Date: February 21, 2005
Vol. IX, No. 4

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

COMMENTARY: CHA Eases My Worries -- Somewhat 

Lately I've been very concerned about the state of the industry. Actually confused – I can't decide if my concerns are valid or am I just having trouble adjusting to change. I wrote about them before the CHA show and held on to it, to see if the show would eliminate my concerns.

It didn't. But what I did see and hear in Atlanta has made me somewhat less concerned. So if you want to read how my thoughts are evolving, first read my pre-show concerns in Business-Wise, and then read the rest of this issue.

And please, feel free to comment, on or off the record, about the validity (or foolishness) of my thinking, about the CHA show, about anything. Email your thoughts to mike@clnonline.com.

Business-Wise. Mike's concerns about the industry before the CHA show. Is Mike right? Plus, an interview with Joyce Perhac, exec director of the Home Sewing Assn.

Note: The last issue of CLN had a record number of columns, just as the industry was scrambling to leave for the CHA show in Atlanta. Consequently we're leaving the columns in place in case you didn't have time to read them before the show.

Category Reports. Thoughts, comments, and trends from the recent TNNA Long Beach show written by two veteran needlework pros.

"Vinny Da Vendor" What's wrong – and what's right – about florals. A blunt interview with Larry Gold, president of the Aldik division of Decorative Concepts.

Scene & Heard. A long-time craft manufacturer exhibits at the Dallas gift show – with some surprising results ... Report on the huge PaperWorld/ChristmasWorld show in Germany ... A letter from Europe on what's hot and what's not in various countries.

Memory, Paper & Stamps. An interview with Shane Cullimore, the new owner of Crafters Home, the industry's most influential independent memory retailer group.

Designing Perspectives. 10 Tips for Spotting a Trend, by ace designer Marie Browning, member of the new Creative Spirit Cafι.

Legal Q. & A. MagEyes, a U.S. manufacturer of vision/magnifier products for needlework and other fine crafting techniques, sues a counterfeiter – and wins.

Note. If you surf to a column and it's an "old" column, click the "Refresh" or "Reload" button of your browser.

You've had a few days to decompress from the hectic CHA show. Think back: was it a good show? Buyers: what did you think of the new products you saw? Vendors: was the traffic and interest/orders from the buyers what you'd hoped for? Click on Industry Polls or click HERE.

CLN asked readers which category they thought would show the greatest sales increase in 2005. The results – no surprise – mirrored the "hot" categories at the CHA show.

Cardmaking-Papercrafting-Stamps received 36% of the votes. Knitting/Crochet was second with 24%, and Beading/Jewelrymaking and Kids Crafts tied for third with 15%. Painting, Basic Crafts, and Readymades each received 3%. Florals and Quilting did not receive any votes.

(Note: Keep in mind for every general statement you read below, there were vendors and buyers who felt the opposite. The report below represents what the majority of people told us.)

No final stats were available at publication time. Attendance was reported to be up, although the enormity of the hall caused some to think otherwise.

Most vendors were pleased. Those who sell to the chains seemed happy with the response (although, if the chains hadn't expressed interest in the vendors' new products before the show, the vendors wouldn't have exhibited them in the first place). Those who sell to independent memory dealers were happy with orders.

There seemed to be fewer new memory products unveiled by scrapbook companies – not a bad sign, since the category is already drowning in products. On the other hand, there were more memory products unveiled by craft companies – so many that some attendees suggested merging the craft and scrapbook categories on the show floor next year.

Quotation: "I would have to say [the CHA show] was probably the best show we have had in the last few years. I say this from being in several different booths during the show, as our group reps for about 12 companies that were at CHA, covering scrapbooking, fine art, and everything in-between." – Shawn Grecian, Grecian Sales Group, Lake City, FL

World Congress Center. The two halls made it even harder/longer than usual to see everything (but CHA doesn't return to Atlanta for at least a decade). Because of the two halls, it "felt" like two separate shows; entrepreneurs selling to wildly enthusiastic independents in one hall and larger companies selling to bigger, more established retailers in the other. The Center's employees were the friendliest, most helpful we've ever seen.

Scrapbooking. Clearly still the dominant category ... There did not appear to be anything radically new, but there certainly remains a glut of products ... Many observers voiced strong concern over the fate of the independent, given the incredible number of retailers now selling at least some memory products; clearly, independents need to be strong retailers, not just scrapbook enthusiasts, in order to survive.

