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Subject: WSTA Online - December 27, 2007
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Email
news for the shoe traveler community
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Issue 29 - December 27, 2007
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Good News, Bad News... 67% of WSTA
Members Renewed
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As of the date of
this newsletter, we are pleased to announce that over two-thirds of the
members have renewed for 2008. However, this also means that
one-third has not renewed. Deadline for renewal is Monday, December
31. Two email notices and one letter has been or is going to be
sent to those that have not renewed by Dec. 24th. "We don't
want anyone to lose their life insurance benefit or other savings
programs," stated Danny Lakin, co-chair of the membership
committee. "Insurance coverage will lapse for at least one
month if we don't receive their renewal by December 31. If they
renew in January, their insurance coverage will begin again on March 1,
2008."
To make it as easy as possible for members who have not renewed, you can
also call us at 866-724-9501, and we will be happy to take your renewal
over the phone.
To those that have renewed, thank you for your renewal, and we look
forward to giving you the best service you've ever received in 2008.
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Shoe Travelers
Relief Endowment Fund
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 Earlier this year, WSTA decided to
create an endowment fund to directly support its members in need.
On December 5, 2007, members of the Board presented the Two Ten Footwear
Foundation with a gift to endow The Shoe Travelers Association
Relief Fund. The Relief Fund is earmarked specifically for
providing assistance to shoe travelers who are experiencing financial
hardship. (Covered in FN Daily Update, December 14, 2007)
To create an endowment fund that can come close to meeting the needs of
travelers, the fund will need additional contributions. WSTA's
initial contribution was the seed money to start the fund. Now that
the fund is established, you can make a one-time or annual contribution direct
to The Shoe Travelers Association Relief Fund. If every
member gave just $10 per year, the fund would grow by over $20,000 per
year. By supporting the fund, you will personally be
contributing to the well being of shoe travelers like yourself when they
fall on hard times.
In the near future, there will be an area on our site, www.shoetravelers.org, where you
directly contribute to the Fund. In the meantime, if you wish to
make a contribution, checks can be made payable to Two Ten Footwear
Foundation and forwarded to
Two Ten Foundation
1466 Main Street
Waltham, MA 02451
Please indicate The WSTA Relief Fund on the memo line of
your check.
If you are currently experiencing financial hardship or are in need of
counseling or information and referral services, contact Two Ten at
800-346-3210, or by email at socialservices@twoten.org.
All contacts are confidential.
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Prepare for Upcoming Regional Markets
by Using WSTA Programs
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As you prepare for upcoming shows, save 20% off the cost of any signs you
are making for your booth/room by ordering the signs at FedEx Kinko's.
Signs not only attract the attention of the retailer, but they can make
your displays look better - a few short words and graphics can tell your
story. Go to www.fedex.com and click on
Office/Print Services to find out all the things Kinko's can do for you,
and remember that you can save 20% by using your FedEx Kinko's Membership
card. If you have not yet signed up for the FedEx Kinko's program, click here to sign up.
If you have already signed up, but have not received your FedEx Kinko's
card, call 800-599-2902 ext. 2242.
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WSTA Board of Directors Thanks Bill
Boettge
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 In 2005, when WSTA formed,
the interim Board of Directors asked BIll Boettge to help with setting up
the new organization. During the past two years, Boettge, as
Executive Director, has guided the association and its Board through its
initial organizational and operational stages. This past November,
in line with his retirement plans, Boettge turned over the Executive
Director duties to Shelley Shannon.
As Gary Morgan said, "looking back over these two fast moving years,
we were very fortunate to have had Bill at the helm. With over 40
years of experience and industry contacts, Bill has contributed greatly
to the advancement of this association and the development of the array
of meaningful programs for our members."
In recognition of his service to WSTA, the Board presented Boettge with a
beautiful gyroscope clock and a travel gift certificate to be used for
his enjoyment. Although, an unusual occurence, Boettge was
temporarily speechless at the presentation. When he got his voice
back, Boettge commented, "I am honored to have been a part of the
formation of this organization and look forward to its continued
growth."
Boettge will continue working with WSTA on various projects, including
spearheading the education and employment initiatives.
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70% Off Restaurant Gift Certificates
Promotion
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Ring in the New
Year with another 70% off promotion for Restaurant gift
certificates, from December 26th through December 31st.
Customers will also receive a $15 deLaFlowers Gift Certificate code
with every purchase!
Purchase $25.00 Gift Certificates for only $3.00 with savings code
COUNTDOWN. Make sure to click here
to access the site, and then enter the savings code COUNTDOWN when you
place your order.
Restaurant gift certificates make great gifts and offer freedom
from shipping. Click here
to search, purchase, print, and send Restaurant gift certificates in
minutes.
