Archives: News
High style for the stroller set
Are we grooming a new generation of label-obsessed fashionistas?
Wrong turn on Moody Street
These are awkward times for Moody Street, the main thoroughfare that just a decade ago was hailed as the face of Waltham’s rebirth from factory town to hipster suburb.
On April 12, the Construction Site, a children’s store that served as one of the street’s retail destination points, closed. The wonderland window displays of wooden toys that once greeted shoppers who crossed the bridge over the Charles River into Moody Street’s heart are no more.
Meet Gracie
The 18 Union Park Street gift store Aunt Sadie’s is welcoming a new addition this summer: a new “store within a store” called Gracie Finn. The new store – Aunt Sadie’s co-owner Gary Briggs said think along the lines of a department in a retail giant such as Macy’s – will occupy about 600 square feet of renovated Aunt Sadie’s space, what had previously been the kids and baby section.
Training: Retailers Need to Get Onboard
Last December, Brian Douglas entered a big-box electronics store giddy at the prospect of buying an HD-TV as a gift for himself. Although he had done some research online, he really wanted expert advice to help him decide which size, type and brand would work best in his Branchburg, N.J., home. A poorly trained salesperson couldn’t help him, so he left for another chain store.
In late February, Starbucks closed all of its U.S. units for several hours to retrain baristas in the art of coffee making.
Boston Gift Show Exhibitors Report Surge in Quality Buyers
White Plains, NY – While buyers reported a positive vibe on the Show floor of the April 5-8, 2008, Boston Gift Show, exhibitors were reporting a steady stream of quality, notable buyers in their booths.
Among the noteworthy attendees were operators of gift shops at some of the nation’s most famed landmarks, including the United States House of Representatives, The Museum of Fine Arts Boston, the John F. Kennedy Museum and Library and more.
“Boston is a city that is rich in U.S.
Fashion Angels Enterprises Gets Project Runway Toy License
Milwaukee, WI – Aspiring designers dream of taking part in Bravo’s Emmy-nominated smash hit reality show, Project Runway. Those who think they have the talent for knowing what’s “in” and “out” in the fashion world now have their chance to feel like they are a part of the designing action.
Winter 2009 Las Vegas Market to Run February 9 to 13
Las Vegas – World Market Center Las Vegas today announced that the Winter 2009 Las Vegas Market will take place from Feb. 9 to Feb. 13, 2009. Market officials say these Market dates best align with exhibitor business cycles, relieve industry show conflicts and fall during a period in which Las Vegas hotel rates are more favorable for U.S. and international attendees.
“We are committed to meeting the evolving needs of our customer base, and adjusting our Market schedule is one way of doing that,” said World Market Center Las Vegas President and Chief Executive Officer Robert Maricich.
Kate Aspen Announces the 2008 Wedding Favor Collection
Atlanta, GA – Kate Aspen, a nationally recognized leader in wedding favors and baby shower favors, introduces its 2008 collection. Debuting this year, the collection includes Out of the Box favors, Favors for All Life’s Events, and a fresh new color palette for the popular Personality Favors. In all, the Kate Aspen Collection features 90 completely new favor designs, some innovative and some more practical.
Because the visual impact of the outside of a gift box is often as important as what’s inside, Kate Aspen has created Out of the Box favor boxes with extraordinary detail.
Kakadu “Green” Products Reflect Commitment to the Environment
With an increased trend of consumers seeking out “Green” Products, Kakadu has always been ahead of the curve. The company’s product line – functional, hand painted on wood accessories and furnishings – reflects the founders’ commitment to preserving and honoring the environment.
Established in 1990 in Israel by artists Reut and Aharon Shahar, Kakadu is the only company to offer hand painted wooden carpets.
Study highlights potential for retail growth in Beatrice
Opportunities to bring additional restaurants, a gift/novelty store and a shoe store to Beatrice are possible as those markets are currently underserved, according to a University of Nebraska-Lincoln market research class study.
UNL Professor Dwayne Ball presented the Beatrice City Council Monday night with the findings of a recent study investigation of potential demand for six categories of retail stores in Beatrice.
Reed & Cross takes root at Gray
A pair of venerated Eugene businesses have joined under one roof.
