You should be using LinkedIn to increase your business network’s reach, exposing your brand and marketing yourself as an expert in your field.  When you do these three things successfully, vendors, customers and business partners will come to you.

Neilson Online called LinkedIn, “The world’s largest audience of affluent, influential professionals” with over 80 million users in more than 200 countries.  The user base for LinkedIn is highly educated and highly paid; the average household income of a LinkedIn user is about $108,000 per year.  What’s more, more than 20% of LinkedIn users are senior level executives and managers.

Create a Personal Profile

Like Facebook, users create a profile page that gives an overview of your work experience, areas of expertise and education.  LinkedIn connections can “recommend” you by writing a testimonial to be displayed on your page for all viewers to see.

Your history doesn’t need to read like a resume, but should include the titles you’ve held and the companies that you’ve started or worked for.

Connect with Others

The purpose of Social Media is to create connections.  LinkedIn allows users to search their email contacts for real world connections that already use LinkedIn.  When asking someone that you do not know to connect with you, look to see if you have a mutual contact and if not, send an invitation to connect.  Engaging with other users is the heart and soul of any social media network, so feel free to add connections liberally.

Take advantage of LinkedIn Groups

LinkedIn allows users to connect with up to 50 groups to join conversations and interact directly with the leading experts in the desired field.  You can also create your own group and thereby creating your own community of followers.  This will allow you to make sure that your message is heard.  The key in LinkedIn Groups is to consistently create and distribute content.

Use LinkedIn Answers

LinkedIn works the same way as Yahoo! Answers or Quora in that you can ask questions to the general population of users, or you can contribute to the community by answering questions that others have asked.  LinkedIn Answers is a great place to brand yourself, increase exposure and establish yourself as an expert.

Social Networking has become as integral to the future of the internet as search.  The way that you brand yourself online will go a long ways towards your virtual reputation and leader in your industry.

Please feel free to add me as a connection on LinkedIn.

Flea markets are a great place to resell liquidation goods because they are by definition, a place where consumers go to find great deals in everyday items. The concentration of buyers looking for cheap alternatives to department store products makes flea markets an excellent place to move a large amount of inventory consistently; but a flea market table alone won’t make the sales for you. While there are hundreds of things you can do to increase your profits, here are some ideas that once implemented, can greatly increase the number of products you sell and the profits you’ll see.

1. Research the flea market where you plan to sell. Schedule a visit before you source your merchandise and find out what other vendors are selling. Once you know what your competition is like, you will be better equipped to source the right merchandise. You want to sell merchandise that fits within the scope of what is sold at that flea market, but won’t have too much competition that might take away from your business. (For example, if it is a flea market that sells primarily clothing and shoes, try purchasing some fashion accessories that could differentiate you from the competition while still being relevant. Or, try to source branded clothing and branded shoes to offer the more in-demand versions of what other vendors are selling).

2. Check for any limitations the flea market places on the type of goods you can sell or the number of sellers allowed to sell a particular product category. Some markets put a cap on the number of vendors of item x that can be present. In order to avoid being turned away on the day you set up your merchandise, make sure you fall within their quota on whatever you choose to sell.

3. Avoid large and heavy items (like furniture for instance). It is heavy and difficult for you to transport to the flea market and set up, and probably even more difficult for your customers to haul away. You are likely to have better luck with smaller, lighter items that can be easily carried out.

4. When sourcing product, make sure you go after assorted lots. Single-item lots are great for store sales but less so for flea markets. If you end up with too many of one item, you risk finding yourself with a lot of excess inventory to move. If you purchase mixed lots, you are more likely to find buyers for a larger variety of items and you won’t have much excess left over.

5. If you do end up with excessive inventory of one kind of item, don’t despair – use those items as promotional giveaways. Let’s say you bought cosmetics and clothing to sell, but you ended up with way too many of one kind of lipstick in the cosmetic lot. Put up a sign on your stand that says “buy a t-shirt and get a lipstick free.” You will entice more customers to stop and buy, all the while moving that excess inventory.

6. Track your sales and know where you stand at the end of each day. Keep a simple notebook with you and mark down the items sold and at what price, or use your cellphone or laptop if you want to do it digitally. You will then be able to back track and compare your sales to your purchase price to determine your overall profits. As you move forward, you’ll be able to see which product categories sold best and what items you should focus on in the future.

7. Have some knowledge about the products you are selling. Spend some time researching the items before you price them in order to make sure they are competitive with the other items offered at the flea market. Take some time to visit other vendors and see what price they are selling items for.

8. Display and merchandise your goods attractively. Lay them out nicely on the table and keep valuable or smaller pieces closer to you to avoid theft.

