Hello Jim… I got a bad habit of being glued to CNBC. The station is GREAT for us inventors but I am addicted. This station is the best station to give economic indicators and recently (which I need to start a thread about) they have been covering the marketing/branding stories of the largest companies we know which can teach us inventors great lessons on how to promote and brand our products.

Retailer executives are on this station constantly and continually state that they do expect a substantial drop in holiday sales from last year. Also in hiring during the holiday season which was 770,000 seasonal retail hires two years ago (which wasn’t so hot even then) 550,000 last year and expected less hires this year. (Figures are closely accurate from my memory)

The executives all said they are waiting to see what happens in this years holiday season not being able to or confident in predictions. In related shows on CNBC unemployment after the holiday season is expected to rise by many economists as a direct result of the consumer surge with retailers during the holiday season and then a retreat which will hold back economic growth.

So you know what I say Jim? Who the hell knows…I’m staying out until I see what happens in early 2010 and see if I see hope for Spring. I won’t go battle on the shelves to get sales in a 70% off arena as the only way products seem to move…in a sale of the decade. Nope…screw it…I’ll keep selling direct to those that have the money to buy or those who really really need what I have until retail gets FAIR to new products.

Know what’s easier Jim…catalogs. They will still work with vendors but may cut their corners by asking you to drop ship or stock low quantities giving them the ability to try new products more than retailers. Tell your clients to try harder with catalogs and a little less with retailers for now.

Ron Komorowski
Inventor of Handi-Straps
www.handi-straps.com

I knew you would be the first to reply :) Great to hear from you as always!!

I don’t watch the news anymore Ron…I stopped a long time ago. The news is all negative and I don’t live like that. I read periodicals, journals, trade magazines, etc that keep me very current on retail and the business I work in which is retail. That is how I stay knowledgeable and informed.

The thing to remember is that selling cycles are very long for most retailers. If you present to them now they won’t place that product until next fall or holiday. Most inventors don’t know that. They think if you show a buyer a product today they will buy it in a few weeks. Does not work like that as you know. The point is that inventors must start showing products 6-9 months BEFORE the time that their products can be placed on the shelves. Many big retailers like Wal Mart, Costco, etc are already planning and choosing items for holiday 2011 right now.

Sure, times are still crappy. We are all feeling it. But you don’t want to be late to the party either. This is the time for inventors to get prepared and be ready for better times ahead. Remember – retailers need products on their shelves. The savvy and well packaged and priced inventions will make it…I work with and talk to inventors regularly who despite this tough economy are doing well.

Jim, I agree with you on the longevity between the “Yes” and the on the shelf item. I have two kitchen products that have been licensed and due to the economy they are moving ahead slowly and shooting for a release date of March 2011. Granted, I hate having to wait that long to see a product come to market, but I am glad they are still interested in working with Inventors and I am willing to work with them to see it come to market.

Now in Ron’s case I can see where he has the choice to pick when the time is right for himself and his product to maximize hie sales and profit. That is the advantage of making and selling your own product.

http://www.rogerbrown.net

Well Roger…I have so much to prove with Handi-Straps and in the end…it all ends up in the same place….meaning my bank account.

I am concentrating my efforts on “strategic” sales right now which will help my case later. I am proving the help to handicapped, injured customers as well as injury prevention as well as with medical professionals. All this will directly affect my mass numbers in the mass market when I choose to enter.

If I go on the shelf now many may say what is this straight jacket thing for? Today Bob Villa’s holiday gift guide wants to include Handi-Straps!!!!! They told me! I keep getting attention like that and I will be better suited for a real good time with retailers instead of having to sell for peanuts now.

This holiday season will be “an all out brawl” competing for marginal profits for retailers except for Wal-Mart and Amazon which will hog most of the retailer profits. No stopping those two as the recession/depression has helped them…but…take your Pebble Peeler in Wal-Mart…lucky you didn’t need CPR after they told you the low price point you must accept to be on their shelves.

Know what ? Not me…screw em….and I might just end up selling just as many direct anyway…and keep ALL the profits myself! Yum yum yum…be eating lobster every night then!