Archives: News
Retailers expected to post scant May sales
Chicago – US retailers are expected to post lackluster May sales this week, as consumers spent tax rebate checks on gas and food or used them to reduce debt, rather than buying discretionary items like clothes and jewelry.The average analyst sales estimate calls for an increase of 1.2 percent this May, compared with a 2.9 percent increase a year earlier, according to Thomson Reuters.
Apparel retailers are expected to see sales at stores open at least a year fall 3.1 percent and department stores are expected to see same-store sales fall 4 percent, continuing a trend that has been in place
Dogeared Jewels & Gifts: New Collection, Summer Trends & ENK Update
Culver City, Calif. – One of the wonderful things about living, designing and creating in Southern California, are the amazing colors that surround us. The ocean, sunsets, wildflowers, palm trees and plants are a perpetual inspiration. For our latest collection, we allowed Mother Nature’s palette to permeate everything we touched.
Our new Goddess Bracelets are made with beads of turquoise, goldstone, onyx and different colors of jade. In vivid colors, two sizes and with hand-cast, gold dipped charms; they are fabulous by the armful … the only way to wear bracelets this summer!
Zutano offers multicultural flair, modern designs
Cabot, Vt. – Come in, look around and meet the unexpected lineup of the season. Our mood is upbeat and fresh, lead by a profusion of bright, exuberant colors and an explosion of cheerful prints. Sweet and delicate florals sit side by side with bold and outspoken graphic statements.
Zutano’s spring/summer 2009 collection offers a surprising show of multi-cultural flair and modern designs that create a trans-seasonal look. Minimal styling, a fresh color palette and the signature mix of brights and low voltage midtones result in confident color and pattern combinations.
High-design metal sculpture meets trendy, transitional designs
Burbank, CA – As consumer demand for stylish metal art sculptures has continued to forge new heights, customers have had few choices between high-priced gallery creations and inexpensive metal pieces with limited style and quality. That’s all set to change with this summer’s launch of the artisan studio collection of wall and tabletop metal sculptures that showcase outstanding quality and creative excellence.
“We’re excited to give customers the opportunity to make their home and office spaces as unique as their individual personalities,” says John Shilling, president of Artisan Studio.
Fundex Seeks the Fine Moments in Life
INDIANAPOLIS, IN. – Enjoy the finer things in life with Fundex’s new trivia game Sybarit. Create a menu for an unforgettable evening including Sybarit as the final dessert.
“When we first saw the game in 2006, and heard of the tremendous success in Scandinavia over the past few years, our interest in the game was immediate and strong,” said Chip Voigt, President and CEO of Fundex Games Ltd. “It is becoming increasingly obvious that the interest in quality food, dining out and entertaining in general is growing strongly, year after year.
Fundex Announces Exclusive Distribution Agreement With Gigamic
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – Fundex Games announced it will be the exclusive distributor for Gigamic strategy games. The three-year distribution agreement encompasses North America.
Based in France, Gigamic is known for the attractive wood presentation of its games and has been recognized for creating some of the world’s best strategy games. Gigamic games have earned 50 international awards for excellence worldwide.
“Gigamic games are thoughtfully clever, in which players’ decision making skills are tested at the highest level,” said Chip Voigt, President, Fundex Games.
National Survey Shows Most Dads Want Electronics for Father’s Day; Help Dad Find Cheaper Gas with Next Generation with GPS
Richmond, VA –Just in time for Father’s Day, a new national survey shows 52 percent of dads prefer an electronics gift for their big day, easily outnumbering dads who want clothing (16 percent), sports gear (13 percent), or a vacation trip (9 percent). Only eight percent of dads said they don’t want a Father’s Day gift.
Employment for teenagers hits lowest point in decades
Levi Wright’s biggest job this summer has been finding a summer job. Wright, a 17-year-old senior from Metro Boulevard Alternative High School, has been applying for work for more than a month without success. Applications at bookstores, bike shops and mall retailers have yielded nothing.
“I just need to put gas in my car,” he said.
Gray Drug store thriving in community
Gray – It has already been half a year since Dottie Walker moved her Gray Drug Co. to a much larger building she had built on Bill Conn Parkway, but there are still times when she is struck by the contrast in space.
One day a couple of weeks ago when she and her staff were particularly busy, the pharmacists and technicians and clerks all bumping elbows as they scurried around to fill prescriptions and wait on customers, she thought, ‘how did we ever manage in our old store?’
Finding the Right Price for Your Retail Products
You often see or hear retailers’ advertisements that promise you “quality merchandise at a fair price.” Well, just what is a “fair price?” As you enter the retailing arena, you will soon learn that there really is no universally accepted definition. Most of the time the answer is “It depends. .
