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From the Negev Desert, Ethical Arts Debuts at New York International Gift Fair
Wilmington, DE – Ethical Arts will debut its new line of fair-traded handmade decorative pillows, table runners, handbags, dolls, wastebaskets made from recycled magazines, and other gift items at the New York International Gift Fair, Feb. 2-5, 2008. The products will be showcased in the New York’s Newest section at the Metropolitan Pavilion, 125 W. 18th Street, in New York, N.Y.
Ethical Arts works with Bedouin Arab women from the Negev desert to develop beautiful, contemporary products that are marketed to exclusive shops in the U.S. and abroad.
Apparel Recession? Maybe, Maybe Not
Even before consumers rang up the weakest Christmas in five years, retail shares were beaten down and plagued by worries of just how slow the American consumer will become in 2008.
That’s why it is ironic to see retailers in the green last week and at the beginning of this week. Will it last?
For many entrepreneurs, business begins at home
As of Jan. 22, Vallejo boasted 2,599 home-based businesses, a city official said – an alternative that has been growing locally and nationally for at least a decade.
In Vallejo, the number of applications for home-based business licenses has steadily increased since 2000 at least, said Armi Navarro, who’s been dealing with such licenses for the city since then.
“A lot of landscapers and house cleaning companies operate out of their homes,” Navarro said.
Say hi to places to go buy, buy
Clark County shoppers have shown their approval of new and expanding retailers in this market by increasing the amount of retail spending they do at home, and retailers are responding with even more new stores and shopping centers.
During 2007, major new openings included two new Best Buy stores; Steve and Barry’s, which opened for the first time in this market; a second Kohl’s department store in Hazel Dell; and LA Fitness, which also entered this market for the first time.
Mishawaka store is dream come true
Stefanie Buysse made a vow on her 25th birthday. She told herself she would open a retail store in the next 10 years.
The native Mishawakan has accomplished that goal — just in the nick of time, with Interior Elements & Design studio, 422 W. Seventh St. The shop is nestled into a tiny building next to Mishawaka’s popular West Side Bakery.
From soft relaxing music to cookies on the counter, Buysse has created a unique nook for shoppers looking for a one-of-a-kind home accessory or gift.
Seniors Center gift shop benefits from merchandise made locally
Not many people knew that the Oshkosh Seniors Center had a gift shop.
That’s no longer true since the store moved to a new location with a new marketing strategy, said Antonia Anand, Oshkosh Seniors Center store volunteer manager.
Originally located in the main building, the gift shop moved to the entrance of the north building two months ago, Anand said. The store originally had limited merchandise, specifically jewelry and plain sweatshirts. Then, Anand’s friend Patsy Pomplun painted snowmen on the sweatshirts for the new store.
Store owners worried about economy
Fayetteville — Tough economic times can hit businesses hard, particularly if their products are considered luxury items rather than necessities. For one Fayetteville store owner, her business has dropped dramatically over the past few months, and she feels it is due to the uncertain economy.
Gisela Walston makes much of her money selling expensive collectors’ items at the Gift Boutique. Over the past few months, she said customers have been looking for something different.
“They come in, ‘Do you have a sale? Is there anything on sale?
So long PDA, here comes PMA – your Personal Magnetic Assistant
Kids today just have no sense of time!
GLM Appoints New Advisory Board Members for New York International Gift Fair
White Plains, NY – Three new members have been appointed to the Advisory Board of the New York International Gift Fair (NYIGF). Two retailers, Walter Lowry of Los Angeles-based TableArt, and Sallie Stutz of the Brooklyn Museum Shop, and one show exhibitor, Enrico Bressan of Artecnica, Inc., have been appointed to the eight-member Board.
Comprised of attendees and exhibitors, the Board meets semi-annually with show management to offer strategic feedback related to the gift and home accessories market in general and about the NYIGF in particular.
Mariposa Baby Launches New Snuggle Sets and Coordinates at the SF Gift Show
San Francisco, CA – Gift set offerings for children’s stores and gift boutiques just got even better as baby gift line Mariposa Baby launches its new Snuggle Set collection. Packaged in the same eco-friendly keepsake boxes that Mariposa Baby is known for, the new line combines the soft baby-rib and popular cotton-rich velour fabrics that have been part of their assortment for several seasons.
