news

The Toy Association unveils the hottest toy trends of the holiday season

The Toy Association trends team unveiled the hottest toy trends of the '21 holiday season, offering an inside look at some of the fastest growing fads in the toy and play space – from innovative... more »

IMC’s High Point Market offers Instagram takeover with seven design experts

International Market Centers (IMC) expands its Market Pros to the Fall High Point Market with seven design experts set to take over the DesignOn HPMKT by IMC Instagram account to share new finds during the... more »

NRF says shoppers are still spending

Despite falling consumer confidence numbers amid the recent rise in COVID-19 infections, shoppers are continuing to spend, Jack Kleinhenz, chief economist for National Retail Federation said. “With consumer spending accounting for roughly two-thirds of U.S.... more »

About Face Designs acquires Brownlow Gifts

About Face Designs, based in Highland Park, Illinois announced the acquisition of Brownlow Gifts, an inspirational gift company based in Fort Worth, Texas. “The purchase of Brownlow Gifts is a strategic expansion by About Face... more »

GCA receives recognition for its Black Makers Pitch Program

The Greeting Card Association (GCA) was honored with the highest recognition, the Summit Award for Diversity & Inclusion, for its Black Makers Pitch Program. The honor was bestowed at the annual American Society of Association... more »

DEMDACO and OneCoast part ways

OneCoast and DEMDACO mutually announced the end of their representation agreement effective Jan. 1, 2022. The representation agreement was initiated in January of 2016 and has come to a natural end at the end of... more »

The Metropolitan Museum of Art unveils new licensing partnerships

The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met) unveiled new licensing partnerships across home décor, fashion accessories, gifting and educational games. The first of these new licensing collaborations will launch to consumers and the trade this... more »

IMC opens registration for its October Market Insights webinar

As retailers enter the busy fourth quarter, International Market Centers (IMC) is encouraging an examination of the unique value that individual stores bring to local communities in its Market Insights: The Art and Science of... more »