Without doubt the phrase of the day to spout forth from the lips of the majority of footwear people at the moment is well I hope you understand X because I am under pressure. My angle on this new mantra is yes I understand. The person concerned is under pressure. If they are in sales then they have to sell the same as last year or even better more. Should they be in accounts and admin they are tasked with getting the money in quicker the orders out faster and doing so with no errors. For anyone this step up in the face of the big recession out there must be hard. Especially when you think that most buyers are setting out with the aim of ordering less whilst at the same time getting better terms. Do I sound sympathetic. I do mean to but when I hear this I ask myself a few questions (that is after saying to myself, do not shout or break into a temper Mark). First how much risk is this person exposed to (not a lot that is theirs). Second Is this persons property and life's work under threat. You know the answer is no most of the time. As an independent I think time has ran out on identifying with factors that are the result of economic circumstances that are just manifesting themselves as a person. Lets call that person for sake of argument a none risk taker. Stick to your plan, stick to your budget. If the company that is coming to you wanting your help deserves the aid can they help you ?. A lot of our suppliers have asked us for help as we them. When the street is two ways walk down it, but beware the one way traffic typically offered by German or fashion suppliers. I think we have walked away from all of them lately. There are still some people on all sides of distribution who have integrity. Remember who they are and stick with them . Forget the rest.