Archives: News
Laura Ashley Inc Appoints New President
Laura Ashley, Inc. announced today Penne Cairoli has been named president of the company and will oversee the licensing and ecommerce operations for North and South America. She replaces current President, Mr. Ng Kwan Cheong, who has been named Chief Executive Officer of Laura Ashley Holdings PLC headquartered in London.
Cairoli has been with Laura Ashley since 1987, most recently as a Vice President of Licensing. Throughout her tenure at Laura Ashley, she has also held management positions in licensing, design, buying, product development and sales.
Planet Zak’s Tatau Line Is a Modern Take on a Timeless Theme
The goal of Planet Zak’s new reusable on-the-go mealtime products was to seamlessly blend function and fashion to create products that fit the taste of the edgy, trend-forward consumer. Nowhere is that combination more apparent than the Tatau line.
Taking its inspiration from traditional tribal artwork of the Pacific Northwest the Tatau pattern creates a modern feel to a timeless form of self expression. Each piece in the Tatau line appears to wear the tattoos of the native people who held a reverence for the Earth that resonates with today’s eco-conscious consumers.
Yankee Candle Unveils Pure Radiance
The Yankee Candle Company, Inc., the world’s largest manufacturer of premium scented candles, today announced the launch of its new contemporary candle line, Pure Radiance. Made of a custom soy wax blend, Pure Radiance features patent-pending LumiWick™ technology. When lit this flat, all cotton ribbon wick provides a consistent burn and a wide, radiant flame. With a clean design, the line is offered in 12 new distinctive, but approachable fragrances and three sizes.
NYIGF Registrants Identify “Made in the USA” as Key Category for 2012
Reflecting the increasing demand for American-made products, nearly 25% of registrants for the winter 2012 New York International Gift Fair® (NYIGF®) have expressed a specific interest in “Made in the USA” products. The NYIGF runs January 28-February 2, at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.
“More than 400 of NYIGF’s 2,800+ exhibitors identify themselves as producers of ‘Made in the USA’ products,” said Dorothy Belshaw, NYIGF director and GLM senior vice president.
New Rep Agency Next Step Joins Gift+Home at Las Vegas Market
World Market Center Las Vegas today announced one of the newest gift rep agencies, Next Step, has inked a deal to open a 3,700-square-foot showroom for the upcoming Gift+Home at Las Vegas Market, Jan. 30- Feb. 3.
The San Diego-based multi-line gift agency will open its new showroom in Building C, Suite C-891. Next Step will represent the second-largest rep group at Las Vegas Market with 25 manufacturer rep lines and already has plans to expand for the Summer 2012 Las Vegas Market, July 30-Aug.
Strong Growth for Asian-Inspired Snacks in 2012, Foreseen by Artisanal Snack Manufacturer, Society Hill Snacks
One of the early marketers of Asian-inspired snacks in North America, was luxury snack manufacturer Society Hill Snacks. Today, Society Hill Snacks’ President, Ronna Schultz is planning for resurging demand in this category, due to a number of economic and demographic factors. Economically, the flat economy and the meteoric rise in the price of nuts has motivated consumers to seek out more moderately priced snacks.
Wellspring Introduces Collegiate in Best- Selling Products
Wellspring, the company that makes products that are fun and functional, introduces a new collection of collegiate products in its best-selling items. Collegiate purse accessories include pill boxes, compact mirrors, Flip Notes®, and card cases. Collegiate stationery products include address books and Auto Notes®. Colleges represented are Alabama, Tennessee, Florida, LSU, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Georgia, and Texas Tech, with more being added.
Wellspring is a family-owned business since 1980.
Martha’s Candies Reopens Under New Ownership
Glendora, CA – For Glendora native Joyanne Postajian, 24, heading into Martha’s Candies to peruse the array of sweet confections was a childhood ritual.
But when previous owner Pamela Ganas decided to shutter the store in December of last year, it was presumed to be the end for the nearly 40-year-old candy shop and fixture in Glendora’s downtown.
Ganas claimed a poor economy prevented her from turning a profit on the shop throughout the entire three years under her management.
But Postajian and her mother Jana Jones couldn’t bear to see the old-fashioned candy shop c
Fancy Food Show – Like No Other Trade Event
San Francisco, CA – I ate my way through the 37th Winter Fancy Food Show. Not a delicate way to put it, but accurate.
San Francisco’s Moscone Center was once again home to this significant trade-only event that ran January 15-17. More than 18,000 buyers, chefs, brokers, importers, journalists and others connected to the specialty food trade checked out over 80,000 products from around the globe.
Specialty foods and beverages involve “quality and innovation,” according to event sponsor and owner National Association for the Specialty Food Trade.
Peet’s Coffee and XpresSpa Named PHL’s Restaurant and Retailer of the Second Quarter 2011-2012
The Philadelphia Marketplace Food & Shops at Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) announced Peet’s Coffee, D/E Connector, and XpresSpa, Terminal C, as its Restaurant and Retailer of the Quarter, respectively, for Q2 2011-2012.
