United Luggage Dealers Associates Formed to Bolster Specialty Retailers: www.UnitedLuggageDealers.com

A new trade association, United Luggage Dealers Associates, is looking for retail store members in the travel goods, gift, and outdoor arenas.

As business and leisure travelers emerge from the enforced hiatus caused by COVID-19, a new trade association for the travel goods industry is ready to help specialty retailers get back on track.

The United Luggage Dealers Associates (www.ULDA.com ) succeeds the National Luggage Dealers Association (NLDA), which was founded in 1925. The travel recession of the past year led a number of specialty luggage, leather, and travel goods retailers to close their doors. The Illinois-based ULDA will continue the NLDA legacy, helping retailers improve their buying and negotiating power, stock exclusive merchandise, market more effectively, share their industry knowledge and enhance vendor relations.

Globally, the luggage market is expected to generate almost $23 billion in sales by 2025, driven by improving economies around the world.

“Our members are travel specialists who have all the latest travel and business accessories to make travel and work-life more enjoyable,” says Ronald Levine, former NLDA import and operations manager, who is launching ULDA. “We survived the pandemic, and now we’re on the cusp of a great resurgence in travel. It’s my mission to help our members succeed.”

Members will have the opportunity to leverage their collective knowledge and wisdom about the industry, continuing a tradition started nearly 100 years ago, says Levine, whose grandfather started Chicago Trunk & Leather Works in 1916. “Even back in 1925, when NLDA was founded, each member used their particular expertise to contribute to the good of the industry,” he says. “We need that kind of collaboration now more than ever.”

Levine, who has spent his entire professional career in the industry, says he plans to extend an offer of ULDA membership to an eclectic mix of specialty retailers.   “We want to include members in complementary retail environments like a gift and outdoor-related retailers and look forward to working with manufacturers who support our vision.  Consolidation in retail has meant fewer choices for consumers when it comes to finding stores that meet their needs,” he says.  “ULDA retailers will aim to enhance the specialty store experience and build customer loyalty with both consumer and corporate shoppers.”  www.UnitedLuggageDealers.com 

For information, contact Ron Levine at Ron@unitedluggagedealers.com