Archives: News
See Kai Run customers donate 8,000 pairs of shoes
Seattle, WA — As a result of the matching event held during June, See Kai Run, popular manufacturer of the perfect first shoe for new walkers, will donate over 8,000 pairs of shoes to Soles4Souls. For every pair of shoes sold during June, See Kai Run is making sure a pair also goes to a child in need.
Stirrings Unveils Revolutionary Organic Classic Cocktail Collection
(Fall River, MA) – Stirrings, the leading innovative cocktail brand is revolutionizing cocktailing yet again with the launch of the Classic Cocktail Collection, their first line of organic cocktail mixers. Stirrings Classic Cocktails brings back the four essential mixer flavors needed to revive the era of classic cocktails: Ginger, Apricot, Sour and Sour Cherry.
Urban Expositions announces staff appointments for gift, souvenir trade show
ATLANTA – Urban Expositions, a leading producer of regional gift, souvenir and resort merchandise shows, has announced a series of staff appointments related to the National Country & Crafts Show, Las Vegas Souvenir & Resort Gift Show, Birdwatch America, Emerald Coast Gift & Resort Show, Philadelphia Gift Show, Miami Beach Gift Show and Galveston Gift and Resort Merchandise Show, effective immediately.
Collectors’ Information Bureau announces the winners of the Collectors’ Choice Awards
ATLANTA, Ga. – The atmosphere at the Atlanta AmericasMart was electric, and for 24 recipients festive, as Collectors’ Information Bureau Executive Director, Linda Kruger, personally congratulated the winners of the 2007 Collectors’ Choice Awards.
Planet Dog fetches Editor’s Choice award
Portland, Maine – Planet Dog, the values-led, globally recognized designer and developer of innovative, high quality and award-winning dog products, is proud to announce that its Zip Lead Retractable Leash has received an Editor’s Choice Award from Pet Product News International Magazine. The editorial staff of Pet Product News, a leading pet industry trade publication, announced the award in their August issue.
Save the Rain Forest – One Pen at a Time!
As it turns out, the pen really is mightier than the sword. And the machete. And the bulldozer, or whatever else they’re using to demolish Earth’s endangered rain forests.
Or, at least one pen is: the new Bamboo Tornado by Retro 51.
It’s a pen that’s fun to use. Lightweight, ergonomic, and writes like a dream. More important, the barrel is made from solid bamboo, a durable hardwood that’s also eco-friendly. Bamboo—the fastest-growing woody plant in the world—is a favorite with environmentalists because it’s an abundant, replenishable resource.
Gift for Life Selects DIFFA as Sole Charity Partner
Gift for Life, the gift, stationery and home decor industries’ leading charitable organization, announced it has unanimously selected DIFFA: Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS as its sole charity partner.
After an extensive review of charitable partners, DIFFA was chosen based upon several factors including its strong leadership team, a pledge of long-term support of Gift for Life, and its close ties to the gift, stationery and home décor industries.
But primary to the partnership is a shared mission to eradicate the AIDS pandemic in the U.S. and abroad.
NRF Welcomes Legislation Making Organized Retail Crime a Violation of Federal Law
Washington – The National Retail Federation welcomed today’s introduction of legislation that would make organized retail crime a federal offense in an attempt to stop a growing problem that costs retailers and consumers as much as $30 billion a year and threatens public safety through the sale of tainted goods.
“The introduction of this bill shows that Congress realizes organized retail crime is more than just shoplifting,” NRF Vice President for Loss Prevention Joseph LaRocca said.
Love of sewing and sales results in Emmitsburg gift shop
Emmitsburg — Karen Mozingo has combined her love of selling and sewing to open a gift shop that features products from local artisans.
Klassey Kreations fills the space at 24 W. Main St. previously occupied by Callie’s Collectables.
“I do a few craft shows a year, and I love to sell,” Mozingo said. “The business is an outlet; it’s more pleasure than work. It’s what I prefer to do.”
Mozingo doesn’t know why she chose the name, but her family history helped make her decision to start the business.
Made by hand
You’ll find Luisa New York soothing from the moment you see it.
It just might take you a couple of minutes to find the new Pleasantville shop filled with all-natural, hand-made skin-care products.
Thanks to directions from her neighbor, though, I made it to Gili Zilca’s boutique, which shares an entrance with other companies in a brick-faced building just across from the train station.
Steamboat entrepreneurs excel in sometimes-hostile business world
Steamboat Springs — Anyone who says there’s equality between the sexes in the business world probably hasn’t seen the numbers.