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ENK Acquires WSA
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On Thursday,
December 20, 2007, ENK International and WSA Global Holdings, LLC
announced that ENK will acquire WSA. Speculation of the deal first
surfaced in August 2007, but neither organizaion would confirm anything
at that time.
ENK is one of the leading tradeshow organizations serving the upscale
fashion marketplace, including the men's, women's, accessories, footwear,
and children's categories. ENK conducts 22 events per year,
including FASHION COTERIE, SOLE COMMERCE, and INTERMEZZO.
In May 2006, Forstmann Little & Co. acquired a majority stake in
ENK. Theodore Forstmann, Forstmann Little & Co. senior founding
partner, in a statement said, "we consider the combination of these
two great companies [ENK and WSA] to be the perfect storm of 'best in
class' leadership and marketing in the fashion Trade Show Industry.
Elyse Kroll, Chairman of ENK, stated, "...we intend to leverage this
remarkable platform to significantly grow the business while maintaining
continuity and stability of our valuable customer relationships."
Skip Farber and Diane Stone, CEO and COO, respectfully, of WSA, will
remain as the executive team at WSA. Elyse Kroll will continue to
lead ENK. (FN Daily News Update and Press Release from WSA Global
Holdings, LLC.)
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Holiday Sales End Up A Mixed Bag
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 Overall holiday retail sales are expected to be up about
3.6% which is at the low end of expectations and lower than the two
previous years. Apparel (including footwear) especially in the
women's area, was slow. The holiday sales were driven by strong off-price
promotions.
However, like all other seasons, if consumers are not excited by what is
in a store, little else matters. "If you have the right
product, margins should be fine," stated analyst Christine Chen.
As we move into 2008, most analysts maintain a conservative view on sales
because of economic conditions and weaker consumer spending.
Overall, it is felt that retailers, including department stores will
focus on private label, push more aggressively on markdown allowances,
and manage inventories more conservatively. (NRF SmartBrief 12/26
and FN Daily News 12/27)
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Online Retail Sales
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Online retail
sales this holiday season grew by about 20%, not quite the expectation of
early predictions. According to one survey, about 25% of shoppers
that left the brick and mortar did so because of lack of assistance.
For 2008, it is predicted that multichannel retail options will continue
to innovate as consumers grow more comfortable with the technology that
has brought e-commerce into so many consumers' lives and made mobile
retailing a very real possibility. (NRF SmartBrief 12/13)
DSW will launch its first e-commerce website in 2008. "We
understand that multi-channel customers represent significant growth
potential for DSW, and we are excited by the prospect of combining
e-commerce with our successful and growing loyalty program," stated
Peter Horvath, the company's president. (NRF SmartBrief 12/10)
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Interview With Macy CEO Terry Lundgren
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In an interview
for Fortune magazine, Terry Lundgren, CEO of Macy's, in answering
questions by the magazine, stated that his biggest disappointment since
the acquisitions of May Co. and other department store groups was that
same store sales have not been strong. He stated that their
complete focus is on getting sales to move in the right direction.
He further stated that their strategy for doing that was by making Macy's
known as the place to go for brands. (Fortune, 12/12/07)
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Shoes A Bright Spot in 2007
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"Shoes,
particularly in this moment, are really so important, much more so than
anything else," said Miuccia Prada. "Now, it's really the
moment where you can get crazy with shoes."
"The consumer's desire and thirst for newness in footwear is
unrelenting and retailers are seeing opportunities. There is
significant business to be done in footwear, especially if it's done in a
new or unique way," said Robert Burke, of the luxury consulting firm
that bears his name.
In 2007, many major stores, including Nordstrom's, Saks, Lord &
Taylor, and Bloomingdales not only increased the size of their shoe departments,
but moved them to prime locations because it was proven in 2007 that
footwear has the ability to impact overall sales.
Footwear has been a success story, and it will continue to be. (FN
Daily News 12/17)
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Send Us Your News!
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Do you have news to share with
colleagues about yourself, your business, or your employees?
The WSTA network loves to be in the know. Please send us your news!
Send announcements to WSTA Online at info@shoetravelers.org, and
we'll let the network know.
This email newsletter is provided as a service to members of the World
Shoe Travelers Association. Content does not necessarily reflect
the opinions of WSTA, its members, its Board of Directors, or its
staff. Any use of trademarked names is in an editorial fashion
intended to benefit the trademark owner, with no intention of trademark
interference. For a WSTA membership application, ot to check out
the benefits of membership, please email us at info@shoetravelers.org.
No part of this newsletter may be reproduced in any manner without the
express permission of WSTA.
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World Shoe Travelers Association
| 7150 Columbia Gateway Drive | Suite G | Columbia | MD | 21046
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