Archives: News
Boost your e-commerce site’s search ranking
Question: I’ve been learning about SEO and trying to work it into my company Web site, fretzels.com, which can definitely use an SEO makeover. My company, Fretzels by Jill, makes really unique hand-dipped gourmet chocolate-covered pretzels like you’ve never seen or tasted before.
I have Google Analytics set up and notice that most of the traffic comes from those who are searching for my site. What can I do to increase my Web site’s visibility when people are searching for more general keywords related to my product?
Destined for success: Boutique offers a little bit of everything
Fayetteville, NC — Want to know what is supposed to bring good luck and money in these troubled economic times?
Lil Tina Carter, owner of The Destiny Jade Gift Boutique, has some suggestions.
Carter and her daughter-in-law, Susan Brown, keep in stock live green bamboo stalks at the gift shop on Brighton Road, off Raeford Road. The lucky bamboo comes in several sizes with branches and leaves, or grouped into arrangements.
“We buy little bamboo shoots and nurture them like a baby,” Carter said.
Cedar Rapids businesses think state’s new Jumpstart could help
Cedar Rapids, IA — “Every little bit helps,” Nan Barta said Tuesday as she studied a forgivable loan program to help Iowa’s small businesses recover from spring weather disasters.
The question for Barta and other small business owners was whether Jumpstart, the state’s newest piece of assistance, fits into their particular financial puzzle.
“I think it will help,” said Bob Schaffer, one of the owners of the Czech Cottage where Gov.
Pottery shop brings Italy to you
Florida — The sun, the sea, wine grapes and lemons. It’s all there in the colors and designs of Italian pottery from the Amalfi Coast of southern Italy.
Shoppers can visit the Taste of Sorrento & Positano in Naples and see that regional pottery.
Sweet store has new locale
Penn State students looking to indulge an insatiable sweet tooth have a reason to rejoice after a local favorite opened its doors in a new location Tuesday.
Chocolate Madness, a chocolate and sweets store originally located on Calder Way, moved into 134 W.
Clark’s Jewelers celebrates 25 years
Gig Harbor, WA — Lora Morford grew up in the jewelry business.
Her father, Russ Clark, started Clark’s Jewelers in downtown Gig Harbor in 1983. The business moved to its current location in the 1990s and is now celebrating its 25th anniversary.
When Clark retired in 1999, he handed the store to his daughter, to whom he taught the business, inside and out.
“I learned so much from my dad,” Morford said.
Scala Spring/Summer lineup features organic, eco-friendly headwear
(Stockton, CA/New York, NY): Now that Dorfman Pacific’s cool and casual collection of Organic Headwear and Accessories for Men and Women is in stock, environmentally-conscious consumers will no longer be faced with a choice between principles and style.
Fiesta available at Harry and David
NEWELL, WV — The Homer Laughlin China Company has partnered with e-commerce, retail and wholesale company, Harry & David; the gourmet food and fruit gifts purveyor will offer select FIESTA Dinnerware items in its retail stores, numbering 144 in the U.S.
“This is the perfect marriage of American brands,” says Rich Brinkman, The Homer Laughlin China Company. Sharing same synergies, both Homer Laughlin and Harry & David are U.S based manufacturers and celebrating 75 year milestones.
“FIESTA is the perfect palette for our gourmet food business,” says Alisa Peterson, Harry & David.
Planet Dog announces winner of Cover Dog Challenge
Portland, ME – Planet Dog is barking about the winner of their Cover Dog Challenge that took place at Woofminster, the Third Annual Planet Dog Foundation (PDF) Amateur Dog Show Fundraiser, held at Camp Ketcha in Scarborough, Maine on Sept. 13. PDF’s popular annual event raised over $6,000 for NEADS: Dogs for Deaf and Disabled Americans, a non-profit that trains service dogs to help people with disabilities live more independent lives throughout New England and the nation.
Little Environmentalists begin ‘green’ education
Hartland, WI — When today’s moms and dads were kids, exploring nature meant catching lightning bugs, creating an ant farm or making a mud pie. But with hot button topics like environment, sustainability, green and organic, today’s little consumers will quickly need to become little environmentalists. Where to get started when your youngster is just starting to explore his world? Try the backyard!
Introducing Nature Discovery In My Backyard, the first book in a series of children’s books by The Little Environmentalists, LLC (www.thelittleenvironmentalists.com).
