Archives: News
Shoppers choose environment; Plastic bags are out, reusables are in as stores struggle to meet demand
Cloth and reusable bags are appearing in a number of Kingston stores, and downtown retailers say customers are snapping them up because they’re worried about waste from plastic bags.
“People are becoming more and more aware of it [plastic waste],” David Rute, assistant manager of the A&P grocery store at Princess and Barrie streets, said. “We’re going through so many [reusable bags] right now. We’re ordering 10 cases at a time.”
The company can’t keep up with the demand, he said, and the store always asks for more than they get in their orders.
Bronnley, the Soap Used in the British Royal Households is Now Available in America
Bronnley of London has the privileged honor of being the recipient of two Royal Warrants: one from Her Majesty, The Queen; and one from His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales. A warrant and use of the Royal Coat-of-Arms (proudly featured on all Bronnley packaging) is not granted lightly. The significance of Royal Warrants is that the company supplies the Royal Households on a regular and ongoing basis. Over 121 years ago, James Bronnley set off for Paris to study the art of soap making. Returning to England, he applied the principles learned about milling techniques to soap production.
Merchants Should Be Preparing For The Holidays Now; Eight merchandising tips
Just as most consumers begin to enjoy summer, it’s time for savvy merchants to put the finishing touches on holiday sales plans. While it is difficult to estimate the volume of “gifting” purchases made online, there is no doubt about the customers’ penchant for buying gifts via this channel.
During the 2006 holiday season, the e-tailing group, in conjunction with StartSampling, a marketing services company, conducted the inaugural Mindset of the Multichannel Shopper Survey.
Sparkle Designs Launches New Line of Greeting Cards
Eloyce Newman, Dallas artist and graphic designer, has launched a new fresh line of greeting cards using innovative design and creative artwork that appeals to the very old to the very young.
From the whimsical to the contemporary to the more traditional, Sparkle Designs offers a wide range of photo cards, fill-in cards, imprintable invitations and gift card enclosures that is sure to fit every style and taste.
Gift from home; Deer Street store gives N.H. artisans shelf space
Portsmouth — Deborah Bouchard-Smith is one of the most positive and energetic people around. Ask her how things are going, and the answer is almost always: “Fantastic. It’s another beautiful day on Deer Street.”
In March of last year, after deciding not to follow her company to New York, Bouchard-Smith, wife of Portsmouth City Councilor Ken Smith, was at a crossroads.
ICSC: Retail sales dip 0.1%
New York – Sales at U.S. retail stores open at least one year declined a seasonally 0.1 percent over the past week, continuing the “roller-coaster” ride of the past nine weeks, according to the International Council of Shopping Centers and UBS Securities LLC report for the seven days ended June 16. Sales rose 1.0 percent in the week ended June 9 and fell 0.5 percent the week before that.
Annaleece Continues to Support Charities
Annaleece has always felt strongly about giving back to those in need. In a continued effort to support worthy causes and charities, from January 2006 to date the company has donated almost $20,000.00 in Swarovski crystal jewelry, figurines, and cash contributions!
Additionally, the company has been offering Breast Cancer Awareness and Support Our Troops pins since January 1, 2006, in which $1.00 of every item sold is donated to support the Susan G. Komen Foundation or the USO (United Service Organization).
Busy lives put on hold at Fort shop, eatery
Fort Atkinson-Visitors can only guess at what stories lie untold in the antique china and stemware that grace the tables at Bethany Lynn’s Tea & Treasures.
Before sitting down to an elegant luncheon and a spot of tea, visitors also are invited to participate in the fun of dressing up in wide brim or fancy hats that offer a glimpse of past fashions on parade.
The teashop at 407 S.
Animals make Mineral – Jewelry designer is a study in opposites
Lisa Kinoshita, in black horn-rimmed glasses, bobbed black hair and red lipstick, sets a small gift box on the glass counter and instructs a guest to open it.The thumb-sized skull inside is in perfect condition, right down to the translucent brain cavity.
“It’s an ermine,” she says, excitedly.
In any other setting, a weasel skull in a gift box would give pause. But in Kinoshita’s hands at Mineral, her small jewelry shop on St. Helens, it seems natural.
Behind her is a bay of mostly large exotic insects in shadowboxes, most of their knobby joints and delicate parts intact.
Women and the downtown dream
A hundred years of tenants at the historic Opera House left uneven spots on the floor, ugly blue carpet and claustrophobic makeshift walls in their wake. The smell of mold and mildew seemed to filter in along with sunshine through its dirty windows.
