I’m flying to the Gold Coast for the day today for the first day of a trade show in another retail channel. This will be my fifth trade show this year and my look at a fourth retail channel outside the newsagency channel. I look for opportunities that can apply to my newsagency business to give me a point of difference. Some trade shows are better than others for the opportunities they present.
As our businesses evolve so, too, must our supplier base. Gone are the days when newsagents can rely on traditional suppliers to provide innovative products through which we can define the relevance of our businesses.
Another aspect that is different outside the traditional newsagency channel supplier is the grant of exclusivity. I like the opportunity of dealing with suppliers who are prepared to respect committed retailers and not bring on another too close to an existing outlet.
At a trade show for a new marketplace you not only see new products, you get to connect with other retailers and learn from their experiences. It’s exciting and challenging all at once.