Retailers selling gifts and decorative accessories are a varied lot, as Gifts & Decorative Accessories' 25 Gifted Retailers '08 illustrate. They are typically untypical. Among our selected group is a stationery specialist, a shop within a car wash and a gift and fabric shop offering sewing classes. All but two operate only one store (the other two have two locations); 16 have websites, yet only four sell online; and they offer a wide range of product categories. These stores average about 4,200 square feet, with some as small as 500 square feet and another as large as 20,000 square feet. More than half of this year’s group have been in business for 10 or more years. This is just one of the reasons why we call them Gifted Retailers. They, and others like them, are the backbone of the gift industry, and even in tenuous times, are hardy. That is not to say that they aren’t challenged; they are. But by being small — and independent — they can adapt more readily to the changing retail climate, whether that change is an economic condition, an emerging trend or a shift in local population. And adapt they must in order to stay strong and competitive.
Presented here are snapshots of the first 13 of our 25 Gifted Retailers. Part 2, featuring the other 12 can be found here. Continue to watch this spot! Beginning in early 2009, every two weeks, we will post a full profile of one retailer, letting you know what they are doing and how they are doing, so you can gain an even better idea of why we think they are Gifted Retailers. |
Ambiance Interiors & Gifts Suwanee, GA
One Store. Estimated 2007 total sales: $1.3 million
Gift and home accent specialist founded in 1999. Offers upper-middle price points in 4,500 square feet of selling space. Total sales per square foot, $222. Is located in an historic home. Has eight employees, including four salespeople. Carries candles/candle accessories, holiday, personal care/aromatherapy, abletop/serveware, gift books, fashion accents, toys/games/puzzles, gourmet foods, accent rugs, housewares, stationery, jewelry, greeting cards, photo frames, wall art, plush, CDs/music, glassware/crystal, home textiles, permanent florals, licensed products, gift baskets, baby products, custom-designed furniture and lighting. Also provides interior design services. Major vendors include Trapp Private Gardens, Aromatique, Seda France and Pacifica for candles; Aromatique and Poo-pourri for personal care; RAZ Imports for holiday; and Pictura, Greeting Place and Up With Paper for greeting cards. Special events include a holiday open house with an appearance from Father Fuchsia, pajama parties and an annual Red, White & Blue sale. Displays merchandise on furniture and strives to make the store look like a home. www.ambianceworldwide.com
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And Other Fancy Stuff Anchorage, AK
One Store. Estimated 2007 total sales: Less than $1 million
Gift and home specialist in business since 2000. Offers promotional to high end lines in 2,320 square feet of selling space. Has three employees. Carries candles/candle accessories, holiday, personal care/aromatherapy, collectibles, tabletop/serveware, fashion accents, gourmet foods, housewares, stationery, jewelry, greeting cards, photo frames, wall art, plush, CDs/music, glassware/crystal, home textiles, permanent florals, licensed products, gift baskets, baby products and blown glass. Key vendors include Yankee Candle for candles; Thymes for personal care; Silver Forest of Vermont for jewelry; Midwest for holiday; and Leanin’ Tree for greeting cards. Special events include birthday and frequent buyer discounts and a men’s shopping night. Prides itself on its full service and its personal relationship with customers. |
Bella Regali Nashville, TN
One Store. Estimated 2007 total sales: Less than $1 million
Gift specialist founded in 2002. Is located in an upscale car wash. Offers promotional to mid-priced lines in 500 square feet of selling space. Has five employees, including a four-member sales team. Carries candles/candle accessories, holiday, tabletop/serveware, gift books, fashion accents, toys/games/puzzles, accent rugs, housewares, stationery, jewelry, greeting cards, photo frames, gift baskets and baby products. Key vendors include Seda France and Pacifica for candles; What’s In Store for jewelry; Tag and Two’s Company for holiday; and Curly Girl Design, Point of View, Anzu, Lucky Star Press and Tag & Co. for greeting cards. Holds a yearly Christmas in July sale and a Holiday Open House and Wine Tasting in October. Its unique car wash location provides excellent foot traffic and a captive audience for at least ten minutes. www.bellacarte.net
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Country Mischief Templeton, MA
Two Stores. Estimated 2007 total sales: Less than $1 million
Gift and home accent specialist founded in 1984. Stores offer promotional to high end lines in a combined 20,000 square feet of selling space. Also operates a restaurant. Carries candles/candle accessories, holiday, personal care/aromatherapy, collectibles, tabletop/serveware, gift books, fashion accents, accent rugs, housewares, stationery, jewelry, greeting cards, wall art, CDs/music, glassware/crystal, home textiles, permanent florals, lighting, furniture and wallpaper. Key vendors include McCall’s Country Canning and A Cheerful Giver/Keepers of the Light for candles; Carol Endres Bee Home for personal care; Chamilia for jewelry; Department 56, Midwest and Park Designs for holiday; and Lang for greeting cards. Special events include an annual anniversary sale and a Country Roads Christmas event. Believes its large product selection, great merchandising and customer rapport sets it apart. www.countrymischief.com
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Curious Sofa Prairie Village, KS
One Store. Estimated 2007 total sales: Less than $1 million
