DECEMBER 2009

While we are enjoying the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, we don’t want to let this special time of year get by without wishing all of our IFS clients the very best and thanking you for your business! As we end what has been a challenging year, we are encouraged by an overall increase in client product orders over last year. As a result of this upward trend, along with predictions of economic improvement in 2010, we have added an additional 10,000 square feet of warehouse space in an effort to better-serve your fulfillment and distribution needs.

We look forward to working with you in 2010 and providing you with marketing, customer service and fulfillment information that will help your business thrive. Plus, look for the launch of our new IFS Web site early in the first quarter. As your business continues to grow, please don’t hesitate to let us know what kind of fulfillment and distribution information we can provide to help you be successful. Email your comments and questions to us at information@ifssolutions.com.

Most economists are coming out with cautiously optimistic predictions that the U.S. economy will experience moderate growth next year, with consumer spending expected to be flat during the holiday season. However, initial reports from online holiday shopping reflect encouraging signs after last year’s first online sales decline. According to an article in the Wall Street Journal, online retailers rang up $595 million on Black Friday, an 11 percent increase over last year.

By late evening on Cyber Monday, Web shoppers had spent 13.7 percent more than they did a year ago, according to Coremetrics, Inc., a Web analytics company that tracks shopper behavior on the sites of more than 500 U.S. brands.

However, according to some large online retailers, customers are looking for big discounts and free shipping offers, and they are buying less expensive gifts as they continue to watch their spending this holiday season.

With consumers expected to spend more carefully in this down economy, it will be the online retailers that offer healthy product inventories, excellent service, competitive prices and prompt, accurate deliveries that will reap the benefit of such cautious spending habits.

It is with deepest gratitude that we thank our valued Nutraceutical clients for the privilege of providing them with another successful year of fulfillment services. We wish you all the Happiest Holidays and a Successful 2010!

IFS is a world class, full-service fulfillment operation with a track record of success. A woman-owned business, we proudly serve some of the country's most respected corporations. With a special expertise in the fulfillment of nutraceuticals and cosmeceuticals, we can help you run your business more efficiently and more cost effectively. We appreciate your comments and welcome the opportunity to discuss your particular needs.