Looking good again
Becky Boswell Smith -- Home Accents Today, 2/1/2006
Another winter market season has finished and the consensus seems to be that as an industry we're looking good.
Good in terms of attitudes of retailers and their spending habits, good in terms of positive feelings about the economic condition of the country and good about product introductions.
From New York to Dallas, Atlanta to Vegas, Los Angeles to Chicago, the signals seemed strong. The retail perspective varied, naturally, but the mood was generally positive. Stores like The Scarlet Tassel in Atlanta or Webb Designs in Mississippi (outside the hurricane zone) were grateful they were ending a stellar year of growth, while stores like Manhattan's Lexington Gardens or New Jersey's The Banyan Tree experienced some challenges at the high end of the market, but still were hopeful for 2006.
There was exciting product introduced also and our product editors combed the buildings to identify the hottest trends and looks for the season. On page 52, product editors Tracy Bulla and Kara Cox present the Top 10 trends for your enjoyment.
Probably no single event illustrates the style and substance of our industry better than the annual ARTS Awards presentation sponsored by the Dallas Market Center and ART, the Accessories Resource Team. Some 900 people gathered to recognize talented retailers, vendors and sales reps across the industry in a beautiful setting.
Talk about looking good — you've never seen so many folks dressed up in their finery and thoroughly enjoying the glitz and glamour that's easily comparable to an Academy Awards evening. It indeed is an event to brag about. Check out page 64 for details on the award winners.
So far, it's a good season and we're all looking good.
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