9. Offer merchandise instead of discounts whenever possible. Put in place “Buy 2 Get 1 Free” type promotions to help you move more inventory.

10. Try to increase the average purchase amount by offering volume discounts for bulk purchases. For instance, “1 for $10, 3 for $25!”

While many of us consider shoe manufacturers in Italy as the ultimate in style and fashion, the United States has a rich  history of shoemaking that begain with European craftspersons. Originally, shoe making in the U.S. began as a specialized trade for cobblers who came here from Europe. Many of these boot-makers and shoemakers set up shops in their homes, purchasing leather from local tanneries and using their hand tools to make shoes.

Back in the 1930s and ‘40s, my uncle worked for the Endicott Johnson Shoe Company in Endicott, New York. Approximately 20,000 people worked in the company’s factories in the 1920s, with even more during the mid ‘40s because of the footwear produced for the military during World War II. At that time, Endicott-Johnson was producing 52 million pairs of shoes a year.

However, in earlier days, shoes were sewn by hand over a wooden last, which gave the shoe its form. All shoes were custom made back in the day, since cobblers would make shoes for customers on order. Although each town had its cobbler, the Northeast, including upstate New York and eastern Massachusetts, became the center of shoemaking in the United States.

The nature of shoemaking in the U.S. changed right after the Revolutionary War. When the U.S. became a country in its own right, its newfound nationhood resulted in an increase in population, thereby increasing the demand for shoes and making it necessary to mass produce shoes. That was the beginning of the division of labor in shoe manufacturing. Instead of cobblers, shoemakers became craftspersons and began to specialize in making only one part of the shoe, such as making the sole or attaching the sole to the upper part of the shoe.

At this point, merchants entered the shoe making process. Instead of buying shoes from a cobbler, people would buy them from a merchant who sold a collection of shoes made by a number of different cobblers.

With time, the improvements in nationwide transportation changed the logistics of the American footwear market. Materials used to make the shoes, such as the leather, were now purchased from different parts of the U.S. and from abroad. On the other end of the shoe manufacturing process, shoes were sold to a wider market, with shoes made in the East being sold to consumers in the South.

The gradual specialization of shoemaking increased as we entered the 19th century. Factories appeared that were dedicated to only one step of the shoe manufacturing process. Then, machines were used to stitch uppers to the soles rather than stitching the shoes by hand.

The advent of the Civil War increased the demand for shoes to be manufactured quickly and cheaply. The War also resulted in the first widespread standardizing of shoe sizes. Standardized sizes made it easier for soldiers to receive the correct size of army boots.

By the end of the 19th century, shoes could be made in a fraction of the time it took to make a pair of shoes by hand. By the 20th century, the shoe manufacturing process was divided into 150 distinct steps. The photo above shows the Endicott-Johnson stitching room, circa 1917. 

While shoe manufacturing flourished in the U.S. in the ‘40s and ‘50s, most of the shoes available in America today are made in China. Italian shoes still have the best craftsmanship, style and quality as Italian designers are the most acclaimed footwear designers in the world. However, shoe manufacturers in the Far East also offer hand-crafted shoes and compete with the Italians on price, if not quality.

Alborz Steel Industries is a company that specializes in the manufacture of stainless steel kitchen sinks, from their primary location in the middle east.

Their full range of products are produced with the highest level of dedication to your complete satisfaction, and come from the beautiful and historical city Shiraz, while the head office is located in Tehran.

Established since 1992, they started out with an annual capacity of only 36,000 sinks, but with continued growth and success the company has reached impressive levels of production that result in over one million sinks per year in more than 100 different models, with 350 employees proudly producing these goods.

When you visit their site, you can easily find information in the following categories:

• Brochures
• How to buy a kitchen Sink
• Kitchen Standards
• News
• Sitemap
• Links

This is a highly respected sink manufacturer that has been eyeing their prospects in growth industries carefully for the last few years, and while their initiative to expand into booming new African territories and burgeoning consumer markets will be the main focus of their drive, they continue to serve all customers with the same level of quality and assurance that they have consistently delivered in the past.

In addition, customer-oriented policies encourage them to promote both Quality Control and Total Quality Management.

As a result they have been accredited with the following quality certificates such as : ISO 9001, IQNet, CSQ, MIC, CISQ, IMQ and UKAS.

Alborz Steel Industries is prepared to enter into negotiations with you today, as they strive to provide the best quality products, prices, and delivery times for their customers.

A combination of two factories and production lines are at the heart of the company’s ability for producing different kinds of sinks.

There are two different sink ranges, which are known as the 鼎lassic・line, and the 擢antasy・line.

