News
Registration open for ASTRA 2019 toy show
Registration is now open for the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA) 2019 Marketplace & Academy. ASTRA is offering a special pre-early bird Advanced Registration price for retailers and sales representatives through Dec. 31. As... more »
Robert Irvine, Ayesha Curry, Emeril Lagasse added to International Home + Housewares Show lineup
Food Network celebrity chef Robert Irvine will make his debut in the Cooking Theater and Ayesha Curry and Emeril Lagasse return to the stage during the 2019 International Home + Housewares Show, March 2-5, at... more »
Décor, design resources grow at AmericasMart for January 2019 market
The comprehensive HOME collection at AmericasMart Atlanta spans the décor and design spectrum with new and expanded showrooms and the new Commercial Design floor joining the Home & Rug, Home Accents & Fine Linens, Home... more »
November retail sales increase 5 percent over 2017
November retail sales were up 0.7 percent seasonally adjusted from October and increased 5 percent unadjusted year-over-year, completing the first half of the holiday shopping season with spending on track to easily meet the National... more »
Candles and kites and more — oh my!
{Sponsored} The Winter Market at Las Vegas Market (January 27-31, 2019) will be flush with new and returning vendors, fresh partnerships and a new co-located show with products that will include 20 to 30 new exhibitors... more »
Minted raises new capital to fuel expansion
Minted has raised $208 million in their Series E financing from the Permira funds as well as funds and accounts advised by T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. Minted plans to use the financing to expand... more »
MFA, Precious Moments sign licensing agreement
Mark Feldstein & Associates, Inc. (MFA), a product development company and importer of home décor, seasonal décor and giftware, has signed a licensing agreement with giftware manufacturer Precious Moments to design, manufacture and distribute inspirational... more »
Amazon looks to airports for expansion
In an effort to continue growth, Amazon is planning to bring its checkout-free format to airports. “For months, the world’s largest online retailer has been expanding Amazon Go, where customers scan their smartphones at a... more »
Constant Contact launches integration for Shopify
Constant Contact has launched an integration with Shopify, allowing merchants to send branded, targeted and automated emails to customers, including those who abandoned shopping carts, for higher conversion. The integration is timely with e-commerce sales... more »
Tastemade to receive ‘Design Influencer’ award
Food and travel network Tastemade will receive the third annual “Design Influencer of the Year” award at the Housewares Design Awards Celebration on Tuesday, Jan. 29, at Las Vegas Market. Founded in 2012, Tastemade is... more »
‘Brick-and-mobile’ is changing in-store shopping
Consumers are increasingly using their phones while in stores. From product reviews, price comparisons or looking for gift ideas, shoppers are turning to their mobile devices as a resource. Nearly three-fourths (71 percent) of shoppers... more »
November retail jobs account for 12 percent of nationwide job growth
Retail industry employment in November increased by 18,600 jobs seasonally adjusted from October, accounting for 12 percent of the 155,000-job increase reported by the Labor Department for the economy overall, the National Retail Federation (NRF)... more »
