COMMENTARY: WHO'S WRONG
ABOUT WAL-MART?
A credible reporter and magazine, Lutz Muller and TD Monthly,
claim Wal-Mart's cutting back on space and the number of vendors in
its craft and toy departments. A Wal-Mart spokesperson flatly denies
it. Is someone lying?
I don't think so. CLN's research indicates some sort of
reduction is in the works, or at the very least is being strongly
considered. Yet I believe the spokesperson thought she was telling
the truth. There may be a parallel here with the press secretaries
of our presidents. At times they were left out of the loop, either
because there was no final decision to tell them or their bosses
didn't want the decision announced just yet.
NEW COLUMNS THIS ISSUE
"Vinny
Da Vendor". CHA board member Rob Bostick of
Judikins explains the rationale and the science behind CHA's
updated Attitude & Usage Survey. If you understand what
it does – and does not – say, it will give you a better
understanding of your business and the industry's direction.
Scene
& Heard. Ellie Joos reports on the fabric, color, and
product trends at the recent International Quilt Market.
Business-Wise.
Tourists who visit your store will spend more, thanks to these
simple suggestions.
Kizer
& Bender. How a walk through Disney World can improve
your store's profits. Attention to the atmosphere, great customer
service, the list goes on....
Note: If a column seems to be "old," click the
Reload or Refresh button on your browser.
CLN POLL: YOUR MARKETING
BUDGET
Many industry businesses are reducing their marketing/ad
expenditures. Almost half, 41.4%, have slightly or substantially
decreased their budgets, while only 17.2% have increased their
budget. The others in this unscientific poll have maintained their
original budget.
Smaller budgets do not necessarily mean less visibility. Wal-Mart
reported in its first-quarter conference call that it had reduced
its ad costs by 20%, but increased its ad impressions because media
outlets are hungry for ad dollars.
TAKE THE CLN POLL: YOUR
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
This poll is for companies rather than individuals: Is your
company a member of your local chamber of commerce? If so, is it
worth the dues you pay? Is it helping you weather the economic
storms and other issues? To vote, click on Industry Polls in the
right-hand column or click HERE.
JO-ANN PROFITS MORE THAN
DOUBLE
For the first quarter ended May 2, net income was $8.6 million
($0.33/diluted share), compared with net income of $3.0 million
($0.12) a year ago. The current quarter net income includes a $0.7
million after-tax gain ($0.03) related to the purchase of a portion
of the company’s senior subordinated notes. Excluding this gain,
net income was $7.9 million ($0.30); four analysts polled by Thomson
Reuters expected the company to report earnings of $0.11. Operating
profit was $14.9 million versus $7.4 million for the prior year’s
first quarter.
As reported earlier, net sales for the quarter increased 3.1% to
$460.0 million and same-store sales increased 1.0%. Sales in
large-format stores rose 5.8% to $244.1 million, but same-store
sales decreased 0.6%. Small-format store net sales decreased 0.3% to
$206.4 million, but same-store sales for small-format stores
increased 3.0%. Internet sales through Joann.com rose to $9.5 from
$8.2 million for the same period last year.
Chair, President/CEO Darrell Webb stated, "During the first
quarter of fiscal 2010, Jo-Ann Stores delivered solid operating
results as we grew sales, expanded margins, improved earnings, and
continued to reduce our debt. As the challenging economy persists,
Jo-Ann’s product offering is resonating with consumers seeking
affordable, family-oriented activities. I am pleased with the growth
we are seeing in our core sewing and craft categories, while
seasonal and high ticket product sales continue to be
challenging."
"We are benefitting from our sharp focus on controlling
costs and generating operating efficiencies," Webb added,
"and we expect to further leverage these improvements as the
economy rebounds. I am pleased with our strong start to the year,
but we still have the majority of the year ahead of us and limited
visibility into the timing of a sustained retail recovery."
Gross margins increased to 48.5% from 46.4% due to reduced
product costs from direct importing, lower clearance levels, and
reduced freight costs. Selling, general, and administrative expenses
increased to $190.4 million from $184.5 million but remained at
41.4% of sales.
