Archives: News
Budding Windermere Retailer to Buck Online Toy Sales Trend
Windermere, UK – A YOUNG Lakes businessman is bucking the Internet retail trend by opening a traditional toy shop.
Although John Atkinson has grown up in the web age and is considering selling toys online in the future, he said he was happy to start as a traditional shopkeeper to get his new his new venture off the ground in Windermere.
The 24-year-old converted a former accountant’s office into the new shop in Victoria Street, to create 600 sq ft of retail space.
Tic Toc Candy Shoppe Coming to Lexington
Lexington, SC – Tic Toc Candy Shoppe is bringing its 48 flavors of Jelly Beans, 21 colors of M&Ms and its classic and trendy candy to Lexington in May.
Owners Lynn Humphrey and Dee Dailey, who already have a shop in Five Points by the same name, will open their second location on May 4 in the Hope Ferry Shopping Center on Sunset Boulevard.
Their store offers longtime favorites like Bazooka bubble gum, Pop Rocks candy and Whatchamacallit candy bars. But they also sell new sugary treats like Toxic Waste sour candy.
Cash Mob Scheduled For Lucky Stewartville Business
Stewartville, MN – From Elkhorn, Neb., to Atlanta, and from DeSoto, Texas, to Stewartville, cash mobs are a new tool to help local community-minded businesses get a quick cash infusion.
The mobs are patterned after flash mobs, those groups of people that gather in malls, train stations, or other large venues and perform unusual and sometimes pointless acts or, a musical number or a dance.
The events appear to be spontaneous, like a commercial when someone mentions the magic word, but they are organized and preplanned meticulously, often via social media like Twitter and Facebook
Urban Expositions Announces Sales Team, Exceeds Initial Sales Goals for New, Semi-Annual Windy City Gift Show
Atlanta, GA – Urban Expositions has announced the exhibit sales team for the Windy City Gift Show, its new semi-annual exhibition set to debut January 18-21, 2014 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, Rosemont, Il. Led by Show Executive Director Marilyn Anderson-McGriff, the team will also include Show Director Stacey Barrett, who comes to Urban from Merchandise Mart Properties Inc.’s (MMPI) Chicago Market and Sales Associate Lindsey Anderson.
Papel Moves Forward
After several years of absence from the giftware industry, PAPEL DESIGNS has emerged with new designs that are rapidly making headway into international markets.
Make a Splash: Fort Lauderdale Gift Show Returns August 24-27, 2013
Returning August 24-27, 2013 for its sixth edition at the Greater Ft. Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center, the Fort Lauderdale Gift Show is making a splash among South Florida and Caribbean retailers because of its cost-effective, easily accessible all category product selection.
“The Fort Lauderdale Gift Show continues to make a positive impression as an affordable fly-in or drive-in tradeshow destination for South Florida and Caribbean retailers,” says Doug Miller, president, Urban Expositions.
See What’s Trending in Seattle August 17-20, 2013
As the Pacific Northwest’s launching pad for breaking trends and product introductions, the August 17-20, 2013 Seattle Gift Show returns to its traditional Saturday-Tuesday date pattern with a new Made In the USA pavilion and a growing exhibitor roster.
Best Friends Go From Beach to Chic
Ocean City, MD – If enthusiasm is any measure of success, the young women who own Ish Boutique in Ocean City are on their way up the ladder.
Jenny Carven and Christina Pohland, best friends from Stephen Decatur High School, opened the small but selective shop on 34th Street and Coastal Highway three years ago. This year, they’re taking it full time.
The 20-somethings see the resort as the perfect place to start a business, even though they were initially discouraged from taking on the challenge.
Fort Myers Boutique Offers Wide Variety of Items
Fort Myers, FL – Talking shop with Kim Williams, owner of Forever Yours Boutique in downtown Fort Myers.
“We stay on trend with what’s happening, but at the same time keep that classic look. It’s not over the top, but everything has that distinctive boutique look,” said Williams.
Forever Yours Boutique is located in the Franklin Shops at 2200 First St., Fort Myers. Store hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Call 333-3130 or shop online at www.foreveryoursboutique.com.
At New Broadway District Boutique, The Bling’s the Thing
Green Bay, WI – Walk into A Bag Lady on a tight schedule at your own risk.
It’s not the kind of shop for just dashing in and grabbing a quick something. It’s custom-made for the browse, from the vintage dresser drawers dripping with necklaces to the endless rows of cocktail rings to the Glinda the Good Witch-worthy wands.
“We have so many sparkly things. I want it to be like walking through my grandmother’s jewelry box when I was little,” said owner Dani McNutt, who opened the women’s boutique March 1 in the Broadway District of Green Bay.
