Isabel Bloom Recommits To Davenport
Isabel Bloom Recommits to Retaining Local Art and Local JobsOwners say they listened; Quad Cities response made all the difference.
Davenport, Iowa, February 21, 2006 – The owners of Isabel Bloom have reconsidered a business decision that would have taken all production overseas. “We clearly believe in listening to the voice of our customers, despite perceptions to the contrary in recent days,” says Jeff Gilfillan, one of the three Bloom owners. “We apologize for failing to fully recognize the priorities of our local customers and we accept full responsibility for this error in judgment.
“As a result, we have decided to continue local production of our original concrete sculpture – sold in our four studio stores in Davenport, Moline, Naperville and West Des Moines – through existing quality retailers in the region and through our Web and toll-free business,” continues Gilfillan. Therefore, all 50 positions that would have been impacted now will be retained.
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”Isabel Bloom, L.L.C. remains dedicated to the company’s long-term success. “The untold story,” says Gilfillan “is the mistaken belief that the production change was made only to grow the business nationally or to increase short-term profits.” Since a peak sales year in 2000, sales have decreased by 30 percent and profitability has shrunk by 75 percent despite modest sales growth from outside the Quad Cities such as in Des Moines. “While Isabel Bloom, L.L.C. is financially stable, this sales trend underscores the need for change to ensure a healthy future for the company. We clearly wish to serve as responsible stewards of the company for years to come,” says Gilfillan.
“While continuing to make our original concrete sculptures proves to be the right decision locally, the reality of staying in business still must be confronted,” says Gilfillan. “Therefore, we will continue to investigate opportunities to expand our market. We anticipate sculptures sold through any part of a national expansion will be made with the new cast stone produced overseas.”
I think the owners could answer a very simple question: why does expansion need to be done with overseas suppliers? There seems to be a very single truth in the retail world: in order to sell more product, you need to differentiate yourself from your customers. What’s going to make “Isabel Bloom made in China” any different than any of the other low dollar crap that fills the “gift store” shelves?
Something I do not know: how good is a job at Isabel Bloom? What are the pay/benefits like?
Addendum: More discussion on the forums.
Addendum II:: The Quad City Times Reports
- Sousy
February 22nd, 2006 at 2:39 pm
I wonder if the called up the towns and the state to ask them how much it would be worth to them if they stayed. It worked for Wells Fargo and Principal in Des Moines.
February 22nd, 2006 at 2:41 pm
Well, there wasnt’ a big press release like there was for Wells Fargo and Principal. I think maybe that page after page of angry letters was probably enough….