I just flew in from Monterey and ...

boy, are my arms tired!* OK, so I didn't fly back from the ICSC "Idea Exchange" conference but "I just drove back from Monterey and boy is my right foot tired" just doesn't have the same zip! Anyway, enough jocularity!

The International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) is a trade association dedicated to the the retail industry. An estimated 1,000 retailers, real estate brokers, developers, various industry service providers and vendors convened in lovely Monterey, CA from March 15-17 to get the latest expert updates on what's going on in the retail sector, what legislation might be affecting the industry, an overview of the economy - and of course the opportunity do business with each other.

Heard presentations from several retailers about their expansion plans (yes, expansion, a positive sign!) but most interesting I thought was venerable brands "Tide" and "Mr. Clean" (both from Proctor & Gamble) entry into the dry cleaning and car care businesses.

And while for numerous reasons I don't expect to see "Tide Dry Cleaners" and "Mr Clean Car Wash" popping up all around San Francisco - thus far each has less than a handful of stores open - with backing by powerhouse P&G don't be surprised if you see them popping up in your part of the country.

* and for those of you who don't know or have forgotten the King of One Liners...here's Henny!