News

Consumer Spending in U.S. to Stall, Hurting Growth

A record spending spree by U.S. consumers will come to an abrupt end this quarter as job losses cause Americans to restrain purchases, a Bloomberg News survey predicts.Personal spending, the biggest part of the economy,... more »

CIB Publishes 20th Anniversary Edition

(Grundy Center, IA) -- The Collectors' Information Bureau, a trade association comprised of top manufacturers in the field of limited edition collectibles, is pleased to announce the publication of its 20th anniversary edition CIB Collectibles... more »

PMC hosts two day event tailored to independent retailers


SEATTLE – As part of a new initiative to support independent retailers and buyers, Pacific Market Center, together with its showrooms and local downtown associations, is hosting a VIP: Vibrant Independent Proprietor event for independent... more »

Web now retail necessity

Rick Martis' Physical Addictions supplement store in Indialantic does a brisk walk-in retail business, but his customer base has grown well beyond the municipal borders."I would say my business is one-third walk-in, one-third by phone,... more »

Family trees … and plants, flowers, decorations, gifts

The Wilbanks women are the epitome of Southern hospitality, with their welcoming smiles, sweet drawls and warm hugs.This legacy started with matriarch Willie Pearl Carter, who was murdered during a bank robbery in Lakeland in... more »

Small Business Advocate: Excellent customer service is golden

Before 1975, consumers enjoyed what I call The Golden Age of Customer Service. Sadly, based on recent research, we now appear to be in the Plastic Age of Customer Service.An American Customer Satisfaction Index found... more »

Fall in love with Virginia again

It's time to fall in love with Virginia all over again.Ruth DiGeorge, owner of A Tisket, A Tasket in the Shoppes on the Village Green in Governor's Pointe, is bringing back the store's popular "Fall... more »

Lab-grown diamonds sparkle blood-free

San Francisco -- Inside a small hotel room at the downtown Marriott recently, a businessman named Stephen Lux gently opened a jeweler's box and placed a shoestring-thin diamond necklace on the table.The 64-carat, canary yellow... more »

eco Breeze Turns up the Heat with Deco Heat collection

San Diego, CA -- San Diego-based Global Product Resources, Inc. (GPR), a leading designer, manufacturer, and distributor of home decorative products, heats things up this fall with the anticipated debut of Deco Heat. The new... more »

Planet Dog gets tastier with new Orbee-Tuff Raspberry

PORTLAND, ME - Due to the popularity of its Orbee-Tuff PRODUCE toy collection, Planet Dog has expanded the line to include the new Orbee-Tuff Raspberry. Designed just for wee dogs, the Orbee-Tuff Raspberry is a... more »