The cash balance at the end of the quarter was $85.0 million,
from $27.1 million from a year ago. Long-term debt dropped $49.5
million to $50.5 million. During the quarter the company purchased
$15.5 million of its senior subordinated notes and recorded a $1.2
million pre-tax gain including the write-off of deferred financing
costs.
Execs remain cautious about the entire fiscal year, expecting
same-store sales to drop 2%-4%, gross margins to improve, higher SG&A
expenses as a percentage of sales, and earnings of
$0.70-$0.85/diluted share.
During the first quarter Jo-Ann opened 11 large-format stores and
one small-format store, closed one large-format and 12 small-format
stores, and remodeled two stores. For the year it expects to open
approximately 20 new stores, close approximately 30, and remodel 30.
The current store count is 220 large-format and 543 small-format
stores
The complete financial report is available at www.joann.com.
JO-ANN'S CONFERENCE CALL
HIGHLIGHTS
1. Execs said the Sewing segment's sales rose 2.6% and
represented 52% of the volume, StreetInsider.com reported. The
Non-Sewing division fell 0.8% (48% of sales).
2. Quilting, yarn, kid's crafts, and food crafting were
the strong categories. Seasonal products and higher ticket items
such as custom framing were weak.
3. The number of transactions rose 3.3%, the strongest
increase in customer traffic in seven quarters.
4. Management thinks remodeling a store increases sales by
an average of 8%.
5. Webb said new products were selling well, and cited the
new spring collection and apparel fabric, and the new kids craft
summer activity program.
6. "We expect to capture new customers and gain market
share as result of [Wal-Mart withdrawing from fabric]," Webb
said. He estimated approximately 700 revamped Wal-Mart stores will
be without fabric departments by end of this year, Home Textiles
Today reported.
WAL-MART TO REDUCE ITS CRAFT
DEPARTMENT?
An article in the toy trade magazine TD Monthly that
claimed Wal-Mart will sharply reduce its craft and toy departments
has been denied by company spokesperson Melissa Obrien. The two
versions:
TD Monthly. Author Lutz Muller said the new
strategy is based on the goal of attracting higher-end consumers,
and the company hopes to achieve that with "fast, friendly,
clean" stores with wider aisles, fewer endcaps, and more space
for products with the greatest growth potential.
Crafts and toys are not among them, Muller reported.
"Consequently, the company will continue its complete phase-out
of fabric and they will relocate crafts to a less traffic-intensive
area in the store – adjacent to Lawn + Garden – and sharply
reduce vendors and overall space dedicated to this category."
Muller quoted an unnamed source who said, "'Wal-Mart is
resetting the modular right now and are cutting space at the Craft
Department big time. Also, they are going to give most of the
business that remains to one or two suppliers only.'"
Muller told CLN the Celebrations section will be
included in the new Crafts/Stationery space and "somewhere
between 800 and 1,000 stores will be rolled out by this
summer."
One vendor with close ties to Wal-Mart told CLN,
"Management strategy is to dramatically reduce the number of
craft suppliers in 2010."
To read the article, visit www.toydirectory.com/monthly/article.asp?id=3745.
Wal-Mart. Melissa Obrien, who handles press relations for
Toys (Family Entertainment) and Crafts (Hardlines), told CLN,
"The simple answer is that this piece is not an accurate story
– we have no new plans to reduce crafts or toys companywide.
"In some of our smaller format stores, our assortment in
toys, crafts, and other areas may be reduced, but the opposite is
true for our larger stores – square footage, of course, making a
difference in the number of SKUs in any store. We know our customers
look to us for providing affordable solutions in crafts and a good
quality assortment at the best price in toys, and we intend on
continuing to be their destination for both.
"We've already reached out to the writer – who never
contacted us, and obviously spoke to someone NOT in management or
who didn't know what they were speaking of."
