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Auxiliary’s little shop does a big job
Next time you’re in the area, stop by the Hospital Auxiliary gift shop inside Kitimat General.
Inside the shop on this quiet afternoon, auxiliary vice-president Fernanda Matos sits at the counter in front of a line of chocolate bars, gum, and a coffee maker.
Her view is of a collection of accessories and clothing – plenty of them handmade in the community.
It may be a modest sized store, but the results are big – the auxiliary so far this year has raised $35,000 to be used for hospital improvements and projects.
Matos points out the group does raise money in other
Poll: Holiday gift cards losing their allure
The ever-popular gift card – a seemingly surefire present that leaves the shopping and decision-making to the recipient – has lost some of its holiday magic as shoppers cut back on spending and grow more wary of fees and expiration dates, according to the National Retail Federation.
Gift-card sales are expected to decline this year by 5.6 percent, according to a poll of 8,117 consumers conducted Nov. 5-11 by BIGresearch.
Still, gift cards will account for about $25 billion in sales, said Ellen Davis, vice president of the Washington, D.C.-based National Retail Federation.
Ready, Set, Shop and Save
Sacramento, CA – Black Friday is the Friday after Thanksgiving which marks the beginning of the traditional holiday shopping season. According to a Maritz shopping poll, 41 percent of respondents indicated they will shop on Black Friday, higher than the 37 percent noted last year.
Joining news10.net Live_Online Tuesday was Katrina Salazar, Certified Public Accountant.
Retailers can’t wait for Black Friday
Predawn Black Friday shopping? Phhft.
Midnight’s where it’s at this year.
Faced with a skittish consumer worried about the economy and still fearing the return of sky-high gas prices, some metro Atlanta malls and standalone retailers aren’t wasting a minute to entice reluctant Christmas shoppers through their doors.
For the first time, North Carolina-based Tanger Factory Outlet Centers is opening all its centers at midnight on Black Friday, including locations in Commerce and Locust Grove.
Take–a-long Taggies wins BabyZone Award
(Spencer, Mass.) – Taggies, Inc., the award-winning line of children’s products featuring multi-textured, looped satin tags, announced today that its Take-A-Long Taggies travel toy was awarded a BabyZone 2008 Amazing Toy Award. Products that receive this distinction from BabyZone are selected based on their durability, play value, and ability to encourage physically and mentally active participation.
burton + BURTON Appoints New Corporate Sales Manager
(Bogart, GA) — burton + BURTON announces the recent hiring of Chris Devaney as Corporate Sales Manager. Chris will lead burton + BURTON’s team of corporate account executives and assumes responsibility for the day-to-day operations of the corporate sales department. He will report directly to General Manager Steve Casso.
Chris brings over 25 years of experience in retail analytics and performance management systems to the company.
Q&A: G2’s Dodd on Why Green Will Survive the Recession
Why is it that the same consumers who recycle religiously often forget to bring their bags with them on shopping trips? And why do so few consumers consider the carbon footprints of the products they are buying? Jonathan Dodd, evp/director of strategy at G2, a WPP-owned global marketing services agency, thinks that retailers could do a better job promoting green shopping practices.
In particular, Dodd cites U.K.-based Tesco as a role model.
Ex·tracts sold out for winter 2009
(WHITE PLAINS, NY) — All available exhibit space within EX·TRACTS is sold out for the winter 2009 edition of the New York International Gift Fair (NYIGF), Sunday, January 25, through Thursday, January 29, 2009, at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.
Companies likely to cut back on employee gifts
New York — Workers shouldn’t count on lavish gift baskets or monogrammed cufflinks from their employers this holiday season.
As companies face tighter budgets and layoffs in a tough U.S. economy, analysts and industry data suggest a slowdown in employee gift-giving.
CHA announces 2009 slate of board candidates
(Elmwood Park, NJ) — The Craft & Hobby Association (CHA) Nominating Committee is pleased to announce the 2009 slate of candidates recommended for election by the general CHA membership.
The new Board nominees are Georganne Bender of Kizer & Bender Speaking! and Mark Hill of Creativity Inc. Additionally, Rob Bostick of Judikins and Stamp, Stamp, Stamp was nominated for a second term.
