Email news for the shoe traveler community
May 24, 2007
Welcome to "WSTA Online," the electronic newsletter designed to keep you up to date on news, WSTA activities, career opportunities and more.
Several WSTA members told us in our recent survey that they'd like a short, clear statement of WSTA's aims. In response, the WSTA Board of Directors recently approved a tagline for the Association:
"WSTA: Uniquely Serving the Traveling Professional"
As a membership association, WSTA is in business solely to address member needs. We're happy to tell the world - and especially the footwear world - that travelers are a special breed of people, a network unlike any other. As we explore ways to serve travelers' needs, members will always be our guide. To help spread the word, we've attached our new tagline to our logo.
WSTA’s Board of Directors will devote their summer meeting in Las Vegas to developing a strategic plan for WSTA. As part of that, planning they will assess the effects of outside forces on the organization.
Here’s where you can play a part: what current trends/issues do you believe will have a significant impact on the shoe and related goods traveler in the next five years?
Some of the trends/issues noted by members were as follows:
- Less shoe retailers/buyers to call on - consolidation in the retail industry
- Larger territories for reps
- Higher costs of travel
Thanks for participating in your association.
A Shop.org report found that shoppers spent $18.3 billion on apparel, shoes, and accessories last year, a 61% increase from the year before. Shoppers are expected to spend $22.1 billion in 2007, and this year, 10% of all clothing, shoes, and accessory sales are expected to occur online. Americans spent more online on clothing than they did on computers for the first time in history. (NRF Smartbrief 5/14/2007)
Smaller Niche Internet Players are the Fastest Growing
America's 500 largest web retailers accounted for 61% of all e-commerce sales in 2006, but the fastest-growing merchants are smaller niche retailers, according to Internet Retailer's forthcoming 2007 Top 500 Guide. (IR Newslink 5/9/2007)
Take an hour on July 29 (the day before the WSA show) and learn many money-saving tax tips as well as how to simplify your tax record-keeping. WSTA presents a one hour seminar at 10:30 am and repeated again at 3:00 pm, “Tax Tips for Shoe Travelers.” It's a customized program just for shoe travelers, presented by CPA tax specialist Aaron Bloom, who will also include a comprehensive take home handout with checklists and many tax tips. Cost is just $20 for members and you can register online - just click here.
Genesco and Skechers
According to a FN article dated May 21, 2007, Genesco Inc. and Skechers USA Inc. could both be considering private equity deals that may ultimately lead to a new footwear powerhouse.
Financial sources stated that the same private equity firm could possibly be in discussions with both firms to take them private in separate deals. Once the two transactions are completed, the companies could be merged into one entity, stated that same source. The equity firm as well as Genesco and Skechers declined comment. (Source FN Daily Update Dated May 21, 2007)
Payless announced plans to buy the Stride Rite Corp. Collective Brands, which was also recently acquired by Payless, will operate as the umbrella company and will oversee the operations of Payless, Stride Rite, and Collective Licensing. The holding company will be steered by Payless’ Matt Rubel, who will serve as CEO. Rubel stated, “Through this acquisition...we are creating a leading, innovative global footwear, accessory, and lifestyle brand company that is well positioned in both our key domestic and international markets.” (Source: WSATODAY May 22, 2007)
WSA Update
For all the latest from WSA, including information on registration for the next show (July 30 through August 1, 2007), visit www.wsashow.com. Read all the latest news at www.WSAToday.com. Check out the travel desk for hotel rates for the next show.
Opening Night at WSA - July 30, 2007
Opening Night at WSA will be held at the Orleans Arena and will include a cocktail reception (6:30 PM) and a concert featuring Stevie Nicks and Hall & Oates with special guest emcee Jim Belushi (8:30 PM). Both the cocktail reception and the concert are held to benefit Soles4Souls and the Two Ten Footwear Foundation. These festivities are held for WSA registrants only.
Tickets
| Cocktail Reception and Concert Tickets | $70.00 (plus $4.50 service fee) |
| Concert Tickets Only | $50.00 (plus $4.50 service fee) |
Tickets are by seat number at the Orleans Arena. You can pick your seat when you purchase your ticket or Soles4Souls will give you the best seat available. All seats are the same price. Click here for more information and to order your tickets.
Transportation
WSA is providing shuttle service to the Orleans Arena from the LVCC and The Venetian every 15 minutes from 5:00 PM - 8:30 PM on the day of the concert. Shuttles will also be going from the Orleans Arena to official hotels for the return, 8:30 PM - 11:00 PM.
WSTA at WSA
WSTA will have kiosks outside of North and South Hall at the upcoming WSA show. Stop by to get the “inside scoop” on all the money-saving benefits - two new benefits coming on board prior to the show! In addition, Stuart Pase from our AHP Health Insurance Program will be in attendance to answer your specific insurance questions.
New Benefit
WSTA has a meeting room that you can reserve for interviews or special meetings at the WSA show. This will allow you a private, quiet place to conduct an interview or hold a small meeting. Make reservations now through WSTA at 866-724-9501, or you can stop at the WSTA kiosk outside of South Hall and make reservations on site.
Also, WSTA is seeking a Deputy Executive Director. For more information on this position and how to apply click here.
Direction of Consumer Advertising by Retailer
The chief marketing officer at Macy's, Anne MacDonald, told attendees at a publishing conference Tuesday that newspapers are failing to engage the consumers who shop at Macy's stores. As a result, Macy's is investing more ad dollars in TV, internet, and magazines. (NRF Smartbrief 5/9/2007)
Your Current Board of Directors
WSTA Online will feature one current Board member in each issue. Feel free to contact them with your ideas. Board contact information can be found here.
| Term Expires: | October 2008 |
| Committee: | Nominations and Bylaw Committee |
| Lines: | Helle Comfort |
| Territory: | TX, NM, CO, OK, AR, LA |
I have been involved in the footwear industry for over 30 years in both management roles and sales rep roles. My service on the WSTA Board was not something that I sought, but it is a responsibility that I take very seriously. In addition, it is a privilege to be working with some of the best people that our industry has to offer. My primary goal in serving on the Board is to help in putting together the best benefit package possible for our membership. - Michael Maher
Highlights from this recently released report, which cover over 120 major retail companies, includes:
- Expansion and growth is the number one priority - driving up comparable store sales
- Number two priority is differentiating their product mix from competitors and making it stand out in the marketplace
- Also high ranking priority is keeping the customer satisfied and loyal
- The top three merchandising initiatives were
- Driving up comparable store sales
- Improving margin
- Improving inventory turnover
- In the area of vendor compliance and performance, most measure vendor performance based on:
- Accuracy of shipments
- Quality of product
- On-time delivery
(Source: NRF Retail Horizons Report January 2007)
Please Update Your Record!
If you have changed your email address or cell phone number, or have changed or added lines, please update your WSTA record. Just go to www.shoetravelers.org and click Update Your Records under the Membership menu. It takes only minutes and helps us stay in touch with you. Thank you!
WSTA Mission Statement
The World Shoe Travelers Association (WSTA) is a membership organization whose goals are to represent, and to significantly improve the abilities and well-being of, traveling sales representatives who work within the footwear and related goods industry. WSTA's primary activities include providing its members with information, education, benefits and services, and networking opportunities with fellow members, vendors and other key players in the footwear industry.
Send Us Your News!
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, or to check out the benefits of membership, please email us at info@shoetravelers.org
Mailing Address: WSTA, 7150 Columbia Gateway Drive, Suite G, Columbia, MD 21046-1151, Fax 410-381-1167.
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