Through constant investment in research and development, and a commitment to using the best raw materials and components, the company is enabled with the power to introduce new designs for sinks to their loyal customers.

High quality products and competitive prices have also enabled Alborz Steel Industries to become a major competitive force in the industry, and after only a short time from the beginning, they have captured the domestic market as a pioneer in the sinks industries with average market shares growing more than 50% annually, and the continued success in exporting products to four other continents such as Europe, Oceania, Asia, Africa, and more than 35 countries such as: Greece, Philippines, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Lebanon, South Africa, Kuwait, Nigeria, Fiji, Bangladesh, Madagascar, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tanzania, Mozambique, Yemen, Syria, Iraq, New Zealand, Jordan, Mauritius, and Kenya.

This event is considered by many veteran industry experts and small businesses entrepreneurs alike to be the most important 8 days of the Off-Price year. These shows play an enormous role in defining the outcome of the main Off-Price Specialist Shows that take place in February and August in Las Vegas, which are the largest in the industry. These shows also make an impact by attracting over 12,000 apparel buyers to each event.

The upcoming Off-Price Specialist Show dates are as follows:

February 11-14, 2011

Sands Expo & Convention Center

Las Vegas, NV

The following show hours have been made available for this event:

Friday, February 11

8:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Saturday, February 12

8:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Sunday, February 13

8:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Monday, February 14

8:00 AM – 6:00 PM

This is all part of a semi-annual trade show at Las Vegas Fashion Week that unites the top off price specialists in what many have described as being the whole of “New York, in LA, and around the continent,” that brings the fullest possible range of industry professionals to one dynamic marketplace for a full experience that leaves them with all the tools they need for a profitable and successful year.

Experts agree that there is indeed an entire industry that revolves around the show. There is also a quarterly magazine and monthly e-newsletter that is fully integrated and supported by their online publication, to give you the latest trends, stories, and insights, including hard news focused upon the Off Price market.

Whether you are a discount store or off price retailer seeking leading brands and popular lower-price point goods, or even a boutique owner or department store in search of top designer and quality non-branded items that you can’t find anywhere else, this is a platform that puts you at the forefront of show related developments as they come, with vendors, buyers, and experts, to help you maximize opportunities for your store in below wholesale clothing, accessories and footwear.

With the launch of offpricenews.com, retailers, wholesalers, jobbers and other industry pros can gain the most cutting-edge and late-breaking access to the latest deals and industry trends; up-to-the-minute reports from cutting edge vendors and retailers; tips and best practices from industry experts, and; helping to make the news more comprehensive through blogs, comments, and an online community.

Experts have predicted for some time now that as the gap between fashion forward goods and off price becomes even more narrow, these forums are a must for every retailer and merchandiser.

Since 1995, the Off Price Specialist Center has served the retail industry with a dynamic experience that produces incredible order-writing environments within trade shows that connect apparel retail buyers of all sizes with the leading Off-Price Specialists and other jobbers in below-wholesale clothing including women’s apparel, men’s apparel, sports apparel, designer apparel, kids apparel, jeans, sweatshirts, t-shirts, plus size, and many more wholesale apparel and fashion categories. Some of the biggest and best-selling that are worth noting are the following:

- wholesale accessories, including handbags and purses

- wholesale jewelry

- wholesale footwer

- wholesale home products, and

- wholesale gift, including holiday gifts

Those interested in getting the latest information as it becomes available can find it all on the Off Price Show Magazine, which is one of the best ways to keep your finger on the pulse of the industry. The Off Price Show will continue to amaze and thrill its attendees and exhibitors alike, with the newest and most meaningful collection of goods with prices that are hard to find anywhere else.

With the 2011 International Consumer Electronics Show behind us all, the feeling this year about electronics is one mired in confusion, since there have been many new developments in the business, but just as many dead-end  roads as well.

It’s no secret, however, that the biggest winners will be the ones who can solve the mysteries of which way the  tide shifts when consumers put their spending power to use.

Manufacturers have been watching with great anticipation, as consumers and retailers have done their share of information trading since 1967, when the CES first started giving people a massive forum to exchange thoughts in the business.

There have been some good years and a few bad ones, but none have been quite as mysterious as the times we’re living in  these days. While some of the latest gadgetry to hit the market has made its impact felt, others have simply fizzled out. Yet others remain in the classification of vaporware, a category for products that never took flight, as they failed to even leave the drawing table.

Ina  world of 3D TV sets that have been met with cool reception from consumers, and everything from iPads to non-Apple OS tablets with dual processors and everything else you could possibly want, which is only the tip of the iceberg.

