Swap Meet Magazine August 2020 EMAG

6 • AUGUST 2020 • SWAP MEET MAGAZINE... READ BY 75,000 VENDORS NATIONWIDE
39 Years
SWAP MEET MAGAZINE
Published by:
Forum Publishing Co.
383 East Main Street
Centerport, NY 11721
Tel: 631/754-5000
Fax: 631/754-0630
forumpublishing@gmail.com
www.SwapMeetMag.com
SALES & MARKETING
Gregory Brown
Harry Makris
Tom Richards
Scott Savitt
Marti Stevens
OFFICE MANAGER
Leah C
1981-2020
PRODUCTION
Lisa Maresca-Smith
CREDIT DEPARTMENT
Kristine Hines
CIRCULATION
Discount Reading Svc.
LITERARY SALES
Rachel Spearman
COLOR PRODUCTION
Anchor Imaging
PRINTING
Composing Room
ART DIRECTION
Gregory Stevens
Marti Stevens
SWAP MEET is published monthly at
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Entire contents copyright ©2020
Forum Publishing. Publisher assumes
no responsibility for contents herein.
First and third class postage paid at
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Retailing In Covid Times
Welcome To Our Virtual Trade Show Issue!
RETAILERS across the country have been showing their grit and tenacity
during the most unprecedented time in our industry that any of us can
recall. Remember that just four or five months ago we were all enjoying
a booming economy and retail sales numbers were enjoying nice highs.
WHILE one can never plan for a pandemic we have spoken with many
retailers and wholesalers who have instituted contingency plans in order
to conserve their funds and ensure that their stores will continue. And
continue they are as retailers in just about every part of the country are
reopened and working hard to bring in customers.
THE one silver lining we have seen from the months of lock-down is that
consumers are showing the need to consume and stores are experiencing
lines outside their doors as shoppers queue up at the entrances. This is a
great sign that the economy is becoming strong once again and we will
persevere.
EXHIBITING at our industry’s trade shows is one of the experiences that
we miss. As media sponsor for many shows, including ASD Marketweek,
our industry shows are key to the success of our businesses. Wholesalers
and retailers need to network together to make sales and connections.
With no shows to participate in a great deal of commerce has been lost.
ENTER the virtual trade show. We share this issue of our magazine as an
in print and online version of the missed summer trade show. We have
some of the industry’s best wholesalers offering their latest products so
that your store or ecommerce site can remain current to your customers.
PLEASE enjoy this month’s issue and reach out to support the advertisers
who in turn support the industry that we’re all a part of. We need to band
together during these times to prosper.
WHILE I am the first to admit that there’s nothing better than an in-person
event we all need to make changes in the way we do business. And trust
me, I sincerely hope this “new normal” does not last long or ever become
normal. I miss the interactions at the trade shows with our readers and
advertisers as I know they do also. But we’ll dig deep and carry on so that
we can go back to the way we did business before.
I think I read the only place without Covid-19 infections is Pago Pago
(American Samoa). My first thought as an entrepreneur was to organize
the Pago Pago Wholesale Show but better heads prevailed and my idea
was shelved.
IN the meantime, keep calm and carry on. We’ve all made great strides
and indicators show that we’re heading towards increased sales and
profits for the final quarter. Keep smart with your strategies and continue
to navigate cautiously and optimistically. The fact that we’re all still here
is a testament to our resolve and I’m sure we will meet again, in person,
at a trade show in the near future.