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Halloween continues to scare up business for local stores
Fairview Heights, IL — This Halloween will be more competitive than usual for Denny Tribout.
For four years, the third-generation owner of the Belleville carnival and party supply store that bears his name has also been selling costumes, decorations and other merchandise during the weeks leading up to All Hallow’s Eve. For the past three years, his Halloween Annex and competitor Spirit Halloween have operated within feet of each other on Commerce Drive in Fairview Heights.
“They are right next door,” Tribout said. “It works. It’s good, I think.
Discover all things new at Americasmart Atlanta
(ATLANTA) — Dream big … explore more … discover everything new … all in the incomparable experience that can only be the Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market opening January 6, 2009 and the Atlanta International Area Rug Market featuring the National Oriental Rug Show premiering January 7 — all here: AmericasMart Atlanta and the Grand New Building Two West Wing.
Now, for buyers and sellers from every U.S. state and 90 countries, across more than seven million square feet of specialty product, in the one U.S.
Wholesalecrafts.com Hires Buyer Services Representative
(Mooresville, NC) — Wholesalecrafts.com, Inc., producers of the American Craft Retailers Expo (ACRE) show, has hired Nanette Asbury as Buyer Services Representative, to service and recruit retailers for Wholesalecrafts.com’s online shopping service and the ACRE show.
“I am excited about joining the Wholesalecrafts.com team,” said Nanette. “I look forward to assisting retailers to get the most from their buying experience both online and at ACRE.”
Nanette’s experience as artist and owner of Nanette Orijinels Inc.
Scandle Body Candle Packaging Goes Green
(DALLAS, TX) – Scandle LLC, the leading manufacturer and wholesaler of the finest quality massage candles and complimentary spa products, today announced their new sustainable packaging, designed to coincide with the company’s already eco-friendly product line.
The 7.5oz Scandle Body Candle packaging will feature a re-usable ceramic canister with pour spout.
Award-Winning ABC Show Results & Industry Awards
(SAN ANTONIO, Texas) — Thank you for participating in the juvenile products industry main event, the 2008 ABC Kids Expo. This year’s show proved to be a tremendous success for all attendees.
Fearing a holiday letdown, retailers shifting strategies
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas at some of the nation’s stores, as retailers struggle to find ways to make shoppers forget about their battered 401(k) plans.
Neiman Marcus’ trees have been sparkling since mid-September, and Wal-Mart began opening its Christmas shops last week.
Tea shops pour expertise with every cup
To those out there who may be intimidated to join the legion of tea-drinkers: Banish thoughts that tea is only for a certain (read: snobby) crowd.
New ‘Sassy Pony’ store downtown boasts lively look
Aiken, SC — A new shop with attitude and flair has found a home on Laurens Street in downtown Aiken.
Filling the vacancy left by the Tennis & Squash Shop, the Sassy Pony is the new shop on the block.
Walking past the storefront, one’s attention is immediately drawn to the vibrant colors of the storefront window, where owner Tara Amick displays a variety of the shop’s artwork.
Amick and her husband Buddy Stevens purchased the Market Place Antique property on Park Avenue about two years ago.
Shops bid historic area goodbye
As red banners with Chinese writing hung from a turquoise-colored shelf at the Kong Sun Co., owner Carol Sezto reflected on her goal of selling her Chinatown gift shop business.
Small Biz: Dream of own business leads to new boutique
Katie Nichols has her priorities in order. The 25-year-old sales representative for A&M Equipment Sales, decided she wanted to start her own business before she moved on to other life-changing events in her life.
Nichols recently opened Entourage, a women’s clothing store and gift shop in the relatively new commercial center on South Milledge at the Athens Perimeter where Sons of Italy and Tall Boy Beverages operate.
“I always wanted my own business,” Nichols said.
Orlando gift expo returns to Orange County
(ATLANTA, GA) — There is only one gift event in Florida this winter, and it has been the one Florida retailers have counted on for more than 20 years.
The Orlando Gift Show returns to the Orange County Convention Center (South Concourse – Hall A) for the winter edition, January 24-26, 2009.
