News

Carol & Co. owners trying to sell the business

After 11 years at the helm of Carol & Co. in Hagerstown, the Spellar family is selling the business.Owner Pat Spellar said she and her daughters, Cathy Spellar and Rachel O'Connor, who co-own the store... more »

How Social Data & Mobile Tech Can Improve the Retail Experience

Do you remember when your favorite retailer didn't have a website? Can you imagine not being able to find your favorite store online today? Unthinkable, right?It's not surprising that today's shoppers are becoming increasingly digitally... more »

Reinventing themselves: Shops fight off tough times by changing

As the economic downturn took hold several years ago, Mondi Miller watched the flow of customers slow to a trickle in her Heirloom Oriental Rugs shop in downtown Brighton."Nothing was happening," she said.The shop owner... more »

Drunken Cherry Cookie Company comes to Vernon

Susan Gregory has lived a very diversified life. She is a graduate of USC, has a year of law school education, was an interior decorator to some famous names like Florida singer Jimmy Buffet and... more »

Gift shop finds the Perfect home for trading

When Frances Burton and Sandra Hawkes opened their gift shop, Perfect Presents, last November, it was the perfect spot for their new venture.The unit, at The Cresset, Bretton Centre, Bretton, Peterborough, had been empty for... more »

South Florida’s economy recovering, retail executives say

South Floridians have begun spending again, turning their back on a brutal recession that caused fundamental changes in the region's economy, business executives said Tuesday.Speaking at a Miami-Dade business forum, executives from the retail industry... more »

Seaside shops inspire haven for gift-givers

Avid sailors Marie and Steve Swyka often dock in quaint waterside towns with unusual boutiques. The eclectic wares did more than make Marie Swyka want to pull out her wallet. It also made her want... more »

Fort Collins retail sales see a boost

Stronger Black Friday sales and renewed consumer confidence helped boost retail sales in Fort Collins in November pushing the city to its strongest retail performance since 2007.December sales tax collections, up 3.2 percent, reflect November... more »

Sallie Bender Guild gift shop one of a kind

Grand Rapids, MI - The Sallie Bender Guild gift shop is no ordinary hospital gift shop. Not only does it feature carefully selected items, but the people who work there are clocking in without getting... more »

Holiday retail sales and hiring up significantly from 2009 season

ShopperTrak, the latest retail group to release holiday figures, said Monday that U.S. retail sales rose a solid 4% for the crucial November-December period. Foot traffic increased 1.8%.Poor weather hurt shopping trends in December, but... more »