Archives: News
National Stationery Show Experiences 31 Percent Increase in Attending Stores
The 67th annual National Stationery Show® (NSS) proved to be a pivotal year for the nation’s leading social stationery and related lifestyle gift market, experiencing a 31 percent increase in attending stores for the May 19-21 event, held at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. The return of market features such as the NSS party and LIVE!
Moons Toy Shop in High Street, Barkingside, Can Compete With Giants like Argos, Toys R Us and Westfield Says Owner
Barkingdale, UK – The businessman who took over the borough’s only independent toy store insists he is not bothered by competition from online retailers and big shopping centres.
Amit Parekh, 44, bought out Toyology in High Street, Barkingside, in March, and is now running the shop as Moons Toy Store.
Toyology boss Gary Diamond sold the shop because he said it could no longer compete with Westfield.
Children’s Boutique Opens in Hunters Point
Long Island City, NY – Hunters Point has its first upscale children’s boutique.
Tiny You, which sells children’s clothing and toys, opened Saturday morning at 10-50 Jackson Avenue.
Jill Callan, the owner, expects her store to do well since it is the only one in the neighborhood that is dedicated to children’s garments. Furthermore, she believes she has an edge over the big-box stores and online retailers.
Pets Love & Happiness Offered at New Pet Supply Boutique in Huntsville
Huntsville, AL – Open the door to Pets, Love & Happiness, beside Brooks & Collier on Meridian Street north of Pratt, and a tawny-white flame-point Siamese will trot across the fake-grass rug to the door to say hello.
“That’s Piper,” said Rebeca Santos, the owner of the pet boutique, emerging from a nook in the little house that used to hold Bishop’s Flowers and still smells faintly of fresh carnations. “He thinks he’s a partner here.”
Piper communicates the friendly, fearless fun of the shop.
VivVeŕe Living Candles Selects Dallas Market Center as Their Exclusive Gift Market for This Month’s Show Season
Propiétaire and founder, CoCo McCain of Chattanooga, Tenn, explains that she feels very excited and confident about VivVere’s decision to show exclusively in Dallas. Because of the endurance and strength of the Texas economy, she looks forward to the opportunities Dallas provides.
” VivVeŕe is very excited to attend Dallas Market in June!
Industry Prepares for Licensing Expo
Licensing Expo, the world’s largest and most influential brand, character and art licensing event, is right around the corner, and several new features on the floor will ensure an effective experience for both attendees and exhibitors.
Local Lucy’s: Mother and Daughter Are a Good Team to Run Gift Shop
Belleville, IN – Christy Vineyard likes to run ideas past her mom.
When the crafter learned last June that the downtown Belleville business, Candid Gifts, was about to close, Mom was the first one she called.
Mom’s response?
“I said, ‘Did you tell Melissa (Tutterow) we wanted to buy it?'” said Nancy Schulte, 56, of Belleville. “Christy had her stuff here. Burp cloths and onesies. She would work a couple days a month for Melissa.”
Local Entrepreneurs Talk Shop in Weekly Classes
Portsmouth, VA – In the middle of the third class of the Hampton Roads Retail Academy, Lynette Burrier made a confession:
She’d never liked the name of her store.
In 1994, she bought Country Flowers ‘N’ Things, a florist and gift shop in the rural Pungo area of Virginia Beach. When she moved the store to the Red Mill Commons shopping center 12 years ago, she changed it to Country Flowers & Gifts.
Still, it doesn’t suit her. “There is nothing in my store that’s country.”
If Only … a Fine Store Radiates Uniqueness
Fairbanks, AK – If Only … a fine store, is celebrating 15 years of selling books, jewelry, bags, candles, scarves and dozens of other items to locals and tourists alike. If Only … a fine store started with five friends who wanted to open a store downtown. “The five of us were committed to being downtown because we believed that the heart of any community is downtown,” said Georgjean Seeliger, one of the owners of If Only … a fine store.
Positively Philadelphia: The Parlor Shop at the Art Alliance
Philadelphia, PA – The Philadelphia Art Alliance, tucked into a corner of Rittenhouse Square (251 South 18th Street), has added another jewel to its crown.
It’s called The Parlor Shop, and it’s filled with handcrafted goods from all over.
“The thought behind it was to support local artists, and also give back to the Art Alliance,” says Ann Peters (second from right in photo), who came up with the idea and is the shop manager. “When the artists were approached, they were excited, happy, and more than willing to consign their work.”
