Archives: News
Layaway making a comeback
Minnesota — Ella Stewart’s shopping cart overflowed with toys and games as she wheeled it and her animated 1-year-old daughter, Allonnah, to the Kmart layaway desk last week.
Stewart usually shops at the Wal-Mart store near her home in north Minneapolis, but said she trekked across town to the Lake Street Kmart in south Minneapolis because Wal-Mart no longer offers the service.
“Layaway helps me budget better,” she said, unloading a Dora the Explorer tricycle, Campout Adventure play set and some squeezable, talking dolls.
Carefree introduces new artist Martha Collins
(ALPHARETTA, Ga.) — Carefree is pleased to announce the introduction to its line of accent rugs of artist, Martha Collins. In January 2009, Carefree will offer two new designs by the talented artist. In July of 2008, Homefires introduced two area rug designs by Ms. Collins and plans to use more of her designs in upcoming months.
Martha’s style is sophisticated and diverse. Her extensive portfolio covers a wide range of themes and color palettes.
Staunton Couple Opens Fair Trade Gift Shop
As the holiday shopping season nears, some of us may already know what gifts we’re giving, but we may not know the story behind them.
It’s no secret that much of what we buy comes from all around the world, however, we don’t always know who is making those products and whether they’re being paid a liveable wage.
Murphy and Linda Terry are retired missionaries from Staunton who have traveled the world helping the poor, and now they’re giving back through their new store, East to West Gifts.
Homefires finds ‘green’ is good for the bottom line
(ALPHARETTA, Ga.,) — Homefires, well known accent and area rug line of parent company, Cresc Corporation located in Atlanta, GA, has long had a love affair with “green” policies. Long before the term “green” and “carbon footprint” were part of our everyday vernacular, Homefires had been incorporating practical, common sense green routines into the corporate culture of its company.
“Simple things like reusing unwanted printed paper in our fax machine has saved us hundreds, perhaps thousands of dollars over the last 15 years,” says Renee Ringstad, VP of Merchandising for the company.
Third holiday gift show offers wine tasting, children activities
The waterfront will be host to a holiday show on Friday and Saturday, which includes everything from gift shopping, to beer and wine tasting, to music.
Holiday shoppers will find an array of items from 25 vendors, including granite jewelry by Gloucester’s Kathy Erikkila, local artwork, gifts and more at the third Cape Ann Holiday Gift Show at Cruiseport Gloucester. On Saturday, there will be children’s activities and a visit from Santa.
This holiday season, retailers better be wary of the surly shopper
Retailers are turning on the charm in an effort to coax credit cards from the wallets of financially stressed customers this holiday season.
“Retailers are looking at the market today the same way their customers are,” says Peter Woolford, vice-president of policy development and research for Retail Council of Canada.
Forrester: Economy To Significantly Slow US Online Holiday Sales
US online retail sales this holiday season will reach $44B, a 12 percent increase over last year and the slowest growth rate to date, according to Forrester Research, Inc.. This year’s weakened growth is indicative of the difficult economic environment catching up with formerly resilient Web buyers.
Although US consumers are pessimistic about the health of the economy, they expressed a marked interest in the ability of the Web to save them money. Forty-eight percent of consumers surveyed, compared with 41 percent in 2007, said that they can find the best values and deals online.
Christmasworld presents the trends in decoration for the coming festive season
(FRANKFURT, Germany) — Fashion leads the way: every season there are different colours, new cuts, changing patterns. And every year the same question arises with the Christmas tree, too: how is it to be dressed? Answers to these questions are provided at the start of the year by the exhibitors at Christmasworld, the leading international trade fair for celebration and festive decoration in Frankfurt am Main. The trends for Christmas 2008 are as follows:
Elegant, top-quality and monochrome
Exhibits, seminars focus on green issues at NYIGF
(WHITE PLAINS, NY) — Taking “green” product design further into the mainstream is the focus of SustainAbility: design for a better world, a special curated exhibit and three-part educational program returning to the 156th semi-annual New York International Gift Fair (NYIGF), January 25-29, 2009.
Fresh new companies integrated into winter NYIGF
(WHITE PLAINS, NY) …Buyers will be introduced to scores of new companies and new introductions from established brands as they search for fresh resources at the 156th semi-annual New York International Gift Fair (NYIGF), which runs Sunday, January 25, through Thursday, January 29, 2009, at the Jacob K.
