News

March 10, 2009
Midwest Introduces New, Convenient Online Shopping for Independent Retailers

Cannon Falls, MN — Midwest, leading designer and manufacturer of the Seasons of Cannon Falls®, Colonial Candle® and Delight™ brands, introduces a new way for independent retailers to conveniently view, search and shop Midwest's complete... more »

March 10, 2009
Hospitals in Michigan look to shops for revenue

Don't be surprised to visit a hospital and be able to walk out with a mattress or a Honey Baked Ham.Borrowing a page from airports and shopping, hospital systems are expanding, renovating and taking back... more »

March 10, 2009
Social Networks, Blogs Pass Email In Usage

The rapidly evolving world of social networks and blogs has officially grown up. Last year, the largest increase in visitors to such "member community" Web sites came from those ages 35-49, according to a new... more »

March 10, 2009
While some businesses are closing, others open

Oroville -- Teresa Bachellerie milled around her small florist shop Tuesday, looking at hundreds of gift items stacked on shelves and hanging on walls. "It's hard to believe that in about a month all these... more »

March 10, 2009
February Denver Gift Show: Upbeat & Busy

Denver, CO -- Buyers turned out for the February 2009 Denver Merchandise Mart Gift, Home, Jewelry & Resort Show in numbers nearly matching last February's. "More importantly, many exhibitors commented that they had a great... more »

March 9, 2009
Retailers’ bag of tricks includes smell and lighting

Bargain is the new black, and marketers have caught on.But when is a sale a deal?Retailers have developed myriad techniques to entice customers into the store, over to their products and eventually to the checkout... more »

March 9, 2009
Collectors’ Information Bureau Announces Finalists for Collectors’ Choice Awards

Grundy Center, IA -- The glitz and glam of awards season continues this month, as the Collectors' Information Bureau, a trade association comprised of top manufacturers in the field of limited edition collectibles, announces its... more »

March 7, 2009
Recession responses differ

In trying to ride out the recession, two local businesses have taken opposite tacks. One has built its own building and taken on tenants; the other has consolidated to cut expenses.Scott Mace opened Rock Hill... more »

March 6, 2009
February Retail Sales Stronger Than Expected

Led by Walmart, which posted a strapping 5% sales jump in February, many of the largest retail chains did better than many predicted. Overall, the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) says U.S. chain store... more »

March 5, 2009
Cast your beady eyes over crafty sisters’ gift shop

Jewellery company Beadelicious has opened a new gift shop to complement its range of handmade accessories. Keepsakes, the latest venture for sisters Beverley Dawson and Donna Coe, offers cards and gifts for special occasions at... more »

March 5, 2009
One Small Retailer Adjusts to the New Normal

It's a familiar refrain: Customers only buy what's on sale, if they buy at all. That's the case at one small Portland chain of kitchen goods stores, says co-owner John Whisler. So rather than try... more »

March 5, 2009
E-Commerce Site Design: Setting Up Blogs for Business

If you haven't added a blog to your online store, given the state of the economy, now is a good time to consider doing so, as they can be an affordable way to market your... more »