Tales Of A Fourth Generation Textile Executive: The Yenta Is Back!
Happy Monday Folks!
The Yenta is back and ready to talk your ear off. For those of you that are new to my blog posts, the Yenta is one of my alter-egos. Like any good Yenta, this Yenta has some gossip for you. (Put the word Yenta into the search bar at www.scottfortunoff.com to see the other Yenta-blogs.)
If you didn’t know, the Quilt Market is in early November this year. Normally, it is over Halloween weekend, but this year there is some city wide event going on. I guess this is the good news and the bad news. On the one hand, maybe more people will attend because they don’t have to be home to take their kids trick or treating (yeah, I can’t remember the last time I got to see that). On the other hand, maybe it’s just too late in the year for market to be as important. Let’s hope it’s the former and not the latter. I am torn, but I do know that by the time market rolls around, my amazing sales reps will have been out for over a month with the newest collections. Since all of our fabric lines ship well into the future, there is no urgency to get your orders in immediately so don’t be afraid to wait until market to place your orders as there is no penalty for ordering later. With that being said, I would love to see and hear from you at market. I would welcome the opportunity to make an appointment with you to chat or have a drink or whatever (email me at scott@jaftex.com). I love hearing from customers and now it is more important than ever as our businesses expand. I do think it is important for shop owners to attend market to get inspiration, learn from the schoolhouses and attain critical information from suppliers among many other important things.
The Yenta is hearing that the booth sizes of fabric manufacturers will continue to shrink at this market and that is an unfortunate occurrence, but a true sign of the times for the fabric industry as attendance wanes. Ironically, team Jaftex will be INCREASING their footprint at market and I sure hope it’s not all for naught. With all the excitement surrounding the FreeSpirit acquisition, we are making a global effort to increase our presence and take the opportunity to take market share from the competition. There is no better time than now. What is really unfortunate is that some companies have decided that they won’t even be attending market at all. This Yenta won’t be giving up any names, but you will notice when you get to market and they aren’t there. To each his own, I guess. With all this being said, this Yenta hopes and prays that Quilt Market surprises to the upside for the Jaftex Companies because that is this Yenta’s main priority.
This Yenta has been following the news a lot lately and definitely has some serious concerns about the impact of the tariff situation going on between the US & China. Let’s not kid ourselves folks, the tariffs are going to affect prices. The thing is that it only appears that the tariffs will mainly affect the prices of goods coming out of China. For the Jaftex Companies, we do a minimal amount of work in China so we are a little lucky. However, on the items that we do produce in China, we will unfortunately have to increase the selling price. There is no way to absorb a 10% tariff. We will seek out alternatives to working with China because in spite of what you yentees might think, we really don’t like to raise prices. Unfortunately, some items are already in production and can’t be moved to other countries at this time so those items will be affected.
This Yenta made a whole bunch of projects with the De La Luna line by Tula Pink for FreeSpirit Fabrics. This Yenta also needs more of the De La Luna to finish up some UFOs. This Yenta was psyched to hear that FreeSpirit is reordering more of the De La Luna line. This Yenta was glad to hear that the company realized how urgent it was to get the goods in that they are flying the fabric in rather than waiting 2-4 weeks to ship by boat. This Yenta heard that reorders will be shipping in early September and definitely sooner if possible…which is possible. I like to see that the new owners are doing what needs to get done to get the FreeSpirit Fabrics company back up and running on all cylinders, don’t you?
Uy-vey,
The Yenta
17 Comments
Jackie Mignault
Thank you for acquiring Free Spirit. It will enable an amazing group of fabric artists to continue to inspire us with their designs. It is sad to see the increasing issues in this entire field but if we continue to encourage young people and ensure that quilting arts are included in college studies, this will help to preserve and expand this craft.
Scott Fortunoff
Hi Jackie,
You are welcome. Yes, it will enable an amazing group of fabric artists to continue to inspire. Like any business, we all have our challenges and I imagine that change will continue to affect the industry. We shall see how it plays out. I am with you on the encouraging….it takes an army.
Scott
Linda Chase
I have not been able to attend for the last couple of years, but we are going this year! I look forward to it but I’ve got to tell you that I have made changes to what I will be doing. I discontinued going to school house because it is more of a sales pitch and less of learning how to use the products. I also don’t go to shopping spree because it is with people loading up to buy things that you wouldn’t have normally bought. You don’t save any money, and can get more one-on-one information from the vendors at booths. So that will be our Focus this year is just floor. We are going for one day only and will spend it with you and other vendors. Thanks for all you do!
