Gourmet Catalog Hosts Successful Member Meeting at the Housewares Show

Gourmet Catalog & Buying Group experienced an eventful 2015 International Home + Housewares Show in Chicago where it hosted a successful meeting and welcomed five new retail members to the organization. 

New members signed up in Chicago include Atlas Valley Purveyors, Lafayette, Colo.; Charles Department Store, Katonah, N.Y.; Chocolate Bliss & Kitchen Essentials, Japer, Ind.; Kitchen Outfitters, Crystal Lake, Ill.; and Zest!, Lititz, Pa.

More than 125 people participated in the pre-show meeting and breakfast, which kicked off with group discussions where members shared advice and operational wisdom with each other. “There is no substitute for the networking and gathering of the Gourmet Catalog people. The camaraderie and community is priceless,” said Mary Moore, owner of The Cook’s Warehouse. “Everyone can benefit from learning something new.”

The member meeting breakfast was co-sponsored by Group SEB. Judy Phillips, director of sales for specialty and independents for Group SEB, also introduced the new Lagostina collection to Gourmet Catalog store members during the meeting. 

“Gourmet Catalog provides the venue and direction. Store members share their thoughts and ideas, making the knowledge gained at this meeting a valuable market asset,” said Janis Johnson, founder and president of Gourmet Catalog. “I’m always amazed by the power of bringing everyone together and having discussions. It’s an inspiring way to learn from other stores that have been there and experienced it all. Whether you’re talking or listening – you’re learning.”

Also a big hit were review workbooks that Gourmet Catalog provided to members that served as a guide to the Housewares Show with full product/vendor information. 

Gourmet Catalog & Buying Group has been working to ensure the success of independent retailers for three decades with a variety of programs and services available to store members, including discounts provided by more than 200 vendor members.