Archives: News
NEW! Gem-Where RFID Solutions for Marketing and Inventory Control
Gem-Where™ is a state of the art Radio FrequencyIdentification (RFID) solution for the jewelry industry. Utilizing 900 MHz RFID technology, Gem-Where™ is ultra-sensitive for dense tag environments around metal objects or in display cases. Once your jewelry is tagged with our RFID smart tags, you can improve your inventory process, customer service and gain a better sense of security by knowing what you have and where it is located.
Gem-Where™ features and benefits include inventory management, customer service and merchandising, sales and security and POS integration.
Dallas Market Center Announces The Next Big Give Winners
Dallas Market Center today announced the two winners for The Next Big Give, a national search for specialty retailers that give back in their communities – A. Dodson’s; an apparel, gift, and home décor store; of Suffolk, Va. and Brookshire’s Food & Pharmacy based in Tyler, Texas. The winners were selected from more than 50 retailers that are involved in a variety of ways through volunteering, raising funds or donating goods.
“Congratulations to The Next Big Give winners,” said Bill Winsor, president and CEO, Dallas Market Center.
Positive January Retail Sales Provide Strong Start To New Year, According To NRF
Washington, DC – Building on the momentum of a strong holiday shopping season and propelled by gift card redemptions and warm weather, retailers’ January sales saw solid growth across the board. According to the National Retail Federation , January retail industry sales (excluding automobiles, gas stations and restaurants) increased 0.9 percent seasonally adjusted from December and 4.0 percent unadjusted year-over-year.
Aahs! Gift Store Relocates to Encino
Encino, CA – Sherman Oaks’ loss becomes Encino’s gain.
Aahs! Gifts, which calls itself ‘ The Ultimate Gift Store’ is packing up and moving from its current spot at 14612 Ventura Blvd. in Sherman Oaks, to a bigger store about one mile west in Encino.
The new location, at 15960 Ventura Blvd.
Glee Gifts Partners with Birthday Wishes
Canton, MA – One Canton gift shop is helping birthday dreams come true for local homeless children.
Glee Gifts of Canton is partnering with Birthday Wishes, a Boston-based nonprofit organization that provides birthday parties for homeless children throughout Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Long Island, New York.
“Unfortunately, children living in homeless shelters miss out on many of the typical childhood traditions, including the celebration of a birthday party,” said Ann Foley-Collins, owner of Glee Gifts. “People come to Glee Gifts to buy special birthday presents.
New Children’s Shop Opens Uptown
Lexington, NC – A specialty children’s shop, Lydia’s Boutique, has opened at 104 S. Main St. between The Backyard Retreat and Naples Italian Restaurant.
Erika Cross, owner of the new business, said the shop carries designer clothing and accessories as well as gift items primarily for girls from infants to 12 years, although there are some gift items suitable for boys as well.
Cross, a native of England, has been in the United States for 30 years. After working at a physician’s office for 18 years, Cross decided to open a children’s shop.
Lisa and Ryan Visher
Sleepy Eye, MN – On Jan. 1, 2012, Sleepy Eye Floral and Design became Hope and Faith Floral and Gifts. Ownership changed hands to Ryan and Lisa Visher.
Ryan and Lisa also own Hope and Faith Floral and Gifts in New Ulm and Madelia.
Originally the couple was living in Milwaukee, Wis., doing what every midwestern family does, working and living.
Lisa and Ryan had started an Internet floral business out of the basement of their home while both working day jobs.
Why Not Make a Dream Come True?
Scranton, PA – Angela Dawn Sheehan served as a nurse for more than 22 years in the U.S. Air Force. In 1993, the Arkansas native moved to Northeast Pennsylvania where she continued to practice nursing.
But early in 2011, Sheehan realized she needed a change. With a love and Southern-flare for fashion, she knew she could do something she’s always wanted to do: Open a boutique. And that’s just what she did. Why Not Designs in Scranton is a dream come true for Sheehan and local fashionistas alike.
SnapRetail Launches SnapFinds Nationwide
SnapRetail, a technology company that provides the only integrated marketing and sales solution to drive increased sales for local retailers, has launched an innovative deal program that is the first to combine exclusive offer deals on products with a unique buy local concept for small retailers nationwide.
LI Network Makes Rival Shop Owners Friends
Long Island, NY – Trusted business advice is hard to come by, but much to gift shop owner Kerry Punzi’s surprise, she has found a wealth of it from an unlikely source: potential competitors.
“I didn’t even realize that other retailers would want to talk to me,” said Punzi, owner of Giftology and The Cook’s Fancy, both in Rockville Centre.
About a year and a half ago, a group of gift shop owners and managers came together to brainstorm about the effects of Vera Bradley — one of their most popular brands — opening its own retail stores and launching an online retail site.
