Go Back to www.IndependentRetailer.com COVER STORY 2011 Business


Leaders Forecast continued from page 106


mom and pops, fl ea markets and larger independent stores. “Earrings were very popular this year,” Andrews says. “We had a good recovery over the past year, and business has been steadily gaining,” he adds. Asked if he thought that movement would continue, he was hopeful but guarded. “I think there’s going to be growth in 2011, but it’s not going to be fantastic,” he says. “Yet the market is loosening up a little.” Asked what he thought companies could do to position themselves for success, Andrews recalls his own efforts. “Own-


ers should try managing their inventory better, making sure they purchase what they can sell and not overbuy,” he says. “Companies need to make every effort to remain profi table and keep growing.” As with everyone else, An-


drews is keeping a cautious eye on the economy in general and spending in particular. “The char- acter of the country has changed, and in some measure I believe a permanent restructuring has taken place,” he says. “Everyone has learned how to deal with it at this point. I think we’re out of it and into the new economy. There’s less exuberant buying, and people are being cautious with their money. They’re not


overextending their credit,” he notes. “It’s still diffi cult to get credit, and people are being cautious about overextending themselves. We’re now seeing a more cautious consumer and business attitude,” Andrews adds. “These two factors kind of mute the new economy from what ev- eryone was accustomed to when times were good. It just makes sense that they’re cautious.” Echoing sentiments of cau-


tion and cost control is Eddie Schweky, president of Brooklyn, NY’s, “It’s in the Bag” company. “We import a full line of artifi cial fl owers, gift bags and boxes, and all types of seasonal decorations for various holidays,” Schweky continued on page 109


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