Scott Fortunoff
Hi Linda,
That’s great that you are going. Hopefully we can catch up. Regarding your comments about schoolhouse, we have made a concerted effort not to make it a sales pitch b/c I know that Quilts Inc. specifically says that is not the purpose. We do try our best to teach something that will help shop owners. I think you should keep an open mind and reconsider that idea. We no longer do sample spree either as the logistics aren’t user friendly. In any case, glad you are giving it another shot and I do look forward to seeing you.
Regards,
Scott
Carole K
Hi Scott!
Your friendly cheerleader, here!
Is Market still for only brick & mortar owners, or do you see ‘TPTB’ opening up to online retailers and classes to help their sales (as you broached last week)?
Rah Rah! TEAM JAFTEX!!
Carole
Scott Fortunoff
Hi Carole,
Yes, you are my super friendly cheerleader and I love it! Thanks.
I am not sure of the exact credential requirement, but i do know some online retailers go.
Rah rah you!
xxoo
have a great weekend.
Joanne Hubbard
I’m thrilled to see how your outlook on Market has changed. I hope it goes well, and I look forward to your report back to us.
I understand the China tariff situation and thank you for looking into alternatives. It really would be easy for you just say, “It is what it is.” While I think many of us are not there yet, I believe there will be point that consumers will have to say that the cost is too high and can no longer purchase new fabric.
I love the De La Luna fabric and can’t wait to get my hands on some. It is amazing!
Have a great week!
Scott Fortunoff
Hi Joanne,
I wouldn’t go that far to say my outlook has changed, but we must keep trying and pushing. I hope it pays off too. If not, we will have to reevaluate.
I think the impact of the tariffs will be less than $1 and it is only on the China stuff so that is kind of limited in our industry as far as I know. Most companies are printing in Korea.
Yes, de la luna is the bomb!
Have a great weekend Joanne
xxoo
Kris Driessen
Market might have fewer people attending, but they will be better qualified and more likely to buy. Vendors that don’t come will be missing out.
Scott Fortunoff
Hi Kris,
Thanks for the comment. You make a good point, but the vendors that attend need to do some serious volume even just cover the expenses and that becomes tougher with fewer shops. And yes, vendors that don’t come will be missing out.
Regards,
Scott
Helen Marie
Thank you for your hard work, patience, and endurance!
Scott Fortunoff
Hi Helen,
Thanks for the words of wisdom. They are appreciated more than you realized.
Have a great week.
Scott
Barbara Esposito, TheQuiltedB
I love when the Yenta takes over your blog. Not that I don’t appreciate YOU, but the Yenta has a certain charm and she always seems to have the latest scoop! I for one would LOVE to go to quilt market but I do not own a shop and therefore, short of offering to carry your fabric bolts in for you, am not allowed to attend. If booth sizes for fabric are getting smaller, what part of the industry is increasing? Just curious. But it is exciting that Jaftex is taking over more space! Thanks for the scoop!
Scott Fortunoff
Hey Barb,
The Yenta is really on the ball and she has her ears wide open. I don’t think there is a relationship between the booth sizes shrinking and anything else except that quilt market is expensive and companies are trying to keep their costs down to deal with the new new of market….the new new is unfortunately lower attendance.
Take care Barb and enjoy what remains of summer.
xxoo
scott
Mary D
Barb consider volunteering at Quilt Market if possible. This way will you get to be part of all the excitement and inspiration and perhaps see some of the big names in quilting. I volunteered for the St. Louis Spring 2017 Quilt Market and it was fantastic. I even got to meet a few quilting all stars. I may again try to volunteer when Spring Quilt Market makes its way to Kansas City in 2019..
Peggy Mohr
I’m not convinced that moving the quilt show to Nov. will increase attendance.
Many people who might attend the event exhibit at craft fairs. The first weekend in November is a HUGE craft show weekend. It shouldnt affect the market and shop owners I don’t suppose…..
Scott Fortunoff
Hi Peggy,
I guess that’s what makes horseraces. We shall see. I am hopeful and that’s it….or wishing for that matter. Take care.
Regards,
Scott