Meanwhile, the Arizona Star reported, "Wal-Mart is
renovating 80% of existing stores, and all new stores will have the
new styling. The new designs are based on customer feedback and will
include wider aisles without product displays, lower shelves, and a
bright interior paint scheme. Every store department will be
remodeled to have all new shelving, signing, flooring and product
assortment."
WAL-MART AND CRAFTS: A HISTORY
LESSON
Wal-Mart founder Sam Walton was a huge fan of sewing products
from his days as a Ben Franklin retailer, believing a sewing
department attracted the kind of consumer he wanted. When Ben
Franklin execs rejected his proposal for an all-discount store (one
of the great mistakes in the history of American business), he
started Wal-Mart on his own – with a sewing department – and
soon realized a craft department attracted a similar demographic.
A former Wal-Mart craft buyer once told CLN that the
departments always scored well on destination studies, hence the
reason for locating craft and sewing in the back of the store, like
milk in a grocery store.
In the 1980s Wal-Mart opened a three-store chain of stores, Helen's
Creative Crafts, named after Sam's wife, an avid crafter, and
created NADCO, a distributor specifically designed to supply the Helen's
stores and the Wal-Mart craft and fabric departments. While the Helen's
stores were reportedly profitable, the return on investment wasn't
as great as the other company's new effort, the superstore. The
three stores were quietly sold to Michaels.
When Sam retired and then died, the internal company support for
crafts and sewing began to wane. Fabric, which requires a clerk to
cut the cloth, was the first to go as the company remodeled stores
and built new ones. About two years ago, needlework vendors received
an email that the company was dropping needlework. Then the Celebrations
department, which combined party goods and scrapbooking, was
created, and the remnants of the craft department were moved into
the interior of the store, away from the back corners. It appeared
that part of the change was to make room for an expanded electronics
department.
Are more changes in the works? The company has a history
of testing and tweaking with every department. Crafts are no
exception. Stay tuned.
SEWING IS GROWING
The strong earnings/sales numbers posted by Jo-Ann is due
in part to Wal-Mart's gradual withdrawal from fabric, but
other factors include the economy and the tv series, Project
Runway.
Courtney Talkington, manager of education and inspiration for
Jo-Ann told the Memphis Commercial Appeal that interest in
beginner sewing classes has taken off. "We've actually been
seeing (an increase in interest) since last June." She says
interest in basic classes has shown double-digit positive growth
each month for almost the last year.
Mary Bugg, a sewing instructor at Jo-Ann store in Jackson Township
(OH) told CantonRep.com, "My students fall into three
categories – the biggest is young girls and teens. They are hooked
on Project Runway."
NEW SCRAPBOOK TRADE SHOW FOR
LAS VEGAS
Scrapbook Business magazine and the Independent Creative
Entrepreneurs have announced the creation of a new conference/trade
show, Creative Retailing '09, at the Paris hotel Oct. 7-9.
The show will offer some unique features, including a guarantee:
If after the first day an attendee does not think the event is worth
the $225 fee, it will be refunded and the attendee will be given a
free ride to the airport. There will also be a program,
"Lightning Rounds," in which 20 suppliers will deliver
three-minute, "humorous-but-educational sketches showing how
their products will improve retailers' sales." The press release also
said, "Organizers promise that at least half of the
presentations require no investment on the part of the retailer to
make a profit."
More info is available at www.creativeretailer.org
and www.scrapbookbusinessmagazine.com.
CYCA: NEW LEADER, NEW PROGRAM
1. Caron Int. VP of Sales and Marketing Jan Kahn was
unanimously elected chair of the Craft Yarn Council of America.
Kahn said, "CYCA continues to work closely with our retail
partners to ensure a healthy future for the yarn category. To this
end, the Council is about to embark on a new campaign to engage
children in knitting and to expand its presence on social networking
sites to reach out to current knitters and crocheters to keep the
excitement about yarn going and growing."
2. CYCA also announced it is targeting teens through a
Scholastic Inc. initiative that will reach 10,000 classrooms, grades
8-12, to distribute more than 40,000 free knitting kits. The initial
Scholastic mailing to schools, planned for late fall, includes a
16-panel, full-color poster from which teachers can order the free
knitting kits. The kits include a ball of yarn and needles,
projects, and special offers. The kits will be shipped to classrooms
in early 2010.
