Archives: News
Mud Pie Names Tim Roberts Visual Director
(Atlanta, Ga.) — The award-wining international gift company, Mud Pie, announces the appointment of Tim Roberts as visual director, a newly created position on the product development team. In his role as visual director, Roberts will be responsible for the visual image of Mud Pie in the marketplace, including product presentation in the firm’s permanent showrooms and temporary show booths, and online. He will also coordinate the visual aspect of all marketing tools and work with the sales team in developing sales tools.
Retailers gearing up to dial for dollars
In need of a shopping companion to help you navigate the upcoming blitz of holiday bargains and specials?
This season, the best partner already may be in your pocket or purse.
Cellular phones, with an evolving link between retail and technology, have the potential this Christmas season to ring true in buying merchandise at decent prices.
“It’s really developed into a wonderful marketing tool that not only gives you text messages about products, but since mobile Web browsing is now available, you can find out when it goes on sale and where it’s available,” said Scott Krugman, a s
Toy Recalls Drop 46 Percent
Toy recalls are down 46 percent from last year, when manufacturers and retailers were forced to clear shelves of toys containing lead paint, dangerous magnets and in one case, a chemical that left children temporarily comatose.
But federal safety regulators said yesterday that parents should still be on the lookout for toys with small parts that could pose a choking hazard for children, including uninflated or broken balloons.
Web Sales Tax Looms
Attention, online shoppers! This may be the last holiday season you can dodge sales taxes by buying presents on the Web. (Admit it, you do this.) State legislators, retailers and lawyers say 2009 may be the year Internet taxes finally come to pass.
The idea, which would levy sales tax on most goods bought online, has been tossed around for nearly a decade. A perfect storm of factors, including record state budget deficits, a new Congress and continued e-commerce growth, appear likely to rekindle the issue.
Green education program takes center stage at CHA winter show
(ELMWOOD PARK, NJ) – The Craft & Hobby Association (CHA) 2009 Winter Convention & Trade Show today announced an innovative program of over 130 educational sessions designed to provide industry professionals with sustainable business techniques and solutions that will not only benefit the industry and environment, but also the bottom line.
Retailers hope for (early) gift-wrapped Christmas
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, everywhere you go.
While Halloween decorations of cobwebs and jack-o-lanterns have barely come down from doorsteps and lawns, many retailers have already frosted storefronts, hung white lights and decorated Christmas trees, weeks earlier than in years past.
And Santa?
Find kitchenware – and inspiration – at Acorn Farm
More than a quarter century ago, Kathy Magaluk was the proud owner of a new gift store in downtown Milford, the Village Peddler.
Running the business was rewarding and enjoyable, she said, but after a few years – as her family grew – the store became too much to handle.
Ambiente features Design Plus exhibition
(FRANKFURT, Germany) — Authentic design, ideas that work and products that meet ecological standards but still look good — at Ambiente in Frankfurt from Feb. 13-17 2009, trade buyers from all over the world will search for the best products for their discerning customers.
Jishaku jumps at judges of the Parents’ Choice Foundation
(Tampa, FL) – Face it, toy award judges know a lot about children’s products. They assemble a plethora of puzzles, cuddle a coterie of plush and play a glut of games. So when these folks point at a new game and say that it’s not only fun but that the pieces “jumped off the board” at them… literally, then the rest of us had better go get that game. And that is why the judges at the Parent’s Choice Foundation, who recognized 24 games altogether, have awarded RSV Production’s Jishaku game a Fall 2008 Parents’ Choice Recommended Seal.
America’s #1 Ginger Brand Lends Helping Holiday Hand
(MARINA, Calif.) — This holiday season, The Ginger People, America’s #1 selling ginger brand, lends a helping hand to create easy meals with an on-pack recipe book for their award-winning range of Ginger Sauces. Slated to hit natural and gourmet stores nationwide this month, this handy little tome is filled with signature recipes co-created with renowned chefs.
With accolades such as “Best Ginger Sauce” and a Scovie Award from the Fiery Foods Association, critics already recognize the versatility and flavor of The Ginger People all-natural sauces.
