WHITE PLAINS, NY, February 24, 2010…www.RetailerForum.biz has changed the face of online networking for gift, home and stationery retailers. The site features store spotlights, product catalogs, small business resources, and, at its heart, an interactive, multi-dimensional retailer-only community. Since its December 2009 launch, hundreds of retailers, including CEOs, presidents, owners, buyers, merchandise managers and principals – hailing from across the US, Canada, South America, the United Kingdom and Australia – have joined Retailer Forum.

Within the community, Retailer Forum members build profiles by selecting “tags” to describe their store type, job responsibility, retail experience, product categories, as well as business areas they “can help with” and “need help with.” Based on their selections, retailers are matched with each other, and can communicate through a Retailer Forum messaging system. Demographic and tag search tools help a member find a retailing mentor, or become one, within the community.

In addition, members can participate in and initiate forums, as well as join and launch groups. Discussion topics include social media, customer service, in-store events, staffing and recruitment, visual merchandising, product finds, among others. Membership is free of charge.

“Through attendee feedback and research, we discovered the need for a 365-day networking tool, on the part of retailers,” said Phil Burke, Senior Vice President, GLM. “They needed help – getting their businesses started, finding partners, spotting trends, marketing – and didn’t know where to go. Retailer Forum creates a platform for this audience to help each other, in one easy-to-use place.”

In response to retailer requests for high-quality, easy to view product photos, GLM also incorporated product catalogs into the site’s design. Today, Retailer Forum boasts some 170 product catalogs, representing home and decorative accessories, stationery, personal accessories and jewelry, candles, gifts, home office, children’s/baby products, educational toys and craft supplies.

Retailer Forum is planning an in-person networking opportunity for its members, at the upcoming National Stationery Show®, running May 16-19, 2010, at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. Details will be announced shortly.

RetailerForum.biz is managed by GLM. For membership information, contact Cate Salvatore, communications director, at cate_salvatore@glmshows.com, or by phone at 914-421-3313. For advertising information, contact Jessica Troop, marketing manager, at jessica_troop@glmshows.com, or by phone at 914-421-3295. Follow Retailer Forum on Twitter (www.twitter.com/retailerforum) and Facebook (search Retailer Forum).

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