Many shops have already closed their doors. More are likely to shut down right after Valentines.
This is sad for the people involved - that cannot be overstated. It can also be an opportunity for you. We'll talk more about how in future posts.
In the meantime you need to keep your ears to the ground. If a competitor is getting ready to close up you want to know about it in advance. The best way to find out is through your local network. Talk to your delivery drivers, your wholesalers, their drivers, freelance designers, your wire service reps, etc. If somebody is going out of business they'll probably know about it.
