Archives: News
High IntenCity says i CARE with a new collection!
FAIR LAWN, NJ — High IntenCity launches a new i CARE collection and continues to support Girls Incorporated, the non-profit youth organization devoted to the mission of inspiring all girls to be strong, smart, and bold. High IntenCity donates 10% of the line’s proceeds to Girls Inc. and since the i CARE brand debut, has remained a dedicated proponent of the organization.
The new i CARE collection is perfect for those with a penchant for bling, soul for charity, and heart for fashion.
Deb & Co. Commemorates Baby’s Milestones and Special Memories
Buena Vista, Calif. — Who can forget the arrival of a baby, their first steps, first words or first Christmas?
Alabama retail sales climb 9 percent
Recent numbers indicate that retail sales are on the upswing in Alabama and across the country.
The Alabama Department of Revenue reported Thursday that sales tax collections in the state rose by more than 9 percent in April, year-over-year, while nationwide retail sales rose nearly 4 percent in May, according the National Retail Federation.
“When the weather turned warm, Alabamians seem to have returned to their normal lives, which means driving and enjoying themselves outdoors,” said Robert A.
Retail sales jump by largest amount in 6 months
Washington—Retail sales jumped by the largest amount in six months in May as 57 million economic stimulus payments helped offset the headwinds buffeting consumers.
The Commerce Department reported Thursday that retail sales soared 1 percent last month, the biggest increase since November.
Artisan House Metal Art Sculptures Spark Excitement at LVM
Burbank, CA — In answer to ongoing speculation about the product introductions that Artisan House, Inc. – designers and crafters of unique, fine-quality metal sculptures for wall, floor, tabletop and now table – will reveal at this summer’s Las Vegas Market, president John Shilling has officially confirmed a total of eight new metal art sculpture designs will take center stage this July at the company’s Vegas-based showroom.
Romanian glass artists to make SFIGF debut
WHITE PLAINS, NY — Twelve handcrafted glass companies from Romania, under the auspices of the Romanian Ministry of Trade, will make their San Francisco International Gift Fair debut this summer.
One stop shopping at Health Emporium
Norwalk Hospital’s new Health Emporium goes beyond the usual hospital gift shop fare like greeting cards, candy and magazines.
The 1,800-square-foot facility stocks products such as compression stockings, spine supports, canes and walkers and chemotherapy items such as turbans. Its grand opening is scheduled today at 11 a.m.
Trina Muro, manager of food and nutrition services at Norwalk Hospital, said she bought a high-quality eyebrow and eyelash replenisher at the emporium for her mother, who is undergoing chemotherapy at the hospital for non-Hodgkins lymphoma.
Midwest introduces reVIVE from Colonial Candle
(Cannon Falls, MN) – Midwest introduces the next generation of odor eliminating candles and sachets from the Colonial Candle brand in the innovative, new re:VIVE collection of odor-eliminating candles and sachets. While most current odor-eliminating products on the market simply mask unpleasant odors with a strong fragrance, re:VIVE features a new, patent-pending technology that actually neutralizes and eliminates unpleasant odors.
America Retold selects OneCoast to provide National Sales Representation
OneCoast, the largest and only national provider of sales and marketing services to vendors and retailers of home decor, gift and collegiate products, announced it will sell the complete line of America Retold on a nationwide basis.
Seminar speaker highlights June Market in Dallas
DALLAS – Dallas Market Center, the world’s largest wholesale merchandise resource, is proud to host several celebrated speakers during next week’s June Total Home & Gift Market (June 18 – 24). This year’s keynote speakers include:
Hearst Publications’ Kelly Peterson will present “Home Rules: A Comprehensive Survey on How Americans Create Their Most Lived-in Rooms,” Friday, June 20 at 9:30 a.m. in the Hall of Nations, World Trade Center (WTC) 1st floor.
