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

Welcome to the new version of The Retail Observer. Our team has put a lot of work into redesigning the look of this iconic industry resource that we launched on the first day of Design and Construction Week. A perfect place and time to announce this exciting news! 

The Retail Observer website will offer new features, archives, resource pages and an ongoing events calendar with more to come including:

• HOME - Main Features, Industry News, Social Updates and Partner Spotlights
• MAGAZINE - Current Digital Issue and Magazine Archive
• FEATURES - Current Industry News and Updates
• WRITERS - Library of Writers’ Articles
• EVENTS - Industry-wide Events Calendar
• PARTNERS -Listings and LINKS to Manufacturers, Trade Associations, Buying Groups and Distributors
• BLOG - Moe’s Musings, Elle’s View and Commentary

It has been a vision of ours to make it easier for our readers to have access to the education, news and resources we bring to you every month but also allow you to pull from past issues. We also know that the way you access information is changing. So, the site is mobile friendly and will feature a ‘What’s Happening Now’ section with daily news updates and social media feeds.

Recently, we announced the passing of Chuck Edmonds, the Founder of the Northern California Retailer and The Retail Observer. In his passing, his family graciously gifted us with leather bound issues from 1970-1983 and from 1990-2007 that we will use to create a new historical section that will cover a good portion of the Kitchen & Bath and Consumers Electronics’ past. We are proud to continue the tradition Chuck started and look forward to growing our businesses together.

Eliana Barriga
Publisher and Managing Editor for The Retail Observer

Design & Construction Week is finally here! I have worked as a designer and remodeler in the design & construction industry for 35 years. So, it is a monumental moment for me to see builders and designers coming together. 

I remember, years ago, showing up to a remodeling job, dressed to impress, high heels and all. I was going back and forth (again) with the lead builder who was bent on proving that my designs were not doable. I had about enough so, politely hiked up my dress, grabbed some wood, a nail gun and quickly built a sample design, earning the respect and attention of the lead builder and his crew. Luckily for me and my client, I understood form and function and how to execute it quite well. 

Up until recently, you could say that the way builders and designers approached a project was like oil and water. New programs found through NKBA University are transforming this mindset by equipping designers with the know-how to create beautiful designs that are safe, functional and abide by environmental standards and building codes. On the other end, NAHB’s courses have been educating builders in a wide range of topics including design for several years. 

So, what do you get when you marry top notch education, cutting edge kitchen and bath design with a world renowned builder’s show? A major shift in the industry! 

When the economy hit bottom, many professionals, including independents, had to pick and choose whether to attend KBIS or IBS, leaving one side unsupported. As an integrated show, builders and designers are pooling their resources together so that all of the pieces for a successful design and build can be found during one event without compromise. Everyone wins and that’s something to celebrate.