RETAILOBSERVER.COM JANUARY 2020
6
Moe Lastfogel
moe@retailobserver.com
Moe's Musings Views
Happy Retailing,
T
his year The Retail Observer is celebrating our 30th Anniversary and
50th since inception. The first issue of our magazine was printed in
1990, yet we tout "An Eye On The Industry Since 1970." Here's a little
history as to why.
In 1970, Chuck Edmonds bought a franchise from a local TV/appliance
newspaper, which he named the Northern California Retailer. In a full
newspaper format, this magazine went out to local brown and white good
dealers in the Northern California market. This "rag" — as many lovingly
referred to it — remained under his sole leadership until 1983.
In 1983, it was sold to competitor Don Martin in Southern California who
renamed it TAD (TV Appliance Dealer). The magazine's reach grew, covering
Southern California, Northern California, the Northwest and the Rocky
Mountain/Southwest areas. Chuck stayed on under Don's leadership.
In 1990, Don and his wife Kasnea (both NKBA Hall of Famers) sold the
magazine and decided to start Kasmar Publications. Chuck went on to
restart where he left off and formed a new publication called Retail Observer.
He, along with long-time friend Lee Boucher, ran this new version of the
magazine until 2007 and increased its outreach even further to 31 states and
approximately 6,000 followers.
In 2007, Eliana Barriga and I purchased the magazine, gave it a makeover
and a slight name change to The Retail Observer — the magazine you are
reading today. The Retail Observer now has more than 32,300 subscribers,
is being read in over 37 countries and is available in a print and digital version.
Eliana and our team at The Retail Observer are very proud of the inherited
history of the magazine and we look forward to continuing the legacy of this
beloved "rag" in 2020 and for years to come.
1970—1990—TODAY
A LITTLE HISTORY
We proudly support the following
trade associations and buying groups
throughout North America whose news
and information greatly contribute to the
quality of The Retail Observer and the
education of our readers.
www.asid.org
www.brandsource.com
www.cedia.org
www.dpha.net
www.feigroup.net
www.htsa.com
www.cta.tech
www.cantrex.com
www.unitedservicers.com
www.psoca.org
www.NKBA.org
www.necoalliance.com
www.psaworld.org
www.prosourceinfo.com
THE RETAIL
www.nahb.org
www.nrha.org
Follow us on:
Join us at:
Become a Fan:
www.NARI.org
www.nationwidegroup.org
www.aham.org
www.rtohq.org