"There are multiple lesson plans, how-to-knit instructions,
a project, history of knitting, and facts about Warm Up America!,"
newly elected CYCA Chair Jan Kahn said. "Each student is asked
to complete at least one afghan section and to teach a younger
student to knit."
3. CYCA also announced that, rather than hold another Knit-Out
& Crochet event at Mall of America in 2011, it will support CHA's
SuperShow by creating a mini Knit-Out in Orlando, its
first in the Southeast.
AN INDEPENDENT'S VIEW OF SALES
(Note: CLN had wondered about the state of scrapbooking,
in light of the imminent closure of Making Memories magazine, and
asked a number of retailers. Bob Ferguson of the Ben Franklin store
in Redmond, WA, responded, then later sent an additional report.)
To the question of "is the interest [in scrapbooking] still
there?" I say yes, absolutely! Not only for scrapping but for all
crafts. Our average sale per customer has declined by as much as 12%
in some months this year. That said, we seemed to have reversed a
long-time trend of fewer customers each month, which is real good
news. Our customer counts have been up every month this year, but
with that 12% decline in average transaction, sales are down
slightly for the year.
We do not track average ticket by departments, but my gut says
the average is down because the higher ticket products are not
selling well. This is reflected primarily across the board in
anything to do with home décor.
Floral continues to be extremely weak, framing is off, particularly
in custom framing, and home décor
accessories like vases, decorative pieces, and anything gift related
are all down significantly. These items are the high-ticket lines
for most stores, so the average ticket is going to go down even if
sales are way up in the craft divisions.
We just finished the Mothers Day sales efforts and once again, as
has been the case with every season since last Halloween, sales on
seasonal goods and gifts were extremely weak. Some of this comes
from a weak economy, but some comes just because people do not feel
good spending money even if they have it. I know I have wanted to
buy a new vehicle for about six months now, but with two neighbors
being laid off from their high salaried jobs, I don’t feel very
good about the idea of having a new car show up in my driveway. I
believe millions of others are holding back purchases of much
smaller and less costly goods because of that same attitude.
MAKING SENSE OF CHA MARKET
RESEARCH, PT. II
(Note: The 5/18 edition of CLN tried to help
readers analyze what CHA's updated Attitude & Usage
Study did – and did not – mean. The 5/18 issue is still
available online. Click on CLN Archives in the right-hand column.)
The overall size of the industry, $27 billion, is much higher
than the sales of our chain and independent stores. Apart from the
11% margin of error, how can that be? Remember, the market research
company Ipsos asks consumers, not retailers, how much they spent,
and there's a substantial amount of business being done outside our
brick-and-mortar stores.
1. There are more than 100 consumer shows just in beading.
The Bead&Button show in Milwaukee traditionally attracts
14,000-16,000 consumers, virtually all of whom spend money, often
lots of it. Then you add the consumer shows in others categories
such as scrapbooking....
2. E-commerce. The latest Study indicates
e-commerce now comprises 7% of all sales.
3. How many home parties are there in scrapbooking,
jewelry-making, stamping, etc.? Thousands? Tens of thousands?
4. The consumer's definitions are different than ours. An
indie craft website had a project where the crafter made a lampshade
out of duct tape. If the crafter who made that project was asked by
Ipsos if she spent money on crafts, she'd say yes, although she
probably didn't spend it in our stores.
5. The Study includes categories such as
woodworking which are clearly a "craft" or a
"hobby," but don't have much to do with our stores. A
woodworker buys a table saw, some sandpaper, and a can of Minwax at
Home Depot, responds to Ipsos, and the size of our
"industry" becomes larger.
(Note: "Vinny
Da Vendor" includes an article by CHA board member Rob
Bostick of Judikins with a further explanation of the rationale and
the science behind the Study. There will be a seminar to
explain and discuss the updated results at the CHA Summer Show. The
seminar is Tues., July 28, 2:00-3:00 pm – Business Seminar S109
– and is free to all CHA members. Visit www.chashow.org
for details.)
