We sent Justin Shane Burgos, one of our new editorial assistants, to cover tradeshows during New York market week. Here, Justin offers his first impressions.

On January 17th I attended my first tradeshows—the Designer Forum at the Warwick Hotel and ENK New York. Both shows were unique and interesting in their own way.

Left: Justin Shane Burgos with MR's...

Why does Japan always get the cool stuff first? Despite the country’s documented love of Americana, from where I’m sitting it looks like they’re the trendsetters.

Quick Response, or QR code was created in 1994 as a way to track vehicle parts during the manufacturing process. Fast forward 15 years and the “two dimensional” barcodes, which hold hundreds of...

After the deejays and bartenders packed up their tables and the stores finally closed their doors, we now ask, was it a success?

Richard Mast, the SVP and GMM of Bloomingdale's 59th Street store said "The event was a huge boost to our business. Lots of excitement in our store and around the city. Strong business and good traffic up until 10 pm."

And the...

“One machine can do the work of fifty ordinary men. No machine can do the work of one extraordinary man.” —Elbert Hubbard

On a road trip recently, I ventured quite by accident into a Cracker Barrel Restaurant (and General Store) where nostalgia reigns supreme.

There are hundreds of these Cracker Barrels nationally. You know: the ones with rocking chairs...

When we asked our weary readers for happy retail stories, one of the best responses we received was from Jeffrey Roberts of the European Fashion Group. He runs a Palm Beach, Fla. store called Crease Liberty and distributes the brands Hiltl, Gardeur and van Laack. Here, he has some encouragement for his comrades in the apparel industry. Adjust your goals,...