Sumner Communications, leading publisher of general merchandise trade magazines, directories and websites, announces the launch of PROVENDOR, the only Professional Vendor Association dedicated to the 1+ million flea market and swap meet vendors across the United States. According to Scott Sumner, CEO of Sumner Communications, “Flea market vendors, much the same as other small business operators, sometimes feel isolated and may not know where to turn when questions or issues arise that impact their businesses. PROVENDOR not only brings together a community of like-minded professionals, it also offers ideas, insights and solutions to problems at one single location.”
“As long-time advocates of this vital industry, Sumner Communications is committed to providing vendors, market managers and all flea market professionals the strategic tools they need to succeed,” Sumner continues. “Just as Flea Market Zone is the go-to portal for news, information and marketplace information, PROVENDOR is the go-to association for flea market and swap meet vendors. The association provides resources and metrics that small business operators might not otherwise be able to access. In fact, we expect to release proprietary results of this summer’s poll on industry trends to PROVENDOR members around Labor Day.”
Members also receive regular updates on new market openings, changes in management, hot products and how-to articles, as well as a complimentary one-year digital subscription to the Merchandiser Group magazine of their choice—East Coast, Midwest or Western. To further support PROVENDOR members, the association negotiates specials and deals for discounted wholesale merchandise, coupons, sales, closeouts and services from major suppliers.
“The flea market industry is flourishing,” Sumner adds, “partly because we are in a protracted recession and consumers are looking for value priced merchandise they find at flea markets and swap meets. For the long-term, however, we have seen a significant increase in new markets as entrepreneurs see opportunities for growth.” Today, more than 1 million vendors conduct $30 billion in flea market sales annually, according to the National Flea Market Association (NFMA). More than 150 million consumers shop at the 1,100 U.S. flea markets each year.
Membership is free. Click here to join PROVENDOR.
Sumner Communications has been serving the wholesale merchandise industry since 1988. With both monthly and annual titles, the company prints over two million copies each year for independent retailers, flea market and swap meet vendors, and buyers of wholesale merchandise.