--- title: Tradavo Blog | Bobby Martyna description: Bobby Martyna | Tradavo blogs about best practices for small format retailers --- [![TRADAVO](https://www.tradavo.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Tradavo%20Workdmark-4.png?width=779&height=203&name=Tradavo%20Workdmark-4.png "TRADAVO")](https://www.tradavo.com) [![Sign Up](https://hubspot-no-cache-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/423/80defbd7-0814-4d64-b870-c4005068e2de.png)](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/423/80defbd7-0814-4d64-b870-c4005068e2de) [![Log In](https://hubspot-no-cache-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/423/42d1cd9e-959e-4cd5-9790-fa532eb92b23.png)](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/423/42d1cd9e-959e-4cd5-9790-fa532eb92b23) # Tradavo Advice ## [Fancy Food Show, January 16 - 18 in San Francisco](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/bid/36430/Fancy-Food-Show-January-16-18-in-San-Francisco) Posted by [Bobby Martyna](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/author/bobby-martyna) Wed, Jan 12, 2011 @ 18:01 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://www.tradavo.com/hs-fs/file-13166857-jpg/images/fancyfoodshowbanner_winter_jpg_528x126_crop_upscale_q100.jpg) ](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/bid/36430/Fancy-Food-Show-January-16-18-in-San-Francisco) A quick note that I will be at the Fancy Food Show at the Moscone Center from January 16 - 18.  We will be trawling the floor, visiting some of our current suppliers and looking for new and innovative consumer products our customers may appreciate and enjoy. [Read More](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/bid/36430/Fancy-Food-Show-January-16-18-in-San-Francisco) Topics: [wholesale snack distributor](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/topic/wholesale-snack-distributor), [Bobby Martyna](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/topic/bobby-martyna), [Tradavo CEO](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/topic/tradavo-ceo), [wholesale products](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/topic/wholesale-products), [wholesale cookies](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/topic/wholesale-cookies), [Fancy Food Show](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/topic/fancy-food-show), [Consumer Products](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/topic/consumer-products), [President and CEO](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/topic/president-and-ceo), [Tradavo](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/topic/tradavo) ## [The Scylla and Charybdis of Retail](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/bid/21137/The-Scylla-and-Charybdis-of-Retail) Posted by [Bobby Martyna](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/author/bobby-martyna) Sat, Oct 30, 2010 @ 07:10 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://www.tradavo.com/hs-fs/file-13168641-png/images/scylla_and_charybdis.png) ](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/bid/21137/The-Scylla-and-Charybdis-of-Retail) Running a retail operation is quite like navigating between Scylla and Charybdis, the very daunting tasked face by the Homeric hero, Ulysses.  How so? [Read More](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/bid/21137/The-Scylla-and-Charybdis-of-Retail) Topics: [wholesale snack distributor](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/topic/wholesale-snack-distributor), [Bobby Martyna](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/topic/bobby-martyna), [Tradavo CEO](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/topic/tradavo-ceo), [wholesale products](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/topic/wholesale-products), [retail advice](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/topic/retail-advice), [planogram](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/topic/planogram), [out of stock](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/topic/out-of-stock), [backstock](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/topic/backstock), [inventory](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/topic/inventory), [retail pricing](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/topic/retail-pricing), [SRPs](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/topic/srps) ## [What's the Frequency, Kenneth?](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/bid/19689/What-s-the-Frequency-Kenneth) Posted by [Bobby Martyna](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/author/bobby-martyna) Sun, Oct 24, 2010 @ 07:10 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://www.tradavo.com/hs-fs/file-13168581-jpg/images/rem.jpg) ](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/bid/19689/What-s-the-Frequency-Kenneth) Many people may remember the 1994 Billboard Modern Rock Tracks number one song by REM. The song itself was taken from a strange encounter between Dan Rather and a slightly off-kilter duo who kept pressing him with that inscrutable and now memorialized question. [Read More](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/bid/19689/What-s-the-Frequency-Kenneth) Topics: [wholesale snack distributor](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/topic/wholesale-snack-distributor), [Bobby Martyna](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/topic/bobby-martyna), [Tradavo CEO](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/topic/tradavo-ceo), [wholesale products](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/topic/wholesale-products), [club store](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/topic/club-store) ## [Are you crazy for Brent & Sam's cookies? (hint -- if not, you will be!)](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/bid/17891/Are-you-crazy-for-Brent-Sam-s-cookies-hint-if-not-you-will-be) Posted by [Bobby Martyna](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/author/bobby-martyna) Sat, Oct 16, 2010 @ 08:10 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://www.tradavo.com/hs-fs/file-25383030-jpg/images/brent__sams.jpg) ](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/bid/17891/Are-you-crazy-for-Brent-Sam-s-cookies-hint-if-not-you-will-be) We are very excited about Brent & Sam's cookies, which we just added to our lineup under our Lance Direct Specialty Store.  