NPD Groups shares that U.S. retail sales reach near pre-pandemic levels

Before the month of December began, U.S. sales revenue for discretionary general merchandise in 2021 had already reached 100% of the highest level reached in 2019 and 98% of the 2020 peak. According to The NPD... more »

Las Vegas Market refines gift offerings

Las Vegas Market continues to refine its gift offerings with seven new, expanded and relocated showrooms debuting Jan. 23-27, 2022, at World Market Center Las Vegas. Representing diverse verticals including accessories, décor, handmade, housewares, seasonal... more »

Coral & Blue Paper Co. helps support a mission in Africa 

Coral & Blue Paper Co., a children's stationery company, is on a mission to encourage gratitude, thoughtfulness and creativity by helping continue the tradition of writing Thank You notes.  After forging a relationship with a... more »

GCA names its new president

Greeting Card Association (GCA) has named Amy McAnarney, vice president/general manager at Hallmark Cards, as its new president following the organization’s 2021 Annual Workshop & Retreat. McAnarney previously served as vice president and treasurer of... more »

IMC completes Atlanta NEXT home décor transformation in Winter 2022

International Market Centers (IMC) marks a major capital and strategic investment milestone with the Winter 2022 completion of its multi-market Atlanta NEXT transformation of the AmericasMart Atlanta home décor offerings. An additional 60,000+ square feet... more »

Dallas Market Center’s January Total Home & Gift Market delivers new and expanded showrooms

Dallas Market Center, the marketplace welcoming a record number of new buyers from across the country, is setting the stage for the first market of the year, Total Home & Gift Market, Jan. 5-11, 2022.... more »

JuniperMarket offers a phased preview for more than 30,000 select buyers

JuniperMarket enters the penultimate stage of its new B2B e-commerce marketplace, and has offered a phased preview for more than 30,000 select buyers to source from the site’s more than one million gift and home... more »

NRF reports nearly 180 million Americans shopped Thanksgiving weekend

Nearly 180 million Americans shopped during the five-day holiday shopping period from Thanksgiving Day through Cyber Monday, according to the annual survey released by the National Retail Federation (NRF) and Prosper Insights & Analytics. “Retailers... more »

Juniper hires Ray Shikatani as its new country manager for Canada

Juniper has hired Ray Shikatani, a 30-year veteran of Canada’s gift and home B2B industry, as its new country manager for Canada. This new role, which blends responsibilities formerly held by Ross Amyot, is effective... more »

Las Vegas Design Center hosts its final First Friday session of 2021

Las Vegas Design Center (LVDC) wraps up the year with a hands-on Bubbles and Blooms session covering the basics of floral design on Dec. 3. The final First Friday session of 2021 will be presented... more »