Archives: News
Small Businesses (and Their Customers) Feel Sting of Inflation
The electricity for the lights at the 3,200-square-foot store costs more than it did a year ago. So does the fuel for deliveries. Mr. Roesner says he has been spending more of his time lately trying to figure out the most efficient delivery routes. Then, there are the ever-rising costs for horse and bird feed, shelled corn and fertilizer.
OneCoast and Arthur Lauer Announce Unique Drop Ship Program
OneCoast, the largest and only national provider of sales and marketing services to vendors and retailers of home decor, gift and collegiate products, announced a unique drop-ship program with Arthur Lauer, a manufacturer of luxury outdoor furniture for 25 years.
With the Arthur Lauer Drop Shop Program, retailers can order beautiful outdoor living furniture for their customers directly from the OneCoast website, without having to pay inventory costs up front.
Wake up to a Brighter Day with Clocks, etc. by Paper Scissors Rock
Olympia, WA – With the economic downturn, many shoppers assume artful hand-made gifts are not in their budget. But Mixed media artist and clockmaker Pam Corwin offers an affordable option with her imaginative, whimsical clocks. And her business is soaring this year.
Corwin’s new clocks are a delight to behold, with charming images and surprising mechanisms.
Gas prices slow El Paso retail sales, consumer spending
Record-high gasoline prices are putting a damper on consumer spending, a leading national retail organization reported Tuesday.
El Paso retailers are also saying that they’re starting to feel the pinch after seeming to be immune to economic pressures for much of the year.
The International Council of Shopping Centers reported that chain-store sales for the week ended May 17 were down 0.4 percent compared with the previous week, but were up 1.6 percent compared with the same period in 2007.
Ever-rising gasoline prices have become an “increasing drag” on consumer spending and retail sal
New shops ready for spring
Retailers are voting with their future and opening up new businesses in Ledbury.
At least five new businesses have either opened or are set to open in town this spring.
This is despite international fears over the credit crunch and earlier local concerns over the impact of mains water repairs in the town centre.
Most of the retailers setting up stall in Ledbury say it is a big vote of confidence in the market town.
Fashion Giant Austin Reed opened the “CC” boutique in the former tourist information centre on May 16.
Austin Reed spokesperson, Amanda Macleod Smith, said it was the s
Independent Shops to Close
A city street known for its independently-owned shops is due to lose some of them because of the tough trading climate, according to retailers.
At least three shops in Fore Street, Exeter, are due to close down in the next few months, with proprietors citing difficult trading conditions as the main reason for their departures. But one trader says she has heard rumours that up to seven retailers are due to go.
The closures come despite efforts two years ago to rebrand the area and surrounding streets as Exeter’s West Quarter.
Midwest goes wild with Wonderful, Wacky, Women
Cannon Falls, MN – Midwest, leading designer and manufacturer of the Seasons of Cannon Falls brand of innovative holiday, home, garden and gift products, has signed an exclusive licensing agreement with nationally known artist and author Suzy Toronto. This new license allows Midwest to bring independent retailers a collection of uplifting, humorous gift and home decor formats featuring Toronto’s well-known Wonderful Wacky Women artwork and poetry.
NSS Nominates MAIZURU for Best New Product Display
MAIZURU, a new brand of locally made “eco-luxury” social stationery will debut at the “esteemed” New Product Display of the annual National Stationery Show (NSS) scheduled for May 18 – 21 at New York’s Jacob Javits Convention Center.
The Japanese-inspired line features perfect color combinations, defined motifs, and timeless designs. The signature motif of MAIZURU — the Tsuru also known as the crane—is the work of couture designer Kazu Huggler and it permeates the entire collection.
Tight economy can’t stop business owner from giving back
Shrewsbury, Mass. – Charitable giving often takes a hit in a tight economy as businesses of all sizes try to deal with shrinking profits and tough decisions. For small business owners, this reality is even greater and charitable giving often ends up an after thought as they struggle just to stay afloat.
iota Joins Forces with C.R. Gibson
Basalt, Colo. — Basalt, Colorado-based iota and C.R. Gibson, LLC (Nashville, Tenn.) announced iota’s business and assets have been acquired by C.R. Gibson, an affiliated company of CSS Industries, Inc.(NYSE: CSS).
