Archives: News
Eclectic Selection at New Hopewell Store
Hopewell, NJ – From pricey chrome piggy banks to recycled wallets and journals, if owner Melissa Cookman loves something, it will soon be in a store she calls twine.
Although some of the things she sells have had previous owners, it’s not a vintage or consignment boutique, and it’s certainly not a corporate chain.
She buys some of the things she sells. Other things are donated or handmade. If she sees something she likes when she’s shopping, she buys it, then sells it at twine.
The shop’s name, twine.
Gamewright’s Newest Games Garner Over 30 Top Awards
Gamewright, a leading family game manufacturer based in Newton, Massachusetts, is wrapping up the year on a high note. The manufacturer recently earned 39 awards for all eight of its 2011 introductions. Highest honors include Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Seals for City Square Off and GUBS, Dr. Toy’s Top 100 Children’s Products for Mermaid Beach, and Parents’ Choice Gold awards for City Square Off and FlipOut.
CT Business Marks 20 Years With Mix of Tradition and Trends
When Bob La Perla opened his fine jewelry boutique in West Hartford 20 years ago, his main mode of marketing was an advertisement in the newspaper. Since then, he’s maintained a modern approach to making his business relevant in an increasingly competitive landscape now cluttered by countless online jewelry stores.
For instance, the jewelry store is relying on text messaging to entice customers to come into the store.
Flower Shop to Open on Railroad Avenue
Hamilton, MA – A flower and gift shop plans to open up in one of the only vacant retail spaces in downtown Hamilton.
The Singing Flower plans to open on Dec. 8 for the Christmas in the Village Marketplace event, according to owner Meggin Hunt.
“We do flower arrangements, plants and gifts,” she said.
In addition to flower arrangements for weddings and other special events, the store on Railroad Avenue will sell vintage-looking and retro home accessories, desert plates, stationary and picture frames, for example.
New Store Offers Parisian Feel
Fergus Falls, MN – “I think to myself, ‘If Coco Chanel was shopping here, what would she buy?'”
That’s the governing philosophy behind Lucy Roberts’ new store, Chateau D’Amour, a Parisian-themed gift shop at 35726 County Highway 1, right next to Amor Pork. Both businesses are about one mile south of Amor.
“(The name) means Castle of Love,” said Roberts. “It’s just a labor of love for myself.”
Roberts operates the gift shop while her husband Bob runs Amor Pork.
2011 Holiday Seal of Approval Winners Announced
The National Parenting Center has released its 21st annual Holiday Seal of Approval report. The final report of 2011 follows two months of consumer testing by parents and children at The National Parenting Center’s test centers. Winners from this testing period are awarded the 2012 Seal of Approval.
Say Hello to the New Arrival: Quicksmart the Aussie Juvenile Giant is Here
Moms and dads can rejoice with the U.S. debut of QuickSmart, a clever range of products that do away with the trouble of setting up bulky and complex child equipment.
Consumers at the Forefront of Private Label
Retailers must actively involve customers when developing private labels in order to enhance brand perception, says leading retail intelligence firm Planet Retail.
Planet Retail’s ground-breaking Private Label Trends, 2012 report sponsored by Daymon Worldwide looks at six key trends that will shape the world of private labelling in 2012 and beyond.
Dallas Market Center Honored as Top 100 Place to Work in D-FW
Dallas Market Center (DMC), the world’s most complete wholesale marketplace, today announced that it has been recognized by The Dallas Morning News as one of the Top 100 Places to Work in D-FW for 2011. This year’s list of the best places to work in the area includes 25 large companies, 35 midsize companies and 40 small companies. Dallas Market Center is featured in the midsize companies category.
“It is an honor to be included in the Top 100 list,” said Bill Winsor, president and CEO, Dallas Market Center.
Ohio Wholesale Joins Permanent Showroom Lineup for Winter 2012 Gift+Home at Las Vegas Market
World Market Center Las Vegas announced today that Ohio Wholesale and Kennedy’s Country Collection will introduce a new permanent showroom space for Gift+Home at Las Vegas Market, Jan.
Trollbeads Introduces Winter Collection 2011
Happy Holidays! The temperature is getting chilly, the days are getting shorter and that can only mean one thing, the holiday season is upon us!
To warm your soul and bring joy to your heart Trollbeads presents our beautiful 2011 Winter Collection.
In the usual handcrafted quality to which you are accustomed, the Trollbeads 2011 Winter Collection is forged in a medley of materials: Silver, gold, glass, and precious stones. All of the new beads were created to blend together with earlier collections and enhance the entire Trollbeads line.