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Virginia Florist Readies for Valentine’s Day
Hybla Valley, VA – Mother’s Day is a close second, but at The Virginia Florist, Valentine’s Day earns the status of the shop’s busiest single-day holiday.
Flowers are arriving at the combination florist and gift shop, located at 7908 Fort Hunt Road in the Hollin Hall Shopping Center.
“It’s a matter of cleaning a massive amount of roses,” said Virginia Florist manager and buyer Amanda Mertins. “They have to be de-thorned, fresh-cut, conditioned, and so that will all be done and they’ll be ready to go.”
Downtown Shop Offers Delightful Mix of Old and New
Lufkin, TX – Walk into downtown home décor shop, Mama Tried, and you can expect to be greeted by a mixture of old and new, classic and eclectic. You can also expect to be greeted by store owner Wanda Wesch, a petite blonde with a warm smile and even warmer personality.
The Parton-esque Wesch – she once won a national Dolly Parton lookalike contest that led to an appearance on “The Dick Clark Show” – says there was a time she wasn’t so cheery.
Sweet Shop’s Sweeter Spot in Cayucos
Cayucos, CA – In July 2009, The Tribune’s By the Bay column highlighted the jelly beans, chocolate turtles and taffy at the Cayucos Candy Counter.
Founded in 1985, this old-fashioned sweet shop was purchased in 2008 by Jim and Pam Christiansen.
The Gift Wrap Company Adds NoJo Designs to Its Extensive Baby-Themed Licensed Product Collection
The Gift Wrap Company, a major resource for designer packaging and stationery gifts, has added another star to its galaxy of licensed products with NoJo, a charming new baby-themed collection from industry leader Crown Crafts Infant Products.
“The Gift Wrap Company and its stationery gift division Pepperpot are known for its timeless yet on trend baby keepsakes and juvenile products,” comments Mary Clampett, vice president sales.
Robin’s Village Barn Will Fit The Bill
Fairhaven, MA – Whether primitive and country décor are your passion or you’re simply looking for a unique gift, Robin’s Village Barn fits the bill perfectly.
“A lot of people are shocked when they come in here for the first time and see the variety of merchandise,” said Robin Botelho, the store’s owner and manager.
“It’s a little bit of everything and then some.”
Having grown up in a family retail establishment, Botelho has owned her own craft/gift shop for the past 25 years.
Shelling it out For The Ones We Love
Valentine’s Day gift-giving is projected to hit a record-setting pace this year, whether the means of expression is clothing, jewelry or a more novel approach to saying “I love you.”
Flowers – roses especially – and dinner at some point over the course of the four-day weekend are ‘givens’ for the Valentine’s Day observance, but indications are that shoppers plan to go further.
The average person in the U.S.
Microloan Helps Iron Range Couple Buy Store, Return Home
Iron Range, VA – Catherine Branville always knew she wanted to own a store. But she wasn’t sure what sort it would be. She’d moved with her husband, Gary, from Virginia on the Iron Range, where they both grew up, to the Twin Cities to pursue a business degree at the University of Minnesota.
Branville’s decision was made for her when Irma’s Finland House, a mainstay gift shop in Virginia, came up for sale a year and a half ago. She’d shopped there as a kid and had an attachment to the place.
“We love it on the Iron Range,” said Branville, 27.
Retailers Prepare for Valentine’s Day Rush
Augusta, GA – As Valentine’s Day approaches, many shoppers will make a last-minute dash to the store for gifts.
Jewelry stores, florists and other retailers are accustomed to consumers’ last-minute shopping habits for Valentine’s Day.
According to Next Jump, a New York-based company that administers rewards programs for 90,000 corporations and credit card companies and owns one of the largest consumer databases, 60 percent of last year’s Valentine’s Day purchases were made in the final five days before Feb. 14.
Fresno Store-Within-a-Store Trend Benefits Retailers
Fresno, CA – Don’t be surprised if you find your favorite store in an unexpected place: inside another store.
The store-within-a-store concept is growing in Fresno and nationwide as a way for bigger businesses to nab new customers and smaller shops to grow without paying big bucks for their own stores.
Expect to see more of it: J.C. Penney’s new strategy will bring many more shops into its department stores, starting with a Martha Stewart store.
City Sales Tax Receipts Show Improvement Over Prior Year
Amarillo, TX – According to the city’s sales tax receipts, Amarillo’s Shop Local campaign has made a positive impact on the local economy.
After seeing the results of the holiday season, City of Amarillo Finance Director Michelle Bonner said city officials are hoping the trend will continue.
“Our deposit- and this would be December sales- we received $5,286,000, which is up over $200,000 from the prior year.”