We're entering one of my favorite times of the year where the MLB is in full swing and is still fresh, the NBA and NHL are in playoff mode and the NFL is about to introduce us to the newest batch of rookies. Once again, getting and restocking new releases represents the biggest challenges to hobby shops, not finding buyers. Being direct with each of the manufacturers and … [Read more...]
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What’s Hot: The ‘There is No Off-Season Anymore’ Edition
It’s never a boring time at the shop these days which means that we are still in the middle of perhaps the most insane time I have ever seen. I am still seeing unparalleled anticipation for new products and this week might have been the perfect example of what I am talking about. I am sure it will not surprise you to see 2018 Topps Gypsy Queen and 2017 Panini … [Read more...]
What’s Hot: Industry Events X 3 and a Market When Product Trumps Cash
Hello again, fellow card maniacs. I know it has been a bit since we chatted (granted it is really a one-sided conversation) but the last several weeks have been a whirlwind. I recently came back from a trip to Dallas where I attended the third and final industry event of the first quarter. First there was Upper Deck in Orlando, Topps in Phoenix and most recently … [Read more...]
What’s Hot: Top Sellers Range From Old Reliables to New Surprises
I hope you enjoyed the annual Mikey Awards from last month as much as I enjoyed writing them. It’s truly my favorite piece I write each year and so far at least, no manufacturer has canceled my direct accounts…yet. I attended the Upper Deck Certified Diamond Dealer event in Orlando and am glad to share that it was an incredible event not just because they brought Barry … [Read more...]
2017 Mikey Awards
I’m finally sitting down to write my favorite piece of the year, the Mikey Awards. It’s my chance to offer up my own personal sentiments over what I thought worked, failed epically, made this season a winner, worked in spite of things, got hobby egg on its face and basically helped hobby shops in 2017. Looking back, this is going to be remembered as one of the … [Read more...]
What’s Hot: New Products Pump Up an Already Strong 2017
It’s just a few days before Christmas and pretty much from 10AM – 8PM each of the last few weeks it has been total non-stop action at the shop. It is fun enjoying this time of the year as the collecting hype has carried over from Aaron Judge and Cody Bellinger infused MLB with some very collectible rookies, the 17/18 NBA rookie crop is finally starting to play … [Read more...]
What’s Hot: Free Packs, Pricey Packs, Q and More
Hello fellow card maniacs. It’s been a month since we discussed matters of the hot. I mean, I did talk about some cool programs that hobby shops have been able to offer already like the free Topps Holiday packs, Upper Deck Winter packs as well as the Panini Black Friday packs. Still to come on 12/9 is National Hobby Shop Day and since I committed … [Read more...]
Fruitman: ‘Tis the Season for Cardboard Promos
When I first opened in December 1992, I was not around long enough to fully enjoy my first holiday season in retail. Heck, I was happy to stay open each day and run to the bank each morning with whatever I had sold the day before. Over the next few decades I came to look forward to the holiday season since it’s a chance to have the inside track on what each of my … [Read more...]
What’s Hot: The Case of the Missing Case
It’s not often that the sports card gods get together and descend on a single day with some cardboard for everyone, but Wednesday, October 25 was one such day. On a single morning and afternoon, 2017 Bowman Tek MLB, 2017 Topps Archives Active Player Signature Edition MLB, 2017 Panini National Treasures MLB, 17/18 Hoops NBA, 2017 Panini Prizm NFL and 16/17 Upper Deck The … [Read more...]
What’s Hot: Top Products at the 3/4 Pole
I would like to start off by apologizing for mistakenly suggesting last time that the Industry Summit might be held in January 2018 instead of when it typically was. The dates aren’t actually finalized yet but I created some undue stress for one of my favorite hobby peeps and that’s the last thing anyone needs. I try to get things right when I share them on here and … [Read more...]
