Archives: News
Giftcraft Announces New Romeo Britto Licensed Line
Brampton, ON, Canada – The images of internationally acclaimed artist Romero Britto will debut on new tabletop, giftware, stationery and collectibles by Giftcraft, Ltd., North America’s leading designer and marketer of gifts, garden and home decor products. The Romero Britto Collection will be launched in September. Retailers can place advance orders beginning in July, with fulfillment during the fourth quarter of 2008.
A native of Brazil, Britto has become the foremost pop culture artist, with his colorful iconic art displayed worldwide.
Manual Woodworkers & Weavers gets new Web site
Hendersonville, NC – Manual Woodworkers & Weavers, Inc. revamps their Web site to effectively cater to their customers.
Old favorites mingle with new treasures at The Pilgrim
When the original owners of The Pilgrim in Westwood Shopping Center decided to close their gift shop after 35 years, Joan Poole couldn’t believe it.
Poole, who at the time ran the Red Cross in Moore County, had been a loyal customer since the early days of the Fayetteville shop, when sisters Carolyn Naylor and Doris McPhail-Williams ran it on Fort Bragg Road.
Poole got a letter from The Pilgrim telling customers that the store was closing when the owners retired.
“It was 4 o’clock when I got the letter,” Poole said.
Gifts for all occasions
Houghton — For Amy Negro, there is truth to the saying that time flies when you’re having fun. Since she opened the doors to her downtown Houghton gift shop, The Wicker & Willow Co., in December 2005, the months have been sailing by, thanks to the community.
“We have had a wonderful beginning thanks to our local customers and community support,” she said. “I have made many new friends at The Wicker & Willow Co., and because of them, I love my job!
Enesco signs long term agreement with Boyds Collection
Itasca, Ill. – Enesco, LLC, a leader in the gift, and home and garden decor industries, announced the signing of an exclusive, long-term, worldwide, strategic agreement with The Boyds Collection, Ltd.
Under the agreement, Boyds grants Enesco a license to design, manufacture and market certain products and brands of Boyds beginning May 6. The agreement covers a broad variety of formats and categories including plush, resin, ceramic and other materials. Enesco will also acquire select assets of Boyds and hire certain Boyds employees who will continue to be based in Pennsylvania.
Way Out Wax Transforms Candle Consciousness
Morrisville, VT – Respect the Earth and pamper yourself by lighting a guilt-free and deliciously scented new offering from Way Out Wax. Handcrafted using 100 percent certified organic essential oils and certified GMO-free soy wax, Way Out Wax is setting industry standards for excellence, environmental stewardship and innovative, uncompromising aromatherapy.
True Organics by Way Out Wax incorporates all the best aspects of supporting sustainable agriculture and socially responsible, earth-friendly business practices.
Mele – The Family Tradition Continues
UTICA, NY – Mele Companies, Inc. – Mele Companies, Inc. is pleased to announce the appointment of Raymond R. Mele as President of the Mele organization.
Since joining the company in 1982, Raymond has had diverse responsibilities and roles, which included Plant and Sales Management, President of Farrington Packaging and most recently President of the Mele Jewel Box division.
Raymond succeeds Michael J. Valentine, who directed the Mele organization as President since 1985.
U.S. Weekly ICSC Retail Sales Decrease as Gas Prices Rise, Redbook Sales Advance
Consumers faced yet another record week of oil prices at the pump in the week ending May 3, contributing to a week-over-week decline in retail sales across the nation, according to the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) on Tuesday.
Peruvian goods that a shopper can fall in love with
There are a couple of new stores in the area that are importing goods here from Peru.
Nella Terra is a Main Street Sarasota gift shop that native Peruvian Nella Infantasi opened earlier this year.
Infantasi, 58, has lived in Sarasota for eight years but did not decide to open a shop until discovering some unique and colorful gift items on a trip to Peru last year.
“I fell in love with the things there last year,” she said.
On Franchising
More than 200 new franchising opportunities were introduced in the U.S. last year, underscoring the industry’s enormous popularity here.
But which ones will be around 10 years from now, and which are simply somebody’s make-a-quick-buck scheme?
Anyone considering starting a franchise needs to determine whether it is a legitimate concept, has legs and is appropriately priced, so as not to create a backlash among franchisees who feel misled on their investment.
