​By Moe Lastfogel
Director of Sales and Marketing for The Retail Observer

This year The Retail Observer is celebrating our 30th Anniversary and 50th since inception. The first issue of our magazine was printed in 1990, yet we tout “An Eye On The Industry Since 1970.” Here’s a little history as to why.

In 1970, Chuck Edmonds bought a franchise from a local TV/appliance newspaper, which he named the Northern California Retailer. In a full newspaper format, this magazine went out to local brown and white good dealers in the Northern California market. This “rag” — as many lovingly referred to it — remained under his sole leadership until 1983.

In 1983, it was sold to competitor Don Martin in Southern California who renamed it TAD (TV Appliance Dealer). The magazine’s reach grew, covering Southern California, Northern California, the Northwest and the Rocky Mountain/Southwest areas. Chuck stayed on under Don’s leadership.

In 1990, Don and his wife Kasnea (both NKBA Hall of Famers) sold the magazine and decided to start Kasmar Publications. Chuck went on to restart where he left off and formed a new publication called Retail Observer. He, along with long-time friend Lee Boucher, ran this new version of the magazine until 2007 and increased its outreach even further to 31 states and approximately 6,000 followers.

In 2007, Eliana Barriga and I purchased the magazine, gave it a makeover and as light namechangetoTheRetailObserver—the magazine you are reading today. The Retail Observer now has more than 32,300 subscribers, is being read in over 37 countries and is available in a print and digital version. Eliana and our team at The Retail Observer are very proud of the inherited history of the magazine and we look forward to continuing the legacy of this beloved “rag” in 2020 and for years to come.

Happy Retailing,
Moe Lastfogel
moe@retailobserver.com 

It’s that time of year again – and I’m sure we’re all just dying to set our New Year’s Resolutions!

NOT...

What if this new year/decade are calling you to replace that laughable old tradition? Maybe by deciding to create a real, down-to- earth, attainable vision for yourself and your business?

A vision isn’t as prone to fail as a resolution. A vision isn’t something you “ought to do – I’ll get around to it someday.” The people and teams in your organization will get a lot more out of a vision that fires their individual hearts – a defining story that they can willingly engage with to measure their actions while they move toward an inspiring goal.

For years, I always began my new year by setting fresh business goals. And like those folks, I inevitably found myself in April going back to the drawing board to lay out plans that were more realistic and attainable. That was when I began to wonder why so many others seemed to be soaring on the wings of their aspirations, while we were frantically flapping our wings, getting nowhere.

Where do you want to be a year from now? In five years? What do you want to be, accomplish, and have? I invite you to write it all down and read it back to yourself often. Be open and receptive to non- traditional ideas and creative opportunities that arise. I guarantee you’ll be amazed to see how they’ll become your new reality!

Whatever steps you take to free your mind, dream big, or just make the most of your time in 2020, I recommend forgetting empty resolutions if you truly want to start living the life you were meant to live!

Embark on your vision quest,
Eliana Barriga
eliana@retailobserver.com