Archives: News
Friends Take ‘Leap Of Faith,’ Buy Eclectic Gift Shop
Dade City – You could call it “Margaret and Brenda’s excellent adventure,” the tale of two middle-aged women who took an unanticipated career turn into retailing just as the pivotal holiday-shopping season unfolds.
Margaret Angell and Brenda Tester, both in their 50s, became friends years ago at church.
Muskegon stores hope their ‘Synergy’ helps all
Synergy” is a term used by urban-planning wonks who talk to each other in their own language.
Want a unique gift?
Cookeville — A Wii for your teenager. Check. Golf clubs for hubby. Check. A nice, fuzzy robe and slippers for grandma. Done and done. But what do you buy for that best friend with eclectic taste or your sister who has two of absolutely everything?
Claire Murray Launches Signature Boutique Program
Claire Murray has introduced a new division of her company that will give existing retailers and new store owners the opportunity to carry her entire product line of hand-hooked rugs, home accessories and apparel. The new licensed stores will also be listed in Claire’s national magazine, La Vie Claire, as well as being featured on her website.
For several years Claire Murray has had hundreds of requests from across the country for opportunities to have a franchise store.
Compass Kidz Collect Treasure on a ‘Round the World Adventure
Fremont, CA – If you offered a 12-year-old a chest full of golden treasure and an open-ended ticket to travel around the world do you think they’d take it? An adventure where they would collect treasures from Italy, souvenirs from Mexico and meet kids from India, Egypt and China?
ChappyWrap Announces Participation in the January Atlanta Gift Show & February NYIGF
ChappyWrap has confirmed its participation in the Atlanta Gift Show, running January 11-15, 2008, at AmericasMart and The New York International Gift Fair, running February 2-6, 2008. ChappyWrap will be exhibiting their exciting new collection of whimsical jacquard woven throw blankets.
Luxuriously soft and warm, ChappyWraps are made of a plush high pile blend of 60% cotton and 40% acrylic yarns that are jacquard woven in a variety of reversible designs that convey messages of love, friendship and encouragement.
Season looks bright for smaller shops
Schodack-While many people say they are going to cut back on holiday shopping this year, local independent shop owners say they’re doing just fine.
“Percent-wise, we’re ahead of last year,” said Patti Varga, owner of Field Flowers Ltd., on Route 9 just north of the county line. “Some days are better than others, but sales are steady and we’re expecting a good holiday season.”
Ms.
Highway signage gets traffic into gift shop
Hurricane – Among the blue signs pointing travelers to the fast-food restaurants, gas stations, a motel and attractions at the Hurricane exit of Interstate 64 is a colorful and eye-catching sign that has nothing to do with filling up.
It cost Hager more than $3,000 — $1,200 for interstate signs and $2,000 for a three-year advertising contract.
Boutiques offer unique gift options for the hard-to-shop-for
It’s December again, time to begin the annual gift hunt for the in-laws, coworkers, neighbors, and friends. And many retailers or businesses that offer consumer services have gift guides to entice shoppers.
Finding the “perfect” gift for whoever is on your list may be daunting, but shoppers don’t have to resort to generic gifts. Experts recommend buying personalized, thoughtful and keepsake items.
In other words, buy a present that won’t end up collecting dust in the recipient’s closet.
“If it’s something really unique, they remember where they got it and who gave it to them …
Gift store opens next to Red Flower Barn
Friends and business partners Patricia Van Pelt and Jacqueline Parent have teamed up to open their first retail enterprise, Trail West Merchants at 350 North Tegner.
The 1000-square foot, completely remodeled store features an eclectic assortment of new, used, collectable, and antique merchandise.
Women’s western clothing and gift shop opens south of town
When in-laws get along, it’s wonderful. When they are best friends and business partners, it can mean a successful business and many years of being a close family.
Rodeo cowgirl Kaylie Tatum along with her mother-in-law Vicki Felder have teamed up to open a store featuring “fashionable apparel for women of the West.” One Trick Pony is located at 30358 U.S. Highway 60/89 next to Rustiques.