Intelligent systems that boasted TV sets with the ability to connect to the Internet and show Web content seemed to make a strong showing this year. Services like Netflix and Hulu were well represented as well, since they would allow viewers to get their fix of media from one central location in the comfort of the own homes.

Tablet computers were also big attention-getters as well, with Google’s Android being the preferred operating system by a landslide.

In the world of mobile handsets, 4G was the rage. It looks like 2011 will be the year for 4G networks to take off, which promises much more robust content from handsets that are looking less like phones, and more like computers. In fact, the real trend at the show was one of noncomputer devices that behaved much more like actual computers with processing power to back their actions up. Phones, tablets, and TV sets are all in line for upgrades in both user interface and form factors.

Another side to all of this technology is the question of recycling “e-waste,” the leftovers from digital eras gone by. Currently, consumers are often still required to do the footwork themselves, even paying extra for the privilege of discarding their used gadgets in the manner desired by environmentalists, which doesn’t seem to sit well with people who have already paid once for their devices. Paying a second time to dispose of them seems like a no-brainer for most who were asked about it.

Substances like lead and mercury are two of the most prominent ones causing concerns, as they are extremely toxic to humans, and are found practically everywhere computers and other devices are tossed out. Without the proper care in disposal, these toxic substances find their way into water supplies and surrounding areas.

States like Pennsylvania are passing legislature that keeps Computers Manufacturers from charging fees for disposal, as a means of establishing good practices with local landfill operators and consumers who want to help without paying the price.

If you have a new product and are looking for manufacturers to produce it, you might want to consider manufacturers in China. While the importing process is complex, it can also pay big dividends in short-term and long-term profitability. You don’t have to travel to China yourself to outsource manufacturing; you can hire local agents to act on your behalf. Since the globalization of trade, many businesses have chosen to manufacture abroad and import products into the U.S.

If necessary, you can hire an import agent to do all the leg work for you when dealing with foreign manufacturers. Import agents can screen the manufacturing facilities, negotiate pricing, arrange transportation and help move the shipment through inspection. You can hire an agent in your selected manufacturer’s location. The advantage is you would have someone negotiating for you who understands the culture and knows the local economy; whereas, you may not have that knowledge yourself.

Once you select a manufacturer to work with, you or your agent should discuss the pricing and trade relationship. Then, obtain product samples and review them for quality, as well as the packaging, instructions and any other collateral. Agree on shipping and payment terms, as you may have to pay a nominal fee for the samples. You or your agent should gather all the necessary information for placing a trial order and include as many details as possible in your purchase order.

It’s important to understand shipping terms and verify that understanding with the manufacturer before placing an order after reviewing samples. The most frequently used terms are FOB, CIF and payment terms. FOB (Free on Board) means the seller is required to deliver goods on board a vessel designated by the buyer; the seller’s obligation ends when goods pass over the ship’s rail. CIF (Cost, Insurance and Freight) means the seller is required to arrange for the carriage of goods by sea to the port of destination, providing the buyer with the documents necessary to obtain the goods from the carrier. If you have an import agent, that person will negotiate the trade terms for you.

It’s also important to understand payment terms, which are negotiable. Some manufacturers require 30 percent payment when you place your order and the remaining 70 percent when the product ships. The down payment provides the manufacturer with funding necessary to begin production.

The inspection of goods usually takes place prior to shipment in order to address any issues that may surface. This prevents you from receiving defective or non-conforming goods. You can appoint an inspection company to check your goods onsite at the factory, or your import agent can handle this for you.

Your import agent or a customs broker should take care of your transportation and customs clearance. However, you must track the process and be ready to provide any necessary assistance such as additional product information and the endorsement of the bill of landing. You should also issue a power of attorney to your agent and purchase a customs bond for your shipment.

As the importer of record, you, rather than the manufacturer, are legally responsible for ensuring that goods brought into the country meet all national regulatory requirements. Goods that don’t meet requirements can be stopped at the border. So don’t take the manufacturer’s word that requirements are being met. Research compliance issues and ensure that requirements are met prior to shipment.

It’s important to understand all relevant import compliance regulations before placing an order. In addition to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, other government authorities like the USDA, FDA, DOT, and ATF also regulate the importation of different products. Pay particular attention if you import textile products from China. You can research and download any requirements at the above agencies’ websites. Compliance issues can be very complex for certain products. That’s why it’s important to fully research compliance issues before ordering products from foreign manufacturers.

While the importing process of manufacturing goods in China is complex, you can also gain big dividends in short-term and long-term profitability by manufacturing goods abroad. It’s important to research the entire process carefully before placing an order from a foreign manufacturer. To facilitate the process, you can hire local agents familiar with the customs and local economy to act on your behalf.

