Archives: News
Mungi Bands signs with Diverse Marketing and KidStuff PR
Wilmington, NC – Mungi Bands, the collectible and tradable line of stylish magnetic jewelry has engaged Diverse Marketing to expand their retail sales reach across the United States. To promote the expansion and increase consumer awareness, Mungi Bands has also signed with KidStuff Public Relations for publicity efforts with trade, consumer and blogger outreach.
Diverse Marketing will represent the entire line of Mungi Bands in both Specialty Toy and Gift, including placement in their showrooms in Dallas, Chicago, Minneapolis and Atlanta.
7 W will Roll Up the Carpet During Home Fashions Market Week September 10 – 13, 2012
New York, NY – Minutes away from ending the August Gift Market, while Home Fashions jumps up a week earlier in the month, 7 W Showrooms are rolling out their best!
Nine additional showrooms last market and sixteen this market, 7 W New York is literally a full-house! Not only are we full, we also have HTT Global Home Show and NYICS (The New York International Carpet Show) on our 11th floor event space.
As a reminder, 7 W New York is proud to have the following showrooms with textile product Made In America….
Orian Rugs, Inc. … Suite 307
Elegant Line From Abbey Press Celebrates the Timelessness of Love
With a graceful, classic design style, the new “Love, Always” product line from Abbey Press celebrates the timeless beauty of lasting love. Introduced September 1, the collection includes a photo frame ($20 SRP), wall cross ($19), plaque ($17) and ornament ($12).
The pieces are crafted of pale gray resin with a linen texture and debossed decorative flourishes in a darker gray. Each is framed by pewter metallic relief accent bands, reminiscent of classic architectural elements.
Colonial Candle Supports Efforts to Find a Cure, Provide Access to Care with First Pretty in Pink Breast Cancer Awareness Candle
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the U.S., with an estimated 1 in 8 women diagnosed with invasive breast cancer. To support research to find a cure, Colonial Candle, national leader in premium candles, introduces its first Pretty in Pink breast cancer awareness candle, with 10 percent of proceeds donated to the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade.
Largest NYIGF Since 2009 Exceeds Expectations
Defying conservative industry expectations, strong retailer attendance at the New York International Gift Fair® (NYIGF®) – the largest since 2009 – resulted in robust booth traffic and sales activity at the 163rd semi-annual NYIGF, August 18-22, at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center and Passenger Ship Terminal’s Piers 92 & 94.
The Fair was its largest since August 2009, utilizing a total of 545,000 net square feet of exhibit space across its three New York City venues.
Gallerie II Celebrates 15 Years with Fifteen Giveaways on Facebook
Newport News, VA — August 30th, 2012- Seasonal gifts, trim, and decorative accessories manufacturer Gallerie II is celebrating its 15th anniversary with a fun Facebook promotion that will award fifteen winners a pair of Gathered Traditions™ hand-painted, soft sculpt figures by artist Joe Spencer.
The company was started in 1997 as a separate division of C & F Enterprises with an exclusive product line of holiday trim.
Chalk One Up for Fashion Angels
Fashion Angels Enterprises has tapped into the haute-est trend for tweens with one of its fastest selling products in the company’s history. The new Color Rox Hair Chox, a no muss, no fuss temporary hair color kit, which was launched this Spring is now available everywhere and is vividly tinting the curls of girls (and adults) worldwide.
“When we introduced Hair Chox, it was an immediate hit.
Sohier Park Gift Shop Plans Ok’d
York, ME – A project that would nearly double the size of the Sohier Park gift shop is one step closer to reality after the Planning Board granted it approval Thursday.
Todd Richardson and Ken Studtmann of Richardson and Associates Landscape Architects presented the Sohier Park Visitor Center plan, which received unanimous approval by the four board members present.
The next step is for voters to approve money for the work in the May 2013 budget referendum, said York Parks and Recreation Director Mike Sullivan.
Lyzart Gallery Doubles as Gift Shop
Glenview, IL – Elizabeth Bauer credits her mother’s paintings as her inspiration for opening up her Glenview store, Lyzart two years ago.
“My mom is an amazing artist, and I wanted to get her stuff out of her closet and into people’s hearts,” said Bauer, a nurse by trade, who has also taught pottery classes in the past, “When I opened the store, I pictured it as a gallery.”
Lyzart, located on Waukegan Road close to downtown Glenview does display paintings, including those of Bauer’s mom, as well as lots of pieces made by artists all over the country.
Vendor Promises ‘Special’ Items at Alamo Store
San Antonio, TX – The Texas General Land Office has hired a national firm that sells goods at Ford’s Theatre and the Gettysburg battlefield museum to run the Alamo gift shop.
Event Network, with headquarters in San Diego, Calif., and offices in London, will begin operations at the Alamo Sales Museum on Oct. 1.
The firm also runs gift stores at the Independence Visitor Center in Philadelphia and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield, Ill.