Small Retailers See Stronger Holiday Sales
Economic concerns linger, but mom-and-pop retailers say they finally expect some cheer this season.
Nearly half are more optimistic about holiday sales vs. last year, according to a new survey of 792 small retailers by online small business community Manta. Four in 10 say they already have better sales compared with last fall.
“More than ever, the consumers in our community really seem to understand the value of shopping locally,” said Jodi Black, president and co-owner of Conover, N.C.-based Beautiful Brains Books and Games.
Upper Deck’s New Marvel Game ‘Slings’ Into Stores For The Holidays!
Upper Deck and Marvel Entertainment have teamed up to bring fans an exciting new collectible game for the holiday season. Slingers fast-paced game of skill and strategy pits two players against each other as they race to capture collectible medallions in an effort to score the most points and claim victory.
The Slinger itself is truly innovative as players use it in a similar fashion to a yo-yo, but the Slinger has a patented retractable mechanism and an ‘Invisible Energy Shield’ that allows players to pick up collectible medallions if they “sling” it just right.
New Gift Store Opens on Main Street
Kendallville, IN – LoVada Ehert of Kendallville has worked in floral and interior design for 30 years, owned and co-owned retail businesses in the past and decided to open a new business on Main Street.
LoVada’s Affordable Gifts and More, 203 S. Main St., opened on Nov. 1 in a former photography store and studio.
“I’ve what I do. I love working in retail and meeting people, so I decided to open this business,” she said. Ehert had a gift shop several years ago a block away from her current location, and she co-owned a floral shop on North Main Street a few years ago.
Small Business Saturday Puts Local Shops in Holiday Spotlight
Boston, MA – American Express struck such a strong chord with its Small Business Saturday campaign last year that the movement practically took off on its own this year, which was the intention all along.
The concept is simple. The big box stores advertise heavily to draw in shoppers on Black Friday. The online stores hype Cyber Monday.
Gift Buyers Like Local Mom-and-Pop Shops’ Unique Choices
Economic concerns linger, but mom-and-pop retailers say they finally have some cheer for this holiday shopping season.
Nearly half are more optimistic about holiday sales than last year, according to a new survey of 792 small retailers by online small-business community Manta. Four in 10 say they already have better sales compared with last fall.
“More than ever, the consumers in our community really seem to understand the value of shopping locally,” said Jodi Black, co-owner of Conover, N.C.-based Beautiful Brains Books and Games.
Trip Starts Business in a Sweet Direction
Rome, NY – Romans Stacey and Eric Jackson, who opened Sugar Candy Emporium on Nov. 5, are the epitome of small business owners.
The U.S. Census Bureau reports that 1,908 small businesses — those with less than 100 employees — were operating in Rome in 2009, the last year for which such statistics are available.
The Jacksons go that small business designation one better. They are officially part of the micro business group — businesses with fewer than 10 employees.
Retailers Ready for the Holiday Rush
Ontario County, NY – Sure, Thanksgiving is just 11 days away. But if you think it’s too early to talk about holiday shopping — and there are 41 shopping days until Christmas — think again.
Although there are some signs of improvement locally, a sluggish economy prompted Shannon Gordner to begin checking gifts off her shopping list for Christmas 2011 — well before she could determine who is naughty and who is nice.
She started the day after Christmas last year, and made up a kind of pay-as-you-go spending plan to make sure everyone receives their holiday cheer.
Made in New York
Poughkeepsie, NY – When it comes to finding high-end gifts, Susan Aylward does her part to support the local economy. She isn’t tempted to shop at malls or national chain stores, but instead prefers to buy most things at local boutiques, craft fairs and farmers markets.
High-end, handmade gourmet food from Spoonable LLC, Brooklyn’s Saucy Caramel! Five delicious sauces including classic salty caramel, spicy chili, chewy sesame, peppered orange and flowery lavender. All sauces are excellent for sweet and savory dishes. www.spoonablellc.com.
Hundreds of Billions Expected in Christmas Retail Despite Economy
Shreveport, LA – It’s a cash-straped holiday season — but Americans will still spend billions on the Christmas spirit this year.
The National Retail Federation’s Holiday Sales Forecast predicts $465 billion in retail sales for November and December, a 2.8 percent growth over the rest of the year.
The average American will spend $704 this season, down slightly from 2010’s $719 average.
Shreveport resident Tori Lalich said she’s trying to spend less than $500 this holiday season as money gets tighter and gifts more expensive. She’ll be focusing on gifts for family members.