Working the Web

Remember when consumers used to look up information about stores in the Yellow Pages? These days, they turn to the Internet for essential information about your store. A recent study by the Center for Media... more »

Virtual Business, Real Profits?

It's 3AM on a Tuesday. Tom Graefen, owner of Monarch's Heaven in Chicago, closed his gift shop hours ago, but he continues to ring up sales from customers all across the country even as he... more »

You’re Hired!

As a gift shop owner, you know one aspect of the business cannot be overemphasized: stellar customer service. Success and longevity depend on making your customers feel that your shop is the best place in... more »

Navigating Change

First, I want to heartily thank all of you who called us, wrote in and met us at shows to congratulate us on our one-year anniversary. The response to GIFT SHOP has been phenomenal and... more »

Fab Finds: Summer 2007

Stiles in Clay "Bones" salt and pepper shakers lend a touch of whimsy to meals. Made from refined porcelain, each measures 5" X 1" StilesinClay.com The Lagoon Group For a touch of humor at the... more »

Reignin’ Cats and Dogs

Article Resources Wholesalers A Pet's World 877.738.8683 APetsWorld.com Furfection 650.625.0607 Furfection.com Hamptons Hound 212.564.5949 HamptonsHound.com Harry Barker 800.444.2779 HarryBarker.com Pet Music 201.692.1995 PetMusic.com Planet Dog 800.381.1516 PlanetDog.com Sexy Beast 212.929.6428 SexyBeastStyle.com Retailers Fetch, ME Wet... more »

Go By The Book

Article Resources Wholesalers Chronicle Books 800.722.6657 ChronicleBooks.com Compendium Inc. 800.914.3327 CompendiumInc.com HarperCollins Publishers 212.207.7000 HarperCollins.com ISBN Sales 215.428.1552 ISBNSales.com The Perseus Books Group 800.343.4499 PerseusBooksGroup.com Random House Special Markets 212.829.6970 RandomHouse.com Ten Speed Press 800.841.2665... more »

Steeped in Success

Article Resources Wholesalers Bag Ladies Tea 617.254.3336 BagLadiesTea.com Crazy Rumors 877.786.6776 CrazyRumors.com Mighty Leaf Tea Company 877.698.5323 MightyLeaf.com Primula Tea 732.390.5600 PrimulaTea.com SerendipiTea 888.832.5433 SerendipiTea.com Stash Tea 800.547.1514 StashTea.com Tea forte Inc. 800.721.1139 Teaforte.com Teaposy... more »

Trending Up: Summer 2007

Sunblossom Solar Gifts LLC Lightweight SunSprite chimes are for indoor use. A wrought iron stand makes the chimes portable. Available in a variety of designs. 866.456.8357SolarChime.com My Little Shoebox The Awesome Blossom Card is a... more »

Merchants hoping to cast spells over shoppers

Novi, Mich. — Harry Potter entered the wizard shopping district known as Diagon Alley and was amazed by what he saw."Harry wished he had eight more eyes," J.K. Rowling wrote in "Harry Potter and the... more »