For more than fifty years, people have read The Retail Observer in its various forms and have enjoyed the articles, called friends to discuss their picture in the magazine or just caught up on the newest products or events of the latest tradeshow. After speaking with many of our readers all over the country, we are now searching for more manufacturers, distributors and associations that offer a wide array of products and services to fulfill the needs of the independent dealer in multiple areas of their business. These connections include installation companies, plumbing, consumer electronics manufacturers, parts suppliers, advertising agencies, display and design firms, promotional products, furniture & mattresses, accessories and décor, and lighting — the list goes on and on.
We know that your time is valuable, and our aim is to help you find what you are looking for to build, run and grow your business today and into the future.
We are currently studying the plumbing and internet products and solutions categories to aid you in the new Digital Revolution. We are looking to highlight these products in the near future to help keep you abreast of this rapidly growing marketing category, as well as many others.
We are also joining with additional associations to bring you their news and inform you of the benefits you will find in their networks. From plumbing and lighting to Smart technologies and living in place, we are looking at what you sell today and what products you can add to your line cards to aid in increasing your traffic flow, and of course, your bottom line.
We have seen numerous products and services at the various trade shows and buy fairs that we feel would be a great benefit to many of you. As we broaden our market for you, we would appreciate your vauable feedback. After all, this magazine is for you, the Independent Retailer, and we truly appreciate your input. If you feel you have a service to offer, know someone that would benefit by being part of what we do or are looking for something special, we are here for you. Please don’t hesitate to email me with your thoughts.

Happy Retailing
Moe Lastfogel
[email protected]

​Living is giving, and people love to give because it feels good. Giving is an act of selflessness and a dedication to contributing to the joy of others. In a nutshell— giving lifts spirits and makes people happy!

For many, giving has become not only a mission, but a family holiday tradition. Giving is a way to reconnect with our inner selves. By helping others, our perspective shifts and fills us with an abundant source of gratitude. Giving back is a wonderful practice that delivers joy to the giver—and benefit to the receiver. Giving back is a commitment I wish for my family to adopt and continue to pass down for generations to come.

Through the transformative gift of giving, we also learn how to receive. It is important to let others do things for you. Sometimes receiving can be awkward or uncomfortable. Some people have a much easier time giving than receiving. A dear friend taught me how to receive. When I would deflect a compliment, he would say “Excuse me, but in my country we say ‘thank you’ when complimented.” So, maybe it's as good a time as any to open up to receive.

Many people use organizations like The Giving Pledge (www.givingpledge.org) or The Giving Circle (givingcirclesfund.org)—a form of participatory philanthropy where groups of individuals donate their own money or time to a pooled fund and decide together where to donate to community projects. Giving circles can be small and informal, with a few people pooling their money and giving it to a chosen local charity or family in need; making charitable giving more rewarding and fun.

Being generous and kind encourages us to perceive others in a more positive light and fosters a sense of community, a feeling of interconnectedness.

So, no matter if you have a lot or not very much; there is always someone who is more in need than you. Always try to give, even if it is just a little, especially this holiday season.
Share the love—start giving!

Eliana Barriga
​[email protected]