Archives: News
High IntenCity Introduces Pre-made Gift Sets
High IntenCity’s original, interchangeable, charm jewelry program, CHARM IT!, introduces pre-made gift sets to the brand. CHARM IT! welcomes girls to the endless and exciting world of charms – all with a simple snap of a clasp. The new pre-made gift sets allow girls to create their own bracelet with a selection of themed charms.
Gift sets are packaged in a rainbow-striped box that doubles as a keepsake with a velvet insert and magnetic closure. A CHARM IT!
GHTA to Host Industry’s First Ever ‘Unconference’
The Gift and Home Trade Association, the industry’s non-profit professional trade association, announces that it will host the industry’s first ever “Unconference” one day prior to the association’s 2007 Annual Conference in La Jolla. Unlike a traditional conference, an Unconference is comprised of sessions where the content is created and driven by the participants.
Manual Woodworkers & Weavers Inc. Receives PIAS Graphics Award
Hendersonville, NC – Manual Woodworkers & Weavers, Inc, receives the “Best of Category” graphics award from the Printing Industry Association of the South (PIAS) for the Spring 2007 Collection catalog.
Scriptina or Monterey? Version one or version three?
Acclaimed Artist, Gina Freehill, Joins Roman, Inc. First Line is “Peace by Piece”
Internationally famous artist Gina Freehill has signed an agreement to design lines of giftware and decorative accessories for Roman, Inc. The first of these is “Piece by Peace.”
Capturing the universal desire for love and piece, each item in the collection features designs expressing unity and compassion.
Tips from Tiffany’s
In the world of retailing, few items are as recognizable as the turquoise Tiffany box wrapped in a white satin bow. And — not coincidentally — even fewer American companies have enjoyed close to two centuries worth of growth and appeal as this venerable New York institution.
Tiffany has survived and prospered because its management always welcomed new talent, trends and marketing techniques.
Field of Flowers’ business blooms
Donn Flipse learned the floral business from the floor up.
“From the age of 8, I started helping around the holidays, sweeping up floors,” says Flipse, a third generation florist. “When I got out of [Dartmouth] college, I joined the family business full time.”
The family business was The Exotic Gardens founded by Flipse’s Scottish grandfather, Jimmy Donn, in 1914. The business was sold in 1989. In 1990 Donn Flipse founded Field of Flowers, billed it as a “fresh flower supermarket,” and expanded it to three South Florida stores.
Costco will reshape Lakewood Center
Lakewood – In what may become a growing business paradigm for regional shopping centers across the nation, Costco announced Monday its plans to take over the former Macy’s retail space at Lakewood Center.
When the 159,000-square-foot wholesale store with gas station opens in fall 2008, the Costco in Lakewood will be the first in Southern California to be attached to a shopping mall.
“I think it’s going to create a retail powerhouse here that will be unparalleled” in the Los Angeles area, said Skip Kuhn, vice president of development at Macerich Co., which owns Lakewood Center.
Officia
Electra woman restores building, opens shop
Electra – Saving the past is a key to Electra’s future, said resident Janice Cranford.
That’s why she’s dedicated herself to restoring the old First National Bank building in downtown Electra.
“I’m probably one of the biggest optimists there is,” she said about the restoration project. “If you tell me I can’t do something, I’m more determined to do it.”
Jeweled purses, interesting lamps and other decorative items can be found at Antique Emporium along with new and antique furniture and paintings by famous artists.
Analysts Foresee So-So Holiday Sales Season
Holiday spending may mirror back-to-school trends, surging late in the season.
“This holiday will not be that bad for fashion,” said Marshal Cohen, chief retail strategist at The NPD Group.
A business blossoms in Wartrace
Emma Goldman had the right idea when she said, “I’d rather have roses on my table than diamonds on my neck.”
Everyone knows that flowers are a great way to say “I love you,” but little do people realize that when they send flowers to their loved ones they are really sending two presents: one, the flowers themselves and two, the surprise of receiving such a beautiful thing.
