A Tiny Peek into the Future of the Economy
 

the East Coast children's better apparel buyer's show was this past Sunday through Tuesday. Buyers from around the country, but mostly East Coast, and a lot of Chicago, show up to walk the aisles and buy for August delivery. Everyone expected a dour show that would be a ghost town. Some notes from the show:

show was well-attended, didn't really see a difference in foot traffic between this show and past ones.

Spirits in general were high, or more aptly put, normal.

I wrote more orders at this show than any one previous (out of 5)

Orders were deep (some of my customers doubled their previous orders with me) and broad.

Lot of returning customers (who have already paid for spring delivery with no drama) and picked up some new customers.

Traffic in stores is "good," could be better, but long time store customers are shopping out of loyalty.

A New England sales rep with whom I am friendly brought over 2 friends, a Dallas/Atlanta rep and a FL rep and both picked me up. It's hard enough to get reps in a good economy let alone a bad one!

Everyone I talked with was optimistic about the future. no pessimism at all.

These are principally small, Main Street specialty boutiques and small (4 to 15 location) department stores. I did not see Neiman's, Bloomingdales, etc. walking the aisles.

The new booth design was a hit. My NY rep point blank said my past booths sucked, on Thursday, show set up is Saturday. Had some old cubicle frames lying around so welded those up and make a rack out of 3/4 inch square tube and then buzzed it all, hung some Urban Dino-inspired black fabric on the walls.

Labor unions: they are evil. I wanted the top frame and corner pole removed from the booth. a 10 minute job to move the light bar and remove 4 allen head bolts. Total cost: $300 to remove the frame and $300 for the electrician to move the light bar. Great that Labor is sucking the blood out of Entrepreneurs. I declined but will be bringing a 4.5mm allen key with me next show.


Some pics.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1236862730.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1236862774.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1236862796.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1236862817.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1236862837.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1236862858.jpg

Good to hear that the retail clothing industry still has a pulse. Good luck...get lots of orders. :)

Cool stuff, I like your Speedster shirt and the '41 Iron Beast (that looks like a pic that I've seen on the board).

Cool logo too. What's the last word?

Thanks Steve. Line is Little Traveler.

That truck is from a picture taken by Steve Carlton and then stylized by deanp. Speedster will be available in men's sizes soon.

I love our logo. One of the few times I get something right.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1236864776.jpg

The unions that work trade shows are nothing about worker rights or job protection. Just old style shake-down racketeers. There has got to be venues without these thugs.

Shaun, congratulations on business picking up!

+ 1000

I attended trade shows and conventions all over the country for 20 years. Never found a venue without the union requirement. Absolute extortion and was physically threatened a couple of times for doing a few things for myself.

Shaun, if you ever go to McCormick Center in Chicago, better hide your allen wrench and not let anyone see you using it...

Also, great looking clothes line you've developed.

Sounds great. Do you think you might take orders from this site when that happens?

X2, I like that shirt! :)

Yes Steve, I need to get permission from Scott at PelicanParts, and when I do, I'll be posting a run. Also going to do a 917, RSR, etc. in that style.

Ooooh your going get a LOT of biz from me Shaun.

Hey Shaun, I've always wondered about your logo - what's the inspiration behind it? Did you draw it yourself?

it's based on the British passport actually. I created it in Illustrator. One of those things where it just happened having a friend's passport on-hand and 4 hours later. the text in the suitcase is Latin for No Boundaries.

Looks great, Shaun!

PS if the union guys see you removing the light bar yourself, it's hell to pay. :eek:

Shaun - this is really great news. Congratulations, sounds like you got a payoff this week on all the angst and agony.

Put me down for a 2XL of every men's shirt you do...

Great job Shaun. Not to sound pessimistic but maybe the gain in business has more to do with your hard work, quality, etc. than the economy. Let's hope it's a little of both! Sorry I missed you last night, feeling a bit better today, actually worked. I'll give you a call soon.

Shaun - the clothes look great. Sounds like the show was a success.

Do you have brochures with the dino stuff? The Arizona Museum of Natural History stocks a bunch of t-shirts. We go often and I'd be happy to drop off printed material to their gift shop buyer.

Awesome, looking forward to it!

Looks great Shaun, proud of you! Great job and Good Luck.

Outstanding quality will always have a market.
Let me know when you go public Shaun.