Deco Breeze Introduces “Cool” Collectibles with New Figurine Fans
(San Diego, Calif.) — Deco Breeze, a leading manufacturer of decorative floor and table top fans, is turning heads with the debut of a new, never-before-seen collection of functional Figurine Fans! Animal lovers, collectors and gift givers alike will enjoy the new decorative fans featuring eight designs in Cat, Dog, Rooster, Owl, Frog, Flowers, Turtle and Snail styles.
Winter Home Textiles Market Week introduces seminar series, industry events
(WHITE PLAINS, NY) — Expanded resources, extended lines, and a myriad of new products await buyers attending Home Textiles Market Week, Friday, January 23, through Thursday, January 29, 2009, in New York City. The semi-annual market for mid-to-high-end home textiles includes locations at the New York International Gift Fair (NYIGF) at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center and Passenger Ship Terminal Piers 90, 92 and 94, 230 Fifth Avenue and 7 W New York.
Jordan Spencer Opens 18,000 sq. ft. Multi-Line Showroom
(LAS VEGAS) — The Phoenix, Ariz.-based Jordan Spencer opened a new, multi-line showroom at Las Vegas Design Center on the World Market Center Las Vegas home furnishings campus.
Jordan Spencer carries top design brands focused on transitional elegance, including Lorts Manufacturing, Artitalia, Pearson Company, Lee Industries, Currey & Co, Casa Fiora, Jonathan Charles, Wildwood and other high-end lines new to Las Vegas Design Center.
The Jordan Spencer showroom is currently located in Building C, C-376.
Retailers Feel Pinch of Returns
Shopping at Nordstrom in Miami this month, Maria Kakouris indulged herself with a $200 pair of satin-and-snakeskin pumps. Then came a spasm of buyer’s remorse. “Those shoes — they are still in my car with the receipt,” said Ms. Kakouris, a real estate agent. “I’m thinking, where am I going to wear them?”
In less challenging times, Ms. Kakouris might have hung onto the shoes. But now she is more circumspect. “They’re going right back where they came from,” she said.
In giving up her splurge, Ms.
Study Finds Growing Green Market
New York — The drive to sustainability is having a broad effect on consumers, with three in four defining themselves as “green,” according to a new study.
According to the survey, the green market has grown far beyond its roots as a niche, with 77 percent of consumers identifying themselves as “green.” Over half (57 percent) said they made a green purchase decision in the past six months.
Yahoo commissioned the survey, which polled 1,500 people age 18-54 in person in Los Angeles, Chicago and Portland, Ore.
How Retail Managers Can Stay Sane for the Holidays
Ah, the holidays. A time of joy, family, community and, for retail store managers, grueling 80-hour workweeks, rapidly graying hair and an endless parade of employee- and customer-related fires to put out. Ho, ho, ho.
The good news? It doesn’t have to be this way.
As Julie Boston, senior manager of customer relations and store technology for Pier 1 Imports, observed during her many years as a store manager, the two biggest holiday-related headaches facing most retail managers are staffing and scheduling.
Lamson & Goodnow goes green with new requirements for recycled materials and sustainable energy
(Shelburne Falls, MA) – Lamson & Goodnow Mfg is proud to announce it’s initiatives to show the world the importance of environmental protection and green manufacturing practices. Lamson & Goodnow has stepped up its domestic sourcing of raw material to include 90% recycled steel. The steel used on all items except its forged cutlery are all domestic, have exact alloy blends to function precisely as they always have, and contain 90% post-consumer recycled material.
Steel is the most recyclable material in the world.
Retailers seek to keep spending local: Only 42 shopping days until Christmas
Wakefield – Now that the election is over, the business of the holiday season is at hand for local retailers.
Christmasworld – The World of Event Decoration International Frankfurt Fair
“Express your dreams” – the 2009 Christmasworld Trend Show Trend expert Claudia Herke answers three questions about the special show
Unique Gift & Cafe offers shopping, dining with a view
At Unique Gift & Café Shoppe in Gulf Breeze, the atmosphere is cool and breezy.