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Retailers Look to Last-Minute Shopping
New York (AP) — Despite generous discounting and expanded shopping hours earlier in the season, many stores are finding themselves in the same predicament as in recent years: waiting for those last-minute shoppers in the final days before Christmas who seem to be procrastinating even more than a year ago.
Based on early reports from analysts and malls, sales results were generally unimpressive this past weekend, as shoppers were held back by a snow storm that spread a mix of sleet, freezing rain and snow from the Great Lakes states to New England.
Gift Cards: Easy buy becomes personal
If you receive a gift card this holiday season, don’t be surprised if it lights up, sings to you, has a familiar face on it or smells like gingerbread when you scratch it.
Those are some of the new features on gift cards this year offered by retailers including Target, Borders and American Eagle Outfitters.
“They are whimsical and fun,” said Borders spokeswoman Ann Binkley of the gift cards the Ann Arbor-based bookseller is offering.
Retailers Face an Ominous Holiday Sign
Sales of women’s clothing, a traditional pillar of the holiday shopping season, are unusually bleak so far this year, according to a major credit card company, an ominous sign for the retail industry.
From high-end dresses to bargain coats, spending on women’s apparel dropped nearly 6 percent during the first half of the Christmas season, compared with the same period last year, according to MasterCard Advisors, a division of the credit card company.
Analysts blamed a rough economy, which has discouraged women — and mothers, in particular — from splurging on clothing for the
Holiday shoppers flood stores
Grand Chute — As shoppers slide into the final stretch before Christmas, store fliers tout “last-minute gifts.”
For some, however, it isn’t last minute at all. With a full week left, it’s just the beginning of their buying sprees.
“I just started shopping,” said Mow Lee of Green Bay, as she stepped into the Fox River Mall on Saturday afternoon.
“We’re busy most of the time,” said her husband Phia Thao on their late start.
Friends find common business ground
Elgin — Three women, pals for years, never dreamed that their paths would cross in the business world.
A few things needed to fall in place before each would become separate entrepreneurs in downtown Elgin.
Retailers bump up lures to shoppers
With 10 days left until Christmas, many people still haven’t finished their shopping.
Small Shops See Smallness as Their Big Selling Point
Predictions of a weak holiday shopping season have led the big department stores to slash prices and stretch their advertising budgets. But most small retailers, which cannot afford either the price cuts or the expensive advertising, are doing something else this year: making a virtue of their size.
Gregory Choron, for instance, the owner of Merry Go Round Toys, a small retailer in New Rochelle, N.Y., is relying on his ability to glean intelligence quickly about what customers want and then order products for delivery practically the next day.
Small Talk: Independent shops setting themselves apart
Kids Country Toys owner Jerry Strick, who has been in business 35 years, uses services that super chains such as Wal-Mart and Toys “R” Us don’t provide – such as assembling toys for free – to draw customers to his store. And, since he is an independent, in Charleston, W.Va., he will carry toy brands that the big chains aren’t interested in but that customers want.
At Jeff Cassels’ jewelry store, falling real estate values and rising gold prices are more than news headlines – they are contributors to an uncertain holiday season.
California Gift Show Launches Eco-Earth Conscious Options
White Plains, NY – In response to market demand, the California Gift Show will launch ECO – Earth Conscious Optionstm, as a category for identifying eco-friendly and fair trade product, January 18-21, 2008, at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
The ECO umbrella will include green, sustainable, biodegradable, organic, recycled/reclaimed and fair trade products. Companies that donate a portion of their proceeds to charities promoting humanitarian and/or sustainable efforts also will be included.
Mud Pie Debuts Gift Collection for Graduates
Tucker, Ga. – Just as “Pomp and Circumstance” is the graduation song, The Graduate is the gift collection for 2008 grads. Mud Pie, an award-winning international gift company, offers a first-of-its-kind gift collection featuring Class of ’08-themed products.
The Graduate collection includes stationery, twill frames, fleece blankets, memo boards and more that are sure to be favorites among both gift-givers and recipients this year.
