May 8, 2007

Expo for $10 Billion Cart and Kiosk Industry Set for San Jose, CA in June

Hanover, Mass. – Following the growth of the mall cart and kiosk industry from $3 billion in 1995 to $10 billion today, Specialty Retail Report – the only magazine for retail entrepreneurs who operate carts & kiosks in malls, airports, theme parks and other high-traffic retail venues – has scheduled the second of its semi-annual industry trade shows for San Jose, June 12-14, 2007, at the San Jose Convention Facilities.

The cart and kiosk industry remains one of the fastest growing segments of retail, and show organizers expect more than 1,000 attendees at the San Jose show, from entrepreneurs exploring opportunities for their first location to industry veterans looking for new products, additional locations and information on growth strategies. The show is free (including educational seminars) for those who pre-register online or call by June 1, 2007. Entrance is $35 at the door, and each educational session is $35 for those who don’t pre-register.

“We expect more than 100 exhibitors and more than 1,000 attendees at SPREE West San Jose,” said Sally Miller, the Expo’s director. “Our show in April in Baltimore was very well attended and featured hundreds of new product debuts and new locations for cart- and kiosk-based entrepreneurs, so we’re anticipating record attendance this June in San Jose. We’re a regional show and we expect the San Jose show to draw hundreds of attendees from Arizona to Washington – and of course California.”

The show’s premier sponsor is Louisville, KY-based Happy Feet, creator and manufacturer of Happy Feet and Animal Feet oversized plush slippers, which are sold from more than 200 carts and kiosks nationwide. “The SPREE show is a fantastic opportunity to meet and talk with new and existing retail entrepreneurs,” said Happy Feet’s president, Pat Yates. “We love the traffic, social activities and overall atmosphere of the SPREE show.”

Additional sponsors include FANMATS, Forever Collectibles and Personalized by Santa, a division of Gift Giant.

The semi-annual SPREE shows are the largest shows for cart and kiosk retailers, attracting hundreds of entrepreneurs who want to start or expand their cart and kiosk businesses. “In part because it’s free to get in if attendees pre-register, the SPREE shows draw hundreds of entrepreneurs looking to break into this growing segment of retail, as well as the entrepreneurs who have been in the business since it really took hold in malls about 20 years ago,” said Patricia Norins, publisher of Specialty Retail Report.

“Today there are cart or kiosk programs in just about every mall, airport, theme park or train station that has high foot-traffic. There are numerous multimillion-dollar companies today that started on a single cart or kiosk, and every year new entrepreneurs with exciting new concepts join this $10 billion industry. Plus, SPREE West will feature dozens of turnkey concepts – complete business start-up packages that make it easy for first-time entrepreneurs to buy into a complete and tested retail concept.”

The show offers eleven free educational seminars organized for beginner and experienced retailers as well as Specialty Leasing Managers. “The seminars cover everything from Retail 101 to visual merchandising and display tips to expansion strategies,” Miller said. “The SPREE show is a great way for current and prospective entrepreneurs to find new products and network without having to spend any money to get in,” Miller said. “New entrepreneurs who don’t even have a start-up budget yet will find this free show very useful.”

About Specialty Retail Report
Specialty Retail Report magazine (www.SpecialtyRetail.com) is a publication of Hanover, Mass.-based Pinnacle Publishing Group, which also publishes GIFT SHOP magazine. A quarterly magazine founded in 1997, Specialty Retail Report provides cart and kiosk retailers with news and information designed to promote their success and profitability, including new products, retail trends, traditional and unique retail locations, and management strategies. The company’s Web site is www.SpecialtyRetail.com. The SPREE Web site is www.SpecialtyRetail.com/spree.

Contact: Sally Miller, SPREE trade show director
800.936.6297 x28 / 781.312.1055 x28
smiller@specialtyretail.com
SPREEShow.com