News
With expectations low, retailers see victory on Black Friday
Brick-and-mortar retailers did enough things right on Black Friday to consider the event a success, even if the crowds of past years haven’t returned. Chains simplified promotions this year and took a keener eye to managing their... more »
This holiday season, let’s talk about retail workers
Far more than the miners or factory workers that President Trump regularly touts, the retail salesperson is the face of today’s economy. Nearly 16 million people work in retail in America, more than 300 times as many... more »
Small, local shops offer alternative options to major retailers
With Black Friday a day away and a host of stores even open on Thanksgiving this year, holiday shopping is no doubt underway. For those who prefer to avoid the crowds at major retail chains,... more »
Mom-and-pop shops are threatening the mall this holiday season
More bad news for America’s shopping malls: Consumers are shopping closer to home. And increasingly, home is not where the malls are. Spending growth at mom-and-pop businesses has outpaced that of the big chains in... more »
GHTA confirms 2017-18 board at Gift & Home Bridgeway Collaborative Conference
The Gift and Home Trade Association (GHTA), whose mission is to create a national forum connecting industry leaders in their pursuit of ideas, innovations and best practices to advance business programs, confirmed its 2017-2018 Board... more »
Fifteenth annual Chicago Toy and Game Week
The winners of the 10th annual TAGIE Awards honoring innovation and excellence in the toy and game industry were announced at a gala on Navy Pier in Chicago on Saturday night. Attended by industry luminaries and sponsored by... more »
National Retail Federation president and CEO to host media briefing on 2017 Thanksgiving Weekend, Cyber Monday results
To more accurately capture the entirety of spending on Thanksgiving weekend, NRF this year will release spending data on November 28, the day after Cyber Monday. Doing so will allow NRF to provide a more colorful picture... more »
Quality buyers, new resources, networking events headline 2017 Smoky Mountain Gift Show
The November 1-4, 2017 Smoky Mountain Gift Show generated reports of quality buyer traffic, a record number of first-time exhibitors along with fun networking events for show attendees and exhibitors. Featuring more than 800 booths... more »
Grace Management Group announces strategic partnership with OneCoast
Grace Management Group, parent company of Votivo, Greenleaf, Bridgewater Candle Company and The WillowBrook Company, announces that it will join forces with OneCoast. Beginning December 1, 2017, OneCoast will provide sales and supplemental marketing services... more »
Sold-out 2017 Ocean City Resort Gift Expo attracts retailers from Maine to Virginia Beach
Tracking slightly ahead of the 2016 edition, the November 12-14, 2017 Ocean City Resort Gift Expo attracted coastal retailers from Maine to Virginia Beach who came to restock for the coming spring/summer tourist season. Featuring... more »
Almost half of younger consumers plan to spend more during the holidays
With the holiday shopping season about to hit the home stretch, most consumers say they will spend about the same as last year. But a new survey released today by the National Retail Federation and... more »
Why you can’t afford to miss Niche Fair
Coming to Cleveland on February 23-24, Niche Fair is a game-changer. It’s a new frontier in the world of maker-focused wholesale gift shows. But since we don’t expect you to just take our word for it, here... more »