Example: In 2006, female workers older than 16 earned a median weekly wage of $600, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics figures. Men earned $743 a week.
But a solid group of Steamboat Springs women have avoided being steered by the influences of history, opting instead to captain the ship.
The task is not always easy, but these four say it’s definitely worth it.
The Curiosity Shop grows by keeping the accent on products from Britain
Aiken, SC — It’s been 10 years since The Curiosity Shop, a Celtic-oriented gift shop, opened in Aiken.
Since then, Amy Neeley and John Heaton’s store has evolved into the premier destination for those interested in products from the United Kingdom.
The store, at the corner of Newberry Street and Richland Avenue, stocks a variety of British items, including foods, blended bulk teas, jewelry and books.
“We’re kind of eclectic people,” Ms. Neeley said. “It’s amazing we’ve been able to stick to one theme.”
But the store is not the shop the husband and wife originally planned.
Children’s boutique is latest retailer to open downtown
Pascagoula, MS — Emmy Jack’s, a children’s boutique, is the latest business to open up in the Downtown Plaza in Pascagoula.
Owner LaLinda Grace has been in the retail business for more than 10 years, but this is her first store.
“I have always wanted to own some sort of boutique and I really saw that there was a need for one here in Pascagoula. I couldn’t see why people would need to make the drive out of town to purchase the things that I could sell here and keep the money in our city,” Grace said.
2008 July Las Vegas Market Plays Host to the World
(LAS VEGAS) — Further broadening its global footprint, World Market Center Las Vegas will be host to 154 international exhibitors during its 2008 July Las Vegas Market, scheduled for July 28 through Aug. 1. These international companies will come from nearly 20 different countries including as Italy, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, New Zealand, Spain, United Kingdom, Australia, Fiji, Germany, Sweden, Spain, Portugal, Vietnam, China and Indonesia.
Dallas Market Center Announces 2009 Market Dates
DALLAS – Dallas Market Center, the world’s largest wholesale merchandise resource, announced market dates for 2009.
The home décor and gift markets in 2009 will continue to be branded “Dallas Total Home & Gift Markets” and the apparel and accessories markets as “Dallas Apparel & Accessories Markets.” Names for individual markets such as the Dallas International Lighting Market, Dallas Holiday & Home Expo and F!NDS Dallas Temp Show will remain.
The Thursday-Sunday date pattern will continue for apparel markets to best serve buyers and exhibitors needs.
Wedded Bliss: The First Ten makes worldwide debut at NSS
(Miami, Florida) – Wedded Bliss, The First Ten is the ultimate engagement, bridal shower, wedding, anniversary or Valentine’s Day gift. This first-of-its kind couple’s journal is used to document events and memories through the first ten years of marriage, yet, it is so much more than just a keepsake book!
Jewels Girls Love to Wear – Back-to-School Collection!
Fair Lawn, NJ — High IntenCity unveils a new Jewels Girls Love to Wear collection. The signature line of glass-beaded, Swarovski crystal memory wire choker and bracelet sets remain a favorite amongst little ladies and chic tweens everywhere. Driven by style, quality and variety, Jewels Girls Love to Wear continues to introduce fresh collections; from classic to trendy.
The new back-to-school collection takes shape with bright neon colors, heart icons, and a peace, love and green theme.
NSS ‘Operation Caring Connection’ yields 2.5 tons for US Troops
WHITE PLAINS, NY — Countless United States soldiers will soon find themselves with new communication tools, thanks in large part to a collection effort during the 2008 National Stationery Show (NSS).
Operation Caring Connection, a NSS initiative that encourages exhibitors to donate social stationery, notecards, journals and writing instruments, collected nearly 2.5 tons of product valued at approximately $20,000.
High fuel costs helping small-town businesses, pinching distant malls
Thomasville, Ala. – Residents in once-sleepy Thomasville have started complaining about traffic jams on Route 43, which runs right through the town.
Much of the new traffic is coming from shoppers, squeezed by $4-per-gallon gas, who are staying closer to home instead of driving 100 miles each way to the nearest malls in Mobile or Montgomery.
Retail sales shot up for a second month
Flush with rebate checks that didn’t get entirely eaten up by gas, food and credit card bills, shoppers boosted the nation’s retail sales for the second month in a row, ringing in a 4.3 percent increase in June, according to the International Council of Shopping Centers.
While it was the biggest overall jump in same-store sales since March 2007, many analysts and retailers suspect that government’s stimulus program has run its course, and that a grim back-to-school shopping season looms.