Archives: News
U.S. Retail Sales Probably Rose in May on Gasoline Purchases
June 13 (Bloomberg) — Retail sales in the U.S. probably rose in May as record gasoline prices lifted purchases at service stations, economists said ahead of a report today.
Sales rose 0.6 percent after a 0.2 percent decline in April, according to the median estimate in a Bloomberg News survey of 76 economists. Excluding automobiles, purchases probably increased 0.7 percent last month after no change.
Most retailers other than filling stations probably suffered as the high gasoline prices left Americans with little extra cash to spend at the mall.
Retail sales, import prices surge
Washington (Reuters) – Retail sales rose more than twice as much as expected in May, while import prices surged, adding to recent data suggesting the U.S. economy is recovering strongly after a slowdown in the first quarter.
Sales by U.S.
OneCoast Expands Online Showroom: Company Shifts Showroom Investments to Reflect Where Retailers Want To Buy
OneCoast, the largest and only national provider of sales and marketing services to vendors and retailers of home decor, gift and collegiate products, announced the launch of its new Online Showroom for independent retailers at onecoast.com. This “always open” showroom offers several of the top lines found in OneCoast’s physical showrooms across the United States.
In Fall 2006, OneCoast introduced business-to-business e-commerce capabilities for independent retailers with Special Buys.
Mid-Year Introductions Debut at Peking Handicraft, Inc.
San Francisco, CA – San Francisco-based Peking Handicraft, Inc. continues to offer new, creative designs with more than 100 new 2007 Summer introductions. Items include rugs, hooked and needlepoint pillows, holiday and everyday guest towels, bedding, Christmas stockings and decor items and a new kitchen textile line. According to Derrick Lo, vice president of home decor, “Our customers will be pleased with the new additions to our quality, handmade collections and fresh designs by our renowned licensed artists.
Boys & toys: Consumers expected to spend $9.9B on Father’s Day gifts
Father’s Day for Ron Bean has included a few ties and a screwdriver, all things he’s gotten rid of.”Father’s Day has come a long way,” the Dallas resident said while strolling around downtown Jackson on Monday afternoon. “Mommies have always had their day.”He and other men may be in luck this year. The National Retail Federation forecasts Father’s Day spending will ring in at $9.9 billion.
Collingswood wants retail traffic to lumber westward
Borough officials are introducing new retail sites and completing an ongoing construction project in an effort to expand the borough’s bustling main corridor.
The goal is to push more clientele toward the west end of Haddon Avenue.
The move comes amid concerns by some business owners that the west end is often ignored by consumers.
Mayor Jim Maley said he is confident that new retail activity slated on Haddon Avenue will ultimately produce more foot traffic along the thoroughfare.
A new bistro-style restaurant is slated to open in a few weeks on the west end of the avenue.
Owners like the view from Mirador; Baking supply shop became sustainable community one-stop
From treeless paper products to supplies for preserving food, Mirador, an 1,800-square-foot store on the corner of Southeast Division Street and 21st Avenue, offers customers an incredible range of Earth-friendly goods.
“Back in the late ’90s, we both wanted out of our corporate jobs,” says Lynn Hanrahan, who co-founded Mirador with her husband, Steve. “We would talk about ideas during our private tea ceremonies.
Buyers Market Signs Three-Year Deal with Hargrove, Inc.
Baltimore, Md. – The Buyers Market of American Craft, the nation’s largest wholesale craft show, has signed a three-year contract with Hargrove, Inc. to be its official tradeshow decorator.
The contract was signed after the Buyers Market had reviewed two other bids from competing tradeshow decorators.
Going Green: NowDesigns Challenges its Peers to Employ More Environmentally-sustainable Shipping Solutions
NowDesigns, the Blaine, WA-based home decor company, has announced that as of September 2007 they will switch to shipping exclusively with used cartons. These boxes won’t be pretty, but their environmental impact will help make the world a little greener. NowDesigns challenges its industry competitors to follow their lead and employ more environmentally-conscious shipping practices.
L’ovedbaby Giving to Breast Cancer Research
Los Angeles, CA – L’ovedbaby, a mom-created company whose line has grown in 3 short years from one product – a stylish and practical 4-in-1 Nursing Shawl – to a full collection of baby clothing as well as other creative products, is donating $2500 to the Susan G. Komen Foundation for Breast Cancer Research.
The company’s owner/designer, whose mother has been battling breast cancer for 8 years, indirectly started the company as a result of this devastating disease.
Retail crime costs stores $3B per year
At CVS drugstores, razors are stored in dispensers that allow you to take just one package at a time. At Toys “R” Us, the only way to return an unwanted toy is with a dated receipt. At Macy’s, you might have to present a photo ID to make a credit card purchase.