Retail sales may climb as temperatures rise
New York – Retail sales in April are expected to show a slight improvement from an abysmal March as warmer weather drove demand for spring merchandise, but Wall Street still expects signs of weakness at department stores.
Many retailers have been struggling in recent months as cash-strapped consumers pull back on nonessential items like furniture, clothes and jewelry due to soaring food and gasoline prices.
By contrast, analysts expect chains that sell necessities like food and milk at discount prices — Wal-Mart Stores Inc (WMT.N: Quote, Profile, Research), Costco Wholesale Corp (COST.
U.S. retailers’ sales rose 2.3% last week
U.S. retail sales rose the most last week since February as consumers bought Easter gifts and clothing.
Sales at stores open at least a year advanced 2.3 percent from the same week a year earlier, the International Council of Shopping Centers and UBS Securities LLC said today in a statement. Retail sales probably increased as much as 2 percent in April, the group reiterated.
The timing of the Easter holiday helped counter eroding consumer confidence and cooler weather at the end of the month.
MAGIC Marketplace Drives Eco-Fashion From Harvest to High Street
Woodland Hills, Calif. – Eco-fashion is the apparel industry’s fastest growing and most meaningful trend, and MAGIC International announced the launch of a new show floor experience for August 2008, ECOLLECTION @ MAGIC, dedicated to fostering the market’s rapidly developing interest in eco business.
The MAGIC Marketplace, the industry’s preeminent trade event, is responding to the global need for a fashion marketplace committed to sustainability, where eco leaders can do business and share ideas.
Sadek Launches Improved Website Tailored to Shopping Preferences
New Rochelle, NY – Andrea by Sadek, a wholesale supplier to the gift, tableware and home furnishings industries known for its unique products, announced the launch of its improved, more comprehensive Web site, www.sadek.com.
The site’s new design caters to the needs of time-pressed customers, while providing a more aesthetically pleasing online shopping experience.
Hype Strype Offers Chic Greek
Pelham, Georgia – Hype Strype is excited to announce the expansion of its licensed Greek collection. In response to customer demand, the company has not only added another snappy design for each sorority, but they have also created several new products in this fresh and fun design.
Hype Strype’s new offerings include stylish car tags, vinyl decals, tumblers, and koozies.
HABA’s Game Dons 2008 iParenting Products Award
Skaneateles, NY – Children love collecting things. Just ask any parent who’s had the amusement of emptying a kid’s pants pockets before putting them in the wash. Children also love change.
New Chocolate Company Uses Mostly Organic Ingredients
A new chocolate company formed in April 2007, in Lancaster County, which makes ‘truffle’-type chocolates using nearly all high quality ‘organic’ ingredients; from the chocolate used, to other ingredients such as organic powdered sugar, organic butter, and organic nuts (including peanuts, cashews and almonds).
Smith Organic Chocolates, an Akron, home-based occupation, makes truffles from organic Peanut Butter Balls to organic Non-Dairy Dark Chocolate Truffles to a new ‘Designer Artisan’ chocolate called an Organic Strawberry-Banana Truffle, made with a professional artisan mold.
Hershey’
Counting on Cinco
It’s not the biggest holiday in Mexico, but Cinco de Mayo is a big deal for southwest Detroit.
This year, the neighborhood’s merchants — whose businesses have suffered as a result of the Ambassador Bridge Gateway construction project — are seeing the holiday as a kind of economic salvation.
“This particular holiday is more significant than ever,” said Gloria Rosas, owner of the Mexican gift shop Xochi’s on Bagley, in the thick of construction.
“This construction has affected us tremendously.
Local residents debate how to use their rebates
Ithaca — How do you spend a tax rebate check?
That’s the question people across the country have been asking themselves since May 2, when the federal government began sending out the first of more than 130 million economic stimulus payments in a $168 billion aid stimulus package.
The checks and direct deposit payments, which range from $300 to $1,200 per household, plus $300 extra per child, will be sent to most U.S households by early July and are intended to jumpstart the country’s sluggish economy.
Schuyler, Chemung, Tompkins and Seneca counties stand to get about $111.5 mill
Working together: growth in a small town
Just a few years ago, downtown Newton, Mississippi was all but empty. The vacant buildings up and down Main Street in the small town were so profuse and created such an eyesore that a group of locals decided to paint them to look like they had businesses inside.
One building, just off the main road on Church Street, was painted as such a convincing replica of a dress shop, that many residents called the local chamber of commerce to ask when the shop would be opening.