Archives: News
Downtown New Bedford Inc. announces new cooperative coupon campaign
New Bedford, MA — A new coupon campaign to promote shopping downtown is being launched today as retailers work together to promote a SHOP DNB!
Rumors about retailers can be very bad news for their health
Word started trickling out in October, warning that gift cards could be worthless if stores were to go bankrupt. Within a month, an ominous Internet claim said chains including Ann Taylor and Zales would close by year’s end.
Good Friday turns into good retail day
Shoppers turned out en masse on Good Friday, despite predictions that consumers would spend less on Easter shopping this year.
The National Retail Federation projected Americans would spend an average of about $116 on Easter items compared to $135 last year.
On Friday, shoppers navigated the Easter section at Target, filled with chocolate goodies, colorful baskets and springtime wares. Among them was Kimberly Lenoir, 27, of Sumrall.
Lenoir said her family will spend less this Easter.
Malls entice mom-and-pop stores
Kingston, MA — Shopping malls are laying out the welcome mat for mom-and-pop merchants to fill storefronts in the recession. Many of Massachusetts’ marquee shopping malls are aggressively recruiting independently-owned stores to occupy spaces left behind by national chains.
It’s raining freebies at restaurants
Got a sweet tooth for an afternoon treat, a hankering for barbecue ribs or a craving for caffeine?
In the next few weeks, metro Atlanta consumers can get a tasting of all of these for free, or almost free, as restaurant chains start a fresh round of giveaways.
On Wednesday, tax day deadline, Cinnabon will give away its Classic Bites, and MaggieMoo’s will offer a free scoop of ice cream.
Seattle’s Best Coffee, celebrating its 39th anniversary, is running a host of April promotions, including a free coffee for anyone 39 years old.
Gift the gift of handmade chalkware pieces
Since the 18th century, chalkware pieces typically were figurines made out of gypsum and were considered to be serious art pieces. Today, seasonal hand-cast chalkware collections are made using chocolate or candy molds, such as those at the Vintage Cottage Boutique in Lake City.
The figurines at the Vintage Cottage Boutique are carefully painted by hand using the same techniques used at the turn of the century. Each piece is then antique-washed, sealed and given a frosting of glass glitter.
Retail 3.0: Keeping customers in an economic downturn
Earlier this week, I wrote about a study that said consumers are downshifting their shopping habits during the current recession, and that their frugality might linger after the economic recovery.
So what are retailers doing to counter that inclination and nab consumers during the downturn? And how will they keep their customers coming back afterward?
American Craft Council Announces 2009 College of Fellows Inductees and Gold Medal Recipient
New York, NY – The American Craft Council is pleased to announce the induction of seven individuals into its College of Fellows: Adela Akers, Glenda Arentzen, Tony Hepburn, Gyongy Laky, Wendy Marauyama, Mary Ann “Toots” Zynsky and Lois Moran (Honorary Fellow).
Jean Stevenson Nail and Gift Shop celebrates silver anniversary
West Akron, OH — Twenty-five years in business has brought some changes to the Jean Stevenson Nail and Gift Shop, but not to her family of customers.
Shop owner Jean Stevenson opened her shop as a nail salon in 1984, with her first customer being Nancy Norris, of West Akron. Today, the business has grown to include a gift shop and tanning services.
Small town’s ‘stimulus plan’ rewards buyers
Lamar, CO — While most of America waits for federal stimulus money to make its way into wallets, one small town on the Colorado plains has taken matters into its own hands by launching its own economic recovery plan.
Ron Stock is the city administrator of Lamar, Colorado, and came up with the town’s “stimulus plan.”
Here’s how it works: Spend $300 in the city of Lamar on anything but groceries, pharmaceuticals, booze or your utility bills, and the city will give you a gift certificate good for $30 at any store in Lamar.
Retailers bank on longer selling season for Easter
Franklin—Even the Easter Bunny is scaling back because of the economy.
Americans are cutting spending on holiday candy, gifts, food and decorations, according to the National Retail Federation’s 2009 Easter Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey.
