Retail Merchandiser’s founders recognized that a broad range of retailers (whether they called themselves bargain stores, factory outlets, mill stores, promotional centers, closed-door stores, soft-goods supermarkets, or discount centers) were driving, as Schwartz wrote, a “second revolution—discount house era—that will reshape the entire world of retailing.”

Schwartz’s prognostication could not have been more accurate. Mass merchandisers rapidly became the kings of retail. And as the industry grew and evolved, Discount Merchandiser grew and evolved right along with it, becoming Retail Merchandiser in 2000 to better reflect its coverage of the entire mass retailing industry.Though much has changed over the years, our editorial mission remains firmly rooted in the vision of our magazine’s founders: to help lead the industry by providing our readers with accurate and balanced information upon which to make better business decisions.

We’ve since evolved our focus by looking at the retail supply chain, talking to product managers, brand managers, senior marketing executives, and senior sales executives about how they deliver the products and services retailers need to do their jobs. We’re also talking to executives in the licensing world about how retailers and suppliers can work together to bring new products to life and to retailers’ shelves.

As Schwartz wrote in 1961: “We believe that an industry magazine must point out the ways that lead to new strength. It must tell its readers not only what the facts are but what can be done about them.”

Through our print magazine, our daily e-newsletter, and our website, that is exactly what today’s Retail Merchandiser will continue to do, and we’ve got the awards to prove it.

Our September/October 2008 cover story, “Green Spree,” won a gold Eddie in the retail category, and the entire issue won a bronze award in the retail category. In addition, the May/June 2010 cover story, “A New Alternative,” won a gold Eddie for best single article in the retail category.