Dallas Market Center Welcomes Fall Toy Preview Back to Big D
(DALLAS, Texas) — Dallas Market Center hosts the Toy Industry Association’s (TIA) 2008 Fall Toy Preview for the second year in Dallas. The show is the toy industry’s most important preview of products under development for the following year. It functions as a by-appointment trade event for vendors who sell product to mass market retailers such as Wal-Mart, Target and Toys ‘R Us as well as long-lead specialty retailers including The Children’s Place and FAO Schwarz.
TIA, founded in 1916, is the national trade association for U.S.
UK Gourmet proves there is nothing oxymoronic about its name
Fairfield, CT — “The English contribution to world cuisine—the chip,” quipped Kevin Kline in A Fish Called Wanda.
For the average outsider, the term “British gourmet” seems a tad oxymoronic. We’ve never had an accurate depiction of their cuisine, save for the usual Earl Grey and biscuits.
That all changed for me when my new commute took me past UK Gourmet, which straddles the Bethel/Newtown border.
Wringing out some sales
Beleaguered merchants are trying to pry open the wallets of shell-shocked consumers with promotions so aggressive that it feels like the holidays have come two months early. The flurry of deals has intensified as the financial maelstrom spreads and nervous shoppers rein in spending.
“Most retailers are just hunkering down and trying to stay in the black and hoping their sales can equal last year,” said Jon Hurst, president of the Retailers Association of Massachusetts.
LUND Sponsors Young Inventor Challenge at Chicago Toy and Game Fair
CHICAGO, IL – Lund and Company Invention, L.L.C. announced today that they will be sponsoring and coordinating the Young Inventor Challenge (YIC) at the 2008 Chicago Toy and Game Fair (www.ChiTAG.com), November 22-23 at Navy Pier Festival Hall. Students age 18 and younger may enter original game and toy inventions to be judged by popular vote and win great prizes.
Online registration now open for 2009
(WHITE PLAINS, NY) – With one quick visit to www.nyigf.com, retailers can now register online for the winter edition of the New York International Gift Fair (NYIGF), January 25-29, 2009. The NYIGF website is also designed to help attendees set their shopping strategy and plan their visit to New York with sophisticated advance planning tools, such as an Online Catalog Gallery, Directory Search and Hotel & Travel discounts.
Admission to NYIGF for retailers is free with advance registration.
WMC Las Vegas announces new fall and winter market dates
(LAS VEGAS) — Responding to the evolving dynamics and desires of home furnishings buyers and manufacturers from around the globe, starting in 2009 World Market Center Las Vegas will host Las Vegas Market in Fall and Winter instead of Summer and Winter. The change in Market dates – based on extensive third-party surveys, conducted by Trade Show Week Research, and feedback from key constituents – is designed to better serve every segment of the home furnishings industry both domestically and internationally.
In addition, starting with Sept.
Candy lover’s dream come true
Avon, MA – For Annette M. Harnett, starting her own retail bulk candy store in Avon in 1998 was her “Sweet 16” dream come true.
“I loved the retail environment. It has been my dream,” said Harnett, owner of Pinches & Pounds.
Ten years later, Harnett has moved out of the Avon store and reopened at 785 Bedford St. in Whitman under the same name. The store celebrated its grand opening on Saturday.
The new 1,000-square-foot store is home sweet home to a wide assortment of specialty candy.
“It’s a great location.
Sur la Table, Thermador create partnership
SEATTLE, WA – Sur La Table, the premier retailer for creative cooking and artful entertaining, and Thermador, the quintessential luxury cooking brand, have created a national partnership to outfit Sur La Table cooking class kitchens with Thermador’s state-of-the-art appliances.
Sur La Table operates cooking class programs in many of its retail stores, teaching 50,000 cooking enthusiasts a year how and what to cook. Most classes are “hands-on” providing students the opportunity to cook alongside professional chef instructors.
Partnerships create “adopt” specialty plate for Maine
(Portland, Maine) – Planet Dog is proud to announce the Maine Adoption Leaders Team (MALT) has succeeded in pre-selling the required 2,000 “adopt” specialty license plates to Maine citizens in order to propose a bill for the 2009 legislative session.
MALT is a partnership of Maine private businesses, non-profit organizations, and government agencies working on behalf of Maine’s animals.