If memory buyers stuck to the scrapbook and new-exhibitor sections, they missed an enormous number of memory products; almost every exhibitor offered some sort of memory-related line ... There appeared to be a trend of memory retailers branching out into other categories ... Very encouraging to see products geared for people other than healthy, white, middle-class women. We saw stickers, papers, and other products that showed African-Americans, Hispanics, the elderly, the disabled, etc.

CLN heard an unconfirmed report that Big Lots (Big Lots!) was selling $1 million worth of scrapbook paper a month. All of the dollar stores attended the show and placed orders.

Yarn. Shows no sign of slowing down. Some of the new yarns and products were sensational, and apparently the buyers thought so, too. And smaller put-ups allow retailers to merchandise them in less space than before.

Beads. Buyers continue to report they're hot, but we didn't see as much of it at the show as we had expected.

Needlework. DMC launched an excellent Mentor program to help and encourage stitchers to teach cross stitch to friends and relatives Visit www.dmc-usa.com ... We also saw evidence of new, updated designs to attract a younger consumer ... There were also predictions that needlework will benefit from a spillover of the knit/crochet craze.

Painting. We are very hopeful that the new leadership of Mike Saubert at the Society of Decorative Painters will jump-start the organization; SDP has new programs – particularly one to attract kids – in the works that sound very promising.

Others. We saw more mosaics ... Any retailer wishing to stock a strong kids crafts department had plenty of products from which to choose ... Decoupage is bound to pick up as part of the paper crafts trend.

Television. The DIY Network-sponsored stage/events were a mixed bag. The auditions for hosts of the upcoming industry-related series were entertaining, as was the PBS programing by Kathie Stull and Cutter Productions' producer Vicki Payne with series stars Sloan Payne-Rutter, Donna Dewberry, and Priscilla Hauser. Attendance was sparse at some of the stage events probably due, in part, to a lack of pre-show publicity.

Miscellaneous. One vendor tried to take buyers off the show floor, during show hours, to show new products at a hotel suite. That can result in having the suite shut down and the vendor losing future exhibit privileges ... Best trend of the month: more companies offering retail support programs for independents.

Design. The Design Faire, where freelance designers could exhibit their work, was a huge success ... Regardless of the category, designs are more modern and sophisticated and less "cute." Other than some scrapbook designs, we didn't see a single smiling bunny.

Future. After listening to trend guru Robyn Waters and walking the show, if we had to pick one category we think will be a major force in the reasonably near future, it's home dec.

(Comment: Any suggestions on how CHA can improve the show? Email them to mike@clnonline.com and CLN will pass them along.)

Eva-Marie Boyd, the author of CLN's Q. & A. column and the wife of long-time manufacturer's rep C.H. "C" Boyd, passed away after a brief illness. Eva-Marie was a practicing attorney for approximately 15 years. During that time she was president of the Orange County Barristers and president of her law school alumni association. She also served on the Orange County Bar Association Board of Directors for seven years and as chair of the Orange County Bar Association Legal Referral Committee for three years. She was a panel attorney for California Lawyer for the Arts and has lectured for that organization on copyright issues.

Eva-Marie was a smart, gracious lady, who will be missed. Send cards to C. H. "C" Boyd, 1160 Catalina St., Laguna Beach, CA 92651.

Bill Reed (F +W Publications), the former chair of the HIA board of directors, won the Special Recognition award, and Tom Yaley Sr. (Yaley Ent.) won the President's award.

Innovations (for best new products, voted by retailers who evaluated the products in the Innovations display). Art Materials/Framing: The Color Wheel (www.colorwheelco.com)... Fabric/Quilting/Needlecraft: Cottage Mills (www.cottagemills.com) ... General Crafts: Testors (www.testors.com) ... New Exhibitor: Stamp’n Around ... (www.stampinaround.com) ... Scrapbooking/Paper Crafts: Judikins (www.judikins.com) ... Judikins also won the "Best in Show" award.

Golden Press Kit Awards (for the best press kits, voted by members of the press who attended the show). Gold: Paper Salon (www.papersalon.com) ... Silver: Scrapworks (www.scrapworks.com) ... Bronze: Making Memories (www.makingmemories.com).

