WHY ASSOCIATE?

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

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Moe Lastfogel

Thank you for being associated with The Retail Observer over the years. I’ve got to ask, “What does it mean to be associated?” and “What can an association do for us?” The dictionary defines associated as: “Joined in some kind of relationship such as a colleague or ally or companion, etc.” How are we joined? What is our bond? Here’s how I see it. Each of us has a goal to better ourselves, our families and our lives. In that noble endeavor we look to each other for help, knowledge, friendship, and “coopatition.”

You may be saying, “Huh? – coopatition’s not a word!” Well, as a dear friend of mine put it, it’s cooperation between competitors. Through our associations and affiliations, we can implement change in an industry by the power in our collective numbers.

If you glance at the masthead to the right, you’ll see how we’ve affiliated our magazine with many of the industry’s top associations and buying groups, with more affiliations coming down the road. We’ve done this to help you, our readers, move more boxes. You know that the more boxes you move, the more profit you make (thanks to VRs).

In 2020 we’ll bring you new sections – from financial columns to business education. We’re working within our industry to bring you stories of successes and lessons learned. We’ll help you find seminars and educational opportunities that will assist you and your employees in developing your skills in this ever-changing marketplace.

We’ve also created two new pages on our website. Our Covid-19 News page will share industry news and resources and how they relate to this viral threat. The Heart of the Industry page tells stories from our industry partners and readers who are lending a helping hand to their communities and our Industry.
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Again, thank you for your readership and support of what we are doing for the Industry. Let’s all be safe and healthy together.

Happy Retailing,
Moe Lastfogel
moe@retailobserver.com

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