Staten Island, NY -- During a recent visit to Checkerbells in West Brighton, I happened upon the gift shop's owner planning to re-decorate the storefront display window for autumn. Laura Walsh would soon be featuring an array of Halloween items, and was eager to share her newly arrived, illuminated orange and black-accented miniature village with passersby and steady customers.

"I've just gotten these in," said the owner of the store at 643 Forest Ave., as she pointed to a selection of Department 56 holiday houses and accessories.

As alluring as popular brand-name gifts may be, however, don't be fooled into thinking that Checkerbells is an ordinary gift shop. Read more...

One of the most significant social trends we highlighted for you in the 2008 How America Shops® MegaTrends survey was the “Greening of America.” Despite rising gas prices and the mortgage mess, half of all shoppers are buying products which are good for the environment and a third were pro-actively looking for such products in stores. It’s cool to save the planet.

The most recent PULSE survey tested a range of specific “Green” behaviors for the second year in a row. Read more...

Ireland — A set of draft guidelines on the display of sale prices, advertising and the use of gift vouchers by retailers has been drawn up by the National Consumer Agency (NCA).

The guidelines recommend that no time limit be applied for redeeming gift vouchers, and no restrictions be placed on using them during sale times and other promotions. The guidelines say shops should be flexible in dealing with gift vouchers.

"Businesses benefit significantly from the gift voucher scheme. They have immediate use of the money paid upfront to purchase these vouchers. They also have the guarantee that consumers will have to give them their custom in order to redeem the vouchers," the agency said. Read more...

The West Jackson Street Overlay District just keeps growing and growing.The historic shopping, dining and service district in Ridgeland has added some new locally owned stores in the past few weeks, including Smitten Gift Boutique, Jammin' Beignetz beignet shop and Blue Moon Café.

Several other tenants are in the process of opening. They include Amy Head Cosmetics, Fine Eyes eyewear, Libby Story & Co. young women's clothing, Bella Bridesmaid bridal shop, Chandeliers home furnishings and gifts, Stegall Imagery photography, and four service-oriented businesses: a real estate office, a dentist's office, a psychiatrist's office and a law firm. Read more...

Otterbein North Shore Gift Shop has opened at 9400 North Shore Boulevard.

Excitement is swirling around the unique items offered. Ruth Freeh, an Otterbein North Shore resident, was instrumental in setting up the gift shop.

Having managed the Magruder Hospital gift shop for 18 years, her knowledge and experience has helped make this gift shop truly special. Read more...

Berwyn — At Mainline Green Home, the merchandise is eco-elegant.

Take for example the line of vases for sale. An old bedspring and empty cobalt-blue wine bottle are combined and elevated to a work of modern art.

The new store in Berwyn's Primary Shops specializes in gifts made from organic materials for babies, teens and adults. Read more...

The little souvenir bottle filled with seashells and sand that you brought back to Milwaukee from Sanibel Island may have made a round trip.

That’s because your keepsake, which evokes memories of golden days on the beach, could have been made by Visionary Products, a Glendale company that does a million-dollar business in beach bubble ornaments, starfish-wearing sunglasses and trinket boxes topped with mermaids.

“We brought some of the creativity of the gift industry to souvenirs,” said owner Peter Engel, who started the company in 1991. Engel sells beach souvenirs to shops in resort towns across the United States and the Virgin Islands. Major cruise lines and Las Vegas casinos also are on the customer list. Read more...

Shopping is often a high priority for Twin Cities visitors, usually because of Mall of America. But if you stop there, you're missing out. The Minneapolis/St. Paul area is rich with retail innovators — perhaps the names Target and Best Buy ring a bell? To get a sense of the talent, style and creativity that help make this community so cosmopolitan and unique, you'll need to shop beyond the mall. Read more...

Orlando, Fla. — Rene Blanco reaches for his back pocket where the tips go and shakes his head, his hand coming up empty.

“I’ve been here an hour this morning and haven’t made a penny,” said the skycap at Orlando International Airport. “The summer’s been slow. Delta had a whole terminal of those small regional jets, and now they’ve cut back a lot of those flights. And it’s not just Delta. The airlines are getting killed by high fuel prices.”

Skyrocketing gas prices and the sour economy have left tourist destinations around the country feeling the pinch as consumers cut back their discretionary spending, shortening or even canceling vacations. Read more...

For many years, the Millbrook Card and Gift Shop has proved to be in integral part of business at its location, just feet away from the Millbrook Post Office. With high traffic outside the doors you'd expect any owner to hold onto the business.

But that isn't what happened.

Instead, the business was sold to and re-opened on Aug. 1 by 25-year Town of Washington residents Diane and Rich Moretti. Read more...