Archives: News
Products Aren’t Enough: Customers Want “Shoppertainment”
Patricia Norins, Spokesperson for American Express’s Small Business Saturday, shares a tip on improving in-store customer experience:
Shoppers are hungry for an in-store experience that provides them with the not only products they are searching for, but also an environment that is visually stimulating with a top-notch customer service experience. Sarah McNally, owner of New York City–based McNally Jackson Books, hosts book clubs, readings, and discussions in her store. She believes the key ingredient to creating a successful event experience is focusing on the details.
7 W Reports Another Record Spring Attendance During Home Fashions Market Week
New York, NY – 7 W reported yet another record Spring Home Fashions market with attendance up over 15% compared to what was a record market last year.
Debra Valencia Prepares for Surtex 2013
Artist Debra Valencia™ will be exhibiting for the fifth consecutive year at the annual Surtex show in booths 734 & 736, Javit’s Convention Center New York, May 19-21, 2013. She will debut new Everyday contemporary floral, paisley, brocade and geometric design collections. Her most popular art properties include Boho Girl, Silk Road, Prima Flourish, Kyoto, Bloom and Annabelle.
In 2012 the Debra Valencia™ brand boasted nine new licensing deals spanning stationery, textiles, housewares, gifts and fashion accessories.
Top Companies Headline New “c-One” Destination at Gift+Home at Las Vegas Market, Launching This Summer 2013
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.
Small Businesses Hopeful of Strong Easter Sales
Small retailers are reporting a mixed bag of conditions in the lead-up to Easter. Some businesses like bakeries are hopeful of better sales this year as Easter does not coincide with school holidays, which means more families will stay home and buy from local shops.
One such retailer is Adam Schoene, the franchisee at Bakers Delight Bondi Junction, Sydney. The store is in the Westfield Bondi Junction complex.
“Compared to last year trading has been better this year; last year was a bit flat but this year’s been pretty good so far,” he says.
Weymouth Resident Runs Specialty Gift and Toy Shop in Braintree
Braintree, MA – Weymouth resident Diana Nessralla says she’s in the “feel good business.” The owner of The Enchanted Gift Basket on Washington Street in Braintree specializes in putting smiles on faces whether it’s with her custom gift baskets or selection of specialty toys.
“I love making a basket for someone and making their day,” said Nessralla, who has been in the store for about a year.
Prior to moving to a storefront, Nessralla ran The Enchanted Gift Basket out of her home. Having a store allows her to carry more products like the South Shore specific merchandise.
Looking for the Old Town Emporium?
Jonesborough, TN – Stop by the Jonesborough Visitors Center soon and you may find it . . .
People stopping by the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center on Boone Street may soon be stepping foot into the Old Town Emporium.
“We wanted to name our gift shop something that reflected Victorian, handmade, Appalachian — kind of everything pulled together,” said Amber Crumley, Visitors Center manager. “It’s just something to give the gift shop a little bit of identity.”
Tucked Away in Sandy Hook, ‘Unique Blessings’ is Open for Business
Newtown, CT – When Unique Blessings co-owner Jeriann Rabbitt was looking for a place for her new business, she was on the verge of signing a lease for another Newtown space. Then something told her to reconsider the storefront in the heart of Sandy Hook at 111 Church Hill Road, the former location of Mr. Turtle’s School.
“We were sitting down to sign the contract,” she says.
Madison Merchant’s ‘Cute Shop’ Appears on HGTV
Madison, NJ – Producers for a home makeover TV show stopped by Maison Decor on Main Street in Madison last spring and liked what they saw.
The shop’s look appealed to them so much they ended up filming part of the episode in the store and the shop’s owner, Madison resident Karen D’Addario, appears in the episode.
The episode aired in December and D’Addario has since heard from customers, friends and fellow business owners who saw her on TV. She also has run into the Madison resident whose dining room was redecorated for the episode.
FAB Counsel to Present “Why You Need a Social Media Calendar” Seminar at the CMC for Market Tuesday April 16
WHO: The California Market Center (CMC)’s Market Tuesday hosts a seminar presented by Mary Vallarta, founder of FAB Counsel – www.fabcounsel.com
FAB Counsel stands for Fashion And Business Counsel. Their main mission is to help people succeed in the business of fashion. They do this through digital tools & events, along with providing services in Retail Consulting, Brand Consulting, & Creative Offline (events, launches & collaborations) & Online Marketing (Social Media Marketing & Management).
