Letter to the Editor

To the Editor:

As a Canadian retailer attending two shows annually in the United States, this year's performance by the exhibitors at the Chicago housewares show was marginally better, but still well below our expectations.

The difficulty lies in that many exhibitors staff their booths with sales agents who cover a specific territory.

Unfortunately for us, when we enter a booth to see the products, many staff look the other way, because we are not located in their sales territory or they are unfamiliar with us because we purchase their products through a distributor.

This is especially offensive when they are manufacturers whose products I have been selling.

In years past we have taken their lack of interest as an indicator and either fired them, or simply reduced their SKUs to the must haves, but switch all other similar products to other manufacturers.

This year we fired (a supplier) for its indifference, most others were average, but a couple of vendors did an outstanding job of making us feel welcome and taking. the time to show us their products.

Congratulations are in order to the folks at BIA, Chef'n, Breville, Silicone Zone and Krups. Your products will take center stage in our store!

Editor's Note: Pritchard and Golda's co-founder Howard Goldstein were members of Gourmet News' Class of 20 under 40 in 2002. Golda's Kitchen was named Canada's Retailer of the Year by the Canadian Gift and Tableware Association.

Fred J. Pritchard

Vice President

Golda's Kitchen Inc.

Mississauga, Ontario, Canada

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