North Carolina Aquarium revamps gift shops

With three locations along the Atlantic coast, the North Carolina Aquarium Society entertains and educates well over a million people each year. Each aquarium has a gift shop. The retail team also operates a fourth... more »

New stationery show planned for June in New Jersey

Global Products Market Expositions (GPM) is inviting stationery marketing brands, as well as buyers and attendees, to a new stationery trade show in New Jersey next summer. The Global Stationery Products Market Trade Show (GSPM)... more »

State of the Pet Industry

The U.S. pet industry is expected to reach $96 billion in sales by 2020. This growing market encompasses a variety of pet species, each taking the lead in a variety of trends. A noteworthy trend... more »

International Western/English Apparel & Equipment markets find a new home at Dallas Market Center

The Western & English Sales Association (WESA), producer of the world’s largest trade events for the Equestrian Industry, in collaboration with Dallas Market Center, the leading wholesale marketplace for buyers and sellers from around the... more »

Legal Corner: Respect My Privacy

In the last issue I discussed Terms and Conditions and their importance in retail and online. Privacy Policies are the first cousin to Terms and Conditions. They serve many purposes to protect both the customer... more »

The Power of Focal Points in Store Design

Brick-and-mortar stores have one prominent competitive advantage over the quick-click sale. They have the capacity to engage and direct customers through thoughtful and expressive displays. Understanding the influence of powerful environments and designing a focal... more »

Products with Purpose

Love Your Melon Zachary Quinn, President www.loveyourmelon.com Company mission: Love Your Melon is an apparel brand dedicated to giving a hat to every child battling cancer as well as supporting nonprofit organizations who lead the fight... more »

Shinola, Detroit

As makers of handcrafted watches, bicycles, leather goods and journals, Shinola believes that products should be built to last and they should be built in America. Shinola stands for skill at scale, the preservation of... more »

Locally crafted products, new gourmet offerings attract retailers to August 2018 Seattle Gift Show

Special spotlights on new vendors, local resources and the debut of Northwest Flavors, a new sector featuring locally-made gourmet products, and artisan handicrafts were among the new initiatives that drew retailers from throughout the Pacific... more »

International Market Centers signs agreement to acquire Atlanta Decorative Arts Center

International Market Centers (IMC) has entered into an agreement to acquire the Atlanta Decorative Arts Center (ADAC), a leading design facility housing the Southeast’s largest collection of luxury furnishings for residential, hospitality and commercial applications.... more »