Gently Spoken introduces SproutUps! Greeting Cards
Anoka, Minn. – Gently Spoken, a leading publishing company dedicated to providing a source of encouragement and inspiration, introduces SproutUps!, a new line of art greeting cards with a sturdy easel back for beautiful display. Straight from the pages of the firm’s ever-popular Eat Your Peas gift books comes a fresh way to affirm and encourage friends and loved ones.
Cheryl Karpen, owner and founder of Gently Spoken, put her own creative spin on the new line of greeting cards.
U.S. luxury chain stores expect bleak holiday sales
Tiffany, Nordstrom and Coach may see December sales growth slow in what the National Retail Federation is predicting will be the worst U.S.
Brave New World: Environmental Leadership Series Offers Insight to Green Movement During January Las Vegas Market
Las Vegas – World Market Center is proud to introduce a special presentation at the January Las Vegas Market that highlights education, trends and international influences in the sustainable home furnishings movement. The week-long series, called “Brave New World: Environmental Leadership Series,” will allow Market attendees to develop awareness of best practices covering all aspects of the industry.
Spagnolos open coffee shop/gift shop in Glenwood Springs
Glenwood Springs – The saddest thing was seeing smoke billowing out of the front door and a giant, soaking-wet teddy bear sitting out front.
“It was horrible. It was a nightmare,” said Becky Spagnolo.
It’s been a long time since Corey and Becky Spagnolo had their business, Spagnolo’s Restaurant, shut down after a fire at the Grand Avenue Mall. It was started by a copy machine in offices above the restaurant in March 2006.
Corey, a musician, and Becky, a former club manager in Los Angeles, have moved on. They opened The Corner Gourmet at 1101 Grand Ave.
GIFT SHOP Magazine announces launch of online Retail Forum
Hanover, Mass. – GIFT SHOP magazine is proud to announce the launch of its online Retail Forum at GIFTSHOPForum.com.
The Retail Forum is GIFT SHOP magazine’s newest online venture and is meant to bring gift store retailers, vendors and other industry professionals together.
Participants can initiate and take part in discussions about gift store operations, marketing strategies, staffing practices and other aspects of their business.
Winter NYIGF 2008 Introduces Exciting Changes & Improvements
White Plains, NY – Change is in the air!
Seattle Market Week offers competitive strategies for 2008 with expert-led educational seminars and trend-setting product lines
Seattle – Pacific Market Center, the leading destination market on the west coast, will host the Winter Gift & Home Accessories Show, the Pacific Northwest’s premier seven-day market event, on January 30-February 5, 2008. Known as a leading and innovative resource for home, lifestyle and giftware, Pacific Market Center will offer buyers a multitude of business building opportunities including inspiring educational seminars and social networking functions in a one-of-a-kind marketplace experience.
Growth Spurs Move to New Facility, Expanded Showroom For Ontario-Based Giftcraft Ltd.
Brampton, Ontario – Giftcraft Ltd., a leading producer of gifts, home decor and garden products, announces its relocation to a new state-of-the-art corporate office-showroom-distribution complex near the company’s former facility. The new 264,000 square-foot headquarters represents a substantial upgrade for the company, and will more effectively accommodate and showcase the company’s expanded product line, as well as feature several enhancements to serve Giftcraft’s growing customer base.
The 17,000 square-foot fully redesigned showroom is the highlight of the new headquarters complex.
Shopping Showdown: Better Deals Await Those Who Wait
Sale-hyped events such as Black Friday and Cyber Monday are already part of Christmas Past. But fear not, for behold there are more good tidings when it comes to bargains as the mega-buying season heads into its final two weeks.
Yep, you may have missed the alleged “big ones” in terms of sales, but experts say similar if not identical, irresistible buys offered to those early seasonal shoppers are still in the offering for late buyers who are patient and wise.
Businesswoman turns tragedy into dream business
Santa Cruz — Community Chest Treasures, 41st Avenue’s newest little art gallery and gift shop, is tucked amid surf shops in a mostly residential neighborhood.
The walls are floor-to-ceiling art with everything from handcrafted exotic wood surfboards to oil on canvas, framed photographs and decoupage. If you don’t want to invest in an original, there are prints that won’t break your budget. Glass shelves display one-of-a-kind jewelry, scented candles and all-natural hair and skin products.