Ron Robinson’s event at LA Mart was a success
Ron Robinson and his executive team, Stacy Robinson and Karen Meena, shared entertaining anecdotes, helpful information, and guidance on how to maintain a thriving retail business to a crowd of over 150 attendees at LA Mart. The first floor exhibition space was packed with buyers, vendors and showrooms, who listened to the history, success stories and philosophies of Ron Robinson Inc.
“We were elated to have Ron, Stacy and Karen here to lead this very important and topical seminar. He has decades of invaluable retailer information to share and we were so glad that he took the time to support the LA Mart and their customers in this way,” said Frank Joens, sr. vice president, general manager, LA Mart. “He is such a great influence and has been so very supportive of the LA Mart that it was our pleasure to be able to shine the spotlight and give him and his team a platform to share their vast knowledge of how to be the best of the best in retail.”
After working directly for Fred Segal as a salesman, buyer and then vice president for nearly a decade, Robinson took his knowledge and expertise to build on the traditions he had learned, as well as make some of his own. In 1978, Ron Robinson Inc. opened its doors at Fred Segal on Melrose Avenue, and five years later Robinson expanded with a beauty boutique named APOTHIA, both of which have grown exponentially ever since.
Hosted by the LA Mart and LAM Gift Association, Frank Joens acted as master of ceremonies and Karen Alweil, owner of Karen Alweil Studio, performed as moderator for this round table discussion and question and answer seminar. Alweil, having worked with Ron Robinson for decades, offered insight on the core of today’s many retail challenges asking questions that covered such topics as weathering tough economic times, formulas for successful buying, practical and successful operational practices, trade-show travel challenges, combatting on-line buying, the importance of store events, and advice for new and struggling stores. Following the round table portion of the program, Ron and his team answered multiple questions from the audience.