Traders Forum Show 2024: Inside the event
If you’re not in the wholesale, discount and mass merchandise industry, chances are you’ve never heard of the Trader's Forum Show. Since its first show in 1999, the Traders Forum has offered bi-annual shows at 4 locations, including Toronto, Montreal (Quebec Retail Fair), Halifax (Atlantic Retail Fair) and Edmonton. The 2024 winter edition started on January 14th in Montreal and moved on to Toronto from January 27th to the 30th.
As the official transport for the Ontario and Quebec shows this year, we stopped by the Montreal and Toronto Shows to chat with some attendees about the ins and outs of the event, the logistics of it all and some of the current local economic trends.
A chat at the Winter 2024 Traders Forum Show
Inside the Quebec Retail Fair, Laval. Source: EFS Logistics ©
The first thing we noticed as we stepped into the Sheraton Hotel in Laval was how much smaller the Quebec Retail Fair had gotten in the past years compared to its Toronto sister show. For many, the answer was simple: the other show was garnering more attention, more sales were usually made and buyers from across Canada would fly in and visit in comparison.
One thing that might have contributed to that factor is that despite us using the name “Montreal Show”, it seems the location has been randomly changing in the past years compared to the event in Toronto, which has kept a steady venue location. For example: last winter, it was Montreal’s Pointe-Claire neighbourhood that welcomed the Fair while the summer show after was held in the city of Terrebonne, just outside of Montreal.
According to Tony Delli Colli from Arco Decorative Fabrics, this year's winter edition might be quiet for some financial reasons as well:
“The Terrebonne show was busier last August, probably because people were shopping for their holiday stock to sell for Christmas. My guess is if they didn’t sell much of that stock during the holiday spree, they might not see the point in returning and spending again right after.”
When asked if the Montreal show was worth the spending, he added: “We’re not losing any money on this, no. We still make sales and make more money than we spend at least, but hopefully there will be more business at the Toronto Show.”
On the other side, a familiar face greeted us across Arco’s booth. Alan Sarraf, owner of ITY International, was also present in Laval at what will most likely be his last attendance at the Quebec Fair: “The thing with Montreal is that more locals are attending, and we’re already doing business with them”, he said when asked about his opinion of the event.
“The previous years were ok, but Toronto is more central, I’m not sure the Montreal Show will last. We’ve tried Edmonton and Halifax in the past as well. We’re always open to trying new ones though, the expenses are not that bad!”
On the topic of technology, a subject that’s been all the buzz in the business world for the past few years, we noticed that many attendees still heavily relied on the help of salespeople, connections and word-of-mouth as a means of growing their business.
Curious, we asked Alan if he had introduced some form of technology in his business model, either for shopping clients or for his salespeople to facilitate order processing:
“Yes, we use an app that customers can use to place their orders. Very helpful for out-of-town customers and getting regular business.”
In Toronto, we caught a glimpse of that app when salesman Shaun Subel showed us, on his tablet, his most recent sales of the day. Practical and convenient, each item’s picture was depicted on a page, easily accessible for clients to browse and pick their desired products. While Shaun is an experienced salesman, there’s no doubt that this app makes his work a lot easier and faster.
Handing over to the next generation
Over at Safdie & Co’s booth, we noticed Jason Kirstein, son of owner Jeffrey Kirstein, busy making some sales and talking to potential clients. While we didn’t get to speak to him, it got us thinking about the future of these companies and their plans regarding passing over the baton when the time comes.
Someone we did get the chance to speak to on the matter is Jason Chamoun, son of owner Saliba Chamoun at Planet Imports. Long-time client of ours, Planet Import specializes in the distribution of dinnerware and restaurant equipment.
Jason and his mom Loubna from Planet Imports, Toronto Trade Show. Source: EFS Logistics ©
Talking with Jason, one thing that stood out to us is the pride he has in his family business. He went into great detail to explain the way the business grew, with his father starting from a small warehouse space on his own almost 20 years ago. Today, Jason hopes to one day take over the business in hopes of continuing the legacy his father built. With his frankness and friendly nature, we trust he’ll have no issues in doing so.
