Buyers prepared to travel to find products that are innovative, well priced and (of course) new are those most likely to survive any prolonged downturn in the global economy.   UK trade magazine Fashion Extra (Fe) carried a straw poll of buyers among its readers: a few samples of which are listed below. "I'd like to spend more time and budget on traveling to visit shows.  When times are tough the independent retailer has to steel themselves to be braver and more entrepreneurial in order to stay ahead.  If you can't offer customers new and interesting brands, the only thing you can attract them with is price and you don't have the margin to compete with the high street."   Melissa Needham, owner, Black Truffle, "With the uncertain climate ahead and the strength of the Euro I will have to look at s/s 09 very carefully.  New brands are key to keeping the shops fresh and exciting so I an always looking for something different.   "Forward ordering for footwear is essential in the mid to top price points and although short ordering can bed done there is always four to six weeks lead time which is often not quick enough."   Polly Lusher, owner, Shu Shu (with three outlets) in south-east UK. "I am always looking for short order....  to keep up with trends and also the weather as this is always a key factor in determining what sells best month to month.  I do forward order most of the brands so that the bulk of my buy is confirmed and I can fill in with short-order product when needed."   Laura Allnatt, owner, Lollipop, London "My action plan is to keep selling anything that is significantly different.  Customers are taking a lot more time to purchase items – especially expensive products."   Jan Wilson, owner, Bags of Style, Southport "(Consumers) often end up going for the cheaper option, I am going to look for something that is unique in a more affordable price range...We have a range of Italian shoes that retail around GBP30 – 40 and they're flying off the shelves...but the more expensive stock isn't moving."   Nicole Heath, owner, Goody Two Shoes, Stafford. Travel Booking Made Easy   One factor, of increasing importance these days, is the increased cost of travel.  Fortunately, Hong Kong, one of the world's major inter-change travel hubs can offer attractive rates to overseas visitors.   To assist buyers considering visiting Fashion Access, organisers recommend APLF's travel partner, the Official Airline Guide (OAG).  Click here It offers tangible benefits.  The main ones being convenience, time saving and, of course, pricing.  Using OAG allows booking travel arrangements at the same time as registering for the exhibition.  (One less thing to do!)   At the very least pricing is highly competitive and certainly worth a click here.  If you wish to contribute to the APLF News, with your experiences in the industry, your observations, or general thoughts on the direction the industry is going, we would like to hear from you. Email: aplf-news@aplf.com How long has your company been attending APLF? If you wish to be involved in the celebration of the 25th anniversary of APLF, we would like to hear from you. Email: aplf-news@aplf.com. Subject Headline: APLF 25th Anniversary