Home accents specialist founded in 2000. Offers promotional to high end lines in 2,500 square feet of selling space. Total sales per square foot, $245. Has seven employees, including five salespeople. Carries candles/candle accessories, holiday, personal care/aromatherapy, tabletop/serveware, gift books, fashion accents, stationery, jewelry, greeting cards, photo frames, wall art, CDs/music, glassware/crystal, home textiles and furniture. Major vendors include Hillhouse Naturals Farm, Votivo, Voluspa Candles and European Soaps for candles; European Soaps, Echo France, French Soaps and Gianna Rose Atelier for personal care; La Vie Parisienne, Sally Jean, Avindy and Grandmother’s Buttons for jewelry; Cody Foster & Co., Bethany Lowe Designs, KD Vintage, Midwest, RAZ Imports and Sullivans for holiday; and Bella Muse, Art Lettres, Hello Lucky and Cavallini & Co., for greeting cards. Uses a neutral color palette and relies on texture, shape and the unexpected, including a mix of antiques, in its merchandising. www.curioussofa.com
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Feather Your Nest Eureka Springs, AR
One Store. Estimated 2007 total sales: Less than $1 million
Gift and home accent specialist in business since 2003. Offers promotional to mid-priced lines in 900 square feet of selling space. Is located in a tourist resort. Also sells online. Has four employees, including a three-member sales team. Carries candles, holiday, personal care, tabletop/serveware, gift books, toys/games/puzzles, gourmet food, accent rugs, housewares, stationery, jewelry, greeting cards, photo frames, wall art, plush, CDs/music, home textiles, permanent florals and baby products. Key vendors include Nouvelle Candle and Sweetgrass Farm for candles; Northridge Gardens, Jane and Aromafloria for personal care; Anne Garrison Design for jewelry; RAZ Imports, Tag, Bethany Lowe Designs, ESC Trading and Cody Foster & Co. for holiday; and Anne Taintor for greeting cards. Specializes in vintage and vintage-inspired products. Product mix includes many U.S.-made and handmade items. All pieces are displayed on furniture. www.shopfeatheryournest.com
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Fitzsu Society Los Angeles
Two Stores. Estimated 2007 total sales: $1 million
Home accent and gift specialist in business since 2000. Stores, located in Los Angeles and Palm Springs, CA, offer upper-middle to high end lines in a combined 3,000 square feet of selling space. Total sales per square foot, $400. Has five employees, including two salespeople. Carries tabletop/serveware, fashion accents, housewares, stationery, jewelry, greeting cards, glassware/crystal and baby products. Major vendors include Vipp for personal care; Design Glut, Citizen:Citizen and L. B. Valentine for jewelry; Alessi and iittala for holiday; and Pancake and Franks and Motormouth Press for greeting cards. Engages the international design community for limited and one-of-a-kind items. Holds in-store events where customers can use featured products and offers a wedding and gift registry. Merchandises through a gallery-like atmosphere. www.fitzsu.com
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Imagine Warren, RI
One Store. Estimated 2007 total sales: $1 million–$2.9 million
Gift specialist, operating out of the renovated 1912 Lyric Theatre, founded in 2001. Offers promotional to high end lines in 12,000 square feet of selling space. Also operates Lyric Twist Cafe, an ice cream and candy shop, and sells online. Carries candles/candle accessories, holiday, personal care/aromatherapy, collectibles, tabletop/serveware, gift books, fashion accents, toys/games/puzzles, gourmet foods, accent rugs, housewares, stationery, jewelry, greeting cards, photo frames, wall art, plush, CDs/music, glassware/crystal, home textiles, permanent florals, licensed products and baby products. Key vendors include Beanpod Candles, Yankee Candle and Tokoloshe for candles; Mangiacotti Florals for personal care; White Light Productions and Kathy Bransfield Jewelry for jewelry; Ganz and Demdaco for holiday; and MikWright, Recycled Paper Greetings and Palm Press for greeting cards. Incorporates its three goals of color, uniqueness and change by constantly reworking its displays. Is the home of the blue cow and the Cow Parade. www.imaginegiftstores.com
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Inspirations Unique Gift Gallery Virginia Beach, VA
One Store. Estimated 2007 total sales: Less than $1 million
Gift and home accent specialist established in 1997. Offers promotional to high end lines in 1,200 square feet of selling space. Total sales per square foot, $175. Has three employees. Carries candles/candle accessories, holiday, personal care/aromatherapy, collectibles, tabletop/serveware, gift books, fashion accents, toys/games/puzzles, housewares, stationery, jewelry, greeting cards, photo frames, wall art, plush, CDs/music, glassware/crystal, licensed products, baby products and local handcrafted products. Major vendors include Virginia Candles/Woodwick, Triple Scent Candles and Votivo for candles; Sweetsoaps for personal care; Chamilia, Annaleece and Emily Ray for jewelry; Ganz, Amscan and Christopher Radko for holiday; and MikWright, Avanti Press and Nobleworks for greeting cards. Holds an annual holiday open house and sale. Offers free gift wrapping and prides itself on the customer service offered by its friendly and entertaining staff. |
JB Winterberry Wheaton, IL
One Store. Estimated 2007 total sales: Less than $1 million
Gift and home decor specialist founded in 2002. Offers promotional to mid-priced lines in 5,200 square feet of selling space. Is owned by a mother and daughter and has 18 part-time employees. Carries candles/candle accessories, holiday, gift books, jewelry, greeting cards, CDs/music, glassware/crystal, permanent florals and antiques. Major vendors include Votivo, Nouvelle Candle and Archipelago for candles; Sullivans, RAZ Imports, Melrose International, A&B Floral and Roundtop Collection for holiday; and Patience Brewster, Laughing Elephant and Mina Lee for greeting cards. Special events include a Fall and Christmas premier, a Witch’s Night Out and Thursday night seminars. Prides itself on great customer service, merchandise selection and involvement in the community.
