Swap Meet Magazine October 2022 EMAG

6 • OCTOBER 2022 • SWAP MEET MAGAZINE... READ BY 75,000 VENDORS NATIONWIDE
41 Years
THE PUBLISHER
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
1981-2022
FROM
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
$75/year USA, $125/year foreign.
Entire contents copyright ©2022
Forum Publishing. Publisher assumes
no responsibility for contents herein.
First and third class postage paid at
Centerport, NY. Bulk mail paid at
Shirley, NY and additional locations
under private mail indicia.
Ghoul Times Ahead…Rev Up For The Holidays!
AS we enter into the home stretch of retailing anything is
possible from now through the end of the year. For retailers this
is one of the most exciting times of the year.
THE final quarter is also one of the most nerveracking times for
us as well as we anxiously await the holiday sales season. After
coasting through the slower months and the summer we’re now
poised to make the bulk of our annual income.
THIS year has certainly been one of the most tumultuous
of many past ones. We have, and continue to have, an erratic
economy, global tensions, inflation and unrest. This is making
for many challenges for us all. The upside of things is that even
with all that is going on the consumer indexes are still strong.
Shoppers are shopping which gives us optimism.
AFTER 41 years here at Forum, one thing I know is that
Christmas and the holidays will always come and shoppers will
always spend! It is always just a question of how much they will
spend – but spend they will!
THE unknown right now is if the season will start late or early.
Will our competitors and the big box stores start immediately
discounting or will they be smart and gradually lower prices as
the holidays draw closer? These are all things that we cannot
predict but make a big difference to our bottom lines.
THIS month we will see billions of dollars spent on Halloween
merchandise. It is a huge money holiday and you need to make
sure your business cashes in one way or another. If you sell gift
merchandise or novelties you need to add a Halloween section
which is easy to do and can be very profitable.
IF your business does not sell Halloween goods you can still
decorate your selling space and displays to let shoppers feel the
Halloween spirit. It is inexpensive and sets a festive mood for
shippers of any products.
NOW is also the time for you to start your lay-away plan for
shoppers. And be smart about it. Make it simple for your shoppers
to use and don’t add fees and charges. Make your shoppers
anxious to use it and you will end up making greater sales to
them.
ABOVE all, make sure that your sales spaces are festive and
welcoming. Shoppers want to feel the holiday spirit when they
buy from you. This is true whether it is brick-and-mortar retail
or if they visit your website. You need to set the mood for your
shoppers to get them shopping and feeling connected.
THIS is the time we have all been waiting for, It is time to
move things up a notch or two and impress the importance of
this season to your sales staff. Every hour, every day counts so
put your best efforts forward. Once we get past Halloween it all
happens very quickly!