The Philadelphia Marketplace’s Cutting EDGE! Program (Excellence Drives Great Experiences) was designed to motivate and reward merchants. Each merchant can earn EDGE! points for exceeding expectations through great customer service and participation in marketing programs.
GLM Names Sikalis Vice President, Business Development
Committed to developing domestic and international growth opportunities, GLM has named Penny Sikalis Vice President, Business Development, effective immediately. In this role, Sikalis will be responsible for researching and evaluating new show launches and potential show acquisitions. She will report to CEO Charles McCurdy, and maintain her current position as VP/Show Manager, SURTEX®.
“Enhancing our customer service through new product development – in both the event and digital platforms – is a priority,” commented McCurdy.
The Chicago Market Announces Robust Line-Up of Special Events
The Chicago Market announces a robust line-up of special events, programs and activities. Retail buyers can expect an exciting schedule of Merchandise Mart sponsored seminars and market events, and showroom and exhibitor hosted events that will educate, inform, and entertain.
This world-class market known for their Midwest hospitality will offer attendees an extraordinary line-up from new and established resources. Two important highlights of this market are the 50 and 20 year anniversary milestones reached by two of those established resources, Peterson Associates, Inc.
Homestyle Returns to Gift+Home at Las Vegas Market with Expansion on the Horizon
World Market Center Las Vegas announced today that Homestyle, a national multi-line sales agency representing leading lines including home decor, garden, table top, textiles and fashion, has inked a multi-year deal to renew their showroom space for the upcoming Winter 2012 Gift+Home at Las Vegas Market, Jan. 30 – Feb. 3, as well as expand for the Summer 2012 show.
Their current showroom in Building C, Suite C-696 encompasses more than 13,100 square feet and will continue to serve as their only west-coast showroom presence.
Beautiful Me Gift Shop’s Crafters Make Many One-Of-A-Kind Items
Belen, NM – Crafting is more than a hobby, it’s a lifestyle, says Dorothy Gordon, of Veguita, one of 10 local crafters represented by Beautiful Me Gift Shop at 211 South Main St.
California Gift Show Debuts Hundreds of Innovative New Products and Lines
Beginning Wednesday, January 18 California Gift Show (CGS) welcomes retailers with another year of enticing, on-trend sourcing opportunities to satisfy today’s aspirational consumer. As the West Coast’s largest Gift + Home Market, CGS continues to emphasize the region’s distinction for both product innovation and its influence on consumer purchasing habits. CGS reinforces the mystique of the California lifestyle with a robust product presentation of 1,200 temporary exhibitors and permanent showrooms at its two show locations, L.A.
Dallas Market Center Publications Go Digital
Dallas Market Center (DMC) today announced that its full suite of custom publications — InStore, The Source, Light Source, and Christmas Source — are now available for free download on the Dallas Market Center website.
“The positive feedback we receive from retailers encouraged us to offer our award-winning custom publications in a new digital version,” said Cindy Morris, COO, Dallas Market Center.
One Kings Lane Becomes Corporate Sponsor of Gift for Life
Gift for Life, the gift, stationery and home decor industries’ leading charitable organization, announced today that One Kings Lane, the leading flash sales site in the home market, has become a 2012 Corporate Sponsor. In addition to a direct contribution, One Kings Lane will help host a first-of-its-kind sales event offering curated items from the summer 2012 New York International Gift Fair® (NYIGF®), with proceeds benefiting Gift for Life.
Urban Expositions Changes Dates Again for 2012 Smoky Mountain Gift Show in Gatlinburg, TN
In a continued effort to effectively respond to industry feedback from buyers and exhibitors , Urban Expositions has once again changed the dates for the 2012 edition of the Smoky Mountain Gift Show. The show will now run from November 7-10, 2012 at the Gatlinburg Convention Center in Gatlinburg, TN.
Contained Adventure Maker Find It Games Opens the Lid & Spills Fun Onto Puzzles
Grownups have been puzzling over where to find a perfect toy that’s educational, affordable, durable and intriguing. Find It® Games, the award-winning maker of contained adventures, has responded with hide-and-seek fun in a sturdy cylinder for kids 8 to 98! Now there’s something new to hunt in 2012 because Find It is opening up the clear cylinder and spilling the items onto 300-piece puzzles. Visitors to New York City’s American International Toy Fair can open the box to play Pharaoh’s Egypt, On Dry Ground or Parade Of Animals eye-catching historical puzzles at Booth 5867.
Aeromax Hires New Vice President of Sales
Toy industry veteran Jim Gunderson is the new Vice President of Sales for Aeromax. Gunderson takes over for fellow industry veteran Mel Davis, who is retiring after six years in this position at Aeromax, and over 30 years in the toy industry.
Gunderson began working in consumer goods sales over 25 years ago at The Gillette Company (now Procter & Gamble) in the Paper Mate division.