MAKING SENSE OF CHA MARKET
RESEARCH, PT. III
Ok, so what can you take from the Study?
1. The general, overall data in the Study is
conducted with the same methodology each time, so its flaws, in
effect, cancel each other and allow you to see trends. If the last
few studies, conducted the same way each time, indicate if a large
category is growing, it probably is.
2. Remember, these results are for 2008 and are a view
through the rearview mirror. This is where we have been, not
necessarily where we are going. At the speed of trends today, many
opportunities will be missed by only looking at this data.
3. The recent Study clearly indicates that the
enthusiasts, those who do the most projects and spend the most
money, are not buying as much because they are using up their stash.
There's probably a parallel here: many economists think business
spending will pick up because inventories are so depleted. When our
enthusiasts' stashes are depleted, their spending should pick up. In
other words, better times are ahead.
4. Over the years studies have been conducted using
different methodologies that produced widely different monetary
figures, but there are certain elements that score so consistently
high that you can assume they are true: Magazines are the leading
source of ideas and inspiration. ... Consumers who take classes
spend far more money on supplies than those who don't. ... Recent
studies show scrapbooking continues as the leading category. ...
Consumers who label themselves "heavy" crafters spend much
more money than "light" or "moderate" crafters.
... E-commerce sales continue to grow.
CPSIA NEWS & COMMENT
1. The Consumer Product Safety Commission's Acting Chair
Nancy Nord has resigned, and fellow commissioner Thomas Moore will
take over as acting head until a new chairman is confirmed by the
Senate, the Associated Press reported. CLN reported in the
previous issue that Moore voted against an emergency stay of
enforcement of CPSIA's tracking label requirements, which means they
will go into effect as scheduled in August.
2. President Barack Obama nominated Inez Moore Tenebaum,
former South Carolina Education Superintendent, as Chair, and Robert
Adler, a former lawyer and adviser to the agency, as a new
commissioner. Obama will increase the number of commissioners from
three to five.
3. A vendor told CLN, "We had our product
tested in Hong Kong, and then here in the U.S. Same product, same
testing company, but the results were different! Now what do I
do?"
RANDOM NOTES, RANDOM THOUGHTS
1. Sometimes I hate computers. Mine has apparently decided
I have too many Facebook friends and Linkedin and Plaxo
associations. This infernal machine won't let me sign in to accept
any more. So if you've tried to connect with me and not received an
answer, I apologize.
2. If you have a number of employees who are registered
for CLN, be sure your IT person cancels their email when they
leave your company. I am surprised by the number of times the email
isn't cancelled, and so my blast email announcing a new issue being
online does not bounce back to me. It's no problem for me, but your
ex-employee might have some valuable emails going unanswered. You'd
hate to have a customer email your now ex-employee and never receive
a response.
MISCELLANEOUS NEWS: CHAIN
STORES
QUOTATION: In a May 15 letter to vendors, Michaels' new CEO John
Menzer ended by saying, "I would like to partner with our
vendors to learn more about the customer and her desires. I know
that almost all of the good ideas come from our vendors and our
associates. In our business, perhaps more than most, we have the
unique ability to touch the heart of our shopper. When we base our
strategies on what is best for the customer, we will all win. I am
looking forward to developing a strong partnership with you, our
vendor community."
STOCK. A.C. Moore completed a $10.0 million private
placement of stock to be used for general working capital purposes.
The buyer, Glenhill Special Opportunities Master Fund, an affiliate
of Glenhill Capital Management, paid $2.50/share for 4 million
shares.
THE JOYS OF RETAIL. A woman suffering from a diabetic
episode lost control of her vehicle and slammed into a Hobby Lobby store
in Chattanooga. The woman suffered minor injuries but her car caused
extensive damage to the store, The Chattanoogan reported.
