Atlanta – “We’ve been to
hell and back,” is how Richard Glikes, executive director of Home Technology
Specialists of America (HTSA) described the past year to his members and
suppliers at the group’s annual CEDIA Expo reception on the eve of the show
Wednesday night.
Glikes groused to his members and suppliers that the consumer
media, “keeps on talking about dire economic news, financial disasters. What we
should do is be positive. The sky is blue. Be positive with your business
associates and your consumers. Maybe it will lift the confidence of those
around us and will improve the morale of everyone … and give consumers
confidence to buy.”
His optimistic view is not just wishful thinking. Glikes told
TWICE that for HTSA “July was good, August was down, but in September … bigger
houses are being built and our guys have more jobs in the pipeline.”
Glikes also noted that HTSA’s moves to get involved in
alternative categories “is going well and progressing. We are doing well with
that. I keep on telling members that you can’t just rely on TV sales. If you
are just a TV store you will be out of business.”
And on TV’s biggest story this year, 3D, Glikes said, “It will
happen. It will happen if the Hollywood studios want it to happen. I am
hopeful.”
HTSA’s annual fall meeting will be held in St. Louis next month.
