News

October 28, 2008
Iota To Unveil 2009 Collection

(Basalt, Colo.) — Iota, a division of C.R. Gibson, is pleased to announce its colorful new collection for 2009, one marked by inventive paper stationery items and new product categories never before offered by this... more »

October 27, 2008
Fancifull Gift Baskets aims to unwrap growth

The back wall at the Melrose Avenue shop Fancifull Gift Baskets is dominated by a giant organizational chart detailing who does what in dozens of jobs across seven divisions and 21 departments.The diagram, created by... more »

October 27, 2008
Stores get early start on wooing holiday shoppers

If you think layaway went away with rotary dial phones and disco, think again. Retailers are using that old-fashioned perk, as well as newfangled promotions, to persuade cash-strapped consumers to spend, spend, spend.The promotional push... more »

October 27, 2008
Mister, can you spare a latté?

San Diego and New York—When Think Coffee on Mercer Street in Manhattan opens at 7 a.m., there are usually people waiting outside to duck in and stake their claim. As the day wears on, freshmen... more »

October 27, 2008
NRF’s Top Tips for Buying Gift Cards

(WASHINGTON) -- Once again, gift cards will be the most requested gift this holiday season. According to NRF's 2008 Holiday Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey, conducted by BIGresearch, 54.9 percent of consumers would like to... more »

October 27, 2008
Fiesta melamine chargers and trays are latest additions to licensed products from Jay Import Co.

(NEWELL, W.Va.) -The Homer Laughlin China Company announces an exclusive licensing agreement with Jay Import Co. Jay Import Co. debuted an assortment of heavy [melamine] chargers and trays previewed at the New York Tabletop Market,... more »

October 27, 2008
Financial meltdown won’t spoil Halloween fun

New York - Global stocks markets are plummeting, house prices are slumping and jobless figures are rising but Americans are not about to let a financial crisis dent their Halloween fun.About three quarters of Americans... more »

October 27, 2008
Dallas set for January Holiday & Home Expo

(DALLAS) –– Holiday & Home Expo, the nation's only tradeshow devoted exclusively to permanent floral, seasonal décor and related decorative accessories, is set for January 14-20, 2009 at Dallas Market Center, the world's largest wholesale... more »

October 26, 2008
Retailers hope sales, promotions will convince consumers to get into the holiday spending spirit

It's a buyer's market on the retail scene as stores focus on promotions, service and inventory to fatten up scrawny sales.Unsettled by shaky consumer confidence and foundering economy, retailers need a strong holiday season to... more »

October 26, 2008
An idea ferments

Randolph, MA - Stephanie Browne says she became seriously interested in wine when she was out for dinner with friends and wanted to know more about the wine list she was reading. Her husband, Basil,... more »

October 26, 2008
Rosario: Carolyn the Florist is a true face of small business

Joe the Plumber, meet Carolyn the florist.Unlike the Ohio man turned political football, if not poster child for Small Business America, Carolyn Smaller is the real deal.The 64-year-old widowed mother of four and grandmother of... more »

October 26, 2008
Store owner getting ready for Christmas

Pat Duke works about 50 hours a week at her floral and gift store in Eastbrook in what would best be described as a la bor powered by love.Duke, 66, admits that while she enjoys... more »