CHA Board. Elected to his first three-year term was Ron LaRosa (Delta). Re-elected to a second three-year term was Jane Marski (Hanna's Home Accents); Mike McCooey (Plaid); and Mike Hartnett (Creative Leisure News).

"Unless you align yourself physically, mentally, and spiritually, you won't succeed as a person, and then always remember where you came from." ... "The arts are sometimes the key that unlock kids so they can give their gifts to the world." – Henry Winkler, CHA speaker

"I can no longer afford to do consumer advertising to drive traffic into stores because the chains have taken all my margin." – Major craft manufacturer

"When designing a product, keep things simple, so the inherent goodness of the product comes through." – Robyn Waters, CHA speaker

"This is a unique industry. It can't go anywhere without designers and small manufacturers." – Jim Bremer, Tall Mouse (and Chair of the CHA board of directors)

"My opinion of Michael Rouleau [CEO of Michaels]: I founded and created Michaels. Without an idea that a $4 billion company could be built. Without Michael Rouleau there would not be a $4 billion Michaels chain. He has done all of the work it takes to build this size of company, and he deserves 100% of the credit. Over the years we have had our differences, but when it is all said and done, Michael Rouleau has done a wonderful job." – Mike Dupey

Worst idea of the month: We heard unconfirmed reports that two chains (not our industry's major chains) are contemplating not paying vendors until the product is bought and scanned at checkout.

Michaels. Will open its third Star Decorators Wholesale in Scottsdale, AZ next month. The 30,000-sq.-ft. store will provide merchandise (15,000+ SKUs) for interior decorators and designers, florists and floral designers, wedding and event planners, gift shop owners, etc. The first two stores were opened in Dallas and Atlanta. Star is a separate operation with its own management and merchandising team under the direction of Duane Hiemenz, Sr. VP of New Business Development. The Scottsdale location will offer the Design Connection, a free referral service designed to introduce interested consumers to qualified professionals. Visit www.stardecorators.com.

Garden Ridge. Filed a reorganization plan to emerge from bankruptcy. Visit www.gardenridge.com to read a copy of the plan, which still needs court and creditor approval. Garden Ridge has 35 stores in 13 states.

Mergers. Perhaps inspired by the Sears-Kmart deal, Macy's and Filene's conducted merger negotiations, but the talks broke off, then rumors spread that they may resume.

Wal-Mart. Announced it would close its Jonquiere, Quebec store, which had received union certification last October. The union said it would file charges against the discounter with the Quebec Labour Relations Board, the Associated Press reported. The closure announcement came a few days before Wal-Mart employees in the tire/lube express department of the New Castle, PA store voted against joining the United Food and Commercial Workers union.

Paper. Borders announced it's launching a stationery and gift store, Paperchase, inside its superstores, the Detroit News reported. The first "stores" are expected to open in northern California later this month; the rollout is expected to be chain-wide by the end of next year. The bookseller eventually plans to open stand-alone Paperchase stores in malls across the country. In July, Borders had acquired a majority stake the British stationery company, Paperchase Products which already operates some of its locations in Borders' stores in the United Kingdom. To learn more about Paperchase, visit www.paperchase.co.uk.

Did you miss visiting a booth? If so, the CHA show website is still online, with access to the websites of all of the exhibitors. Follow these simple instructions:

1. Go to www.chashow.org. 2. Click on the Exhibitor menu, then 2005 Exhibitor List and Floor Plan. 3. Click on 2005 Preliminary Floor Plan and wait for it to load. 4. Make certain your "pop-up blocker" is off. (You can find that on the Tools menu of your browser). 5. If you double-click on an exhibitor's name in the exhibitor list in the left-hand column, you will be taken to the exhibitor's website.

Gift Cards. According to estimates compiled by Deloitte Research, as of mid-February, only 61% of the gift cards given as presents this past Christmas have been cashed in, the St. Petersburg Times reported. The average holiday shopper gave away 3.2 gift cards worth a total of $142 during the holidays.

Cameras. The Consumer Electronics Assn. reported that 2004 factory-to-dealer sales of digital cameras rose 21% to $4.7 billion; unit sales rose 28% to 18.85 million units. Consumers are buying better cameras, too. Sales of cameras with five or more megapixel resolutions rose 176% to 7+ million. CEA Market Research projects 20.16 million digital cameras totaling $5.14+ billion will be sold this year ... The Photo Marketing Assn. says 52% of U.S. homes will own a digital camera by the end of the year and predicts falling prices as vendors try to attract sales to the other 48% – and consumers buying a second digital camera.