While not as well known as some of our other brands, Brent & Sam's cookies, made from scratch, and to order, are the absolute favorites of retailers and their customers. [Read More](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/bid/17891/Are-you-crazy-for-Brent-Sam-s-cookies-hint-if-not-you-will-be) Topics: [wholesale snack distributor](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/topic/wholesale-snack-distributor), [Bobby Martyna](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/topic/bobby-martyna), [Tradavo CEO](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/topic/tradavo-ceo), [wholesale products](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/topic/wholesale-products), [Brent & Sam's](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/topic/brent-sam39s), [wholesale cookies](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/topic/wholesale-cookies) ## [The 5 Most Painful Mistakes Made by Hotel Retail Managers - Part 5](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/bid/16915/The-5-Most-Painful-Mistakes-Made-by-Hotel-Retail-Managers-Part-5) Posted by [Bobby Martyna](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/author/bobby-martyna) Tue, Oct 12, 2010 @ 12:10 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://www.tradavo.com/hs-fs/file-13166439-jpg/images/courtyard_bistro.jpg) ](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/bid/16915/The-5-Most-Painful-Mistakes-Made-by-Hotel-Retail-Managers-Part-5) # Painful Mistake #5 - Buying the Wrong Products and Pricing Incorrectly Retailing is both an art and a science -- and many hotel  managers have a very good sense of aesthetics from their experience designing and operating hotels.  It's the science part that may be elusive. [Read More](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/bid/16915/The-5-Most-Painful-Mistakes-Made-by-Hotel-Retail-Managers-Part-5) Topics: [hotel pantry](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/topic/hotel-pantry), [hotel supplier](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/topic/hotel-supplier), [wholesale snack distributor](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/topic/wholesale-snack-distributor), [Bobby Martyna](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/topic/bobby-martyna), [Tradavo CEO](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/topic/tradavo-ceo), [wholesale products](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/topic/wholesale-products), [retail advice](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/topic/retail-advice), [planogram](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/topic/planogram), [club store](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/topic/club-store), [retail science](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/topic/retail-science) ## [The 5 Most Painful Mistakes Made by Hotel Retail Managers - Part 4](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/bid/16847/The-5-Most-Painful-Mistakes-Made-by-Hotel-Retail-Managers-Part-4) Posted by [Bobby Martyna](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/author/bobby-martyna) Tue, Oct 12, 2010 @ 08:10 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://www.tradavo.com/hs-fs/file-13166423-jpg/images/costco_shopper.jpg) ](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/bid/16847/The-5-Most-Painful-Mistakes-Made-by-Hotel-Retail-Managers-Part-4) # Painful Mistake #4 - Going to the Club Store Let's face it -- we all love going to Sam's, Costco, BJ's and the Wal-mart superstore for personal purchases as well as for some hotel supplies from time-to-time.  Products stacked a mile high and new and interesting products make going to the Club Store a real adventure -- a treasure hunt, even. [Read More](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/bid/16847/The-5-Most-Painful-Mistakes-Made-by-Hotel-Retail-Managers-Part-4) Topics: [hotel pantry](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/topic/hotel-pantry), [hotel supplier](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/topic/hotel-supplier), [wholesale snack distributor](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/topic/wholesale-snack-distributor), [Bobby Martyna](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/topic/bobby-martyna), [Tradavo CEO](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/topic/tradavo-ceo), [wholesale products](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/topic/wholesale-products), [club store](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/topic/club-store), [Costco](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/topic/costco), [Sam's Club](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/topic/sam39s-club), [BJ's](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/topic/bj39s) ## [The 5 Most Painful Mistakes Made by Hotel Retail Managers - Part 3](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/bid/16716/The-5-Most-Painful-Mistakes-Made-by-Hotel-Retail-Managers-Part-3) Posted by [Bobby Martyna](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/author/bobby-martyna) Mon, Oct 11, 2010 @ 17:10 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://www.tradavo.com/hs-fs/file-13166497-jpg/images/deal_shake.jpg) ](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/bid/16716/The-5-Most-Painful-Mistakes-Made-by-Hotel-Retail-Managers-Part-3) # Painful Mistake #3 - Using your Buying Group for Hotel Retail Purchases This is a very common, but painful mistake.  