From the very beginning, when Seaside Retailer launched, it has always included expert columnists. Our avid readers have become familiar with Taking Stock by Natalie Tan; Customers Count by Tom Borg; and Retailer Reflections by Cathy Donovan Wagner.
These experts in their field add a lot of wisdom to each issue through their experiences in working in and with the retail industry. I am truly thankful for the valuable insights and advice they provide.
And after four years of sharing her expert merchandising advice through the column Taking Stock, Natalie Tan has made a career change and has stepped down as a columnist. We are very appreciative of the wonderful tips she has provided beach, coastal and nautical retailers over the years and wish her the best in her new endeavors.
When you turn to the Taking Stock column in this issue, you will see a new face. However, if you were an attendee of the January Coastal Connections Conference or happened to be at the Inis Huntington Beach store grand opening last year, which his firm designed, he may already be familiar.
We are pleased to announce that Michael Hale, founder of Retail REHAB, will be continuing the Taking Stock column with his unique take on visual merchandising that has helped so many travel retailers and destination retail environments.
With his specialized background and experience, Seaside Retailer couldn’t have found a more fitting person to continue the Taking Stock column.
Over his 30-year career, he has worked with clients ranging from large corporations to small business owners in the travel retail industry. His clients have included Inis, Princess Cruises, Lowes Resorts and Sheraton Hotels and the gift shop at the Empire State Building, to name a few.
“Travel retail and destination retail environments have a unique ideology and Retail REHAB understands that,” Hale says. “A retail space is an extension of the guests’ experience and the property’s brand image. Tying all of that into effective space planning and product placement helps lead his clients to success.”
We want to give Hale a warm welcome to Seaside Retailer magazine, and we look forward to a great future together. If you’d like to hear more from Hale and get the opportunity to win a free one-on-one consultation with him, I encourage you to register for the Coastal Connections Conference, Oct. 22-24 in Orlando. He will be presenting an hour-long session titled, “Visual Merchandising Tips and Tricks.” One attendee will win a free consultation with him after the session.
With his specialized background and experience, Seaside Retailer couldn’t have found a more fitting person to continue the Taking Stock column, and we look forward to him putting his mark on this important contribution to the magazine.