Knives are one of the most important advances in the history of man after the discovery of fire and before the invention of the wheel. Originally made of rock or flint over 2.5 million years ago, today’s knife manufacturers make blades from bronze, copper, iron, steel and titanium. Raw materials and knife styles have changed considerably, and manufacturing processes have changed as well. The only similarities that remain are the hand-finishing tasks when grinding the blade edges down and polishing burrs off of the sharp parts on the knife handles.

Today’s knives come in fixed-blade or folding blade styles and in many blade and handle patterns, depending on the manufacturer and the country of origin. Modern knives consist of a blade and a handle. The blade edge can be plain or serrated. The handle, which is used to guide the blade, includes what is called the tang, the portion of the blade that extends into the handle and is visible from the top and bottom.

Knife blades are manufactured from a variety of raw materials, and each material has its advantages and disadvantages. Carbon steel, an alloy of iron and carbon, can be very sharp and holds its edge very well. These knives are easy to sharpen but prone to rust and stains. Stainless steel, an alloy of iron, chromium and nickel, contains only a small amount of carbon. Therefore its edge is not quite as sharp but is resistant to corrosion.

Some knives are made of high-carbon stainless steel, which gives them the best attributes of carbon steel and stainless steel. These blades do not discolor and they maintain a sharp edge. Steel blades are usually shaped by two processes: forging or stock removal.

Forged blades are made by heating a single piece of steel and shaping it with a hammer or press while it’s hot. Stock removal shapes the blades by grinding and removing metal. The steel must be heat treated after shaping when using either method. This involves heating the steel above its critical point, then slaking the blade to harden it. After hardening, the blade is tempered to make it tougher.

Mass manufactured kitchen cutlery uses both the forging and stock removal processes. Forging is used for a manufacturer’s more expensive product lines. Forged knives can be distinguished from those made by stock removal by the presence of an integral bolster. Today, 80 percent of the world’s knives are made in Yangjiang, China.

An old knife craftsman once said, “The blade makes it a knife, but the handle sells it.” The knife handle comes in contact with the hand, and its tactile, textured feel has a way of assuring a person of control when using the knife. It also demonstrates the manufacturer’s skill and accentuates the blade style and shape. Today’s knife manufacturers have access to a wide range of handle materials; thus, the handle is one way to customize a knife for marketing purposes.

Knife handles can be made from a number of different materials, each having different advantages and disadvantages. Handles are produced in a wide variety of shapes and styles and are often textured to enhance the grip. Below are a few examples of modern handle materials.

• Wood handles give a good grip and feel warm to the hand. However, they are more difficult to care for. They don’t resist water well and will crack or warp with prolonged exposure to water.
• Plastic handles can be easily cared for but are slippery and can become brittle over time. Some manufactures use injection molded handles made of higher grade plastics.
• Rubber handles such as Kraton or Resiprene-C are preferred over plastic because of their durability and cushioned nature.
• Stainless steel and aluminum handles are durable and sanitary, but are also slippery. To prevent this, premium knife manufacturers make these handles with ridges or indentations to provide extra grip.

In summary, knife manufacturing is an age-old craft that has evolved and improved throughout the ages. Raw materials and knife styles have changed considerably, as well as the manufacturing process. China, a leading knife producer, upgraded its Yangjiang Knife Factory in the 1980s. Today, 80 percent of the world’s knives are made in Yangjiang, China.

Consumers will see a lot of chic and stylish costume jewelry produced by jewelry manufacturers this year. Some of the hot styles include metallic hair bands, which rule the fashion scene as shown below on Mischa Barton, Nicole Richie and Paris Hilton. Knotted jewelry pieces are also frequently worn with the latest winter fashions for daytime or evening wear.

You can dress for winter weather by wearing lots of chic and appealing layers of clothing. Try using textured fabrics, soft knits, chunky jewelry and a colorful scarf to create a stylish yet comfortable look. If you’re going to a formal affair, you can create a chic air with a jeweled necklace, chandelier earrings and a retro crystal ring. Metallic hair bands look well with many of your winter clothes, especially with eveningwear.

Winter is a great time to go over your fashion wardrobe, adding some new cold-weather outfits. Cashmere sweaters are always in fashion. From brightly colored hues to gentle creams and grays, cashmere is your trusted winter staple. If you can’t afford a sweater, a cashmere scarf or a pair of mittens is less expensive and can be equally enjoyed.