BriarPatch named best game for 2008
Millburn, NJ – I spy a doctor of toys, a game liked by boys, a top prize for ’08, child’s play that’s top rate. Unscramble the clue and it’s easy to see that Briarpatch, winner of 300 awards and counting, has been honored by Dr. Toy for I SPY Private Eye, named one of the year’s 10 Best Games, part of the 2008 Dr. Toy’s 100 Best Children’s Products list.
Dr. Toy’s 100 Best Children’s Products award program was developed by noted child development authority Stevanne Auerbach, Ph.D. (aka Dr.
Bruce Lund Named to Chicago Toy and Game Fair Advisory Board
CHICAGO — The Chicago Toy and Game fair is honored to announce that Bruce Lund, founder of Lund and Company, L.L.C., a toy design and product invention company, has agreed to be a member of their Advisory Board.
Bruce Lund’s company has produced some of the hottest toys on the market, including Vac-Man, Baby Alive, Baby Go Boom, Hydrogen Fuel Rocket, the 2007 “Toy Of The Year” TMX Elmo (fastest selling toy in history), along with Mini TMX Friends Ernie and Cookie Monster.
Unique Channahon shop relocates to ‘the perfect spot’
Channahon, IL — Aimee’s Cottage is one of many success stories of small businesses popping up on U.S. 6.
In less than a year of opening, the craft, gift and home decor shop expanded and now occupies a larger space in the Annie B’s building.
Owner Aimee Waldron held a grand re-opening Friday to introduce her expanded inventory to the community.
Educational seminars, tours by industry experts during NEOCON East
Baltimore – NeoCon East, the premier exposition in the Mid-Atlantic region for the design and management of the built environment, returns October 29-30, 2008 to the Baltimore Convention Center. The show features two exciting days of new products, special events, educational offerings, tours and keynote speakers.
A highlight of this year’s show are two industry expert keynote speakers, Iris Amdur and Stephen Apking.
Amdur is the principal of Greenshape, LLC and has helped more than 100 project teams achieve their sustainability goal. Attendees will join her at noon on Oct.
Decorating from the home town
Heather Davis is crazy about decorating. When her third child was old enough to start school she knew she wanted to get a job. So she decided to put her love of decorating and desire to go back to work into her very own business. She created The Crazy Daisy, a shop full of fun decor and great gift ideas.
“My youngest is starting school and I knew I was going to get a job. I wanted to do something that I liked,” said Davis.
Olive Home: New shop features gourmet food, gifts
When partners Fernando Pereyra and William King opened The Olive Market on Main Street in Georgetown eight years ago, they also had a vision of continuing to expand gourmet and gift services.
That time has come as The Olive Home, developed in a space vacated by Fisk & Company, became available, but the decision was made with a sadness.
Balancing inventory
Pity the retailer.
If he doesn’t have it, he can’t sell it. But if he orders it and nobody buys it, that’s even worse.
Inventory planning can be challenging in any financial climate. But when consumer spending dries up, small retailers are forced to make even savvier decisions about what and how much to order.
Wearing her art on her sleeve
At age 6, Joan Carney was already a budding fashionista with a strong preference for selecting her own outfits on family shopping trips. During one such outing, she was allowed to choose only one pair of shoes for the upcoming season. Her parents suggested a practical black pair. Carney’s choice? Red.
“My dad said, ‘If she wants red, she’d better not ask for another pair in black (later)’,” Carney remembers.
Fall brings spring debut at Atlanta apparel
ATLANTA — Fresh spring lines, edgy new designers and product introductions headline the October 11-14 Atlanta Apparel Market, featuring the Atlanta International Bridal Market. With more than 550 showrooms and 1,000 temporary booths, AmericasMart Atlanta continues to offer the largest apparel market on the East Coast. Contributing to the growth is the contemporary men’s category and the focus on bridal in October, in addition to the burgeoning women’s, children’s, shoes and accessories product mix.
Midwest Introduces Go Green by Colonial Candle
(Cannon Falls, MN) – Midwest, leading designer and manufacturer of premium Colonial Candle brand of candles and home fragrance products, introduces “Go Green by Colonial Candle,” the first 100 percent recycled wax candle collection from a major candle brand produced in a recognized “green” facility, underscoring the company’s continued commitment to the environment, and supporting independent retailers and their customers in their efforts to go green.