Petals & Vines shop gives family roots
Landing in Monmouth after moving around the country and the Pacific Rim through her husband’s 30-year career has confirmed for Petals & Vines owner Maggie Triplett and daughter Martha Zuck that having a home town is different from having a home.
Home decor store to open downtown
A store selling handmade goods primarily from Michigan will open in downtown Port Huron this summer.
The Cherry Blossom Boutique, 327 Huron Ave., will open its doors June 21 and have a grand opening June 28, said owner Megan Cowper. It will be her first entrepreneurial venture, she said.
Cowper, 27, of Clyde Township is a nanny and works part-time at Mercy Hospital in Port Huron
The store will sell specialty and gift items such as books, handbags, jewelry, baby items, hand-painted stemware and handmade greeting cards.
Sylvia’s By the Sea
Scituate – To Sylvia Killion, getting into the clothing business has been something like jumping onto a treadmill already in motion.
Killion, the owner of Sylvia’s by the Sea, opened The Runway at Sylvia’s in November. Attached to her Front Street gift store, The Runway sells clothes, and since November, Killion has been trying to learn the intricacies of running a clothing store while, at the same time, actually running her clothing store.
Now that she has worked her way through The Runway’s first winter, Killion will hold grand opening events on May 3 and 4.
Consumers Will Still Spend for Mother
Washington, April 22, 2008 – Mother’s Day might not be as rosy for mom this year, with consumers planning on scaling back on the quantity of gifts they buy for the holiday. According to NRF’s 2008 Mother’s Day Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey, conducted by BIGresearch, consumers will spend an average of $138.63 this year, compared to $139.14 last year. Total consumer spending is expected to reach $15.8 billion.
Of the 84.2 percent of consumers celebrating Mother’s Day, the majority will invest in one major gift for mom, instead of several smaller gifts.
Retailers embrace Earth Day
To mark Earth Day today, Macy’s will hand out Florida pine saplings to the first 100 customers at local department stores. Home Depot is offering 10 percent off energy-efficient appliances. Whole Foods will cease to give out disposable plastic bags. And Wal-Mart Stores will promote its natural cleaning products and organic-cotton T-shirts.
While environmentalists have been honoring Earth Day for more than 35 years by planting trees and cleaning up parks, retailers have recently embraced the event as a chance to market themselves as eco-friendly.
New store offers ‘a little bit of heaven’; The Suds and Scent Company now open downtown
A new store in the heart of Lindsay’s downtown is offering products that will help its customers make the most out of some of life’s most relaxing moments.
The Suds and Scent Company opened at 132 Kent Street West on April 15 and a grand opening was held on Saturday.
The idea was to bring something completely unique to the area, said store owner Melody Popovic, who also owns and operates Galaxy Picture Framing right next door.
Tipp Florist Shop Blooms into Spring
Since 1940, the spirit of spring has blossomed with the products from Tipp Florist and their presence through the city and the world is far from withering.
The shops inventory supplies the flowers needed for any occasion and the design team will assemble a bouquet to fit any order.
Floral designer June Hines has been at Tipp Florist for 25 years and still loves her work.
Port Lavaca is booming with new businesses
Port Lavaca – Robin Kacir slipped on the sparkly crystal bracelet she found at the newest shop downtown. “Honey, it’s purple,” the owner of Randy’s Floor Co. said, shaking her wrist. She smiled at the women and strutted out the Iguana Way entrance, passing by several pink flamingoes.
Flamingoes gave gift shop owners both the idea for a sign and the name – The Funky Divas.
“She’s more diva,” Robin Sikes said about co-owner Melissa Crowley.
Wedding Favor Retailer Makes It Easy to be Green in 2008
Boston – Boston-based FavorCreative.com announced it will seek to continue to expand its product line of eco-friendly “green” favors for parties and events.
Favor Creative carries an inventory of environmentally friendly favors, packaging, and gift tags printed on 100% recycled paper. Their packaging options range from recycled gift boxes to paper bags to biodegradable ribbon in various colors. The company helps encourage earth-conscious customers to give back to the earth and reduce their impact while still honoring their guests with thank you gifts.