Home Dec. No wonder it's getting hot. An increase in single-family housing pushed total U.S. housing starts to the highest number in almost 21 years, Reuters reported. And home remodeling is soaring, too, due in part to an increase in women doing home improvements. Business Week reports that Home Depot, Sears, Lowe's and others are adjusting their merchandising strategies to attract more women.

Kids. Retail sales in the U.S. toy industry fell 3% to $20.1 billion in 2004, according to a study by The NPD Group, Playthings reported.

Stock. Wal-Mart and Dollar General were listed as two of the top performing stocks over the past 25 years, according to a survey by FactSet Research Systems, MarketWatch.com reported. The top stock was Eaton Vance Corp., a mutual fund company.

Internet. According to Whereoware.com, the top five keyword searches in January were, in descending order: candles, scrapbooks, Wizard of Oz, lamps, and Betty Boop, Gifts & Decorative Accessories reported.

Art. A survey of AmericanStyle magazine readers revealed that New York was the #1 Arts Destination, followed by Chicago, Washington DC, Buffalo, Cincinnati, Santa Fe, San Francisco, Seattle, Boston, and Asheville, NC.

Brands. Brandweek magazine surveyed consumers for its annual customer loyalty awards. Among the winners that are relevant to businesses and travelers: Airline: JetBlue ... Car Rental: Avis ... Computer: Apple ... Credit Card: Discover ... Hotel: Hyatt ... Long Distance Phone: Verizon ... Mobile Phone: Samsung ... Office Copier: Canon ... Online Travel: Expedia ... Parcel Delivery: FedEx ... Retail Store: Wal-Mart ... Search Engine: Google ... Wireless Phone Service: Verizon / T-Mobile (tie).

1. Some readers wondered about why the "Industry Poll" indicated why a sizable number of vendors and retailers (not a majority, but sizable) were planning to attend fewer shows this year. Two reasons, I think: scrapbook vendors and retailers having cash flow problems and the Internet. Retailers can order an enormous variety of products online (but of course, they never see the great new products from new exhibitors at trade shows).

2. Sign of the times. I had dinner with an old friend who is president of a technical college in the Atlanta area. He said, "We used to devote a major portion of our curriculum to preparing students for manufacturing jobs. Now we've had to completely rethink it because all the manufacturing jobs are going offshore."

3. As always, there were a multitude of new products hidden away in various booths. A good example is the new Creative Iron line from StenSource. It's adhesive-backed, pre-cut fabric in a variety of designs and colors. Simply peel, place, and press onto most any surface, including scrapbooks. Visit www.stensource.com.

4. Our very best wishes to one of our favorite couples, Gerry Gerri and his wife, Charlene. Gerry has retired from his sales rep business.

HOBBY LOBBY. Steve Green has been named President. David Green remains as CEO and says he has no intentions of retiring. "No one is stepping down," David said, "we're stepping up."

SCRAPBOOKS. CLN has heard an unconfirmed report that you can add another name to the long list of retailers now (or planning to) sell scrapbook supplies: Hancock Fabrics.

INTERNET. The Target website seems to offer far more scrapbook supplies than the stores. Visit www.target.com and type "scrapbooks" and "scrapbooking" in the search engine.

WAL-MART. Earnings for the fourth quarter ended Jan. 21 rose 16% to $3.16 billion ($0.75/share), higher than analysts expected. Reuters reported. Sales rose 10.4% to $82.22 billion. Same-store sales in the U.S. rose 1.4%. CEO/President Lee Scott said, "We can look forward to even better results in the current year."

BEADS. Here's a use for beads we hadn't thought of: making rosaries. The Standard-Times (MA) reported on a group from Our Lady's Chapel that meets weekly to make rosaries for Catholics. "The easiest place to start is Wal-Mart or A.C. Moore for string and beads," one of the participants told the Times.

KIDS. As part of its National Craft Month celebration, the 846 Michaels stores will host a "Build-a-Buddy" Free Family Event Mar. 19. The event is co-sponsored by Binney & Smith and its Crayola division. Throughout March Michaels will conduct a variety of free product demos, craft activities, and classes. The month kicks off with a free Scrapbook Discovery Day Mar. 5, a 4-hour, interactive event designed to introduce scrapbooking to consumers.

