Spotlight on Business & MarketPlace:
J.A. Uniforms
And the Hotel Industry 

By Jackie Rosselli

It’s no secret that the lodging segment of the hospitality market has attracted much interest from those in the uniform industry, and for good reason. After a lull brought about by 9/11 and a weakened economy, hotels and motels across the country are experiencing their biggest boon in years. According to a recent study from Hotel News Resource.com, the gross operating profit (GOP) for the typical U.S. hotel increased 13.1 percent from the first half of 2005 to the first half of 2006.

Employment, too, in this industry is robust. Hotels and other accommodations provided 1.8 million wage and salary jobs in 2004, according to the Bureau of Labor. In addition, there were about 33,000 self-employed and unpaid family workers in the industry, who worked in bed-and-breakfast inns, camps, and small motels. Employment projections are equally positive, with increases totaling 17 percent over the 2004-14 period, compared with 14 percent growth projected for employment in all industries combined.

While these figures present significant opportunities to the uniform manufacturer and distributor, servicing the market is not without its hurdles. Properties are constantly upgrading. Employee turnover is high. And the industry is notoriously image-conscious, demanding quality, custom-made looks at rock-bottom prices. Moreover, customers want their garments delivered yesterday.

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Profiting From Trust

By Joseph Greco, M.S.O.D.

If you haven’t thought much about the value of trust displayed in an organization then you may have only considered it to be a virtuous characteristic. You may be both pleased and surprised to learn that your ability to develop and nurture a trust within your organizational culture can prove to be psychologically and financially rewarding. In their book, The Trusted Leader, Galford and Drapeau, discuss three kinds of trust: Strategic Trust- that the organization is doing the right things. Have the correct goals and strategies been established to assure successful accomplishment of the mission of the company? This is the validity test. Organizational Trust- Can one have faith in the way things are being performed? Are the processes and decision-making procedures reliable? Personal Trust-Can the leadership of the organization, as people, be trusted? Is there mutual trust among your associates? Do your employees believe you will treat them fairly and be considerate of their well-being?

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Product News

There’s never a dearth of product information or a lack of interest here at UniformMarket. This month, Dickies, Pro Feet and San Mar have new product announcements to share with readers.

DICKIES
Just in time for winter, Dickies has launched an exclusive workwear apparel line bringing the latest technology in cold-weather apparel to work outerwear.

PRO FEET
Pro Feet, a leader in the uniform, military, custom and team athletic sock business for 27 years has partnered with American Fibers and Yarns for its latest venture.

SANMAR
SanMar Corporation, a leading supplier of wholesale imprinted apparel and accessories, is the sole supplier of a luxury brand called Red House for those looking to pair their logo with the very best.

UniformMarket Store System Welcomes New Users

The following companies have launched new web sites using the UniformMarket Store System:

	Scottsdale Scrubs: www.scottsdalescrubs.com
	The Unisource Company www.unisourceco.com
	Uniforms Today www.uniformstoday.com

Looking to improve you web site and online customer service?

LED Lighting Saves Energy and Attracts Shoppers

Retailers looking to add dazzle to their store window displays may want to consider colored LEDs, or light-emitting diodes. A field study from the Lighting Research Center (LRC) discovered that colored lighting effects created with these tiny lamps can cut lighting energy in retail windows by 30 to 50 percent and attract more attention from shoppers.

Retailers use lighting in display windows to illuminate merchandise, attract attention, and even send a message about the quality of their store. To get the most impact, Dan Frering of the LRC says stores often use plenty of high-wattage accent lights to highlight mannequins and merchandise. “This creates visual interest and makes the merchandise stand out from the background,” he says.

This technique is effective but when used 12 or more hours every day, the energy consumption and costs can climb. The United States Department of Energy says lighting is the biggest energy expense for retailers, accounting for 37 percent of total energy use in U.S. retail buildings.

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