New Introductions by Kat Nouri
San Francisco, CA – Modern-twist offers an innovative take on placemats by taking the use of silicone to a whole new level—one that is not only aesthetically pleasing to the eye, but also silky to the touch. The placemats imbue hand-silk-screened patterns on non-toxic silicone. Providing an incredibly easy-to-clean surface, the silicone placemats also allow the natural grain of your table to be revealed under the non-intrusive, nature-inspired patterns.
19th Annual ARTS Awards Winners Announced; Dallas Market Center and ART presented awards during gala event
Dallas, TX – – Dallas Market Center, the world’s largest wholesale merchandise resource, and the Accessories Resource Team (ART) announced the winners of the 19th annual ARTS Awards during a gala event held Saturday, January 19 in the Grand Pavilion at the Trade Mart. More than 700 guests attended the ceremony which featured the presentation of ARTS Awards in 25 categories as well as recognition of Academy of Achievement honoree Arlette Baker of Carl’s Furniture in Boca Raton, Fla.
Peking Handicraft Introduces Products for Men
San Francisco, Calif. – Peking Handicraft, Inc., an international manufacturer and wholesaler specializing in home textiles, decorative accessories and giftware, introduces new products that offer options for men to decorate their favorite room. The firm’s newest collections for men include needlepoint and hook pillows featuring fish designs, coordinating linen guest towels and new hook pillows that offer eight ball, dart board and Route 66 designs.
Peking’s fish-themed needlepoint pillows feature a variety of lake fish crafted in fine detail.
Woodstock Chimes Adds Statuary to Garden Offerings
Woodstock Chimes, a worldwide leader in the manufacture of precision-tuned wind chimes and premium musical gifts, has added a collection of Granite Garden Sculptures to its offering of garden decor products. Like the company’s popular Granite Fountains, the new sculptures utilize a unique process that combines real granite stone with reinforced fiberglass. The result is a beautiful, natural look with a lightweight, durable construction.
New Name Your Own Baby
Edison, NJ – Adora, one of the leading designers and crafters of fine limited edition and collectible dolls, introduces 43 new dolls to its popular Name Your Own Baby collection. The new lineup includes two new face sculpts and a beautiful array of costumes in surprising combinations of color, pattern and texture. A number of dolls, in particular, have whimsical styles to delight both young collectors and the young at heart.
091J20675 – This heavenly little angel is a vision of loveliness with her silver lame’ wings and pink organza dress with a petal-shaped skirt.
Russ Berrie opens showroom at Pacific Market Center
Seattle – Pacific Market Center, the leading permanent wholesale market on the west coast, announces the latest addition to its collection of permanent showrooms, Russ Berrie U.S. Gift, Inc., worldwide designer, developer, and distributor of award-winning product lines in the infant, juvenile, and gift industries.
Loralei Cove a gift Mecca Ray Carter
There is a store in Brentwood where one can find unique gifts and fine decorator items like those found in Sebastopol, Carmel, Sausalito or Laguna Beach. In fact, with the opening of Loralei Cove last November in the Shops at Fairview, East County residents can shop for fine art by local artists Bill Weber, Sue Espy and Jenny Floravita.
But don’t let yourself be fooled by the fact that Loralei Cove offers marvelous one-of-a-kind art.
10 reasons to shop downtown Rochester
Yes, the Fire & Ice Festival on Friday and Saturday in downtown Rochester includes ice sculpture demonstrations, a family snowshoe race, ice skating, fireworks and a chance to see sled dogs in action.
But the best part of the fest?
Downtown Rochester — about 26 miles from downtown Detroit — is an interesting mix of old and new, and that makes for an interesting shopping experience.
There’s been a pharmacy on the corner of Main and Fourth since the 1830s.
Survey Finds Support for “Buy Local” Boosted Holiday Spending at Independent Stores
MINNEAPOLIS, MN —As major chains report weak holiday sales, a nationwide survey of 1,382 independent retailers has found that a desire to support locally owned businesses is emerging as a factor in people’s shopping choices.
The survey, which included retailers in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., found that, even in a difficult economic climate, many independent retailers are holding their own and even seeing sales gains by emphasizing their local ownership and community roots.
When January Sales Don
Most retailers realise that the hardest task they are confronted with is generating higher levels of foot traffic. Customers increasingly value their time and think twice before they use this valuable and finite commodity. This is doubly true of male shoppers. But there is one period in the year when shoppers and potential shoppers have an excess of time.
And that is the period in December and January each year when families take time out. For most this holiday is extended for at least a week.