​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 

I’d like to start by saying Happy Holidays to you all. Next month is the start of many things to be excited about — a new year, new sales opportunities and clients, and many trade shows. January is packed with CES, Design Construction Week, World Market, and TISE, to name a few events.

A few years ago, I received an email form the NKBA presenting ways to make the most out of attending KBIS. In my opinion, the tips they shared are great advice for every show you attend next year. Here is a summary of those suggestions:
• Make a plan. Whether it’s your first year at the show or you’re into double-
digits, goal setting can help you plan your time on and off the trade show floor. Align with your 2020 business objectives to determine which seminars and courses to attend, and which booths to visit. It’s impossible to do it all.
• Arrive early. Maximize the trip by building in time for professional development during your time there. Many of the shows are offering excellent courses to help you gain knowledge and grow your business.
• Come ready to network. Networking is a huge part of the experience; prepare to make the most of it. Research businesses in other parts of the country that are complementary to yours, whether it’s a potential partner, vendor, or client. The shows offer many opportunities for networking. Take advantage. The research you do upfront will help you make the most of your meetings, accelerate your relationships and make the connections more effective.

I’ve already started planning for January—have you? If not, you can start by visiting the various show websites to download full event schedules and show maps. This looks to be a great year for our industry.

On a side note, we will be celebrating our 30th year as The Retail Observer and our 50th since the inception of the first stage of our magazine as The Northern California Retailer. We are very proud of this accomplishment and I’d like to thank our team for reaching this milestone.

Happy Holidays,
Moe Lastfogel
​moe@retailobserver.com