Buying Groups, also known as Group Purchasing Organizations (GPOs) are a very well considered concept for purchasing many items for hotels -- including furniture, fixtures and equipment, and in some cases, food service items. [Read More](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/bid/16716/The-5-Most-Painful-Mistakes-Made-by-Hotel-Retail-Managers-Part-3) Topics: [hotel pantry](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/topic/hotel-pantry), [hotel supplier](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/topic/hotel-supplier), [wholesale snack distributor](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/topic/wholesale-snack-distributor), [Bobby Martyna](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/topic/bobby-martyna), [Tradavo CEO](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/topic/tradavo-ceo) [All posts](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/all) ### Subscribe to our blog! ### Recent Posts ### Posts by Topic - [hotel pantry (15)](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/topic/hotel-pantry) - [wholesale products (11)](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/topic/wholesale-products) - [wholesale snack distributor (10)](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/topic/wholesale-snack-distributor) - [Tradavo CEO (8)](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/topic/tradavo-ceo) - [hotel supplier (8)](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/topic/hotel-supplier) - [retail advice (8)](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/topic/retail-advice) - [Bobby Martyna (7)](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/topic/bobby-martyna) - [Tradavo (7)](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/topic/tradavo) - [F & B (4)](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/topic/f-b) - [Market (4)](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/topic/market) - [club store (4)](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/topic/club-store) - [wholesale ice cream (4)](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/topic/wholesale-ice-cream) - [Hotel (3)](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/topic/hotel) - [inventory (3)](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/topic/inventory) - [nestle (3)](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/topic/nestle) - [out of stock (3)](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/topic/out-of-stock) - [retail management (3)](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/topic/retail-management) - [retail pricing (3)](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/topic/retail-pricing) - [wholesale ben and jerry's (3)](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/topic/wholesale-ben-and-jerry39s) - [wholesale haagen dazs (3)](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/topic/wholesale-haagen-dazs) - [Retail (2)](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/topic/retail) - [hospitality (2)](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/topic/hospitality) - [planogram (2)](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/topic/planogram) - [wholesale cookies (2)](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/topic/wholesale-cookies) - [BJ's (1)](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/topic/bj39s) - [Brent & Sam's (1)](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/topic/brent-sam39s) - [Business (1)](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/topic/business) - [Consumer Products (1)](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/topic/consumer-products) - [Costco (1)](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/topic/costco) - [Fall (1)](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/topic/fall) - [Fancy Food Show (1)](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/topic/fancy-food-show) - [Lobby Retail (1)](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/topic/lobby-retail) - [Preparing for Full Occupancy (1)](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/topic/preparing-for-full-occupancy) - [President and CEO (1)](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/topic/president-and-ceo) - [Ps (1)](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/topic/ps) - [SRPs (1)](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/topic/srps) - [Sam's Club (1)](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/topic/sam39s-club) - [Travel (1)](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/topic/travel) - [backstock (1)](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/topic/backstock) - [deter shoplifting (1)](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/topic/deter-shoplifting) - [lean cuisine (1)](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/topic/lean-cuisine) - [retail science (1)](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/topic/retail-science) - [wholesale stouffer's (1)](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/topic/wholesale-stouffer39s) [see all](https://www.tradavo.com/blog/topic/bobby-martyna#) - [home](https://www.tradavo.com/) - [about](https://www.tradavo.com/AboutUs) - [contact](https://www.tradavo.com/Contact) Copyright © 2007-2013 Tradavo