Stampede ropes suppliers, dealers, sales

IIANCH hands on the Palmer G. rll.ewis Co., Inc. spread at Auburn, Wa., are still talking about the Wild West Stampede, the ninth annual customer buying show for the firm.

With the past eight shows achieving record results, the range bosses felt that plain horse sense indicated that they would do well to place this year, considering present economic conditions, but the results on Sept. 20 had as many surprises as a bucking bronco.

"Although sales and attendance were down from 1980, the performance was comparable to previous years. Last year's show would have been hard to beat," said Richard (Dick) E. Lundgren, PGL president.

"As it was, over 1,300 dealer personnel, spouses, suppliers and PGL'ers attended the one day show. We predict sales will exceed $3 million by the time back orders are filled and final orders are written."

Story at a Glance

Wild West Stampede corrals bargains over 1300 cowhands ride the range sales expected to exceed $3 million.

Explaining the spirit, attitude and enthusiasm of suppliers and dealers reached a high point, he concluded, "It definitely was a show with character. "

"We try hard to make it a 'fun' show notjustrow after row of 8' x l0' booths with suppliers eager to leap on retailers," said Charles (Chuck) D. Lauber, v.p. and PGL promotion mgr. "Our aim is to involve the audience with authentic displays and attractions that relate to the theme, are interesting to our customers and help increase attendance."

This year the theme was western. Cowboy boots, hats, and levis were the dress. The top display was an 1895 desert coach once owned by an uncle of Palmer G. Lewis, company founder and chairman emeritus. Horses were stabled out front in portable corrals, A burro and lots of straw gave a down home look. Dill pickles, popcorn, soft drinks and beer added to the festivities in the 150,000 sq. ft. warehouse.

Summing up how the suppliers felt about this year's show, director of purchasing, Craig Herrity, said lining up suppliers to exhibit and offer price discounts becomes easier each year. "They know sales will come and they do. Some of our small volume lines do more business on show day than they do all year. In addition to buy show catalog savings, many suppliers have Sunday specials advertised by signs and handouts."

Product managers huddle with suppliers weeks before the show. As a final briefing, suppliers are invited to

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Big Stampede

(Continued from previous page) a cocktail party the Saturday evening before the show.

A 130 page special Buy Show Catalog offered special savings on over 70 product lines. To help the dealer turn his newly purchased inventory, the advertising and promotion booth offered a tabloid promotion service. For every $1200 the dealer bought he received 1,000 free tabloids. The standard customer tabloid was available in 4 or 8 page format tailored to dealer products, prices and store personality.

Registration cards indicated customers traveled to Auburn from points all over the Northwest and Alaska to attend. Over 70 prizes were awarded. The drawing for the grand prize of a $1,000 savings bond and 25 shares of PGL stock was won by Lacey Builders Supply of Lacey, Wa. The nail driving contest was won by Tony Steinman, Hartnagel Building Supply, Port Angeles, Wa.

A special feature was the appearance of Gary Collins and Mary Ann Mobley. Sponsored by Gold Bond Building Products, the former Miss America has starred in many television programs and Gary Collins is the host of tv's newest talk show "Hour Magazine."

Economic Analysis

(Continued from page l2) and autos should lend an additional spark to the recovery.

Monetary policy is expected to remain snug during 1982 and in some quarters this raises the spectre of a credit crunch. The term "credit crunch" is too often used in the Humpty Dumptyean sense of "a word means exactly what I chose it to mean." A true credit crunch occurs