RETAILOBSERVER.COM FEBRUARY 2025
6
Moe Lastfogel
moe@retailobserver.com
Moe's Musings Views
Happy Retailing,
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.cedia.net
www.dpha.net
www.feigroup.net www.htsa.com
www.cta.tech
www.cantrex.com
www.unitedservicers.com
www.NKBA.org
www.necoalliance.com
www.psaworld.org
www.prosourceinfo.com
THE RETAIL
www.nahb.org
www.natmcorp.com
www.NARI.org
nationwidegroup.org
www.aham.org
www.rtohq.org
www.joinbrandsource.com
The Retail Observer is celebrating our 35th anniversary. 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 goods
dealers in the Northern California market. This "rag", as many lovingly
referred to it, lasted until 1983 under his sole leadership.
In 1983, it was sold to an NKBA Hall of Famer in Southern California, Don
Martin, 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 which no longer runs.
Chuck went on to restart where he left off and formed a new publication
called Retail Observer. He, along with longtime 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, it was purchased and given new life and was affectionately
renamed The Retail Observer — the magazine you are reading today. It now
has over 27,000 subscribers, is being read in over 38 countries and is
available in a print and digital version. Eliana and our team at The Retail
Observer are very proud of the history that has been inherited, and we look
forward to continuing the legacy of this beloved "rag" in 2025 and for years
to come.
tribgroup.com
1970 UP TO TODAY
A little history of The Retail Observer .
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