We have made it through another year with 2016 almost behind us. How was your year? Did you meet your goals? What are you planning for next year? What products or services are you thinking about for 2017? To help you through the upcoming year, The Retail Observer is bringing you coverage of the industry as we see it.

With so many opportunities for education through tradeshows and associations, we have partnered with the ones we feel will keep you up-to-date on the current trends and product offerings to grow your business. Here is the January line-up.

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• KBIS will be in Orlando, Florida in early January. KBIS will host 500+ leading brands in
• the kitchen and bath industry, including over 100 NEW companies, spanning across two halls and will source the latest industry designs, products and technology. No other event offers as interactive a look at the top brands, the ability to compare products side-by-side and get answers straight from the manufacturers than KBIS.
• The big names from all segments of the kitchen sector will also be represented at LivingKitchen 2017 taking place in Cologne, Germany. In 2015, more than 215 well- known national and international suppliers from 22 countries presented their latest ideas and innovations. 146,000 visitors came to experience all trends related to the kitchen.
• TakingplaceattheendofJanuaryistheLasVegasMarket.Thecampusiscomprisedof three interconnected buildings and a temporary exhibit facility called the Pavilions, all which encompass 40 oors of furniture, bedding/mattress, lighting, casual/outdoor, decorative accessories, wall art, oor coverings, housewares, home textiles, tabletop, lifestyle products, general gift, housewares/gourmet and more. Las Vegas Market delivers the most complete cross-category wholesale tradeshow for the furniture, home décor and gift industries in the United States.
• As usual, we will be covering the various BrandSource, Mega and Nationwide conventions as well as many other major conventions throughout the year—Architectural Digest, Dwell, WestEdge, International Home and Housewares and the National Hardware Show—to name a few. Don’t forget that by viewing the digital version of The Retail Observer, you are able to click on the links and logos throughout the magazine to get more information on the products and events we cover. Our magazine is Android, Windows and “iPlatform” friendly.

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Happy Retailing in 2017,
Moe Lastfogel
​moe@retailobserver.com 

At the close of each year, I love looking back at the magazine covers from previous issues and strumming through the pages. Our website’s magazine archive is like a virtual treasured photo album. Each image and article reminding me of the momentous moments we experienced throughout the year. Here’s my take on the Year in Review!

• SmartHome.Notoneissuewentbywhereweweren’tfeaturingsomethingonsmart
home technology and products. Wi  connectivity and apps that control thermostats, security systems, appliances, electronics and bedding. For the past few years, it seemed like this category would never get off the ground but with new manufacturer and home automation partnerships we are now seeing everyone  nally working together to provide seamless and affordable solutions that offer real bene ts to a connected home.
• GettingHuman—Manyofourwritersgotrealpersonalthisyear.Withmoreemphasison building up the human side of doing business. From making sure your own health and well being is in line, your employees are happy and your customers are getting a personalized shopping experience with you. The shift from letting go of old school operations, in ated prices and marketing tactics to building relationships with people was a breath of fresh air.
• TheMillennials.ThereweremorearticlesfocusedonMillennials.Makessensesince they are getting older (19 to 35 years old), settling down and their spending continues to increase. Many are  rst time home owners and in the market for new appliances, electronics and furniture. This tech savvy generation are educated consumers that know exactly what product they want before entering your store, are adverse to deals and pitches and responsive to a more authentic sales approach.
• OutdoorLiving.Thisfastgrowingsegmenthadhugedisplaysatmanytradeshowsthis year. More and more of us are transforming our outdoor space into fully functional living and entertainment areas. Whether for the porch, patio or poolside, there’s de nitely an increased demand for products to  ll outdoor spaces from weatherproof cabinetry, kitchenettes, furniture, vignettes and home entertainment systems. The trend continues to grow as new homes are being built with outdoor living in mind.

Until next year,
Eliana Barriga
​eliana@retailobserver.com