News

Toy industry gives back this holiday season

From global charitable giving initiatives to donations in local communities, toy companies large and small have embraced the spirit of the season to give back to kids in need. Below is a selection of this... more »

Las Vegas Market expands gift, home décor resources at winter market

Las Vegas Market has confirmed nine new, expanded and relocated gift and home décor showrooms for Winter 2019 Las Vegas Market, running Jan. 27 – Jan. 31, 2019. With these latest additions, a total of... more »

Dallas Total Home & Gift Market schedule now available

Dallas Market Center has released the full lineup of events taking place during Dallas Total Home & Gift Market, Jan. 16-22, 2019. Highlights include celebrity appearances, top interior design experts and business advice from industry... more »

New York City, New Jersey bills focus on cashless businesses

Bills being worked on by lawmakers in New York City and New Jersey would require businesses to accept cash. The lawmakers behind these bills say cash-free businesses are discriminatory against low-income customers. New York City... more »

Procrastinators rush to meet holiday deadline

More than 40 percent of holiday shoppers surveyed expected to finish their holiday gift shopping by Dec. 19, but the biggest procrastinators will still be buying gifts through Christmas Eve, according to the annual consumer... more »

Returned packages expected to peak before Christmas

National Returns Day is expected to occur prior to Christmas, reflecting just how deeply e-commerce is reshaping the retail universe, according to UPS. Consumers who got a jump on online shopping in the days before... more »

Registration open for ASTRA 2019 toy show

Registration is now open for the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA) 2019 Marketplace & Academy. ASTRA is offering a special pre-early bird Advanced Registration price for retailers and sales representatives through Dec. 31. As... more »

Robert Irvine, Ayesha Curry, Emeril Lagasse added to International Home + Housewares Show lineup

Food Network celebrity chef Robert Irvine will make his debut in the Cooking Theater and Ayesha Curry and Emeril Lagasse return to the stage during the 2019 International Home + Housewares Show, March 2-5, at... more »

Décor, design resources grow at AmericasMart for January 2019 market

The comprehensive HOME collection at AmericasMart Atlanta spans the décor and design spectrum with new and expanded showrooms and the new Commercial Design floor joining the Home & Rug, Home Accents & Fine Linens, Home... more »

November retail sales increase 5 percent over 2017

November retail sales were up 0.7 percent seasonally adjusted from October and increased 5 percent unadjusted year-over-year, completing the first half of the holiday shopping season with spending on track to easily meet the National... more »