A leading designer of stationery essentials such as notecards, gift wrap and notebooks, iota will continue to conduct business under its own strong brand name and will be able to devote increased resources to disseminating the signature iota patterns on more formats and more products in the marketplace.
Bazura bag collections help women’s co-op, environment
Peterborough, Ontario – Bazura Biz, a Canadian company that designs and sells stylish and eco-friendly bags and accessories, is helping sustain a Women’s Co-Op in the Philippines that makes the majority of their products with exciting new line extensions.
Twinkle in Grandma’s eye inspires book series
Fairfax, VA – Stories passed one from generation to generation are treasured by a few lucky souls. In Virginia, two granddaughters decided to bring their Nana’s charming story character, Nana Star, to life with a picture book series lovingly illustrated, written and published by three generations.
Grandmother Elizabeth Owens, matriarch of the family, created the character Nana Star out of a great love for her little grandson, Vance, with a desire to give him sense of home wherever he was.
National Stationery Show names Best New Product Award winners
New York, NY – The addition of “Think Green” categories to the Best New Product Awards competition at the National Stationery Show propelled the contest to a new level, as judges reviewed a record-breaking 375 new products to select 13 winners, Sunday, May 18, at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. The coveted Awards are presented in 12 categories and are considered a top honor within the social stationery industry.
Winners of the 12th annual Best New Product Awards are:
Portico Spa Scheduled to Re-Launch in 2009
New York, NY – Portico Home + Spa announces its re-emergence in early 2009 redefining the brand in an eco-conscious direction. Portico Spa will offer a reformulated bath and body collection developed to help integrate green concepts into a daily grooming routine, while Portico Home will offer products including home textiles and furnishings that are environmentally sustainable and of the highest quality.
Combining science with social responsibility, the Portico Spa collection has been developed to both pamper and protect.
Tax Rebate Checks Going Towards Necessities
About $42 billion in tax rebate checks should start hitting the mail this week. The checks are intended to stimulate the economy. Whether they do that or not remains to be seen; many families say the checks will go toward paying for such basic necessities as groceries and gas, both setting new price records almost daily.
The tax rebates — ranging from $300 to $600, or up to $1,200 for married couples who file jointly — will be available to some direct-deposit taxpayers as early as today, though checks by mail will take longer.
New reason to shop until you drop — updated plaza
After nearly two years of demolition, construction and soft store openings, Orlando’s Prime Outlets-International is finally ready for prime time.
The outlet center on the north end of International Drive will officially unveil itself to the public Memorial Day weekend.
North Aire Market wins Best New Food for Bananas Foster Mix
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – A flavored mix developed to be added to cream cheese and served in a variety of unique ways was selected as the Best New Food Product at the 20th Annual Specialty Coffee Association show in Minneapolis in May. The winning mix, which takes it’s name and flavor profile from the beloved supper club dessert created in New Orleans, is a blend of banana, butter, brown sugar, warm spices and rum flavorings.
In these difficult economic times, North Aire Market has been able to increase revenues through the introduction of innovative products.
Gift bags for out-of-town wedding guests have local favor
Brides and their families who are too overwhelmed with wedding planning to even focus on making up those cute welcome bags left for guests at the host hotel, have a friend in Jane Van Eaton.
Van Eaton creates “hospitality” or “welcome” bags full of snacks, cookies, chips, bottled water, maps and wedding event itineraries for out-of-town wedding guests through her company, Bags by Janie Girl. Bags are customized to the bride’s specifications, including color and size, and items for the bags.
Power Shopping: Lunch hour retail therapy
Visit any mall or boutique around noon — in the city or suburbs — and you will see determined people who shop during their lunch hours.
It’s a 60-minute drill perfected after years of practice. They know where to park, what coupons to bring and exactly what they must buy to earn another cosmetic gift bag despite their overflowing makeup drawers.
“Location, price and convenience are important factors,” said lunchtime shopper Koreen Wood, 35. “How quickly you can get in and out. The store can’t be too busy.
Unflagging whimsy
For more than 26 years, Poppy has been providing its customers with unique, contemporary fine art.
The specialty fine arts shop at 920 E. Broadway showcases the handmade creations of more than 200 artists from all over the country.