Mastering the ‘Art’ of the Bedroom
(NEW YORK) — Of all the rooms in a home, the bedroom commands the deepest sense of mystery; it can be functional and practical, as well as a singular private sanctuary. Often a shared space of silent communication, it speaks in color and form.
Cinda Baxter, Leslie Nathan-Street Join Gift for Life Board
(DALLAS) — Gift for Life, the gift, stationery and home decor industries’ leading charitable organization, announced today that Cinda Baxter and Leslie Nathan-Street have joined its Board.
Baxter is president of the retail consulting firm Always Upward, and founder of the national association RetailSpeaks—both of which focus on the success of retailers and companies that support them. She is a knowledgeable voice in the retail sector and is frequently sought out by industry leaders for her expertise and leadership.
NASFT: Young adults buying; cold drinks, coffee most purchased
(New York, NY) – Consumers of specialty foods are getting younger and more adventurous.
Despite the turbulent economy, the $49.7 billion specialty food industry is enjoying a high level of consumption among young adults.
Blossom Bucket unveils new showroom
(North Lawrence, OH) – Blossom Bucket, Inc. is proud to announce the relocation and expansion of their showroom in the AmericasMart in Atlanta, Georgia. The Grand Opening celebration is slated to coincide with the beginning of the winter mart, Jan. 8, 2009.
Found just down the hall from their previous 1,000 sq. ft. space, this exciting new venue offers a more centralized location easily accessible from the elevators and improved lighting to promote the additional 800 sq. ft. of product and creative merchandising ideas!
“We are moving to enhance the buying experience.
January FINDS offers new resources
(DALLAS) –– Dallas Market Center, the world’s largest wholesale merchandise resource, today announced that the FINDS Dallas Temp Show will expand in January and offer buyers more new products than ever before. Merchandise will be presented in gift, home and apparel categories. The FINDS Dallas Temp Show will take place January 16 – 19 during the Dallas Total Home & Gift Market, which is Jan. 14–20, 2009.
7WNY Tabletop Week: Upswing in Buyer Attendance, Exceeds Expectations
(NEW YORK, NY) – A significant increase in buyers – many of them first-timers – shopping the resources across the 11th Floor temporary exhibits and the tabletop permanent showrooms drove an upbeat mood throughout 7 W New York Tabletop Week, October 22-24. 7 W welcomed three new permanent suites during the market – Arc International, Sieger and Robbe & Berking.
“We were very pleased with how Tabletop Week unfolded in what are clearly uncertain times,” said Chris Collins, vice president and general manager of 7 W New York.
Classic Charm Gift Shoppe offering unique gifts, decor
Stow — If you’re looking for an unusual gift, Jean Ryan suggests visiting her new business, Classic Charm Gift Shoppe.
“If you don’t want the same old thing, this is the place to come,” said Ryan, owner of the shop, located at 4326 Kent Road.
The shop is a dream come true for Ryan, a registered nurse who started crafting eight years ago.
Budget-minded shoppers rediscover layaway plans
Qiana Zimmerle got an early start on her Christmas shopping last week, heading to a Kmart in Burbank where she loaded up a cart with toys, clothes and a High School Musical game.
But with money tight this year, instead of going to the checkout line, Zimmerle dropped the gifts off at the layaway counter, paid a small deposit and left the store — for now.
January Lighting Market pairs new products, business intelligence
(DALLAS) – Buyers attending the January 2009 Dallas International Lighting Market (January 15-19) at Dallas Market Center, the world’s largest wholesale merchandise resource and the International Home of Lighting, will have the opportunity to review thousands of lighting products offered by almost 300 exhibitors. New showrooms and new product introductions will open the year with exciting options. In addition, the market will focus on the business of lighting with more seminars, networking opportunities, and helpful industry information offered to lighting showrooms.
Cambridge Indie Eco-Boutique Greenward launches online Store
(CAMBRIDGE, Mass.) — Greenward, local favorite eco-boutique in Cambridge, has opened an online store at Greenwardshop.com. The site offers modern, elegant, environmentally friendly goods for everyone. As with all products featured in Porter Square shop, the online store features gifts, housewares, baby goods, stationery, cleaning products, bags, and accessories. Every product is carefully screened to ensure that it adheres to Greenward’s eco-crtiteria.