Artisan House Delivers Mid-Century Modern with New C. Jeré Classics Collection
Artisan House, designers and crafters of unique, fine-quality metal sculptures for wall, floor and tabletop, is embracing its mid-century modern roots and unveiling the C. Jeré Classics Collection. The timeless collection features the most famous and best-selling mid-century modern designs from Artisan House’s vintage archives. Though the company will be celebrating its 50th annivesrary in 2014, and has a virtually endless product catalog, the initial spring launch will feature a limited 20 gorgeous piece debut.
Sell Personalized Invitations Online Quickly, Easily and Affordably With New Easy Online Store Builder by Mountaincow
Mountaincow today announced it is now offering a simple and affordable solution for invitation designers interested in adding a customizable website store featuring their designs.
New to Croton: Wake Robin Gift Shop
Croton-on-Hudson, NY – The Wake Robin gift shop, formerly of Briarcliff, has moved to a 200-year-old house in Croton it shares with the Acker House Center for Integrative Health.
“I’m thrilled to relocate to Croton, which is where my life is centered,” said owner Megan David. “Being a part of Croton’s thriving business community, based in the heart of the village where my family lives and my kids go to school, is a dream come true.”
David, a former buyer for ABC Home in Manhattan, is a mother of three.
New Business Specializes in All Things Baby
Old Town, AL – Rebecca Harris Sippola, owner of Beka’s Boutique at 4094 Helena Road, has always been creative. Her mother and in-store assistant, Kay Harris, said Beka was drawing designs for clothing as early as fifth grade when growing up in Bluff Park.
A preschool teacher at Kingwood Christian School, Sippola also opened Beka’s Boutique less than a month ago.
Boutique Retailer Changes to Keep up With Fashion, Customers
Durham, NC – Sara’s Too Boutique is filled with colorful ladies’ fascinators and hats that twist, shade and flutter. Shoes and accessories also sparkle in the showroom that is loaded with decorative dresses and evening suits for a range of tastes and special occasions.
But the real star of the Northgate Mall women’s boutique is Sarah Torian.
Torian has navigated Durham’s bumpy retail climate for 32 years by catering to consumer demand and special orders, and by building a base of customers who don’t mind paying a little more for clothes with flair.
Shadyside Shop Owner Honored for Giving Back to Community
Pittsburgh, PA – A Shadyside business owner, despite losing everything in a fire, still found a way to give back to the community, which is why she is in Texas this week accepting a national retailer award.
Jean Haller, owner of Journeys of Life along with her husband, Henry, has earned one of two awards in “The Next Big Give,” a Dallas Market Center contest that seeks to recognize retailers who give to and impact their communities.
Small Businesses Fill Vital Need
Recently, I was able to attend a conference where the main focus was on helping small businesses. With all the talk about what these businesses need, there are two things that everyone seems to agree on: small businesses are absolutely essential the economy, and small businesses are extremely difficult to maintain successfully, especially in the current economy.
I was in middle school when I first started to notice a big “shop local” contingent in my hometown.
Brockton Library Gift Shop Provides Support for Library Projects
Brockton, MA – Books, magazines and movie DVDs are not the only items patrons will find at the Brockton Public Library’s main branch on Main Street. There’s also jewelry, magnets, soaps, hand-painted glassware and other items – all sold in the Arnold Swartz Gift Shop, on the library’s first floor.
Brockton isn’t the only library around that runs a gift shop.
First-Ever Local Cash Mob Doubles Expected Crowd
Port Huron, MI – People could barely squeeze into Polka Dot Pandas Saturday afternoon as the first ever Port Huron cash mob descended.
“This is just phenomenal,” said Cathy Grace, of Fort Gratiot, moments after stepping into the crowded store. “It’s just so great. The girls here are so nice.”
The mob was orchestrated by the Blue Water Community Alliance as a way to support downtown businesses and get new people coming through their doors.