Debra Valencia Inks Contract with American Stationery
(Los Angeles, Calif.) – American Stationery, notably the second largest personalization company in the United States, recently signed a licensing agreement with graphic artist Debra Valencia. Valencia will be their very first licensed artist and featured designer.
Valencia is the brainchild behind California-based innovative stationery company Vida Valencia and is known for her signature contemporary style.
Kate McRostie launches Holiday, Home, and Gift collections
(Wilmington, NC) –— Kate McRostie DesignWorks, Inc. announced today the introduction of new collections with Certified International, C&F Enterprises, CounterArt, and Cape Shore/Downeast Concepts which will debut at the Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market in January 2009.
Certified International will be adding two new hand painted tabletop collections, “Alfresco” reminiscent of an afternoon wine tasting and “Amalfi” a fresh take on Italian pattern work.
‘Man’s Best Friend’-themed accent rugs by Carefree
(ALPHARETTA, Ga.) — New in 2009 is an expanded line of dog themed accent rugs that are sure to appeal to boys and girls of all ages. Touching scenes of Fido patiently waiting for his best friend to return home, these colorful Carefree accent rugs are sure to touch the heart of any dog lover.
Introducing in January, 2009 is the sweet “Waiting for Billy”, a charming depiction of a yellow Lab curled up on Billy’s bed. We can imagine that Billy is away at school and his faithful pet waits patiently for his return.
Carefree introduces new equine themed accent rugs
(ALPHARETTA, Ga.) — Homefires is pleased to present equine-themed accent rugs by Carefree for Boys and Girls. New in 2009 is an expanded line of horse themed accent rugs that are sure to appeal to boys and girls of all ages. For the Little Buckaroo Carefree offers the handsome “Rodeo Paint” by designer Jennifer Brinley. And for the budding young equestrian, the very feminine “Bonnie Blue” by designer Sally Stetson will be a welcome addition to the young horse lover’s décor.
Consumers Anxiously Await Black Friday Deals
(WASHINGTON) – Though the majority of consumers have not even put a dent in their shopping list, traditional winter apparel and personal, inexpensive items like DVDs, CDs and books will be the first things they stock up on as they begin their holiday shopping.
One Spectacular Night, One Place: America’s magnificent carpets awards
(ATLANTA) — In the one market where the Area Rug business does business, in one spectacular evening, the industry’s top importers and manufacturers celebrate the triumph of design achievement in the most anticipated event of the year: The America’s Magnificent Carpets Awards-exclusively sponsored by Architectural Digest.
The 2009 Awards-staged Saturday, January 10, at the Marriott Marquis Atrium Ballroom-recognizes America’s newest area rug introductions in one night of elegance, excellence and excitement, complete with a high-energy musical performance featuring internationally acc
Bibi & Mimi to launch new Diaper Bag Line at NY gift show
(New York, NY) — Bibi & Mimi, creator of baby shoes, onesies and socks will launch a new diaper bag line at the upcoming NY Gift show. The show takes place January 25-29 at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York City.
Dania shop specializes in treasures from the sea
The official name of this store is Alex’s Flamingo Groves and Gift Shop, but some regulars simply refer to it as the shell shop.
Indeed, it is a shop with lots of shells. Bins and bins highlight the twisty, speckled, smooth, prickly and rippled assortment of treasures from the sea. Teeny apple blossom shells are pink and white. Lion’s paws are fan shaped. A Japanese slit looks like a generous dollop of whipped cream. More than 700 varieties are in stock, and most come from the Philippines, according to the staff of this family-owned business in Dania Beach.
Industry Trends Eyed at Premier Gift Market in Pacific Northwest
Seattle, Washington: They say the bluest skies you’ve ever seen are in Seattle.
Buy local for holidays, group urges
MN — A St. Paul-based think tank wants to expand the “buy local” mantra this holiday season to strengthen Minnesota’s economy.
Minnesota2020, which believes it makes economic sense to support local manufacturers and retailers when possible, said it makes even more sense now.