TOYS. The Associated Press reports that most toy industry analysts expect the toy division of Toys R Us will be sold to an investor who will remain in the toy business, possibly closing some stores to sell the real estate. TRU will continue operating its Babies R Us stores. A decision is expected soon.

SEWING. There's growing resentment by vendors (and, we assume, buyers) about there being two spring and two fall sewing trade shows. Vendors and buyers do not want to attend/exhibit at four shows. Vendors want to exhibit where the buyers will be, and vice-versa, but no one is certain which shows will be the winners.

CONSULTANTS. Duckwall-ALCO hired two business service providers to help lower benefit plan expenses and improve corporate communications. Meanwhile, the search for a new CEO continues. (Isn't everyone trying to reduce or limit the rise of health insurance costs?)

YARN. Huntington (WV) High School has started a knitting club, reports the Huntington Herald Dispatch ... The Associated Press published a story about the increase in men knitting.

INTERNET. Primedia, owner of Creating Keepsakes, Craftrends, and other industry-related magazines, has put up for sale About.com, which contains numerous industry-related sections for consumers. About.com is the eighth-most-visited site on the Internet, according to comScore Media Metrix, TheStreet.com reported ...... Walmart.com unveiled a same-day floral delivery service in time for Valentine's.

KIDS. Binney & Smith is back in the kids/toys/crafts business with Girlfitti jewelry, fashion, and scrapbooking kits, and Pom Pals, fuzzy animals with mix-and-match body parts, Playthings reported.

PAINTING. The Sporting News profiled Desmond Mason, a member of the Milwaukee Bucks NBA basketball team. SN reports that he is an accomplished painter with two one-man shows under his belt and another in the works.

LEGAL, I. Wal-Mart will pay $135,540 to settle federal charges that it broke child labor laws, the Labor Dept. said. The 24 violations, which occurred at stores in AR, CN, and NH, dealt with teenage employees using hazardous equipment, the Associated Press reported ... The Labor Dept. will review the settlement because a Congressman complained that the agreement includes Wal-Mart receiving 15 days notice in most cases before the Labor Dept. investigates employee complaints of wage and hour violations.

LEGAL, II. Sam Wyly, a member of the Michaels board and a major stockholder, is suing Ernst & Young's for $80 million for its audit of Computer Associates' books for fiscal 1999, which influenced his decision to sell his company, Sterling Software for CA stock.

SHOWS. ScrapbookBIZ, the new scrapbook trade show scheduled for Apr. 11-14 in Columbus, OH, announced its lineup of speakers and seminar leaders: Julie McGuffee, Priscilla Hauser, Pamela Grimm, The Color Institute, Pamela Smart, Kathy VanDorp, Kathy Bremer. Leslie Frederick, Kevin Nelson, Kathe Cunnigham, Andrew Crouse, and Sandra Joseph. For more info, visit www.scrapbookbiz.com.

PEOPLE. Brian McReavy is National Sales Manager for Walnut Hollow. His resume includes Dir. of Sales/Marketing for Add Your Touch ... Cari Clement is the Dir. of Fashion & Design for Caron.

SEWING. The 20th series of America Sews with Sue Hausmann uplinks to PBS stations Apr. 2. The theme is "Transcending the Trends." Sponsors are Husqvarna Viking, Jo-Ann's, Sulky of America, Rowenta, The Warm Co., Hewlett-Packard, Rit Dye, Unique, Sew Precious Creations, Kandi Corp., Krause, Mount Redoubt Designs, Springs Creative Products, and Sudberry House. Call your PBS station and ask for it.

LICENSING. Pokemon, a wildly popular kids phenomenon a few years ago, just granted a new license to Rose Art for craft and activity sets, Playthings reported.

IMPORTS. The U.S. Senate is considering a bill that would place a 27.5% tariff on Chinese imports unless China agrees to float its currency within 180 days of the bill's passage. The Retail Industry Leaders Assn., an alliance of the country's largest retailers, announced its opposition to the legislation. (Comment: While the bill, introduced by Sens. Charles Schumer (D- NY), Lindsey Graham (R- SC), and Debbie Stabenow (D- MI), has at least some bipartisan support and might pass, it would probably be vetoed by President Bush, who needs China's support to encourage North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons.)

