retailers sound off about CHA
While Van Domelen noted the smaller size, he saw positives at the show as well—
including a segmented show floor design and efficient registration process that worked
smoothly. Others also responded that they liked the more intimate setting. “It was the
chance to have meaningful conversations with vendors that would not have otherwise
taken place at a busy, frenzied show,” according to Erik Stothart, sales consultant for
Grafika in Sinking Spring, PA. Linda Phillips, of Scrapbook Concepts Ver. 2 in Florence,
SC, agreed and said she liked getting to see the complete lines. Phillips explained, “I
enjoyed being able to speak with smaller companies and getting to see their new
products as well.”
“The thing I didn’t like was that some of
Retailers spoke out about show value and
the booths’ CHA specials were geared
deals. Some were happy that they could still
toward bigger stores, us little guys need get show deals without attending. Others
some consideration since we also contribute
like Claire deMontigny, owner of Stamp
to manufacturers staying open too.”
& Deliver in South Daytona, FL, weren’t:
Claire deMontigny,
“The thing I didn’t like was that some of
the booths’ CHA specials were geared
owner
toward bigger stores,” deMontigny said, “us
Stamp & Deliver in South Daytona, FL
little guys need some consideration since
we also contribute to manufacturers staying open too.” Lana Nelson, owner of Scraps,
etc. in Cincinnati, OH, has attended CHA for the past 12 years. “Those [vendors] that
attended, received orders, however, personally, I’d love to see scrapbooking finally
move away from CHA,” she said. “They [CHA] have done nothing for the industry,
except ride its back with no acknowledgement or representation.” Nelson shared that
“manufacturers do need to realize that we are all trying to survive and high limits with
little discount and no free freight are not going to tempt us to buy right now.” She said
she actively looks to support companies that don’t cater to the Big Box stores.
Consumer Show Critiques
This year represented another first when CHA allowed consumers access to a
traditionally trade-only show. “It surprised most of us retailers that CHA would condone
a consumer show,” said Melissa Papke, of The Scrapbook Garden in Huntington Beach,
CA. “I know that’s why many stores in Southern California boycotted even attending
the show this year.” Wanda Fitzpatrick, owner of the Scrapbook Nook, LLC, in
Dunedin, FL, said she was disappointed. “With all the hype about this being the first
time the show was open to the public, I had built it up and promoted it to a few close
scrapbooking friends that are new to the craft, telling them they would get a chance to
see all the new lines, papers, tools, etc. Instead, what we found was that most of the large
distributors pulled out Friday night and we were left with the small stores.”
20 scrapbook business
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