Source Globally at Mega Show in Hong Kong in October 2013
This coming autumn’s sourcing season in Asia will again be centred on MEGA SHOW PART 1, October 20-23 2013 and MEGA SHOW PART 2, October 27-29 2013. The two shows annually take place at the downtown Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wanchai, Hong Kong.
These two important trade shows are the main buying/selling platforms for gifts, housewares, toys, premiums and stationery in Hong Kong in the annual autumn buying season, and must-attend events in the Southern China sourcing circuit.
Kids Placemats and Tumblers Dish up Fun and Faith
Abbey Press is introducing a fun, bright collection of placemats and tumblers designed to delight children, while delivering prayerful, praiseful messages. The new line, “All Creatures Great and Small,” is already generating attention from key accounts, and Lifeway Christian Stores will sell the tumblers in its 160 stores.
The line, which is available to retailers July 1, 2013, includes four plastic placemats ($2.50 SRP each) and four 16 oz. plastic tumblers ($10.00 SRP each). Whimsical creatures – an owl, butterfly, caterpillar and ladybug – adorn the tumblers and placemats.
AllisoNicole’s Interior Design and Floral Now Offers Clothing
Grand Forks, ND – While many small business owners focus on a niche audience, Allie Comstock, 25 of Grand Forks, has a different business plan.
With a degree in interior design, a love for fashion and a knack for floral design, Comstock created a business that suits all of her interests. AllisoNicole’s Interior Design and Floral at 4571 South Washington Street offers floral for all occasions, gift items, interior design services and, now, women’s clothing.
Comstock said all of her items set perfectly in a home and help create a relaxed environment for her customers.
NY NOW Offers Five Days of Special Programming
A five-day schedule of activities – including 40+ educational seminars, “Only in New York” special events, author appearances and book-signings, on-trend displays and product innovation awards – will be among highlights of the summer 2013 debut of NY NOW®, the Market for Home & Lifestyle (formerly NYIGF®), August 17-21, 2013, at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center and Passenger Ship Terminal Pier 94.
WILLIAMSBURG and PK Lifestyles Introduce Vibrant Globally-Inspired Collection at Showtime Fabric Market
WILLIAMSBURG and licensee PK Lifestyles expand upon the success of their existing collaborations with a new global chic collection, entitled ‘Entry to the Grand Bazaar,’ debuting at the Showtime Fabric Market, June 2-5. Inspired by the rich colors and intricate detail of Turkish design, each fabric is based upon a document and antique in the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation archives and evokes the elegant prints and vibrant colors that can be seen at a modern Turkish bazaar.
Oswald’s is a One-stop Shop for Father’s Day
Naperville, IL – So you thought Oswald’s Pharmacy was the city’s oldest business for filling prescriptions? Certainly the large vintage photos gracing the walls and the mini-museum encased in the back right corner cabinet provide a look into the store’s history dating back to 1875, proving you are correct.
Newport Boutique Brings European Fashion With A Flair of Newport Style
Newport, RI – Walking into Long Wharf’s breezy new fashion boutique, the traditional bright colors and crisp whites of Newport fashion fuse with the hippest trends from London to offer locals a completely new shopping experience.
The New England Harbor Club is a homegrown approach to the retail fashion in Newport.
Toy store All Things Kids Expanding to The Domain
Austin, TX – Georgetown-based All Things Kids is expanding to Austin, where it will open the company’s second location. Owners Karen and Christian Soeffker announced May 30 they will open the specialty toy store in The Domain II, 3220 Feathergrass Court, Ste. 132, near Yogurt Planet.
“Our toys are hand-picked from Europe and the USA, chosen for their high quality as well as educational properties,” Karen Soeffker said.
The Brand Liaison To Represent Debra Valencia and DeVa Designs, Inc. for National Licensing
The Brand Liaison has been appointed as U.S. licensing agent for artist and designer Debra Valencia for her unique surface design brand. Debra Valencia will be featured at the Brand Liaison booth J-33 at the International Licensing Expo June 18-19-20 at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.
Debra Valencia is a visionary artist, designer and entrepreneur with a passion for world travel, artisan traditions and popular genres, with a branded modern style uniquely her own.
ShopKeep POS iPad Point of Sale Wins Red Herring Top 100 North America Award
ShopKeep POS, the leader in iPad point of sale to brick and mortar merchants nationwide, today announced it has been named to the Red Herring Top 100 leading private companies in the U.S. and Canada.
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130530/NY23333 )
(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121108/MM09126LOGO-b )
“We are extremely proud to be named among this list of outstanding entrepreneurs and promising companies,” said Jason Richelson , CEO and Founder of ShopKeep POS.