The 'New Year' Begins
By Steve Smith -- TWICE, 8/20/2007
This year Sept. 1 is on a Saturday, with Labor Day falling two days later on Monday.
Andy Rooney of "60 Minutes" made a persuasive argument years ago that our calendar is absolutely wrong ... at least for modern day lifestyles and schedules. This had to be a shocker to classical scholars and anyone living outside of the United States, but he said the first day of the year should not be Jan. 1, but early in September; this year, literally, Labor Day weekend.
Why?
If I remember correctly, Rooney said that the vacation season ends at the end of August, as children of all ages go back to school. Anyone who was on vacation is back to work. Business activity, which never really takes a complete holiday, picks up again. In entertainment, Broadway shows begin opening in September; better, Oscar-worthy movies are released; the new TV season begins. The National Football League opens its season, and baseball enters its final month of the regular season, with October playoffs not far behind. And, Rooney added, during presidential election years, when do things start to get serious? Sure, right around Labor Day.
There were other arguments, but you get the point. I forgot how viewers reacted, but I'll put it this way: New Year's Eve is still celebrated on Dec. 31.
For those who make a living in the consumer electronics and major appliance business, or retail in general, this Labor Day notion of Rooney's rings true. Labor Day falls during the back-to-school time, which is a warm-up for the busiest season of the year, the fourth quarter. Based on what business is done from September to December, retailers and suppliers alike can rise to great heights or go right out of business.
What also makes Labor Day a key date on the industry calendar is that CEDIA Expo, a show of growing importance to the A/V and custom install industries, is usually held this week. This year it begins on Sept. 4 in Denver. (See the preview story on p. 1.) And for those who buy or sell computer-related products, RetailVision is also being held in Phoenix next week.
Of course there are other meetings and shows that take place after CEDIA and RetailVision, most notably the CEA Fall Meeting in October. But for the most part after Labor Day, marketers at retail and supplier sides of the business will have their focus on what's selling, at what price points and where's it selling — among other bread-and-butter issues.
So, if you're going to go to the beach, play golf or otherwise enjoy the last few warm summer days left, for everyone in the CE/majap industries, in the spirit of Andy Rooney, let me wish you all a happy and profitable New Year. (Wish me the same if you see me in Denver during CEDIA.)
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