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Maple Tree Gallery Danville, KY
One Store. Estimated 2007 total sales: Less than $1 million
Gift and home accent specialist founded in 1983. Offers promotional to high end lines in 2,500 square feet of selling space. Also sells online. Has three employees, including two salespeople. Carries candles/candle accessories, holiday, personal care/aromatherapy, tabletop/serveware, gift books, fashion accents, gourmet foods, accent rugs, housewares, stationery, jewelry, greeting cards, photo frames, wall art, plush, glassware/crystal, home textiles, baby products, Vietri Italian pottery and custom framing. Major vendors include Root Candles for candles; Crabtree & Evelyn and Niven Morgan for personal care; Zarah for jewelry; Tag and Two’s Company for holiday; and Patience Brewster and Curly Girl Design for greeting cards. Special events include two Gallery Hops each year, a Christmas open house and a Dog Days of Summer sale. www.mapletreegallery.com
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Paddington Station Ashland, OR
One Store. Estimated 2007 total sales: $1 million–$2.9 million
Gift and home accent specialist founded in 1973. Offers promotional to mid-priced lines in 8,000 square feet of selling space. Has 12 employees. Carries candles/candle accessories, holiday, personal care/aromatherapy, tabletop/serveware, gift books, fashion accents, toys/games/puzzles, gourmet foods, housewares, stationery, jewelry, greeting cards, plush, CDs/music, glassware/crystal, home textiles, baby products and women’s apparel. Key vendors include Tyler Candle, Pacifica and Colonial Candle for candles; Crabtree & Evelyn, Pacifica, Kiss Me In The Garden and Enchanted Meadow/Golden Bough for personal care; Far Fetched, Jody Coyote and 'ZAD for jewelry; Midwest, Department 56 and RAZ Imports for holiday; and Papyrus, Sunrise Greetings and Shannon Martin for greeting cards. Special events include a monthly social event, an annual open house party and a preferred customer loyalty program. Acts as a ticket outlet for local theaters and groups. Prides itself on its exceptional service, broad product selection and ever-changing mix. www.paddingtonstationashland.com
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Prescott General Store Prescott, AZ
One Store. Estimated 2007 total sales: Less than $1 million
Gift and home accent specialist founded in 1997. Offers promotional to mid-priced lines in 712 square feet of selling space. Has two employees. Carries candles/candle accessories, holiday, personal care/aromatherapy, collectibles, tabletop/serveware, gourmet foods, accent rugs, housewares, jewelry, greeting cards, photo frames, wall art, CDs/music, home textiles, permanent florals, licensed products and gift baskets. Major vendors include The Naked Bee and Honey House for personal care; Catherine Lillywhite’s for holiday; and Sunrise Greetings and Greeting Place for greeting cards. Holds a warehouse sale and an after Christmas sale each year. Product mix is country, seasonal and old-fashioned. Is changing product to only American-made, including local merchandise. www.prescottgeneralstore.com
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All sales information is from Gifts & Decorative Accessories’ market research estimates. All data are for calendar year ending Dec. 31, 2007.
Source: ©2008 Gifts & Decorative Accessories market research
How the list was compiled
Gifts & Decorative Accessories’ exclusive report, 25 Gifted Retailers, presents snapshots of independent gift and decorative accessory retailers that are using innovating approaches to marketing and merchandising and are making a difference in their communities.
This list is by no means comprehensive, nor is it a ranking. Many more than the 25 retailers listed here are strong retailers within their communities.
Because sales volumes are of interest, however, Gifts & Decorative Accessories does provide sales estimates for all companies. All sales figures and ranges are Gifts & Decorative Accessories market research estimates and are for total 2007 store sales, which may include revenues from the sale of products other than gifts and accessories. All sales figures and store counts are for the calendar year 2007.
Gifts & Decorative Accessories compiled this report by surveying independent retailers, researching business newspaper archives and speaking with gift industry insiders. Information was gathered, compiled and analyzed by Senior Research Specialist Dana French and Database Coordinator Cynthia Myers.
The sponsor of the published report, World Market Center Las Vegas, has no involvement in suggesting or selecting the 25 Gifted Retailers of 2008. |
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