I’m surprised by the traffic Retail Vision is getting for this consumer product’s show. There is probably the same volume as RV last fall in San Diego. In this challenging economy, show organizers were surprisingly able to get a decent turnout. The mainstays of RV are here as well as many new vendors, start-upper types, trying to get into the retail sales channel. One reason for the good turnout is that vendors need the Spring show if they are to have an inkling of a chance to get into the retail channel for the Christmas season.

There may be other, macroeconomic factors going on as well. When there’s chaos in the economy, there’s opportunity (start-ups), while larger tech companies cut back on marketing spent in a down economy.  Entrepreneurs, many of whom leave these large retail companies, are going out to strike it on their own.  In addition, reflecting on the continued strength of globalization in the retail market, there’s a large contingent of foreign companies and representatives at the event.