Who could know more about our industry than the sales rep, out there day after day talking and listening to vendors and retailers, we said.

We were certain reps would be an excellent source of information about trends, product category growth and the mood of retailers in general.

It turns out we were right.

With a lot of help from our friends, as the song goes, we asked reps across the country what's happening. Helping us get in touch with the somewhat elusive sales rep were the One Coast group of sales agencies, United Sales Association, United Association of Manufacturers Reps, as well as several companies with their own sales forces. The survey was long and time-consuming, so we're grateful to everyone who completed it.

The profile of the sales rep that emerged from the survey should be no surprise: They share customers' frustration over an ever-growing competitive environment, knock-offs and poor order fulfillment. They want their retailers (and that's how they view them — as their retailers) to succeed and they consider themselves a key factor in that success.

Oh yes, they also said they appreciate a "thank you note" every now and again.

So, thank you, reps, you've helped make this issue better for our readers. We do appreciate it.