You can also dress up an outfit with beautiful knotted jewelry. The knot symbol has been used throughout the ages to signify strength and continuity. Worldwide cultures consider this symbol a representation of tying two people together. When viewing beautiful knotted jewelry, one cannot see a beginning or an end, reminiscent of the timeless nature of love and commitment.  

There is nothing smarter than knotted jewelry. Earrings, bracelets, rings and necklaces with a knotted design element are eye catching and offer an incredibly chic way to add some oomph to your outfit. Tiffany-inspired Swarovski crystal jewelry is another great way to create eye-catching appeal and a touch of glamour to any style.

If you decide to wear knotted jewelry, avoid wearing numerous pieces at the same time ─ perhaps one or two and then some other sophisticated jewelry to complete your ensemble. Knotted jewelry fashion trends for winter include the following brands:

• Kara Ross Double Knot Snake Chain Necklace
• Juicy Couture Love Knot Wish Necklace
• Knot2Much2Ask Why Knot Ring
• Tiffany Knots ring
• Nadri “Celtic Knot” Crystal Bangle
• Paige Novick Knotted Chain Bracelet in Rhodium

For casual wear, choose knotted jewelry with an edgy look. Wear it with a brocade skirt and fitted sleeveless top, a pair of sleek leggings and an off the shoulder sweater to make it a stunning outfit.

Gold and silver jewelry are eternally stylish. Long necklaces, charm bracelets, large pendants, bangle bracelets and loop earrings can go a long way toward making your winter outfit complete. You don’t have to break your bank account to look stylish. Funky, chic pieces can sometimes be found at vintage jewelry stores and second hand stores.

The key to wearing jewelry and accessorizing an outfit is originality. Look for one or two designer pieces or invest in some quality costume jewelry. You can take an outfit to the next level with knotted jewelry, a metallic hair band or some marvelous gold and silver-toned accessories.

1. Use accent pieces that support current trends. If owls are the latest crave, make sure you have an accent piece to support this in your display options. Whatever the latest and best accent trends are, be sure to include them in your overall merchandising plan.

2. Use color to add a fresh look. A hot pink throw on a beige couch creates an entirely different look than a dark brown fur throw on that same couch. Colored pillows, candles, pottery and more can create entirely different looks against the same pieces of furniture. The look you create could be just the look you need to catch a customer’s eye… even if they have seen that same old piece of furniture from you before. As far as they are concerned, it could be brand new (but we know it’s not).

3. Re-arrange your furniture. Two great chairs next to each other vs. across the room from each other create an entirely different look. Be creative with how you plan your floor space, combined with color and accent pieces. Together, you are sure to stand out from your previous merchandising strategy.

Taking the time to merchandise your product assortment differently than you have been allows your audience to see your products in a new light. Consider what pieces haven’t sold as well as you have hoped and work your merchandising magic on them to help push them towards sales. A few changes just may be all you need to make some dents in your numbers…  but not dents in your furniture, of course!

Automotive glass manufacturers face many challenges. While lower demand due to the economic downturn has been one problem, the major challenge in automotive glass manufacturing is to produce a quality product in a multi-phase production cycle. Glass windshields can be rendered defective at the end stage of production because each production cycle is complex and prone to error. As a result, craftsmanship and quality control are critical during the manufacturing process. To remain competitive, automotive glass manufacturers must improve efficiency and production output while cutting costs.

The process of manufacturing automotive glass is complex and involves many steps from the raw glass warehouse to the cutting table. The initial phase includes grinding, washing, long pair powdering, short pair powdering, drying, printing and pairing. This is the cold-end of the manufacturing process. At this point, the glass is half way through the entire process chain. This processing methodology varies widely. While it’s common for some companies to hand cut and apply separating powder manually, larger companies use automated production lines with robots and automatic measurement procedures. These companies target different markets, and both can make a profit.

Without proper knowledge and quality control of the cold-end process, automotive glass can be defective. While automatic quality control monitoring is available for this manufacturing process, many firms allow quality control operators to do it manually to cut costs. Unfortunately, lack of precision in the grinding and powdering process can cause breakage and defects later in the bending process. Quality control is critical during the cold-end process and throughout the entire process chain.

Bending, or the hot-end process, which takes place following the cold-end process, is the most demanding process in the entire process chain. After bending, the pvb assembly, vacuum and autoclaving processes follow. Bending is important because it involves the extremely complex process of shaping the new car windshields. While every part of the glass manufacturing process is important, bending is the most demanding part. Without successful bending, the entire assembly process can result in failure.

The cielo and panoramic type windshields with deep cross curvatures, tight wing shapes and small installation angle, along with thin, colored glass combinations, create a situation that requires careful, professional precision during development and production. Bending these difficult windshields with basic gravity bending furnaces is anything but simple.

