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New York Gift Cash and Carry Show Offers Expedient Merchandising Opportunity
White Plains, NY – The Best New Product Awards competition at the National Stationery Show (NSS) will expand in 2008, as an eco-friendly Think Green counterpart is added to each of the six defined categories. The Think Green equivalent to the Desk Accessories, Lifestyle/Specialty Gift, Luxury, Paper Craft/Scrapbooking, Party and Social Stationery categories will recognize exhibiting companies that exemplify ingenuity with earth-friendly products. A total of 13 Awards – including the coveted Delegates’ Choice Award – will be presented during NSS, May 18-21, at New York City’s Jacob K.
There’s plenty of Cleveland-area places to buy all things Irish
As Marcel Proust with his madeleine knew, a taste of the past — literally — is a powerful thing. For more than 50 years, tastes and treats from long ago and across the ocean have made Gaelic Imports food and gift shop in Cleveland a top destination with Irish, Scottish, Welsh and British expats.
“About 60 percent of my customers are expats,” says Jim Henderson, who has owned the import store with his wife for the last decade, and who moved to the United States from Scotland with his family when he was 10.
Whether At Gap, Kohl’s Or Nordstrom, Women Cut Back First
The Commerce Department says consumer spending, once tweaked to take out the effect of inflation, was flat in January–just as it was in December.
And, while this probably won’t come as news to the many apparel companies reporting sales declines recently, it appears women are cutting back on their spending before men, reports TNS Retail Forward, a retail consulting company based in Columbus, Ohio.
In its most recent ShopperScape survey, “women are planning to edge back a little bit more than men,” says Mandy Putnam, VP at Retail Forward.
St. Patrick’s Day Spending Dips as Holiday Falls During Holy Week
Washington – The luck of the Irish has not been extended to St. Patrick’s Day this year as a calendar shift is likely to hamper spending. According to the National Retail Federation’s 2008 St. Patrick’s Day Consumer Intentions and Actions survey, conducted by BIGresearch, consumers will spend an estimated $3.64 billion on St. Patrick’s Day, less than last year’s $3.76 billion.
Though the average person will spend slightly more on the holiday than they did last year ($35.04 vs. $34.89), fewer people will be celebrating this year (46.0% in 2008 vs. 48.3% in 2007).
Retailers tighten rules on returns
No, you’re not imagining it: In the past two holiday seasons, retailers have imposed stricter return policies. Among those surveyed by the National Retail Federation, about 40 percent said they had tightened the rules covering what merchandise they’ll take back, and under which conditions.
Keep that in mind if you’re still dithering about whether to keep that hot pink sweater or iPod you got as a gift. Time might be running out to get an exchange, much less a refund.
Home Decor Store Opens on Eagle Street
North Adams – There’s one word patrons to the new A & M Home Decor have been using since the store had its soft opening a week ago.
“I keep hearing the word ‘unique,’ which is exactly what I’m looking for,” said owner and operator Alan Richards at the Eagle Street store on Thursday.
“The style is pretty diverse and that’s the way I want to keep it. I don’t want to get stuck on one theme,” Richards added.
A & M, whose grand opening was scheduled this weekend, hopes to be a destination store for locals who are looking to find that truly perfect gift.
Retailer has to shift gears
Greendale – After more than a decade of playing in the big leagues of mall retail, Craig Runkel is trying to stay in business by becoming a little guy.
Runkel owns Runkel Bros. American Garage, a small shop at Southridge Mall, where he sells products that appeal to auto buffs and NASCAR enthusiasts: clothing, wall signs, die-cast cars and logo accessories.
He has a “going out of business” sign on the storefront, but he hopes to stay if he can persuade the mall to reduce his rent – which he says is now about $12,000 a month – to an amount that he can afford to pay.
E-commerce sales rise 19% last year in U.S.
Online retail sales continued to far outpace overall retail sales in the U.S. last year, the U.S. Department of Commerce reports. Retail e-commerce sales grew 19% to $136.4 billion, up from $114.62 billion in 2006, as overall retail sales increased 4%, it says.
Retail e-commerce also accounted for a rising percentage of total U.S.
For cool gifts, visit museum shops inside-the-perimeter
T-shirts, mugs and books are staples of museum shops, but you can find so much more.
These 10 shops inside the Perimeter offer unexpectedly wacky, fun or elegant items for gift-giving — or for yourself.
High Museum of Art
As expected of an art museum, the High Museum’s shop is high-class.
