Archives: News
It’s a small world after all; Bilingual toys big hit with nation’s littlest consumers
Toy makers and retailers say sales of bilingual toys, such as the LeapFrog toys at a KB Toys store in West Covina, Calif., have exceeded expectations.
Odra Heitmann hauled the heavy package labeled “Dora’s Talking Kitchen” off a Toys “R” Us shelf and set it on the floor for a better look.
Splashed on the box was a promo: “Says Phrases in English and Spanish!”
That sealed the deal for Heitmann, who scooped up the gift for her 1-year-old niece Ashley.
“I made a big mistake by not teaching my kids Spanish,” said Heitmann, 37, recently at the Burbank, Calif., store.
Realizing downtown’s potential takes the luxury of patience
NEW PORT RICHEY – The downtown screams potential. That’s what brought the owners of Turtle’s Nest, Pangea and Lynn Scents Candle Shop to Main Street.
They liked the river and the parks, the assortment of interesting buildings, the plans for pedestrian-generating projects.
But less than two years after opening, all three of the businesses are leaving.
Chic stores serves special needs patients
ALLENTOWN, Pa. – Debbie Heft is sold on Rehability, a surprisingly chic store for people with disabilities in a surprising location, a new outpatient rehabilitation center in Allentown.
Heft, who lives in an apartment nearby and has a host of medical problems, frequently drives her wheelchair to the new 3,300-square-foot store in the Good Shepherd Health & Technology Center.
She bought a crochet hoop there that clamps to the armrest of her wheelchair, and a cuff she uses to create a thicker handle for the tiny crochet hook she needs to make baby clothes.
Local business owners credit mentors with helping them succeed
Do you remember your first-grade teacher? How about an early boss who inspired you to do your best?
Woodstock Chimes Adds Music Collection to OneCoast’s ND ONE Service
Woodstock Chimes, a worldwide leader in the manufacture of precision-tuned wind chimes and premium musical gifts, announces that it will add its Music Collection to OneCoast’s National Division One (ND ONE) sales and marketing service effective April 1. Last year, OneCoast became the first and continues to be the only multi-line agency to offer a national sales representation service for the gift and home decor industries with the introduction of ND ONE for four select industry vendors: Woodstock Chimes, C.R.
Up With Paper Introduces Boxed Christmas Cards Line
Mason, OH – Up With Paper, the world’s leading marketer of innovative three dimensional greeting cards, announced that it will be shipping its first pop-up boxed Christmas cards line in August.
GUND Introduces Fun, Fanciful New Brand of Animated Plush Pals
Edison, NJ – GUND is delighted to introduce GUNDFun, a new brand filled with lovably light-hearted plush companions. From gators to grizzlies and pigs to ponies, GUNDFun’s vocal collection of furry friends is sure to enchant kids and adults alike.
“GUND prides itself on bringing creative and quality products to the marketplace,” said Jim Madonna, President of GUND.
Daul
Remember the old saying about cramming 10 pounds of stuff into a five-pound bag?
That’s been Janine Daul’s description of moving much of the content from Fort Daul into Daul’s Twisted Arrow Gift Shop, across James Street from the current “fortress” location.
“When you take 3,600 square feet and shove it into 1,600 square feet, it’s a process,” Daul said.
Daul thought she was going to have to go out of business because of increasing rent costs at Fort Daul, but saw an opportunity when Gene Schohl put up a retirement sign at Schohl’s Jewelry in November.
Opportunity: Gift-wrapper moves closer to dream
Who would have thought that you could make a profitable business out of wrapping gifts?
Peking Handicraft, Inc. Signs Licensing Agreements with Be The Ball Foundation and Renowned Artists, Anna Maria Horner, Paris Bo
San Francisco, CA – Peking Handicraft, Inc., an international manufacturer and wholesaler specializing in home textiles, decorative accessories and giftware, announces the signing of new licensing agreements with Be the Ball Foundation and renowned artists Anna Maria Horner, Paris Bottman and Tim Coffey.
