Archives: News
February Retail Sales Stronger Than Expected
Led by Walmart, which posted a strapping 5% sales jump in February, many of the largest retail chains did better than many predicted.
Overall, the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) says U.S. chain store sales fell about 0.1% in February. “There was a slightly broader industry improvement for the month,” it says in its analysis.
Cast your beady eyes over crafty sisters’ gift shop
Jewellery company Beadelicious has opened a new gift shop to complement its range of handmade accessories.
Keepsakes, the latest venture for sisters Beverley Dawson and Donna Coe, offers cards and gifts for special occasions at affordable prices.
Donna said: “We’re on a budget ourselves and realise people like nice things but you want them to be reasonably priced. If we receive a discount we want to pass it on to our customers.
One Small Retailer Adjusts to the New Normal
It’s a familiar refrain: Customers only buy what’s on sale, if they buy at all. That’s the case at one small Portland chain of kitchen goods stores, says co-owner John Whisler. So rather than try to muddle through the tough times, Mr. Whisler says he’s giving the people what they want: lower prices.
There’s a catch, of course. Mr. Whisler can’t just slash prices at the local chain of five stores, Kitchen Kaboodle – he’d lose too much money. So after decades of being open seven days a week, he’s closing his stores on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
E-Commerce Site Design: Setting Up Blogs for Business
If you haven’t added a blog to your online store, given the state of the economy, now is a good time to consider doing so, as they can be an affordable way to market your e-commerce site.
For some Web shop owners, it is the perfect forum for offering insider tips and sharing your expertise, while for others, it’s a great way to involve customers in the buying experience by either discussing products or topics pertinent to your business or by simply keeping them updated on company news in a more personal way.
To help you decide if blogging will add value to your online store I’ll
Buzz Monitoring = Brand Development
Every day, people are talking online about your company and products. Some discussions are positive; some are negative. The trick is to capitalize on these discussions to build a better brand and link popularity.
There are several ways to capitalize on these discussions and product mentions. If a discussion is positive, have someone from your company post something showing appreciation — a simple thank you. Then, perhaps, provide greater insight or additional advice. Even offer a special promotion to the other readers.
Journals Unlimited Launches New Baby and Kids Collection
Bay City, Michigan — Journals Unlimited, Inc. has added 3 NEW Baby & Kid titles to its extensive line of themed journals in the “Write-it-Down!” series and will be featuring them at the 2009 National Stationery Show:
Kid Stuff – My First Journal
Baby Care – My Baby Journal
Spring fashion follows first lady
As retailers roll out spring catalogs and department stores unveil seasonal merchandise, the trends look oddly familiar, with a distinctive first-lady twist. Floral prints, belted cardigans and one-shoulder chiffon evening gowns. It’s Michelle Obama deja vu.
“Mrs. Obama is slowly introducing more recent and modern trends,” says local fashion designer Ebong Eka. “During the president’s speech [addressing Congress on Feb. 24], Michelle wore a great lavender skirt and lavender satin blouse. Lavender, purple and its many hues are the colors for spring.
Designer Day, Celebrating the Ceramica Magnifica! Exhibition on Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Join Judith S. Schwartz, Ph.D., critic, curator, artist, author and NYU professor, as she moderates a panel exploring the intersection of art, design and craft, as well as the changing image of traditional ceramics.
Panelists include:
2009 Winter Las Vegas Market Surpasses Expectations; Delivers Optimism
Las Vegas, NV—The home furnishings punditry that had forecast dark days for the start of the year were proved wrong last month when throngs of buyers, manufacturers and designers from around the world packed the showrooms at World Market Center Las Vegas.
February Las Vegas Market outperformed many recent tradeshows and maintained its historic average of 50,000 registrations. It also saw the number of international buyers increase 19 percent from the most recent Las Vegas Market, while the Market also expanded its geographic reach in the U.S.
Design Abounds at National Stationery Show
White Plains, NY — A design infusion will create a palpable buzz at the May 2009 National Stationery Show®.
Enriched with visually stunning bridal-themed vignettes, an expanded Demo Theater showcasing all things paper, a new direct adjacency to SURTEX® and a presentation of the ever-clever LOUIE Award finalists, the show floor will come alive with energy and inspiration.
“This new format presents the connection between the abundant new product collections in social stationery today with the 2-dimensional art and design that will dress tomorrow’s products.