RUMOR. If you heard that Hobby Lobby was sold, it
was, but it's not our Hobby Lobby. Hobby-Lobby Int., a
producer of radio-control toys, was acquired by Family Time Hobbies.
KIDS. Michaels kicked off the summer season with a free Crayola
Outdoor 3D Sidewalk Chalk Interactive Demo on Saturday. The chalk
makes a design look as though it is popping up off the pavement when
viewed through the provided 3D glasses. Michaels' kids program, The
Knack, offers a variety of project ideas from painting, apparel
craft, and card-making to model-building, puzzles, games, etc. For
information and a schedule of Free Family Events, visit www.michaels.com/theknack.
IMPORTS. Li & Fung was profiled in a recent issue of Business
Week. The Hong Kong based company with $14.3 billion in revenue
has been connected with Jo-Ann, and CLN hears was one
of the two agents selected by Michaels to increase Michaels’
direct importing. Among the other Li & Fung clients are Toys R
Us, Liz Claiborne, and Talbots. "The Hong Kong company, which
manages the supply chain for dozens of brands and retailers
worldwide, is using the recession to take over a bigger chunk of its
clients' businesses. In addition to helping them find factories or
raw materials, it's taking on the manufacturing headaches, ensuring
factory partners meet labor standards and delivering finished goods
at a set price."
MISCELLANEOUS NEWS: SHOWS
GIFT SHOW. While no numbers were available, Gifts &
Decorative Accessories reported the National Stationery Show in
New York was smaller, but exhibitors, who had low expectations, were
pleasantly surprised. The show was smaller because some vendors
chose not to exhibit, while some others exhibited in smaller booths.
CHA. Florida Governor Charlie Crist proclaimed July
27-August 1 as Craft and Hobby Week. A similar proclamation
is expected from the mayor of Orange County, FL.
KNITTING. The winning garments in the 2009 Design Contest
sponsored by The Knitting Guild of Ameria and Yarnmarket.com
were displayed at the recent TKGA National Conference and Knit
& Crochet Show in Portland. To view the display, follow the
links at www.TKGA.com.
The patterns will be published by Yarnmarket.com. Officials say the
contest will be repeated. For more info email Deborah Knight at deborah@yarnmarket.com
or call 614-861-7223, ext. 31.
SHOWS. Last weekend The National NeedleArts Assn. participated
in Maker Faire Bay Area 2009, billed as the "World's
Largest DIY Festival" an event that allows visitors to
"make, create, learn, invent, craft, recycle, think, play, and
be inspired by celebrating arts, crafts, engineering, food, music,
science, and technology." The event took place at the San Mateo
(CA) County Expo Center. TNNA hosted how-to areas throughout the
weekend to teach all the needlearts to attendees, in addition to
sponsoring demos and kids programs. Sponsors of the Faire included
Provo Crafts, Lion Brand Yarn, Singer, and Elmer's. ... Hotel info
for the TNNA Long Beach 2010 show Jan. 9-11 is now available.
Visit www.tnna.org
and follow the link or call 800-889-8662.
SHOWS. Tradeshow Week ’s 2008 list of 200 largest
trade shows in North America ranked CHA's Winter Show 82 and
the Summer Show 197.
MISCELLANEOUS NEWS
ECONOMY. In "Benny Da Buyer" CLN asked
two industry retailers with extensive background in economics what
are signs of a rebounding economy. They said the Consumer Confidence
Index; when consumers feel better, they spend more and the economy
grows. Well, the Index for May is 54.9, up from 40.8 in April.
"While confidence is still weak by historical standards, as far
as consumers are concerned, the worst is now behind us," said
Lynn Franco, director of The Conference Board Consumer Research
Center.
CHA. The site, www.craftandhobby.org,
now includes The Ultimate Craft Industry Buyers Guide. ... Martha
Stewart Living Radio interviewed Dr. Rallie McAllister, MD,
CHA's spokesperson on the therapeutic benefits of crafting. The
15-minute interview reached 2+ million listeners.