From the Eiffel Tower purse ($280) to one-of-a-kind clocks made out of antique cameras ($150-$250), to “High-tini” glasses that include a recipe ($13.95), this is the place for elegant gifts.
If your budget’s a bit slimmer, it also has Italian marbles, swirling with color ($2.50 each
Chinatown shop puts ‘Old World’ into ours
To speak with Chinatown retailers Michael Bennett and Daniel Poulin is to learn in equal measure about commerce and community, “them” and “us.”
On the occasion of the fifth anniversary of the launch of their Peking Lounge furniture and furnishings store on East Pender, the two men last week reviewed what they now know that they didn’t know in the beginning.
They now know that historic Chinatown is much missed by those of us who remember when.
They know that more and more of us are asking that the additions to our interior spaces demonstrate more story than style.
They know that some
Disabled workers find comfort with job
Schenectady — A mental disability can be the loneliest place of all.
It can be so isolating that Emily Friedman looks forward to just exchanging casual hellos.
“Being around people is really a nice thing,” she said. “At this point for me right now, it’s very special.” Friedman has just moved into her own apartment in Schenectady. Although she is finally living independently, the little moments when she gets to interact with someone are now precious.
So she volunteered to run Innovations, the Schenectady Museum’s gift shop on the Jay Street walkway.
GV Arts & Crafts Festival offers unique gifts
A wide array of arts and crafts by some of Green Valley’s most talented artisans will be on display and for sale Friday and Saturday, March 7-8 at The Green Valley Arts & Crafts Festival 2008 at the West Center.
The festival, sponsored by the Green Valley Arts & Crafts Association runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Village Walk residents can find gifts galore at new Country Store
Village Walk’s Town Center Ballroom is transformed into the Country Store each month.
Inside the ballroom, the community’s artists, jewelry designers and crafters take over by selling their creations.
“They’re all our residents,” said Elaine Rumble, Village Walk’s activities director.
Proposed law would mandate minimum two-year life on gift cards
Columbus, Ohio — People who misplace gift cards or don’t use them right away would not have to worry about them expiring for two years under a bill that would require that minimum life for the cards.
The measure, which passed the Senate in June, also would prevent retailers from charging fees that reduce the value of the cards during that time.
Sen.
Spending Flat as Inflation Persists
Consumer spending, which accounts for more than two-thirds of gross domestic product, was flat in January for the second month in a row, when adjusted for inflation, the Commerce Department said on Friday. Other reports showed a decline in consumer confidence and diminished business activity in the Midwest.
Investors absorbed the economic data and pushed stocks lower on negative news from the American International Group, Dell and Sprint Nextel.
The Dow Jones industrials closed down 315.79, or 2.5 percent.
Roman Inc. Is Very Engaged in the Wedding Market
Well established as the country’s most important resource for Christian and Christmas merchandise, Roman, Inc. is successfully wooing the wedding market with a wide range of related products.
High on the list is the “Language of Love” series of giftware and accessories designed by Gina Freehill. It includes the ornament “Our first Christmas Together.” Suggested Retail: $9.00. Also in the line is a Vertical/Horizontal Photo Frame that holds a 5″x7″photo.
Joyce Kesler Named Executive Vice President And General Manager of Farcountries.com
NEW YORK, NY – Joyce E. Kesler has been named to head FarCountries.com, the leading online wholesaler of giftware and home accent products. Kesler has worked for the company since 2000 and has been deeply involved in all aspects of the company’sdevelopment with specific emphasis on sourcing distinctivemerchandise.
National Stationery Show Expands Best New Product Competition to Include Think Green Categories
White Plains, NY – Seven New England retailers – each exemplifying outstanding customer service, creative merchandising and dedication to their community – have been named finalists for the 2008 Pride of New England Awards. Presented each spring by the Boston Gift Show, the coveted Awards celebrate both exceptional business practices and demonstration of New England pride.
GiftLogic now able to integrate with QuickBooks Accounting
Englewood, FL – Merry Mechanization, Inc., the creators of GiftLogic, have released a new version of their POS software, and it includes what customers and prospects have been asking about. The latest enhancement to the product is QuickBooks Accounting integration with the click of one button.
The new version of the software now makes it easier than ever to send information directly to QuickBooks Accounting at the end of each day.
Manual Woodworkers & Weavers Inc. Introduces Ebony Art Closet
Hendersonville, NC – Manual Woodworkers & Weavers, Inc. introduces Ebony Art Closet, the company’s first African American home decor catalog.
Recognizing a rising demand for African American products, Manual took the initiative to create relevant and inspirational home decor pieces designed by today’s most prominent and influential artists in the black community.