Tatum grew up in Durango, Colo., riding, roping, and racing barrels in rodeo competition. She is now a sponsored star on the professional circuit.
Hats Off to The T-Shirt Game; Buffalo Games Wins Greatest Product of 2007 iParenting Media Award
Buffalo, NY – Buffalo Games, makers of the The T-Shirt Game, has been granted an iParenting Media Award for Greatest Product of 2007. The T-Shirt Game is the fashionable party game “wear” funny matters. Players match ridiculous slogans to outrageous images on T-shirt shaped cards in hope of impressing a judge. Whether it’s funny, to the point, irrelevant, or irreverent, if the “judge” likes it, you win. Points are then awarded via “Hot or Not” cards, which also entertain with clever references to popular culture.
Merchants customize popular gift cards
For millions of U.S. consumers, gift cards are the perfect gift.
The National Retail Federation estimates that consumers will spend $26.3 billion on gift cards this holiday season, up 6 percent from last year.
The reason is simple, retailers and experts say. Gift cards are convenient for both the giver and the recipient.
“The big thing is convenience, and the person who gets it can actually buy what they want,” said Jorge Rico, store manager for Mervyns at Yarbrough Plaza. “We theme it that a gift card is always the right fit.
Queens Center has shoppers of many tongues – and translators to help ’em all
Shoppers at the Queens Center Mall speak in 150 languages – and merchants are trying to reach as many as they can by recruiting teams of people who can connect with them.
Queens Center is the only city megamall that offers translation services – with a core of full-time multilinguists and the ability to draw on dozens of mall employees who speak other languages.
“It’s important and very much needed, especially because of the cultural diversity of Queens,” said Dawn Simon, the mall’s marketing director.
“Over 150 languages are spoken here.
Merchants are luring locals with discounts & decorations
The holiday season is in full swing and Bronx shoppers who want to
Gift of giving to cost $724 this year
Canadians who shop on this side of the border will be doing more of it in large national chain stores, where they believe they will find better prices, more store staff and more convenient hours, a new survey says.
Altogether, Canadians said they plan to spend on average $724 on gifts this year, according to a survey conducted in October by Maritz Research.
Store owners plan to offer custom-blended skin-care products
The Villages — Ladies in The Villages will love this store. Well, you guys might like it, too.
How about custom-blended skin-care products designed to meet your individual skin needs and formulated in the store while you wait?
That’s what a Villages-based partnership plans to offer in a few weeks when it opens a Bonne Chimie retail skin-care products store in Spanish Springs Town Square.
“It’s such a unique concept and product line,” said Villager Austin Griffin, who, along with wife, Kim, and her sister and brother-in-law, Jill and Mike Baker, operate the new partnership.
Snowing Outside – Play Card Golf
Golfers are putting their clubs away a bit earlier than normal this year. But thanks to an indoor golf card game that no longer means golf season is over.
Card Golf is a custom deck of playing cards that allows golfers and non-golfers alike to enjoying the game of golf from anywhere, at anytime. The rules, the clubs, and even the world’s top courses have been condensed into a fun, easy-to-play and educational golf card game. It’s golf in a box!
NYC Mayor Proclaims “Home Textiles Market Weeks” For 2008
White Plains, NY – New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg has issued an official Mayoral Proclamation, declaring the two 2008 weeks – January 31-February 7, and August 14-21, – as “Home Textiles Market Week,” in New York City.
Artisan-Focused Seminar to Benefit Buyers at Beckman’s this January
Chicago – Buyers attending the Beckman’s Handcrafted Gift Show can take advantage of a Power Lunch seminar with a handcrafted and artisan focus on Monday, January 21, 2008 from noon to 1 p.m. The seminar, titled “How to Build Your Business through Handcrafted Product,” will be presented by Country Business editor Susan Wagner and will address the retailing needs of Beckman’s attendees.
“Retailers of handcrafted, artisan products have unique opportunities that they can take advantage of,” says Ann Fruland, director of marketing for The Chicago Market: Living and Giving.