Be the Ball Foundation features the art of award-winning illustrator, Bob Commander. Commander’s art showcases little golf ball characters with arms and legs – and charming personality.
St. Paddy’s Day sales projections expand in 2007
Consumers are projected to spend $3.76 billion to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day this year, an average of $35 each, according to the National Retail Federation.
The total is up from last year’s $27.94 a person – a 25-percent increase for the March 17 festivities.
Why the added spending?
A Pet Cause Celebre; The Eco-Faithful Lap Up Green Items for Dogs, Cats, Fish
Pet Essentials opened eight years ago in a small space on 14th Street NW, with the pledge to sell only natural and holistic products for the dogs, cats, ferrets and tropical fish of the U Street corridor: fewer chemicals, no dyes, no animal testing.
GIFT SHOP Magazine announces the launch of its newly redesigned website
HANOVER, Mass. – GIFT SHOP magazine, the fresh new voice in gift retail, announces the launch of its fresh, new website: GIFTSHOPMag.com. The website now includes all articles published in GIFT SHOP magazine. Visitors will be able to access current and archived articles after registering online. They will also be able to sign up for GIFT SHOP’s new weekly e-newsletter, Wrap Up, which will include current news, product ideas and industry trends. The website also features user-friendly navigation and advanced search tools.
DONOVANDESIGNS Acquires 2 SKIRTS
Columbus, Ohio March 8, 2007 – donovandesigns, LLC, a unique stationery and paper goods company, announced today they have purchased the assets of 2 Skirts, a stationery line previously owned by Michelle Cotter of Atlanta, Georgia. Cotter will stay on board as a consultant.
“We are excited about our acquisition of 2 Skirts,” said Katie Vincent co-owner of donovandesigns.
Museum Buys
It is good that Joyce Simanek, manager of the museum gift store at the Western Center for Archaeology and Paleontology, loves to shop.
She relishes the daunting duty of finding items that reflect the Ice Age theme of the new museum in the Diamond Valley Lake complex south of Hemet.
California was under water when dinosaurs lived.
Retailer and exhibitor commitments build momentum for Cadeaux, the luxury gift collection at JCK
WHITE PLAINS, NY, March 12 2007 – Leading manufacturers and retailers of luxury resources have confirmed their participation in the premiere edition of Cadeaux, The Luxury Gift Collection at JCK, launching June 1-5, 2007, at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Crafty women; Four Naples residents have converted their hobbies into booming businesses
Knitting needles and yarn are useless, unless you know what to do with them.
But when you do, the possibilities are endless.
Four crafty Naples women have converted hobbies into businesses, stocking their stores to tempt enthusiasts of their chosen art and offering classes to help beginners tackle first projects and to guide experts on new challenges.
At Knitting with Nancy, Needlepoint in Paradise and Stampin’ and Scrappin’ the walls are lined, floor to ceiling, with yarn, needlepoint canvases and rubber stamps, and at each shop there’s a table set aside for teaching, working and rel
New, bigger gift shop opens at BRMC
What comes to mind when the words “hospital gift shop” are uttered?
Experience and passion just a few of Teal’s ‘Favorite Things’
The call of My Favorite Things is almost irresistible to Lauren Teal.
It is this love of the place, Teal agrees, that is foundational to the success of the retail gift shop at Betton Place.
There is much, of course, besides Teal’s zeal that sets the shop apart and helps it thrive.
Its location is ideal, sitting as it does at a crossroads on the way from Northeast Tallahassee to just about anywhere else in town.
GHTA Finalizes 2007 Board of Directors, Fills Vacancy
The Gift and Homes Trade Association announces the 2007 roster for its Board of Directors with the addition of Pete Day of Oak Patch Gifts, John Handley of Accents & Occasions, John Haste of IMAX, Lori Minden Tancer of Lori Minden & Associates, Marc Rice of Fox Premier Sales and Adam Schrier of Charles Sadek Import Company. “The new board members have already expressed great enthusiasm for serving the industry through GHTA,” says GHTA President Kelly Dierke.