These little inconveniences are signs of a national problem that is gaining attention much as identity theft did nearly a decade ago: organized retail crime. Unlike shoplifters who steal for personal use, theft rings plot to steal and resell the merchandise.
She’s not sold on shop’s policy
I’m not what you would call an ardent shopper. OK, I’ll be honest, I pretty much loathe shopping of any sort.
A letter from a reader in Huntington Beach reminds me why. Apparently there is a gift shop in a mall outside Los Angeles that sells imported decorative items. Nothing in the shop is priced, however. If you like something, you have to ask a salesperson how much it costs.
That’s what my reader did when she found an item that she liked. After being told that it cost $65, she told the clerk that she wanted to find her husband before purchasing it.
Shop owner’s scare prompts closing
Turner – Kellie Fortin knew her priorities were out of whack when she insisted her husband wait on customers while she – suffering from chest pains – waited in the back of her store, Murdock Country Creations, for an ambulance.
But it wasn’t until she saw the worried faces of her two stepchildren as she was being carried away that she had an epiphany.
“It was a very difficult decision for us, but, yes, we are closing the business,” said the award-winning entrepreneur.
Lease of faith; Local man grows business out of necessity
James Wetherbee’s path to success started with a $900 tax refund check, a 1969 Chevy pickup, and a need for income to supplement his job as the dairy manager at a Safeway grocery store.
The year was 1976 when he took the leap of faith that eventually led him to owning the largest gift shop in Wichita Falls – Finishing Touch.
The leap actually was into the driver’s seat of the ’69 “un-air-conditioned” pickup for the long trip to Mexico where he bought a truckload of clay pots and wrought iron baker’s racks and other items to sell on the streets of Wichita Falls, usually at abandoned gas
Downtown Riverside looks for right mix of businesses to spur revival
Where Old Town Pasadena has The Cheesecake Factory, downtown Riverside has Simple Simon’s. Where San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter has Quicksilver and Oakley stores, Riverside has Mrs. Tiggy-Winkles and Citrus Punch Designs.
Independent shops and restaurants lend a city unique personality, but they don’t attract the customers and cachet that national brand names do.
If Riverside really is to enjoy the renaissance it is pursuing via new projects and proposals downtown, it will need both, city officials say.
CeeAnn Thiel, owner of Mrs.
Prosperity Tree announces alliance with Berryware
Prosperity Tree International has announced that they have added Berryware to their selection of playful hand-painted ceramic art and tableware. Over the past 20 years, Prosperity Tree has carved its niche by featuring high-quality ceramics, designed by American artists, and sold in the wholesale gift marketplace at affordable prices. Making the announcement, president Carmi Plaut stated, “Berryware is a great product.
Pacific Market Center Announces Speakers for August Show
Seattle – Pacific Market Center announces a dynamic group of speakers providing buyers with insights, inspiration and information during Seattle Market Week – Summer Gift and Home Accessories Show August 15-21, the Pacific Northwest’s premier week-long buying event. Speakers will conduct complimentary seminars where attendees will learn how to become a brand, how to meet the consumer’s demand for sustainable products, create web presence, improve retail marketing strategies and learn to utilize new technologies that better serve customers.
Pumpernickel Press takes home a LOUIE
For the second straight year Pumpernickel Press took home a LOUIE. This year’s winner was the card “Bird Village” featuring artwork from John Obolewicz. The win came in the category of “Best Christmas, General” and is a proud addition to last years win and the company’s first ever entry in the competition, “Holiday Hound”.
The LOUIE wasn’t the only thing Pumpernickel was celebrating in New York though. Debuting at the show was a brand new line to the company of “Pumpernickel Petites”, which are a smaller card offering compared to their standard large sized cards.
Cynthia Webb Launches New Home Series
Few images evoke as many strong emotions as that of home – it’s where the heart is, after all. And as American poet Robert Frost has told us, it’s the place where, when you have to go there, they have to take you in.
Now California artist Cynthia Webb, known for her signature handcrafted in the U.S.A. pewter, has brought her highly personal style to a new Home series that recreates the charm of houses of another era, when generations lived together under the same roof and friends were always welcome to stop by.
Gift Shop is Offering Something Different
Alicia Dorau knows there are a lot of gift shops in the Fremont area, but she thinks she can fill a certain niche missing from the scene.
When she opened The Unique Boutique June 1 with her mother, Becky Cady, she had a different plan than the common Fremont gift shop. She planned to use the store at 304 E. 22nd St. to sell women’s handbags.
“My mom and I started these purses we make called Glitzy Gals,” Dorau said.