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Analysts expect May sales decline
New York (AP) — The weather has finally thawed, so what about the icy grip consumers have kept on their wallets?
Thursday’s retail sales numbers for May will offer insight into whether an uptick in consumer confidence translated into actual spending, as rising unemployment and tumbling home prices continued to weigh on consumers.
Consumer confidence has surged this spring. In May, the Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index rose to its highest level since September, following a big gain in April.
Tough Economy Brings More Of The Same For Dad: Ties, Gift Cards And Lots Of Love, According To NRF
Washington, DC – During a thriving economy or a global recession one thing remains true for dear old dad when it comes to Father’s Day: Dinner and neckties. According to the National Retail Federation’s 2009 Father’s Day Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey, conducted by BIGresearch, Americans are expected to spend an average of $90.89 on gifts for dad, down slightly from $94.54 last year.
Build-A-Bear is hands-on in kids’ real and virtual worlds
Build-A-Bear Workshop has spent years studying how its young customers play. When it noticed that its tech-savvy pre-teen customers were as content to play in the virtual world as the real one, the company created an online experience designed to feed off and enhance the in-store experience.
“Kids today move seamlessly between online and real-world play,” says Dave Finnegan, Build-A-Bear Workshop’s chief information and logistics bear. “We’re already an interactive brand and a place where kids use their imagination, creativity and self-expression to have fun.
Summer 2009 Edition of the Seattle Gift Show
Seattle, Washington — From August 22 – 25 Seattle is the city of good shopping, good ideas and even better deals. That’s because the summer edition of the semi-annualSeattle Gift Show will bring nearly 500 exhibiting companies and 8,000 retail buyers to the Washington State Convention & Trade Center, promising to keep you sleepless in Seattle as you navigate the aisles sourcing the best in everything the Northwest has to offer.
Alexa’s Angels Inspires Town to “Pass On the Positive”
Windsor, CO — Alexa’s Angels, a Windsor-based inspirational gift jewelry manufacturer known for its high quality, original designs, recently held a unique event designed to help fellow residents honor the anniversary of a devastating tornado that ripped through their town one year ago on May 22nd 2008. The company hosted a “Pass on the Positive” food drive and handed out newly designed bracelets featuring the word “positivity” in exchange for a non-perishable food donation.
New York Gift and Home Textiles Market Week at 7W New York
New York, NY – 7 W New York will heat things up this summer during the New York Gift & Home Textiles Market Week (August 14-20). 7 W’s all-star line up of showrooms will be ready for attendees with brand new offerings and events. In addition, 7 W plans on enhancing this year’s market by embracing all aspects of the gift and home textiles industry including fine arts – a category that greatly influences trends in the design industry.
Meet Your Merchant: Quite the novel shop
Kit Hattem gets a little nervous when she looks at her bedside table and doesn’t see a stack of books. Fortunately, the owner of The Book Seller in downtown Grass Valley doesn’t have to look far to keep that table stacked to the lamp-top and beyond.
Hattem purchased The Book Seller from Nancy Rains in 1985, after working for her almost nine years. “I’ve been around the store for a long time and have seen a lot of changes,” said Hattem. “I was actually with Nancy when she started it. I was busy having kids at the time and really didn’t want to jump in with both feet yet.
Scandle® Body Candle Announces Affiliate Program
Dallas, TX – Scandle® LLC, the leading manufacturer and wholesaler of the finest quality massage candles and complimentary spa products, today announced The Scandle® Body Candle Affiliate Program which allows retailers to make money selling Scandle’s unique line of spa candles and spa products utilizing their existing online traffic.
New members can sign up and obtain their unique URL for Scandle’s affiliate program at http://abodycandle.com/affiliate.php.
Economic downturn makes finding summer jobs tough for teens
It’s a tough time to find a job.
Now imagine trying to land one if your only “work experience” is household chores or baby-sitting.
“I applied to like 20 places, and the only thing I got was a job at Hollister for four hours a week,” said Vanessa Royle, 17, a senior at Presentation High School in San Jose. “I went into Jamba Juice and it was all adults.”
As of April, the national unemployment rate is 8.9 percent.
Economy suspected in shoplifting increases
A 31-year-old woman selected two pairs of shoes worth $100, hid them, and tried to walk out of a West Valley City J.C. Penney.
In a Taylorsville Harmon’s, a 24-year-old man stuffed strawberry milk, vanilla pudding and salmon rolls into his coat and ran before he was caught.
