News
Holiday retail sales exceed NRF forecast, showing strongest gain since Great Recession
Holiday sales during November and December increased 5.5 percent over the same period in 2016 to $691.9 billion as growing wages, stronger employment and higher confidence led consumers to spend more than had been expected,... more »
Book the Block hotel promotion returns to Las Vegas Market
Las Vegas Market announced that its popular “Book The Block” hotel promotion will return for the Winter 2018 Las Vegas Market, January 28-February 1, 2018. Through the Las Vegas Market sponsored promotion, buyers and suppliers who book... more »
The Naked Bee, Rocky Mountain Gift Show to feature Operation Pollination
The Rocky Mountain Gift Show, held Feb. 21-26 in Denver, will include Operation Pollination. The Naked Bee started the Operation Pollination initiative three years ago to help spread awareness and help re-grow the honeybee population. The... more »
LA Mart aids Southern California fire and mudslide victims
This winter, thousands of LA Mart customers have been dealt a severe blow by the recent outbreak of raging fires and crippling mudslides. Because of these, many stores were forced to be temporarily out of business for up to two weeks during the ever-important shopping month of December and have been... more »
Emily McDowell Studio, Sisters of Los Angeles join Knock Knock to become Who’s There Group
Venice Beach gift company and book publisher Knock Knock announced the acquisition of Emily McDowell Studio (EMS) and Sisters of Los Angeles (SoLA), fellow Southern California women-owned companies. Knock Knock will run the trifecta under... more »
NY NOW welcomes fresh beauty, wellness products plus new brands during winter 2018 market
After a busy holiday season, buyers are looking for the next opportunity to fill their shelves with products that will pamper consumers and help them feel good in the year ahead. For those that want... more »
LA Mart readies for its 60th anniversary and the debut of Temps on 2 during winter market
LA Mart sets off their 60th Anniversary year-long celebration with this month’s Winter Market held Thursday, January 18 through Monday January 22, 2018. Opening its doors in 1958, the LA Mart has progressed from a... more »
Las Vegas Market reports influx of Discoveries exhibitors
Las Vegas Market announced today that the newly-expanded Pavilions at Las Vegas Market will showcase its most comprehensive collection of temporary exhibitors providing vintage, antique and one-of-a-kind merchandise in Discoveries: The Antique Vintage Marketplace during... more »
Retail imports end 2017 with 7 percent growth as industry sales continue to increase
Imports at the nation’s major retail container ports grew 7 percent during 2017 over 2016 as retail sales continued to increase and the industry wrapped up the year with a strong holiday season, according to... more »
The Rocky Mountain Gift Show is coming
The Rocky Mountain Gift Show is quickly approaching and the excitement around the show is building. We have incredible seminar speakers and we are bringing back the Buyers Choice Award. Come learn about new strategies... more »
Following job gains in November, retailers scale back in December
Retail industry employment decreased by 20,200 jobs in December from November, the National Retail Federation said today. The number, which excludes automobile dealers, gasoline stations and restaurants, reverses the increase of 20,500 jobs seen in... more »
Top tips for building a retail brand story that sells
In an era of increasing competition from both online and brick-and-mortar retailers, modern shopkeepers find themselves continually questioning what they need to do to stand out. According to Jerrod Sumner, founder of branding and storytelling... more »
