News

September 10, 2008
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 »

September 10, 2008
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 »

September 10, 2008
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 »

September 10, 2008
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 »

September 9, 2008
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 »

September 9, 2008
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 »

September 9, 2008
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 »

September 9, 2008
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 »

September 9, 2008
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 »

September 9, 2008
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 »

September 9, 2008
Four new products exhibited during ABC Kids Expo

Las Vegas, USA – Bloom, the award-winning, global innovator of European-inspired baby gear and furniture, announced their foray into the US market during ABC 2007 in Las Vegas. Since launching in major European markets in... more »

September 9, 2008
Enesco announces strategic licensing agreement

Itasca, Ill. –– Enesco, LLC, a leader in the gift, and home and garden décor industries, today announced the signing of a licensing agreement with artist Michael Macone. Based in Shell Lake, Wisconsin, Macone has... more »