Female artists find financial strength in numbers, open shop
It is a match made nearly perfect by their creativity, experience and adventure.
Twelve area women have teamed up to open Inspirational Cup and Gift Gallery, an arts and crafts shop located at 2724 Brady St., Davenport.
Each woman has her own story of how she ended up as part of this unique business partnership. But for most, the love of their craft and the necessities of life played a role, said Diane Michele Wall, who serves as business manager and is owner of the house.
Accents makes the move from Freeborn to Alden
Alden — Jolene Bute recently moved her flower and gift shop Accents to Alden from Freeborn, and the new shop opened Dec. 13, 2008.
The biggest difference, Bute said, has been the traffic flow, which she said is much greater in Alden than in Freeborn and leads to more walk in- customers.
“We’re just so much more conveniently located.
Deborah Ann’s Rainbow SCORES a win in Dennisport
Dennisport – Debbie Hagen never set out to build a better mousetrap.
But on June 2, the owner of Deborah Ann’s Rainbow in Dennisport will be among 15 Cape business owners honored by SCORE for, “having survived the critical first five years of operation and appear to be headed for long-term success.”
Seven years ago the Boston-born nurse who grew up in Provincetown and now lives in Chatham made a life change.
SF Int’l Gift Fair Announces Seminars and Plans for Summer
San Francisco, CA: Generations of people have left their heart here. This summer, however, lucky attendees to the San Francisco International Gift Fair® (www.sfigf.com), August 8—11 at the Moscone Convention Center, will leave with an education and just possibly an online video to share with the blogosphere.
“Like other industries, the gift industry is increasingly competitive,” said Aubin Wilson, show director, San Francisco International Gift Fair.
Exciting NYIGF Promotion Offers Mets Tickets
White Plains, NY — Four lucky retailers will win tickets to see the New York Mets play in their inaugural baseball season at the all-new Citi Field during the summer 2009 New York International Gift Fair® (NYIGF®), which runs Saturday, August 15, through Thursday, August 20, at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center and Passenger Ship Terminal Pier 94.
Through NYIGF’s “Take Me Out to the Ball Game!” promotion, two retailers will be selected at random to win two free tickets each to the Mets’ Monday, August 17, game against the San Francisco Giants.
Elmore shop gets new look
Elmore — For years, the Red, White, and Blue gift shop has been a mainstay in Elmore.
Recently, owner Joanne Price decided to take the shop in a different direction, so she closed the store for a few months over the winter. She reopened this spring with a whole new look and a whole new purpose.
Price has scaled back on some of her own stock and is instead featuring the merchandise of local people who rent space in her store.
“We have eight consignment people,” she said. “We redid the shop and put in booth spaces that people rent from us.
Retail Details – New store satisfies cupcake cravings
Need to satisfy a sweet tooth this weekend? It’s a piece of cake.
A cupcake, that is.
Coastal Cupcakes, which has been selling its confections on Princess Street in downtown Wilmington since last July, has opened a second location just before the bridge to Wrightsville Beach at 7210 Wrightsville Ave. The new shop, up and running since May 21, has its official grand opening on Saturday.
Starting at noon, drop by for cooking demonstrations, giveaways, samples and a kids’ decorating table.
Mirror, Mirror: A store of his own
There is no way you can make the fashion rounds in this town and not know Jimmy Contreras.
The quick-to-call-you-babe self-made style arbiter built his reputation in contemporary fashion by attending the city’s chicest events. At the grand opening of the Union Trust steak house, he was there. The welcome party for Phillies pitcher Cole Hamels at Two Liberty Place? He was there, too. At the opening event for the Franklin Institute’s Galileo display?
GIFT SHOP Magazine announces successful completion of 2009 ‘Ultimate Makeover’
Hanover, Mass. – GIFT SHOP magazine is proud to announce that Mary Louise Van Der Wilden, owner of Le Papillon—Accessories, Clothing & Gifts in Rumson, NJ, is the recipient of its 2009 ‘Ultimate Makeover.’
Roberta King, territory manager for OneCoast, nominated Van Der Wilden for several reasons. “This store has been in business for many years, owned by Mary Louise and her husband. When he passed away a few years back she rose to the occasion and with her strength, kept it going.
Blossom Bucket, Inc. enhances online experience
North Lawrence, Ohio – Blossom Bucket, Inc. announces the addition several new features and enhancements at their website, BlossomBucket.com.
“Customer satisfaction is always our first priority at Blossom Bucket, Inc.,” says President Cindy Lowry, “and good communication is a key element for success.