A critical task is to achieve perfect optical quality. Besides meeting ECE 43 optical regulations, each car manufacturer has its own standards. The vehicle manufacturers’ standards are usually more demanding than ECE optical regulations. Besides the optical challenge, glass windshields are difficult to handle because of the deep cross curvature where the center section contains flat parts that are not smooth and continuous and have reverse bending. These flat and reverse areas can cause problems in “wiper ability.” In worst case scenarios, defects can cause reflections on the windshield. The challenging characteristics of the windshield and the quality requirements require perfect heating configurations and advanced tooling during the bending process.

Quality is of essence in glass manufacturing. While the ECE 43 regulations determine the basic guidelines for conformity, there are many decisions to be made along the way in order to achieve a quality end product. Automotive glass manufactures must achieve good craftsmanship and ensure strict quality control measures throughout the manufacturing process. This will improve production levels, save costs and result in quality end products.

Up until 10 or 15 years ago, most people went shopping for clothing, shoes, electronics or any kind of merchandise in a mall or in neighborhood stores. However, brick and mortar retailers can’t continue to take consumers for granted. In the second decade of 21st century, consumers have 24/7 access to just about any kind of product or service on the Internet. Many of today’s consumers have left the shopping mall for online stores and virtual showrooms.

This means brick and mortar retail stores must be creative to keep their customers. The obvious solution is to launch an online version of their business. In today’s digital environment, consumers need options for shopping online from wherever they are, and from all kinds of devices like mobile phones, tablet computers, laptops and desktops. Today’s consumers shop not only from search engines, but from social networking sites, as well. Gone are the days when retailers could simply stock merchandise and wait for consumers to walk in the door.

In today’s digital marketing environment, retailers face completely new marketing challenges that not only involve going online; they must also optimize their online assets in order to be found. This includes optimizing their website, blog, mobile site, videos, images, pdf documents and every kind of digital asset owned. By optimizing all their assets, they not only gain multiple entry points for consumer to buy their products, they can better serve their stakeholders, as well.

Retail consumers have changed their shopping habits drastically over the last decade, mostly due to mass availability of digital devices that allow them to communicate and purchase products anytime anywhere. Shoppers are now very savvy. With their smartphones, they can surf the web while in a retail store to compare prices. This has forced many brick and mortar retailers to match their competitors’ online prices to keep from losing the sale. The alternative is the shopper will walk out of the store and order the product online on their way out.

With the sagging economy, many consumers have started bartering online. Instead of swap meets, consumers are going online to shop at swap sites. Consumers are swapping merchandise on sites like Freecycle, U-Exchange, Kashless and SwapTreasures. These sites offer swapping opportunities on such items as clothing, furniture, books, musical instruments, and just about anything – even cars. People might agree to an even trade or get something thrown in for free. The end result is consumers are bypassing retailers by trading or renting products from one another.

One thing retailers can do to join the party is to open a Facebook store. Facebook, with over 500 million members, encouraged consumers to ask their friends what to buy instead of being influenced by advertising. As a result, consumers started acting on their friends’ recommendations and visiting sites like Yelp and Angie’s List for more recommendations. Facebook also promoted its “Like” button so users could “Like” many things based on their friends’ recommendation, including liking brands. With the popularity of the “Like” button to promote brands, Facebook saw the opportunity to allow retailers to open stores on their site. J.C. Penney was the first major retailer to open a store on Facebook in December, and other retailers are doing the same. Facebook stores allow consumers shop, share and buy from the store without leaving the social networking site.

In conclusion, every brick and mortar business must upgrade their marketing strategy because consumers are shopping in many different ways. One solution is to launch a website and optimize digital assets to promote the brand and sell more products. Another possibility is to open a Facebook store. At any rate, brick and mortar stores and businesses must join the digital age to survive.

INDIA – Forget about the war of the onion traders who recently called off a strike after meeting with India’s chief minister; although it’s worth noting that business returned to normal at  Azadpur wholesale market after lifting the strike. The real news today, where India is concerned, is about how quickly the Asian giant is buying into the global economy, with wholesale stores leading the trend.

While the news about India picking up the pace is nothing new to Asia-watchers and speculators in international trade circles, things are heating up with new initiatives that are sparking interest and rousing investment dollars from sources around the world.

All of this comes in spite of news that India’s rupee rose for a third day, based upon speculation that the central bank will raise borrowing costs this month to cool inflation. This move is expected to boost the appeal of local assets.As if by contrast, on January 01 French wholesale giant Carrefour opened its doors to a target group of business license holders in Delhi, positioning itself as the first wholesale retailer in the Capital.