BRUSHES. The New York Times recently profiled the FM
Brush Co., which makes about 17,000 styles of brushes, all by
hand, for the craft and cosmetic markets. The brushes are made in
Queens and in Thailand and distributed around the world. More than a
half million brushes are shipped each month. Frederick Mink Sr.
established the company in 1929, and it is still run by the Mink
family.
RETAILING. Kizer & Bender's blog, http://www.kizerandbender.blogspot.com,
has an excellent piece on customer loyalty programs. Visit and
scroll down to the May 13 entry.
TV. The acclaimed PBS series, Craft in America,
will be rebroadcast this Wednesday. Check your local listings. To
watch short videos of the crafters profiled, visit http://www.craftinamerica.org/video/?.
JOB OPENING. Successful Midwestern manufacturer (near
Chicago) seeks New Products Manager who will be challenged to
identify, develop, and commercialize new programs and products to
increase sales, and to lead the development of new products from
ideation through a smooth and timely introduction. Must have a 3-5
year history of successful product launches in a consumer packaged
goods (mass market and specialty retail channels) environment, from
concept through post-launch support. Experience in craft, gift, home
decor, or kids' product channels a plus. For more info in complete
confidence, email CLN at mike@clnonline.com
or call 309-925-5593.
JEWELRY. The first printings of Margot Potter's Beyond
the Bead, published in February, and Bead and Wire Jewelry
Exposed by Margot Potter, Katie Hacker, and Fernando DaSilva,
published in January, have sold out. Both are published by North
Light/F+W Media.
CONDOLENCES. To the family of Harold Gager, 95, who passed
away recently. He opened one of the industry's first craft stores,
Gager's Handicraft in Minneapolis in 1948. He later opened a store
in the late 1950s in Southdale Shopping Center, the first U.S.
regional shopping center built under one roof. After opening two
more stores in Minneapolis, he "retired" to Florida in
1971 where he operated, with the help of his children, Haralson Arts
& Crafts stores in Sarasota, Tallahassee, and Fort Myers.
STOCKS. A.C. Moore: $3.36, up $0.91 ... Hancock: $1.08, up
$0.03 ... Jo-Ann: $21.61, up $1.23 ... Wal-Mart: $49.74, up $1.59
... Dow Jones: 8,500.33, up 2.8%. (Note: All changes in price
are since 5/15 and are exclusive of dividends.)
THE CREATIVE NETWORK: JOB
OPENINGS
To see the latest listings by the only personnel recruitment firm
specializing in our industry, click on Jobs in the left-hand column
or click HERE.
THE HUSBAND AND WIFE STORES
A store that sells new husbands has opened, where a woman can
choose a husband. But there are instructions at the entrance:
"You may visit this store ONLY ONCE! There are six floors and
the value of the products increase as the shopper ascends the
flights. The shopper may choose any item from a particular floor or
go to the next floor, but cannot go back down except to exit."
A woman goes inside and sees a sign that reads, "Floor 1:
These men have jobs." She is intrigued, but continues to the
second floor, where the sign reads: "Floor 2: These men have
jobs and love kids." "That's nice," she thinks,
"but I want more."
She continues upward. The third floor sign reads: "Floor 3:
These men have jobs, love kids, and are extremely good
looking." She's impressed, but feels compelled to keep going.
The fourth floor's sign reads: "Floor 4: These men have
jobs, love kids, are drop-dead good looking, and help with
housework." "Oh, I can hardly stand it!" she says,
but continues up to the fifth floor where the sign reads,
"Floor 5: These men have jobs, love kids, are drop-dead
gorgeous, help with housework, and have a strong romantic
streak." She is tempted to stay, but she goes to the sixth
floor where the sign reads, "Floor 6: You are visitor
31,456,012 to this floor. There are no men on this floor. This floor
exists solely as proof that women are impossible to please. Thank
you for shopping at the Husband Store."
Now for the rest of the story:
To avoid gender bias charges, the owner opened a New Wives store
across the street. The first floor has wives who love sex. The
second floor has wives who love sex and have money and like beer.
The third, fourth, fifth, and sixth floors have never been visited.
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