Bury Chocolate Shop Gets a Boost From Cash Mob
Bury St Edmunds, UK – SHOPPERS descended on an independent chocolate shop in Bury St Edmunds yesterday as part of what is thought to be the county’s first ‘cash mob’.
Catriona Brinkley, owner of the Bury Chocolate Shop in St John’s Street, had a pleasant surprise when 10 to 12 people showed up all at once wanting to make a purchase.
The cash mob – which is a type of flash mob where a group of people assemble suddenly in a public place – was organised by Suffolk Circle, a membership organisation.
Alton Gift Store Provides Individual Attention
Alton, IL – Growing up in retail, Stacy Keshner knew she wanted to pursue her dreams of owning a retail shop and since has successfully fulfilled that dream by opening White Birch.
White Birch, 611 W. Delmar, is a gift store in home decor, jewelry and baby gifts such as blankets, books and stuffed animals. Keshner and her mother, Sherry Reddo, started the business in November 2007, when they felt the community needed a gift shop to accommodate everyone – and lately brides-to-be.
Keshner said bridal appointments are good but not necessary.
Gourmet Housewares Show Integrated into NY NOW
Beginning with the Summer 2013 market, the Gourmet Housewares Show® will be integrated into NY NOW®, the Market for Home & Lifestyle (formerly NYIGF®). As part of this, some 300 suppliers of gourmet housewares products specialty tabletop will be showcased together within a “Tabletop + Gourmet Housewares” neighborhood within the new NY NOW HOME collection, August 18-21, 2013, at New York City’s Jacob K.
Women in Business: Emma Spruell, founder of Flowertots Baby Gifts
Prescot, UK – WHEN teacher Emma Spruell was on maternity leave with her second daughter she received a beautiful gift from a friend that inspired her to become an entrepreneur.
The gift was a baby clothes bouquet – a floral arrangement that can contain baby items such as socks, bibs and bodysuits.
“I thought it was so unique,” said Emma, from Prescot.
“I sourced where it came from, was shocked at the price and said to my husband ‘I think I could make something similar for half the price’.”
Downtown Store Focuses on Balance in the Home
Hillsborough, NC – Stepping into The Qi Garden from the hustle and bustle of Churton Street is to enter an oasis.
Bright colors complemented by softer tones, subtle natural aromas and an aesthetic mixture of plants and antiques—all underwritten with the lulling babble of moving water—soothes the senses as immediately as the screeching street sounds outside bombarded them.
A home décor and gardening shop focused on improving the energy and balance of a space, The Qi Garden opened at 112 S. Churton St. on Thursday, March 21.
Colonial Flower Shoppe Serving Somers Community for Almost 30 Years
Somers, CT – For almost 30 years, the Colonial Flower Shoppe in Somers has been providing floral arrangements for all kinds of occasions.
Opened in May 1983 at 612 Main St., the shop started out as a full-service florist shop with a gift boutique, and in 1985, it moved to the first floor of the home at 611 Main St.
Over the years, a seasonal Christmas shop was added, along with an outdoor garden shop, and a greenhouse for growing seasonal outdoor plants in the spring.
Bruce’s Candy Kitchen celebrates 50th Anniversary
Cannon Beach, OR – For four generations, the Haskell family has created smiles at Bruce’s Candy Kitchen.
A Cannon Beach landmark, the family-owned confectionery will celebrate 50 years of making life a little sweeter for its many customers, employees, community members and friends with an open house.
The celebration, from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday, April 1 at the store, 256 N.
Top Companies Headline New “c-One” Destination at Gift+Home at Las Vegas Market, launching this Summer 2013
Las Vegas, NV – An impressive roster of leading brands is confirmed for the launch of “c-ONE” – a new, cross-category showcase of directional tabletop, gift and home resources in both permanent and temporary presentations – at the Summer 2013 GIFT+HOME at Las Vegas Market, July 29 – August 2, at the World Market Center. In total, c-ONE is expected to present some 45 iconic and inspirational design resources, as part of an overall redefinition of Las Vegas as the industry’s premier Western U.S.
Yankee Candle Salutes Service Men and Women with New Military Discount Program
South Deerfield, Mass. — The Yankee Candle Company, Inc., the world’s largest manufacturer of premium scented candles, today announced its new Military Discount Program.
MHS Licensing to introduce Stacy Yacula at the 2013 Surtex and Licensing Tradeshows
MHS Licensing will be introducing artist Stacey Yacula at the upcoming Surtex Show (booth #535 & 537) and Licensing International Expo (booth #F33).
Stacey Yacula spent much of her childhood in the cold winters, long nights and hot chocolaty days of northern Canada. Surrounded by an incredible ever-changing backdrop of wilderness, her family’s remote cottage shaped Stacey’s life and her creativity.