Ed Begley Jr. to lead Green Panel at California Gift Show
WHITE PLAINS, NY— Headlining the energizing line-up of complimentary programs at the summer California Gift Show will be a cutting-edge Green Panel led by actor and environmentalist Ed Begley, Jr., with business leaders from ABC Carpet & Home, the Sustainable Furniture Council, Soleil Moon Frye’s The Little Seed and Sagon-Phior.
Also onstage at ‘The Platform’ will be an all-new, explosive edition of Flaunt – “Postcards from California” – an action-packed, product-centered stageshow.
Independent retailers to learn best business practices at SFIGF
WHITE PLAINS, NY — A series of six complimentary seminars presented by small business strategists at the San Francisco International Gift Fair will teach independent retailers how to target new customers and maximize sales. Addressing merchandising, marketing, sustainability and color and trend directions, the educational programs will be an essential part of the market experience, July 26-29.
“We are delighted to offer attendees a vibrant and valuable slate of programs that will keep their stores on the cutting edge of retail,” said Aubin Wilson, show manager.
Businesses adapting new techniques to survive downturn
Claire Williams has heard the economic horror stories as they rippled far and wide through American life. She can even see a few firsthand from the Mary-Go-Round gift shop.
But try as they might, the troubled times have yet to rock the appreciation, or guilt, that sends husbands, fathers, and children out in May for pink-enveloped cards, gift-bagged trinkets and fresh flowers with which they pay homage to M-O-M.
Mother’s Day signals a lush time of year when business hums for Williams, and offers safe, though fleeting, harbor during troubled times.
Strong key buyer attendance mark a successful NSS
WHITE PLAINS, NY — Robust order writing, top quality buyer attendance from across the world, hundreds of new companies staging their industry debut, among the 1,100+ exhibiting companies, and countless new product collection releases set the stage for a vibrant and exciting 62nd annual National Stationery Show (NSS), May 18-21, 2008, at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. Nearly 13,500 retailers took advantage of the wealth of opportunities to discover new companies, write business, network and learn.
20th Annual Arts Awards Announces Judges
DALLAS — Dallas Market Center (DMC), the world’s largest wholesale merchandise resource, and the Accessories Resource Team (ART), the trade association representing the decorative accessory industry, announced the 20th annual ARTS Awards judges. This distinguished judging panel will select the winners of the awards to be presented during a gala event on January 17, 2009.
The ARTS Awards is the premier awards program for the home decorative accessories industry and is held each January during the Dallas Total Home & Gift Market.
This year’s judges are:
Chicago Market announces Retailer of the Month
CHICAGO, IL – The Chicago Market: Living and Giving is proud to announce the first edition of the Retailer of the Month program and its June 2008 honoree.
Retailers face hit as sentiment falls to new low
Consumer confidence has plummeted to an all-time low, sending retailers an ominous signal for the remainder of 2008, according to the British Retail Consortium.
The Nielsen/BRC UK Consumer Confidence index has tumbled to 79, compared with 91 – which was the lowest score since the survey began in 2003 – this time last year.
Products back in Bluegrass
Churchill Weavers closed its doors in Berea last year after 85 years. But its trademark handwoven throws, scarves and baby blankets are showing up again in the Bluegrass as the company reconnects with its roots.
Ownership and production have moved to Indiana. And the company is still getting back up to speed.
Mike Stutland, who owns Artique in Lexington, said he has just recently begun getting Churchill Weavers merchandise again.
“It’s been extremely slow getting product in,” he said. But it doesn’t stay in long.
Gifts for the graduate
When shopping for the high-school graduate, get personal. “Each kid has a different style,” says Ellen Arkin of Strawtown Jewelry in West Nyack.
Skip the one-gift-fits-all choice – remember the days of pen sets and typewriters?
New Creative Rides the Wave with National Geographic Coastal Collection
Milford, OH — New Creative Enterprises (NCE), a leading designer and manufacturer of home decor and gift items, has teamed with National Geographic to create the National Geographic Coastal Collection.
The new coastal-themed collection of trend-forward decor and gift items offers customers a new way to bring the beauty and tranquility of the shoreline to their homes.