Archives: News
Atlanta Leads
The Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market at AmericasMart moved into its fifth consecutive day of record-breaking buyer traffic with soaring registrations, non-stop order-writing and exclusive product introductions setting the pace for projected double-digit growth when the final Market bell rings on Wednesday, according to Jeffrey L.
Fern Solomon Wants You to Buy American — And That’s What She’s Selling
Long Beach, CA – For 30 years, Fern Solomon has had a mission — to market American-made products.
Solomon’s store, Fern’s Garden at 5308 E.
Shoppers Seek ‘Made in USA’ Label
Hampton, VA – Tish Llaneza decided it was going to be a “Made in the USA” Christmas at her Hampton store, and customers responded by emptying the shelves.
There are only a few items left in each product line, Llaneza explains as she walks through Countryside Gardens, pointing out “Made in USA” stickers along the way. But, not to worry, she’s on her way to America’s Mart, one of the country’s largest trade shows for boutique owners, and she plans to pick up a bundle of products made by American workers.
“I have really tried to do my research,” she says.
Fresh, Original New Products and Unique New Lines Debut at the Merchandise Mart’s Chicago Market
Hundreds of new products and unique new lines will debut at the much-awaited Chicago Market at the iconic Merchandise Mart. Retail buyers will find new twists on the most important on-trend categories and will discover the largest selection of unique concepts all conveniently located under one roof.
Prinz Debuts “Perfect Pics by Prinz” Collection
Photos of special moments, memorable occasions and life achievements deserve the “perfect” frame to display with pride. Prinz has the answer with its newest expressions collection for 2012: Perfect Pics by Prinz.
Prinz Ltd., the premier designer and marketer of quality photo frames and albums, announces the debut of Perfect Pics by Prinz, a series of laser-engraved frames that showcase the most treasured memories with style and personality.
Cathedral Art Launches Licensed Lines By Designer Donna Salveta
Cathedral Art, leading maker and marketer of inspirational giftware, is introducing two licensed lines from D & D Designs’ premier designer Donna Salveta. The lines – An Angel’s Touch and Heart Sparkles comprised of pendants, pins, charms and key-chains – are wearables with an uplifting message.
“We are very excited about the potential of these new collections,” says Leo Tracey, president of Cathedral Art.
Accent On Design Accepts Four New Companies Into A+: The Young Designers’ Platform
Four design studios – all less than a year old – have been invited to participate in the “A+: The Young Designers’ Platform” showcase within Accent on Design® at the winter 2012 New York International Gift Fair® (NYIGF®). These emerging designers will travel to New York, from Europe, Canada and the United States, to introduce new and innovative products, including housewares, furnishings, lighting and jewelry.
“For most of these young designers, NYIGF will mark their debut in the wholesale market,” said Dorothy Belshaw, GLM senior vice president and NYIGF director.
Kitchenware Industry Vet Opens Retail Store
McKinney, TX – After years of advising independent kitchenware retailers across the country, Karen Chandler opened her own kitchenware store, Kitchenwares on the Square, in McKinney, Texas, in September.
For more than eight years, Chandler has worked in the gourmet kitchenware industry, helping the independent retailer stay competitive in today’s marketplace. Most recently she worked with Gourmet Catalog, the Dallas-based buying group. While there, she was instrumental in bringing exclusives and direct import products to the independent retailer.
National Retail Federation Says Holiday Sales up 4.1 Percent, But Discounting Clouds Results
New York, NY – A major retail trade organization is announcing that holiday sales rose 4.1 percent, better than its forecast for a 3.8 percent gain. But the season was clouded by heavy discounting needed to get shoppers to spend, particularly in the final weeks before Christmas.
The National Retail Federation said Thursday that retail sales for November and December combined totaled $471.5 billion.
FINDS Dallas Temp Show Breaks Record for New Lines
Dallas Market Center today announced that the FINDS Dallas Temp Show will present hundreds of new lines as well as Made in the U.S.A products. The show will be held January 20-23 and take place during the Dallas Total Home & Gift Market, January 18-24.