Sweet – New Store Offering Nostalgic Candies and More
Spring Grove, MN – Do you ever wistfully long for candies of your childhood? Or delicious creamy chocolates and sea-salt caramels? Or need a whimsical little gift for giving?
A new store in Spring Grove can fill all of these needs and wants and more!
“Sweet” owned by Lisa Bornholdt opened on Aug. 20 and is located at 145 W. Main Street, right across the street from Kwik Trip.
Right at Home: Fair Previews What’s New in Gifts
On this side of the aisle, weathered barn boards and a chipped farmhouse table are laden with patchwork toys, quilts and wooden pull toys. On the other, the latest innovation in holographic technology turns a kid’s iPad case into a mini surfing movie.
That’s the nature of the massive, biannual New York Gift Fair, a compendium of what’s new that blends the slick and chic with the homey and charming.
It’s a working fair, meaning that store owners are there to buy. If you want to know what the trends are, watch where the crowds gather to place orders.
Helensburgh Toy Shop Opens it’s Doors
Hellesnburgh, UK – HELENSBURGH’S children had much to smile about on Saturday as the town’s newest shop, Grasshopper Toys, opened its doors.
Grasshopper Toys, based in West Princes Street offered kids visiting a fun day out as they joined in with the celebrations which included face painting and balloon giveaways.
Officially opening the shop was business owner Dr Wendy Hamilton who was joined by Mr Gordon Burgess the owner of Burgess Decorators which occupied the premises for over 60 years years previously.
Tamarra Thomas’ Sweet Success
Bowie, MD – When her restaurant employer started having financial troubles in early 2010, Bowie resident Tamarra Thomas said she wasn’t too surprised when she was laid off.
“When a restaurant is having trouble financially, they cut managers or they cut pastry,” she said.
As the restaurant’s managing pastry chef, Thomas was among the first on the chopping block. Collecting unemployment and contemplating seeking another vulnerable restaurant pastry chef position, she decided it was time to take a chance.
Grand Forks Store Owners Find Camaraderie With New Northern Minnesota Shop
Dorset, MN – Meadowbrook of Dorset, Minn., is a place with multiple personality disorder.
When you’re in the merchandising business, that’s a wonderful thing.
There’s something for everyone.
Julie and Bob Kvitne of Grand Forks opened a Meadowbrook store on Dorset’s main drag in early July. They own other Meadowbrook stores in the Grand Forks area and one in Moorhead.
The Dorset community welcomed them with open arms.
Sales Rockstar Meryl Hooker Announces Retirement, Farewell Tour
Long-time greeting card and gift sales rep, Meryl Hooker, is retiring at the end of the year. Her last day of business will be Wednesday, December 19, 2012.
“The past 15 years in the industry have been incredible. I have met the most amazing people, had more fun, and certainly had a life I never imagined for myself,” Hooker said. “As good as it’s been, the time has come for me to explore other opportunities.”
In September, she will launch an 8-week, territory-wide Farewell Tour, complete with tour t-shirts, in Washington, DC.
Kids II Poised to Showcase Nearly 300 Unique Products From its Seven Brands at Kind + Jugend in Köln, Germany
Driven by forward-thinking design, technology and fashion, Kids II continues to infuse the global market with industry-changing solutions for babies and parents as evident with its showing at this year’s show in Germany. With a portfolio of more than 400 products, Kids II will use Kind + Jugend to showcase 270 of these items including key launches and advances.
Staged in its state-of-the-art booth, the Kids II products will come to life displaying their uniqueness.
Dallas Total Home & Gift Market Draws Attendees for Last-Minute Fall Buying
Dallas Market Center today announced that the September Total Home & Gift Market (Sept. 8-10) will offer attendees the opportunity to buy last-minute fall and winter merchandise, as well as get a head start on products for the coming spring retail season.
Available products range from home accessories, furniture, holiday and seasonal items to gourmet food, floral, stationery, toys, jewelry and fashion accessories. All temporaries will be on the 12th floor of the World Trade Center (WTC).
Free Byrd Shop Opens in Encinitas
Encinitas, CA – If you a penchant for things that are a little off-the-beaten-path, there’s a new place in town ready to deliver.
Free Byrd Shop is one part boutique and one part holistic healing hub, offering customers retail therapy with a side of alternative remedies for the mind, body and soul.
At the front of the store you’ll find all sorts of gift items and décor—and in the back you’ll find a series of rooms that are used for psychic readings, and within a few months, Reiki Energy healing, intuitive vibration healing and Feng Shui.
Fall Signals Gift, Home and Gourmet at AmericasMart
Preparing for holiday retail buying means sourcing great product just in time for fourth-quarter sales at the Atlanta Fall Gift & Home Furnishings MarketSM and The Atlanta Gourmet Market® at AmericasMart. The Markets run Sept. 21-23, 2012. Temporary exhibits also are open Sept. 21-23.
Across the retail spectrum, there are opportunities to build excitement leading into the biggest selling season of the year.