Continuing Growth: Edgewater Gifts & Gallery
Edgewater Gifts & Gallery, located at 1733 Water Street, has been selling handcrafted items to both local people and tourists since November, 2002. Owner, Michelle Cadogan’s involvement in the arts, in particularly theatre and music, has developed her appreciation for handcrafted items.
Despite the large learning curve required for her to operate a retail outlet, Michelle felt she had found a niche for this type of business in Miramichi.
Free Business Consultations offered at August 2008 NYIGF
White Plains, NY – Through an exclusive agreement forged between the New York International Gift Fair (NYIGF) and Gift & Home Trade Association (GHTA), veteran industry representatives will conduct free 30-minute business consultations with retailers, manufacturers and sales representatives. These “Only in NY” consultations, which range from retail-specific, to technology, publicity, eventing and education, will be offered during NYIGF, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday, August 17, through Tuesday, August 19, at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.
10 Tips for Buzzworthy Business Plan
Sabrina Parsons of Palo Alto Software (her blog is Mommy CEO) offered a useful list of 10 tips for buzzworthy business plans last week in the Princeton Entrepreneurship Network business plan contest.
1. Focus on the addressable market, not the total potential market. Find a segment you can grow in first. As an example, she suggested Crocs, the plastic footwear company, started first with shoes for nurses.
Bringing up babies at work
Could that be a gurgle or – whoa – a stinky diaper in the next cubicle?
Yes, “baby on board” is the latest – and the most controversial trend in corporate day care for a small but growing number of brave employers. The twist is parents do the care, toting infants with them to the office each day and juggling bottles and wipes, conference calls and e-mail.
Proponents hail the idea as a workplace morale-booster, along with a needed benefit in a country lacking in affordable child care.
New adult shop finds itself in a touchy spot
The prom-dress-pink store, with strips of ribbon dangling in the windows and a breast-cancer-awareness sign out front, looks like any girly gift shop in West Chester’s bustling business district.
But the Feminique Boutique, a new adult novelty store, has triggered a tempest, with a local pastor and a candidate for state representative saying the shop does not belong in the heart of downtown and, more important, one block from a Catholic school.
“It’s corrupting the morals of children,” said Msgr. Edward Deliman of St.
Five Things You Don’t Know About Baby Boomers
Think of a few famous baby boomers. Now, call to mind a few that you know. It’s probably safe to assume that none of the images that popped into your head resemble a generic brown paper bag. Yet marketers and retailers are too often guilty of treating baby boomers as a homogeneous group with uniform attitudes and purchasing behaviors.
Ironically, what they end up with is a pitch that is as generic – and disposable – as a plain brown bag.
Christy’s has candles to burn
Biloxi – This is the time of year for buying gifts and Christy’s Creations is in the business of providing ideas that are more personal than a gift card for Father’s Day, graduations, weddings and anniversaries.
Christy Demoran opened the store at the corner of Veterans Avenue and Pass Road last March. She makes custom baskets for all occasions and fun candles for anytime.
“Candles were a hobby. I’ve been doing them for years,” she said, until she decided to make it a career. “It was the chance of a lifetime for me,” she said, and she sells only her own recipe candles.
Otter Nature Store to call it quits after 18 years
The slumping economy is claiming another victim.
After 18 year of business, the Otter Nature Store in downtown Vacaville will close its doors this summer.
“We sell what are ‘extra’ things for people,” explained store owner Betty Lucke. “They need to buy their food and gas and insurance first and the extras come after that.
New products debut at 2008 NeoCon World
Chicago – The 40th annual NeoCon World’s Trade Fair, North America’s largest commercial interior design show and conference, returns to The Merchandise Mart in Chicago, Monday, June 9 through Wednesday, June 11. NeoCon showcases the latest trends and innovative products for the office, health care, hospitality, residential retail and governmental environments.
During NeoCon, exhibitors from around the world will showcase cutting-edge products, setting the precedent for the contract furnishings industry.
Republic of Tea adds flavored teas to popular Sip for the Cure Collection
NOVATO, CALIF. – The Republic of Tea adds two new flavors, Red Cherry White Tea and Pomegranate Vanilla Red Tea to its popular Sip for the Cure Collection, benefiting Susan G. Komen for the Cure and honoring the 2008 National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
The brand’s signature Sip for the Cure Collection also includes original favorites, Pink Lady Apple Green Tea, Pink Lemonade Green Tea and Pink Grapefruit Green Tea for a total of five exclusive teas created to support the fight against breast cancer.