RSS FeedKate Spade Economics
True spring weather is upon the Washington area and the cherry blossoms bring out tourists and locals alike in droves. Walking around the PQ this morning, I was struck by what I call the Kate Spade Economic Test. What is a good litmus test for foot traffic and economic activity? None other than street vendors. I happened on one who set up shop at the corner of 10th and F Street selling Kate Spade and Prada knockoff handbags. Does this portend more foot traffic to come? Unknown. But, what I do know is that the wrapping up of construction on the National Portrait Gallery and F Street between 9th and 10th seems to have opened up the streets and tourists and locals have bloomed, much like the cherry blossoms on the Mall.
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Comments
For such a fantastic blog, I am frankly appalled that you are drawing any attention to these unlicensed, illegal operations that prey off ignorant customers to pawn counterfeit product.
The U.S. government has linked many of these counterfeiting operations to child labor and terrorist organizations. Instead of giving any positive attention to these illegal outfits, attention should be focussed on educating the residents, tourists and soccer moms alike so they understand that in purchasing these fakes there American dollars are very likely supporting terrorist outfits.
the attention is to be focused on the economic indicator, not the business itself. child labor I can buy as an argument but terrorist organizations seems a bit farfetched. don’t have the hard data however.
regardless, I think more leverage is to be gained by lobbying your legislators and the administration (US Trade Representative and the Depts. of State and Treasury) that encourage Americans’ huge deficit spending habits through uncoordinated and sometimes nonsensical foreign policy as well as cheap money and loose credit. big business, although improving under pressure, is also not incentivized unless there are some $ (i.e. pain) at stake.
I agree with the 11:15 poster regarding disincentivizing all support for these organizations. While I was living in NYC, it was frequent news about the ties these counterfeiters have to terrorist organizations. While I don’t have the hard data to provide, there have been numerous pieces done on this topic.
Working with legislators and adminstrative officials sounds like a good idea in an academic paper, however, it is not a practical solution in the short term. Any such effort will take considerable time to see change. While a sound approach may combine such grand measures, it will clearly also include individual outreach for more immediate change.
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I think that they are always there. I know I have seen them in the dead of winter.