Locally, gift shops are still offering plenty of goodies for sale, whether it is decorations, basket stuffers or food.
“With Easter falling later, we’ve had a longer selling season,” said Shannon Bicknell, gift shop manager at The Peanut Patch in Courtland.
Summit sisters own downtown sweet shop
Summit — Sweet Nothings, at 26 Beechwood Road, is owned and operated by two Summit sisters, Elisa Brooks and Donna Puzella. The store stocks fine chocolates, truffles, candies, gourmet foods and eclectic and useful gift items. The sisters have also acquired a reputation for creating beautifully packaged gifts, gift baskets and party favors.
“Easter centerpieces can offer a dual purpose,” the sisters said. “They should be visually appealing and can also serve as a teaser for what’s to come at dessert time.
Tasty Homemade Chocolate Easter Favorites Are Ready at Thomas Sweet Chocolate Shop
The windows at the Thomas Sweet Chocolate Shop beckon. Filled with a delightful Easter display, they entice the customer to enter. Inside, the aroma of freshly made chocolate and the selection of chocolate rabbits, lambs, chicks, eggs, and baskets proves irresistible.
It is true — nobody doesn’t like Thomas Sweet! With all those delectable choices — whether chocolate or ice cream — Thomas Sweet is truly sweet tooth heaven.
Lanesboro pottery shop will help you get creative
Lanesboro — Potiche Pottery and Gifts, newly opened in Lanesboro, is no run-of-the-mill gift shop.
The store, owned by Barb Johnson of St. Charles, gives customers the chance to create their own gifts if they wish.
People can buy a piece of bisque ware pottery, paint it and then have Johnson glaze it and fire it in a kiln on site.
“This is nothing I’ve done hard-core in the past, so it will be a learning experience,” Johnson said.
7 W New York Announces Additional Events and In-Suite Happenings for Upcoming Spring Tabletop Market
New York, NY — 7 W New York has finalized an enhanced Tabletop Market program that will be one of its most expansive to-date. Building on a timely and rich bridal theme, several suites have created their own events and receptions to step-up the buyer hospitality.
Tier Toys Launches Stackers’ Puzzle, Sorter & Storage Case Product Line
Australia – American children familiar with the story of Noah’s Ark can name many of the animals that endured 40 days and 40 nights of flooding. There are giraffes, lions, elephants, monkeys and bears. But what youngster would shout out, kangaroo? Aussie kids, that’s who!
Bloomsberry & Co. Premium Dark & Milk Chocolate Bars Provide Consumers the Opportunity to Fight Global Warming
Salem, MA – With Earth Day right around the corner, discerning consumers know they can help the environment and eat their chocolate too when purchasing the all-natural premium Climate Change Chocolate™ bars. The bars, the first of their kind to support the fight against global warming, have already helped to offset more than 80,000 days of carbon emissions since launching in 2008.
Climate Change Chocolate™ was created in partnership between Bloomsberry & Co., best known for its premium chocolate and award-winning packaging and TerraPass, Inc.
What green can mean for a retailer’s image
Retailers are facing multiple challenges in light of today’s tightening economy. Energy costs are skyrocketing, with commercial electricity prices rising more than 80 percent since 2000. Even so, today’s rates don’t fully reflect the recent cost increases for the underlying commodities (primarily coal and natural gas). Soon enough, however, utilities will have to pass on the cost burden to energy consumers — and with nearly 900,000 locations, U.S.
Pharmacy sets the ‘pace’ in heart of Nichols
In the center of the small town of Nichols, at 118 South Main Street, across the street from the fire station, stands Pace’s Pharmacy. A.B. “Butch” Pace Jr. said his father, A.B. “Burney” Pace Sr., opened the store in 1936. Like his father, Pace graduated from the University of South Carolina Pharmacy School and joined the family business in 1967.
He and his wife, Jeanette, continue to work part-time, after selling the store about a year ago.
The true value of pounds and sense
When thirtysomethings tire of London they move to Brighton, where they wear expensive Japanese denim and talk in an accent just this side of Michael Caine.