In an attempt to repeat the success of another superstore like Wal-Mart, the goal is apparently aimed squarely at taking the local businesses that would otherwise be pushed aside by the competition, and instead turn them into assets, not to mention customers.Some experts criticize the efforts, claiming that it would be inappropriate to sell bulk to the few, thus turning the same small business owners against each other by driving down costs for products.

India’s economy, on the other hand, is set to perform well if the right mix of growth and state control is applied, other experts agree. “We expect a proactive monetary-policy stance to contain inflation risks and revive investor confidence in Indian markets,” said Priyanka Chakravarty, a Mumbai-based foreign exchange strategist at Standard Chartered. “We maintain our short-term overweight rating on the rupee.”Some proposals have come to the fore, issuing a new set of directives that will likely lead to vast changes in India’s economic landscape in the years to come. Some of these proposed policies can be summarised as the following:
By stressing literacy and education guidelines that help shape India’s future workforce into competitive players on the international scene, much of the country’s economic security is only based upon a matter of time.

Governance with emphasis placed upon delivering focused and expedient attention to health and living standards of India’s population will boost the economy from the inside.

Usage of labor intensive technology of production, rather than capital-intensive production techniques may open new avenues to generate employment. Promotion of SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises) sectors would not only contribute a large share to the Indian economy, but build strengths to the level of global standards.

The Information Technology sector has attracted a great deal of attention both at the national and international level, and with a contribution to the world’s GDP of 2.5% it’s certainly a respectable figure. However, the remaining 97.5% of the economic sector which includes areas like: trading, wholesale, and retail offers tremendous employment opportunities.

Following a strategic overhaul of the country’s infrastructure would be a wise step as well.

China Manufacturers http://www.toptenwholesale.com/wholesale/manufacturersChina’s top government official, President Hu Jintao, visits US President Obama, and the reactions have been mixed from both sides of the Pacific Ocean.An expected series of comparisons have been made by both sides as well, pointing out the positive and negative aspects of business dealings, from the perspective of US and Chinese economic relations.A large number of US cities and towns are expressing their concerns amidst the series of meetings between world leaders, and for many of the smaller communities, the meetings hold an especially meaningful reality of what the future holds for all involved.Many of these small towns have also effectively tied their own fortunes to China’s business model, going so far as to design corporate business strategies around the billion-strong workforce that undoubtedly represents a large consumer market as well.While many of these companies are witnessing large growth prospects from Chinese buyers, there have been a number of them who have also experienced a painful reminder of the current market, by being slapped with sometimes unexpected import taxes that threaten to put employees out of work.Theft of intellectual property remains at the top of the list, while many other companies are reminding those who have been missing out on recent history that when Beijing joined the WTO almost a decade ago, it promised to give foreign companies a fair shot at selling to their government, but by many accounts, it has failed to do so.However, President Hu has told his American audiences that companies who focus on innovation, production, and business operations in China will enjoy the same treatment as domestic enterprises.Perhaps the greatest show of welcome was displayed by Mayor Richard Daley of Chicago, who did all he could to give Hu the royal treatment, in an effort to share the sentiment that Chicago is the “most China-friendly city in the USA.”Hu responded with pledges that contrary to many Americans’ beliefs that China is directly responsible for job losses in the USA, there are aspects of China’s economy that are helping to stabilize the economy with steadily growing direct investment. Large-scale enterprises like Chinese mobile phone manufacturers, auto parts builders like Wanxiang International, and asset holding institutions like the Bank of China are injecting fresh momentum into the American economy with investments that equal jobs as well. “The Chinese government will continue to encourage our companies to do business and make investments here,” Hu said. “We hope the American government will help provide a welcome environment for Chinese businesses.”Milwaukee-based A.O. Smith decided to move their entire production to Nanjing. CEO Jones has no regrets. “We are absolutely glad we are there,” he said last week. Helping drive changes, A.O. Smith has also been expanding its global research and development center in Nanjing, which now employs nearly 300 Chinese engineers. In addition, the Nanjing engineers have already developed a water heater specifically for India, which is another fast-growing market where A.O. Smith just opened a factory.China Manufacturers http://www.toptenwholesale.com/wholesale/manufacturers are getting a lot of attention lately, simply because once-huge markets like Japan are no longer spending heavily in sectors that once represented appreciable growth. At $59 billion, Japan is the second-biggest water filtration and purification market, but gets little attention because it is a very slowly-growing market that relies heavily on its domestic industry for water infrastructure. China, on the other hand, is desperately in need of drinkable water, and suddenly has the wealth to pay for it.