Forget February

By Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 3/12/2007 12:00:00 AM

To the Editor:

Regarding our displeasure with the movement of the Spring Market [New York Home Fashions Week] from April to February: Now that our company has experienced the Market, I am quite livid about what took place or did not happen!

We work with our vendors year round, so Market itself is not the end-all. The weather was a complete disruption, and it will always be that way in February. I had to cancel six appointments because of transportation issues. The suppliers simply go to one office and stay there. We, on the other hand, move around between 6th and 5th Avenues.

In addition, I like to pop in on vendors to see what is happening because I feel it necessary to touch base. I couldn't do any of these. Every one of our associates had travel problems. What about missing Valentine's Day with my wife of 36 years — for the first time?

Anna's Linens will not attend February Market again. This is not because we are children, but rather time is really all we have, and how we use it determines our future. I also question the August Market, as many of us are busy trying to take that well-deserved and rare vacation.

We feel strongly that April/October is the best timing for us. For that reason alone, I will decide when we come to New York, and I am sure vendors will be forced to meet with us on our schedules.

I have spoken to many in our industry about this situation and what needs to be done. Is Las Vegas going to happen sooner than I thought? We need to stimulate this conversation and solve our present dilemma. Change is inevitable; nothing less will be acceptable.

Alan Gladstone, Chairman, president and ceo, Anna's Linens, Costa Mesa, Calif.

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