Wholesale Matters

Rugs, taxes, events & inventory... oh my!

Read this month's Craft Retailer News for more...

Retailer Spotlight: The Real Mother Goose

Owned by Stan and Judy Gillis since 1971, The Real Mother Goose has grown from one tiny shop in Vancouver, Washington to three Portland, Oregon locations with over 10,000 square feet of contemporary fine American craft.

Part gallery and part retail shop, The Real Mother Goose has one goal: bring the best work by American artists and craftspeople together with friendly, personal service in an attractive and comfortable space. The Real Mother Goose is a NICHE magazine Gallery of Honor.

Time is running out: NICHE Awards Deadline is 8/30

There are just a few more days left to submit your entry for the 2009 NICHE Awards, celebrating excellence and innovation in American and Canadian craft.

Application deadline is August 30, 2008.

Winners will be announced at the February Buyers Market of American Craft.

Blog Round-Up: Wholesale Show Recaps

You'll find some great insights in the following blog posts about recent experiences at wholesale shows:

Freshie & Zero helping out a friend at AmericasMart in Atlanta

Megan Auman at the New York International Gift Fair

Alisa Miller finds the bright side of her first time at the Buyers Market in this post and this one.

Buyers Market on Zapp

Finally...

The application for the 2009 Buyers Market of American Craft is now officially up and running on zapplication.org.

15-Minute Marketing Project #7

Order new business cards. With a mailing address on them.

I recently went through a pile of 60+ business cards gathered by a colleague at a show she visited last month. Most of them contained only the barest of contact information... company name, website, and sometimes an e-mail or phone number.

I accept that in today's technological world, a website and/or email seems like it should be a sufficient amount of information to provide if someone wants to get in touch with you. But what if that person who picks up your business card is someone who actually needs to MAIL you something (an application, or a contract, or a proposal, or anything that is printed on paper)?

They now need to either go to your website to find your email or (my personal pet peeve) complete a web-based form to send you a message. Eliminate the unneccesary steps, because in many cases, people just won't bother. And a business card without complete contact information also seems a little unprofessional.

But, you say, hundreds of customers pick up my business card at shows, and I don't want complete strangers to have my home address. I accept that too. Today, then, go to the post office and get yourself a P.O. Box.

Then you can have your new business cards sent to it.

UPDATE: Online applications via Zapp

Due to a delay on both ends, the Buyers Market application for 2009 should be available on Zapplication by Wednesday.

Prospective exhibitors can also download a prospectus and application from our website. Or email me, and I'll send you a PDF.

First review will take place on September 1, 2008.

A full embrace of social networking

After much procrastination (despite my own personal Facebook addiction), the Buyers Market of American Craft now has its very own Facebook page, complete with photos from this summer's show. Just search "Buyers Market" and become a fan.

You can also follow the Buyers Market on Twitter. If you aren't already "twittering," it's a micro-blogging site that allows you to send and read updates from friends, colleagues or other organizations. Follow us and get a behind-the-scenes peek at show production.

2008 Top Retailer Award Winners

Looking to add to your gallery mailing list? Check out the winners of this year's NICHE Top Retailer Awards, announced on August 3 at the Philadelphia Buyers Market of American Craft.

Consider sending them a nice handwritten congratulatory note...

NEWS RELEASE: Buyers Market Opens With Strong Sales

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Christine Kloostra
Buyers Market of American Craft
Phone: 410-889-2933
E-mail: christinek@rosengrp.com


Philadelphia Buyers Market of American Craft Opens With Strong Attendance

Show sees 26% increase in pre-registration

Philadelphia, PA. (August 2, 2008) -- The Philadelphia Buyers Market of American Craft opened today with increased buyer attendance and strong sales reports from the exhibit floor. The show continues through 4 p.m. on Monday, August 4 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia.

"We've been steadily writing orders since the show opened this morning," said Mark Rosenbaum of Rosetree Glass Studio in New Orleans, La.

The biannual Philadelphia Buyers Market of American Craft is the largest wholesale-only tradeshow of handcrafts made by American and Canadian artists. It attracts thousands of retail gift shops, museum stores and galleries that sell fine handcrafted jewelry, glass art, furniture, ceramics, art made from recycled goods and more.

"New and returning exhibitors are indicating first-day sales that are higher than expected," says Show Director Christine Kloostra. "Traffic on the floor has been steady, and buyers report that they are ready to write orders for the upcoming holiday season."

Buyers who did not register in advance for the show may still register on-site at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. More than 1500 companies pre-registered for the August show, an increase of 26% over 2008.  For more information, call 800-432-7238, ext. 211 or visit www.americancraft.com.