2010 October

It’s become a real struggle finding answers to questions these days. With all of the advances made through technology, extreme proliferation of smartphones and other mobile devices, and the Internet, anyone would think that getting the information needed would be a breeze. This is not always the case, and finding a reliable and expert source for information is highly valuable for everyone in the business; whether they are huge multinational corporations, or small startups trying to get themselves in a position to penetrate their local markets. Information is power, and power now comes directly to anyone’s desktop.

There are a great deal of opportunities in the world of wholesale that may not be immediately apparent. However, some of these chances to make money could be completely unmistakable once spotted, with an emphasis on having the right attitude. Sometimes, the only thing that matters is finding the possibilities within a market that sees growth in almost every major city these days, and a rising trend that is forcing current recessionary fear-mongers do a double-take. With few other areas of industry showing such promise, it may be time to take a look at another business that finds profits lying just underneath the skin’s surface.

Black Friday 2010 will be a test of the wills, and the frenzy is building up as retailers and wholesalers alike are getting ready to pull out all the stops for a profitable year’s end. Many companies are already showing signs of getting their advertising cranked up to meet the early shoppers with their best deals. Some of the most interesting things to happen during this period is the rise in iPhone and Android app upgrades, that seem to be coordinated with the shopping season. All in all, it’s going to be an exciting year, and the early birds will most likely catch the worm, as usual.

Recent years have brought digital communications far away from the desktop, and a growing number of users are slowly replacing immovable and chunky PC’s with their sleeker, smaller, and startlingly powerful siblings. Tablets, mobile phones, e-book readers, and other innovations will promote a constant and information-rich stream of data that surrounds every aspect of daily life, and with that data stream comes accessibility to consumers that was never before imagined.

Retail is a competitive industry, and with the holiday sales season of 2010 looming ahead, the business of serving consumers at the street level will become even more intense. Many marketing tactics and advertising channels are put to the test during the busy season, and some are better than others. In recent days, there has been a lot of buzz over the term “groupon,” and it has become a topic surrounded by mystery for some retailers who want to make the most of any device they can, to maximize profits. Here is a quick study on groupons, and where they may be useful – or fall short – for those in the retail industry.

The OFFPRICE Show reports that the launch of their TASTE OF OFFPRICE concept in Los Angeles last week from October 4-6 at the California Market Center during the LA Majors Market was a very good start to a holiday season sales rush. With a final attendance of just over 1,000 buyers, merchandisers, and industry professionals, the members of the show management and the 68 exhibiting companies were all quite pleased with the inaugural turnout.

The world of wholesale novelties and gifts has been a lucrative and enduring business, bringing the best of low-cost goods together with a fun-filled theme that makes some unlikely sales possible in a wide variety of markets. Finding the best of the suppliers who have an outstanding selection at discount prices can become a challenge, if turning to the Internet’s search engines is the first step. Instead of doing needless legwork, there are some sources that make the hunt for great wholesale novelties easier than possibly imagined.

Consumer electronics continue to be amongst contenders in a highly anticipated sales challenge for this year’s top spots as the ranking champs this holiday season, and companies are already getting ready for the competition that comes along with enticing consumers to spend in the direction they would like to see. Today’s story covers a glimpse into the trends that make electronic toys and games attractive to retailers, and what some companies are already predicting for the months ending 2010.

The aisles at trades shows can often be overwhelming. Booths start to blend in, people start to look the same and, dare I say it, your feet often start to kill (as much as you try to avoid that). A pair of good, comfy shoes aside, there are some smart strategies to navigating a trade show floor. 1. Use your trade show floor plan as your guide to the show …

If only getting ready for a trade show was as easy as 1-2-3. Unfortunately, the list of what you need to do can get into the 100′s. However, the more prepared you are and the more often you attend trade shows, your checklist will become more manageable and more effective within each step. That’s the good news. The bad news is that it often takes a few mess ups, trial …

There’s been a few major shifts over the last decade, that are making many of the industry’s players look towards a future that seems to be blurring the lines between manufacturing, wholesale, retail, and everything in between. The spread of ethnic goods in new and unexplored markets is also creating opportunities for dealers who want to make the connection, and share some foreign flavors with consumers around the world.