“The upcoming FINDS Temp Show will offer more new lines than ever before,” said Cindy Morris, COO, Dallas Market Center. “Fresh products are so important to buyers; they will be pleased to find them in each category throughout campus.”
Made in the U.S.A.
California Gift Show Announces Full Schedule of Showroom and Exhibitor Events at L.A. Mart and Los Angeles Convention Center
As the countdown to January’s California Gift Show begins, L.A. Mart’s permanent showrooms as well as temporary exhibitors at L.A. Mart’s Beckman’s Handcrafted Show™ L.A. and Los Angeles Convention Center’s South Hall Gift and Kentia Global Marketplace announce a full line-up of events, programs and activities.
The Candy Cottage Highlights Successes of 2011
The Candy Cottage, a ready-to-decorate, no bake, reusable Gingerbread House, experienced a prosperous year in 2011. Aimed at helping families make memories as sweet as their decorated creations The Candy Cottage – created by two North Carolina moms – has proved to be a hit with consumers. A strong first appearance at the 2011 AmericasMart® gift show in Atlanta led the company to stock dealers in more than 35 states.
The Candy Cottage Debuts New Smaller Cottages for Single-Use Decorating
The Candy Cottage, a ready-to-decorate, no bake, reusable Gingerbread House, introduces new, smaller, single-use cottages appealing to a broader market with the same concept in mind.
The Candy Cottage Welcomes News Sales Representatives
The Candy Cottage, a ready-to-decorate, no bake, reusable Gingerbread House, has realized growth in the gift and toy industry and recently added sales representatives in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee to better service the expanding market.
Dallas Market Center Increases Free Wi-Fi Access
Dallas Market Center (DMC) today announced an increase in free Wi-Fi access throughout the common areas of its 5 million-square-foot campus with a more than 65 percent increase in bandwidth, allowing faster download speeds. In addition, AT&T has boosted its wireless network throughout the buildings to enhance wireless coverage and capacity.
“We are pleased to offer market attendees more extensive free Wi-Fi and better cell service,” said Bill Winsor, president and CEO, Dallas Market Center.
Zimmerman’s Nuts & Candies Has it All – Candy, Peanut Butter, Coffee
Penbrook, PA – Walking into Zimmerman’s Nuts & Candies is a baker’s dream and a child’s fantasy.
There are miles of shelves of chocolate candy, candy-colored gems, gummy candy of all shapes and sizes, malted milk balls and every imaginable sweet for as far as the eye can see.
Boutique Stationery Brands Put C.R. Gibson in Premium Position
C.R. Gibson, a leading manufacturer of treasured gifts that preserve, create and celebrate memories, brings premium stationery collections to the forefront of its core stationery and photo social offering this January.
Douglas Company Debuts Clifford the Big Red Dog Product Line
The New Hampshire-based plush toy and lifestyle gift creator Douglas Company today announced the launch of its line Clifford the Big Red Dog® plush products.
Douglas is seeing red with all the Clifford plush dogs it has to offer. They come in all shapes and sizes. Some are sitting, some are lying down, while others stand and one 30″ style is simply huge! Clifford the Big Red Dog® plush products are charmingly sweet, ultra soft and snuggly.
iota’s Premium Stationery Essentials Inspire Handwritten Communication in Full Color
Iota, a purveyor of trend-setting stationery, accessories and gifting essentials, adds more “green” to its palette this season with eco-friendly fibers in new premium boxed letter paper sets. Three sets debut, the Eastern-inspired Darjeeling, the geometrically inclinedZiggy and the modern floral, Bloomin’.
Matchmaking Platform for Contract Business Online as of Now
‘Contract Business’ special show at Ambiente 2012
4,000 fine porcelain cups, 2,000 champagne flutes in ultra-thin pre- mium glass, 50 lamps made of sterling silver: the contract business is about equipping entire large-scale objects such as hotels, cruise liners, congress centres or restaurants with products for the table and kitchen, home accessories, furniture or seasonal decoration.