Whether they are sent incognito or with a name in large, bold capital letters, you can be sure that the person on the receiving end will appreciate the thoughtfulness just as much, if not more, as the beautiful bouque
‘A phenomenal deal’ New owner pays $1.3 million to purchase Portage Square Plaza
Wooster — A 33-year-old entrepreneur who started with a downtown gift shop has purchased nearly half of the shopping center along Portage Road incorrectly referred to as Hawkins plaza.
Jason Carrick purchased the building on the west end of the Portage Square Plaza from Earl Hawkins for $1.3 million.
Carrick has more than 50,000 square feet of retail space, which houses two of his four stores — Everything Surplus and Clothing Warehouse, Goodwill Industries’ thrift store and Dave’s Barber Shop.
Ex*Tracts Winter 2008 Date & Location Changes Announced
White Plains, NY – George Little Management, LLC (GLM) has announced that the Winter 2008 edition of EX*TRACTS: New discoveries in beauty and wellness, will run Saturday, February 2, through Wednesday, February 6, 2008, at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. According to GLM this one-time shift – to Saturday-Wednesday from its traditional Sunday-Wednesday date pattern – was necessitated by venue availability in New York City.
EX*TRACTS: New discoveries in beauty and wellness
February 2-6, 2008
Jacob K.
Big Change in Store for Ex*Tracts in 2008
White Plains, NY – Following over a decade of growth, EX*TRACTS: New discoveries in beauty and wellness, will double in size to feature 150 companies when it returns to New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in February 2008.
American consumers are cutting back
New York — After months of speculation about how long American consumers can stay resilient to housing and credit woes, economists said Friday that last month’s retail sales weakness shows households are rethinking their spending habits.
The Commerce Department reported that total retail sales last month rose 0.3 percent, short of economists’ forecasts of a 0.5 percent rise.
Reserve shop adds local flair
Until this summer, flavored sticks of candy were the best-selling item at the Vancouver National Historic Reserve’s gift shop. That’s because the offerings there were limited.
Now the shop features racks of historical and locally themed books, apparel sporting the reserve’s logo and local food products beyond simple sugar treats.
Consumers could face higher toy prices
New York — Someone is going to have to pay all the extra costs of making toys safer.
For now, toy makers and retailers are sharing the burden, but that’s only expected to last until the holiday season.
Exciting Developments Planned for NYIGF in 2008
White Plains, NY – The vibrancy of the New York International Gift Fair (NYIGF) will increase exponentially with exciting developments in every division and at all locations – including the launch of STUDIOtm, a new lifestyle division at Pier 92, incorporation of EX*TRACTS: New discoveries in beauty and wellness into the Javits Center, expansion of New York’s Newest at the Metropolitan Pavilion and Personal Accessories featuring Details at the Javits Center, and refinements to Accent on Design, At Home, General Gift, Handmade and Tabletop & Housewares.
China to Ban Lead Paint in Toys
Responding to a public uproar over a rash of recalls, U.S. and Chinese regulators moved to ban the use of lead paint in toys and promised changes to the way Chinese imports to the U.S. are scrutinized for safety compliance.
But neither government offered many details about how such a ban would be enforced.
Web Stores Tap Product Reviews
Retailers have long admired Web pioneer Amazon.com Inc.’s product reviews — in which consumers rate books and other products — for the way they help persuade shoppers to make online purchases.
Now, other companies are tapping new technology that generates similar product ratings and reviews specific to their own Web stores. Early last year, Bass Pro Shops, an outdoor gear retailer, began displaying product ratings and reviews using an online-software service from a company called Bazaarvoice Inc.
Anita Roddick: A life in business
Dame Anita Roddick, who died last night aged 64, garnered a formidable reputation as a successful businesswoman and entrepreneur as well as an environmental campaigner.
She opened her first shop in Littlehampton, West Sussex, in 1976, financed by a £4,000 bank loan while still looking after two young daughters.
Famously, this humble first Body Shop sold only 15 cruelty-free beauty products.
Success quickly followed — a second store was opened, thanks to the sale of a 22 per cent stake in the firm to Ian McGlinn, a West Sussex garage owner.Related Links
By the time Dame Anita’