But those were not the things that Michelle Wyles and Carol Perry noticed about the small storefront across from the old Union Pacific Depot. Instead, their eyes were drawn to an exposed brick wall that gave historic charm to an otherwise old and musty place.
“I wanted to move downtown.
Online Sales Lose Steam
Has online retailing entered the Dot Calm era?
Since the inception of the Web, online commerce has enjoyed hypergrowth, with annual sales increasing more than 25 percent over all, and far more rapidly in many categories. But in the last year, growth has slowed sharply in major sectors like books, tickets and office supplies.
Growth in online sales has also dropped dramatically in diverse categories like health and beauty products, computer peripherals and pet supplies.
Dad’s Day Big For Retailers
Happy Father’s Day — all 64.3 million of you. That’s a lot of gifts — ties, grills, power tools and the like — for a lot of dads today. Like so many of our holidays, Father’s Day is now a retailing bonanza for merchants large and small.
If your daily workplace is retail, you must be glad this past week is over.
Aromatherapy shop has smell of success
When Kelsey Metzinger was a little girl, she loved to play store and dreamed of the day when she would own her own shop.
“I’ve worked in retail my whole life,” the 31-year-old entrepreneur said. “I’m in it because I love it. I love talking to customers, educating them about products and helping them find the special or unique thing they’ve been looking for.”
Metzinger’s dream store, Bungalow 26, opened in September at 535 W. Douglas in the Delano district.
Adora Expands Sandy’s ADORA-ble Friends Collection at IDEX
Edison, NJ – Following last year’s successful launch of a collection of 12 storybook dolls called Sandy’s ADORA-ble Friends, Adora Inc. – one of the leading designers and crafters of fine limited edition and collectible dolls – is pleased to announce that it will unveil a set of six new characters for this 8-inch doll collection at IDEX this summer.
“Parents have given us enthusiastic feedback about Sandy’s ADORA-ble Friends and Adora’s other collections,” says David Lin, President of Adora.
Living The Greasy Good Life
Mosier, Ore. – Resource Revival has received attention before (design awards, recycling awards) but special honors from a beer company?
Resource Revival’s Graham Bergh and business partner, Jim Hassert, are currently featured in a national advertising campaign by Fort Collins, Colo.-based New Belgium Brewing Co., maker of Fat Tire Amber Ale and leaders in the sustainable business movement.
DEMDACO and Artist Susan Lordi Introduce a New Willow Tree Format and New Items For Summer 2007
Leawood, KANSAS – DEMDACO and artist Susan Lordi are excited to unveil the new Willow Tree introductions for Summer 2007. The new introductions include an angel, four figurines, 3 new memory boxes and a new frame format featuring 15 new frames, as well as two combination frame and figurine gift sets.
Hand-crafted with the same pure lines as Lordi’s figurative sculptures, these new frames capture the essence of Willow Tree with soft colors in washed surfaces with carved or metal accents.
American Craft Retailers Expo: Post-Show Report
(Mooresville, NC) After two years of planning, the American Craft Retailers Expo (ACRE) debuted May 2-4, 2007 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
“We’re very pleased with the support from artists and retailers to make this show successful,” said Nancy Vince, President, Wholesalecrafts.com, Inc. “It was a high energy show that filled the need for a quality wholesale craft venue in the West.”
ACRE featured the work of 575 juried craft artists from the United States and Canada representing handcrafted products in all price points.
Boca father and son open post office with sweet treats
“Look at this,” said Peter Wolff, with a glimmer in his eyes as the stuffed animal began to rock back and forth and sing a tune.
In the next breath, “They really look real and feel it,” said Wolff, as he placed a shaggy haired dog purse on his shoulder.
The next aisle over, Wolff was immersed in a wonderland of every child’s dream where candy dotted the walls in bright colors.
New changes give hope to downtown merchants; Retailers count on crowded streets to generate customers
For the past few weeks, Stuart Powell has noticed something he hasn’t seen for a while in downtown Lansing.
The owner of Linn & Owen Jewelers was prepping his 100-plus-year-old business to move from Washtenaw Street around the corner to 223 S. Washington Square.
“I was down here on the weekend during the evenings, and downtown was packed,” said Powell, taking a break recently from clearing out decades of clock parts from his former space.
World Market Center Offers Dynamic Trends Series During July Las Vegas Market
La Vegas – Las Vegas Market aims to provide retailers and designers with the most relevant seminars and education to improve their business, and this summer will deliver its most comprehensive and inspiring trend series yet.
The Summer Market, July 30 – August 3, 2007, will feature a three-part series by the industry’s top gurus entitled ConsumerWatch, ColorWatch and TrendWatch.