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"They see American business as a group of people wanting to come into «Mexico, make a deal and then leave the country with the Mexicans never seeing them again," said Rumi. Lifestyle Home Show April 15thâ€"17th Hours are Fri., April 15th, 1 to 9 p.m.; Sat., April 16th, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Sun, April 17th, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $2 for adults; $1 for seniors and youth. Children under 12 are free when accompanied by an adult. Ben Jerry‘s scoop shops is hold its Second Annual International Free Cone Day by giving back ice cream to customers who supported them all year. Free cones will be handed out from 12 noon to 8:00 p.m. on Fri. April 8th at the chain‘s 87 Bronte Rd. outlet. The fifth annual â€" Lifestyle Home Show â€" will be held Fri., April 15th through Sun., April 17th, at the Glen Abbey Recreation Centre, 1415 Third Line at Glen Abbey Gate. Onâ€"site activities include: live musical entertainment, contests, free draws, door crasher games, as well as, daily appearances by Homer and Doorthy â€" the official show mascots. This recent foray into Mexico is nothing new for Zarpac. They have already been involved in a $2â€"million Mexican project along with another member of their consortium, General Free Cone Day April 8th He said most Mexican business people speak highly of Canadians and the way in which they do business compared to Americans who are often viewed in the historical context as bad guys. Business profits tied to markâ€"up of merchandise But let‘s deal with markâ€"ups and markâ€" downs. A retailer wants to earn a profit for his labors so he adds a margin to his cost price. This difference between cost and selling price, expressed in a percentage in relation to the selling price (in most cases) is called the markâ€"up. Of this difference â€" margin is related as a percentage against the cost price we talk about a markâ€"down. This is not a profit, neither a gross profit nor a net profit. This markâ€"up or margin has to pay for a lot of things, such as rent, or better still, expenses connected with the location. This includes the actual rent, property tax, maintenance, mortgage, heat, light, air conditioning. Eric Rumi of Zarpac Inc., a local engineering firm specializing in packaging equipment design and project management, said the trip was worthwhile and illustrated the different views Mexicans have of Canadians and the quality of their products and services. hat is a markâ€"up and what is a markâ€"down? Way back, before the early 60‘s, life was much simpler and easier for the consumer. To start with the "retail terminology" was more straightforward. For example, a sale never started before a selling season but rather logically after the season. The recent Canada Expo 94 held in Mexico City to highlight Canadian products was deemed a success by many companies including those headquartered in Oakville. Firms pleased with Mexican trade show Much of her clothing was held up at customs for the first day of the show and when she returns to Mexico for shows in May or July, she‘ll likely take her own merchandise with her. Johnson had nothing but praise for the Canadian government that prepared them well for the show but she also had some recrets. Oakville clothing designer Debi Johnson of Debi Johnson Originals, also made the trek to Mexico and was encouraged by the response. "Our lines were received well," she said. "We had all weather and cruisewear whereas many other Canadian firms took down fall lines that were too heavy for the Mexican market." She reiterated the view of Rumi that relationships with Mexican buyers is a slow process but Johnson is willing to adapt to take advantage of the massive market there. presence at the trade fair, there were some solid leads from Columbia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Brazil, Argentina and Costa Rica. If in a mall or shopping centre also snow removal and periodic redecoration, refixturing, etc. The retailer may own the property but he still carries the bulk of the above expenses. Then come the wage cost expenses. It is physically impossible for one person, for one person only, to look after even the smallest operation by her/himself. In today‘s business world, wage cost is not just and only the salary. Add to it unemployment insurance, OHIP, holiday pay â€" the soâ€"called "package" keeps growing. And that‘s not all. Even though a small and independent retailer does not identify Debi Johnson Rumi said as a result of his company‘s chemical plan upgrade _ in Costa . Rica worth about $2â€"million in C a n a d i a n equipment and services. Conveyor Co. Ltd. of Aurora. Zarpac is currently providing â€" a Now let‘s look at some hard facts pertaining to the retail business. We buy food â€" fresh food every week, we used to buy cigarettes every week. Therefore, the turnâ€"over was high â€" the mark up low â€" profit relatively high. all costs individually, the expenses are there. Cost of money, breakage, expense of buying are examples. I could go on for another page and still not exhaust the subject. But enough for now. What then is a markâ€"down? This is a lowering of the retail price. Usually at the end of a season. Markâ€" ups vary between groups of merchandise. Very low for produce, fresh meat and very high for jewelry, gifts, etc. merchandise with high turnover â€" low markâ€"up, low turnover merchandising with high markâ€"up. Opposite on the scale are jewels, gifts, etc with a lower volume and higher markâ€" up. Now, let‘s bring this whole picture into focus of today‘s retail world. Frank Salvatore (right) holds goalie stick autographed by Maple Leaf Felix Potvin. And that‘s Dave Sanci of OakLand Lincolnâ€"Mercury beside a new 1995 Windstar. Both items are among the $150,000 in products and services being offered in the 7th Annual Rotary Clubs of Oakville TV Auction to be held on Cablenet TV 23 from 6:00 p.m.â€"1:00 a.m. Fri. April 15th and Sat April 16th. All monies raised go to local charities. Look for a full list of items up for bid in a special section in the Wed. April 13th Oakville Beaver. For more information call Miria Cook at $45â€"4778 or Bill Booth at 338â€"6423. But then again, do you really to have to drive 20 kms in order to save $2.15 by buying 24 rolls of toilet paper? Think again‘ Peter Tesar is president of the Oakvilleâ€"based Retail Services Institute. All retailers have about the same expenses and therefore have to maintain the same markâ€"ups. Originally, "one outlet discounters" scouted the market for manufacturers‘ left overs, broken lines, retailers‘ surpluses, etc. These they could buy at very advantageous prices. But mass merchandisers â€" discounters cannot do that. They save a certain percentage by buying huge quantities, sometimes by buying them during a slow manufacturing season. But the big savings and these are loss leaders, are only offered on a few select items. About 5% of the whole assortment. You would have to be a real pro to really win this game. Rule number one and the only rule: buy only deepâ€"discounted items. FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 1994 Page 24