CONTEST. The National NeedleArts Assn.'s third annual Student NeedleArts Design Competition is now accepting entries. The competition is open to students enrolled in a post high school educational curriculum or "nonprofessionals," age 18 and over, sponsored by a TNNA member. Deadline for entries is April 30. To download an entry form, visit www.tnna.org/pdfs/studentdesigncomp.pdf. For more info, email Sherry Mulne at bdirect@columbus.rr.com or call 614-237-0700.

WRITING. Noted needlework designer Lois Winston is a finalist for the Romantic Times book club and Dorchester Publishing's first-ever American Title competition. You can vote for "Best Romance Scene" starting today through Mar. 6. Visit www.romantictimes.com/index.html?/e_news/amtitle2.shtml and vote for Resurrecting Gertie.

CONDOLENCES. Our best wishes to the family of Janet Iyoya, Sr. VP of Creativity, who passed away last last year after a long battle with cancer. "I have known very few people who have had the influence, dedication and commitment, while sacrificing their personal life and consistently putting the company first. Janet has continually done so since she first began at Westrim Crafts" said Gary Deitsch, President of Westrim Crafts. Memorial donations may be made in Janet’s name to the National Cervical Cancer Coalition, 2625 Alcatraz Ave, Ste. 282, Berkeley, CA 94705.

WAL-MART. To read a highly partisan/selective but fascinating report on Wal-Mart, visit www.purpleocean.org/walmart/?src=dems.

QUOTATION. "It's certainly true that manufacturers have a lot less pull in the marketplace than they used to. But they haven't lost it to Wal-Mart and Target. They've lost it to you and me. The real transformation of the past 30 years is the rise not of the American retailer but of the American consumer.... That's why Wal-Mart is so tough to negotiate with, and so relentless in its quest for lower prices and lower costs. American consumers now consider it their due to have access to a wide variety of cheap, reliable goods. Their allegiances are fickle; brand loyalty is in fast decline." – James Surowiecki, in the 2/14 & 21 edition of the New Yorker

PAINT. A new group of shareholders, led by Patrick Giraud and current president Jim Daler, have taken total control of the Daler-Rowney Group. Giraud, with 20+ years experience in art materials, said, "Daler Rowney is a wonderful global brand with significant market share in colours, surfaces, and brushes....The objective of these new shareholders is to be strong partners as we move into an exciting period of development and new projects."

TAXES. Montana's legislature is considering a special tax on big-box retailers to offset welfare costs for low-paid employees of the retailers. A 1% tax would apply to each store with sales more than $20 million, rising to 2% in stores with $40+ million in sales, Reuters reported.

RETAIL. The New Jersey Dept. of Labor and Workforce Development awarded a $483,000 grant to the Jersey Gardens Retail Skills Center to train retail workers and promote retailing as a career.

Note: CLN will profile one company per issue, which will remain online for at least a year. A Profile is a perfect way for a new company to let itself be known to the industry, or for an established company to enhance its reputation by showing the industry its history, diversity of products, personnel, etc. For more information on how your company can be profiled, call Mike Hartnett at 309-925-5593 or email mike@clnonline.com.

To view a partial list of the latest available jobs, click on Jobs in the left-hand column or click HERE.

A. C. Moore (ACMR). Last*: 26.47 ... Change**: -0.73
Hancock Fabrics (HKF). Last*: 8.90 ... Change**: -0.03
Jo-Ann Stores (JAS). Last*: 30.33 ... Change**: +1.43
Michaels (MIK). Last*: 31.96 ... Change**: -0.69
Wal-Mart (WMT). Last*: 52.72 ... Change**: -0.74
CLN Retail Index. Last*: 150.38 ... Change**: -1.0%
Dow Jones Index. Last*: 10,785.22 ... Change**: +0.6%

Robyn Waters, a CHA keynote speaker, former head of product development at Target, and now a consultant, suggested to the audience that if they want to spot emerging trends, they should take market research/statistics with a large grain of salt. Waters believes they define what has already happened. Some of her thoughts:

1. "Not everything that counts can be counted." – Albert Einstein.

2. "When you only look at the numbers, you don't always get the right answers."

3. "Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is interesting; what they cover up is vital."

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