Local merchants improve our quality of life
With the gluttonous serving of gloom delivered by most media these days, fear and frustration levels are high. As I wandered through the county the past few days, a constant thought was how fortunate we are to have the variety of shops, cafes and services located in our numerous, for lack of a better term, “downtowns.”
Marin is made up of a dozen or so individual cities and towns dispersed within its 520 square miles—from Sausalito to Novato, Tiburon to Tomales. The unique character of each of these downtown areas helps make Marin special.
Trendz owners open new gift store in Birmingham
With stores in downtown Birmingham closing at a rapid rate, partly because of the poor economy, here is a bit of good news:
Michael Collins and David Zawicki, owners of Oliver’s Trendz — a super-fun accessories store that does a great job of offering accents at reasonable prices — are opening a new business.
The shop, which takes over space previously occupied by a store called Sock It to Me at 120 W.
Folks shopping… just not at high-end stores
Shoppers who once paid $80 for a brand-name dress shirt at Dillard’s now flip through racks at Marshall’s, where a comparable shirt, maybe in an off color, costs around $40.
Marshall’s former customers browse Savers, where a used shirt, in good condition, goes for around $5. Or they cruise yard sales where a shirt can cost as little as 25 cents.
Consumers, who have been hit by falling home values, declining retirement accounts, layoffs and general economic insecurity, increasingly are stepping down the retail hierarchy in order to make ends meet.
Tough times? These businesses adapt to survive and thrive
It sounds like an ordinary sales call — but with one big difference designed to meet the challenges of the slow economy.
Two people from Bakersfield-based produce company Sun World International LLC paid a visit last week to a buyer for one of the company’s major customers.
The buyer was “ecstatic” to be asked what Sun World could do for him, chief administrator officer David Hostetter said. Why the fuss?
Downtown businesses remain upbeat
Hingham, MA – While some downtown merchants are finding that business is slow during these challenging economic times, they’re looking on the bright side and finding creative ways to attract customers.
Other businesses are thriving. Country Weddings bridal shop on Station Street is busier than ever on weekends and is offering extended hours. “Brides are out there,” said Debbie Dulka, who owns the shop with her daughter, Jennifer Hausmann. “People are still getting married!” Their customers come from as far away as New Hampshire and Rhode Island.
7 W New York Kicks Off New York Design Festival with Designer Day All-Star Panel
NY, NY – On the evening of Tuesday, March 24, Judith S. Schwartz Ph.D., critic, curator, artist, author and NYU professor will moderate a panel exploring the intersection of art, design & craft as part of 7 W New York’s popular quarterly Designer Day Series. She will be joined by several of the artists and designers that took part in the Ceramica Magnifica! exhibit currently on display at 7 W.
Hard times for the crisis: Frankfurt’s consumer goods fairs close on a note of success
The year 2009 started on a very positive note for the industry at the consumer goods fairs in Frankfurt – Paperworld, Christmasworld, Beautyworld and Hair and Beauty. The consumer goods industry did not experience a rude awakening as a result of the ongoing economic and banking crisis.
Once again, over 100,000 buyers from all over the world came to Frankfurt am Main, setting new standards with their quality-oriented approach to searching and ordering. As Dr.
Zak Turns to Sea and Sky for True Blue
Spokane, WA – In an effort to continually bring the latest global color trends to kitchens everywhere, this year Zak Designs is turning blue. The newest addition to Zak’s fashionable palette of kitchen prep products and serveware is True Blue, a color story that takes a fresh look at a traditional favorite.
The blues in the line are tranquil hues inspired by the sea and sky. The shades transition to a cleaner, true blue palette, away from aqua and turquoise. This is not a return to Cobalt, but rather a fresh take on blue that is both rejuvenating and reassuring.
Optimistic couple taking time to sell the flowers
LaGrange, OH — When one door closed for Michele Marquis, she opened another — this one to a new floral shop.
As the executive director for Lorain County Junior Achievement, Marquis was faced with the long commute from her home in Penfield Township to Cleveland when the organization recently merged with Cuyahoga County Junior Achievement.
Instead, she decided to follow her heart.
Jason Marquis said his wife loved the creativity that came with her Junior Achievement job, so he asked her what made her happy.
“I told him, ‘I love gardening,’ ” she said, smili
March is National Use Your Gift Card Month
Orlando, FL—Today, Americans are sitting on billions of dollars that may never be spent!