Happy Holidays!
Caroline Kennedy -- Gifts and Dec, 1/11/2011 5:35:20 AM
It's the Season of Giving ... That Most Wonderful Time of the Year(as the song goes) when so much of what this industry is all about becomes crystal clear (just like the season's snow and ice!).
It's that time when many of the things that we manufacture, showcase, promote and sell make their way into the hearts, hands and homes of consumers' friends and family. This is not to say that people don't buy and give gifts during the rest of the year - we would all be out of business if that was the case. But at no other time of year is the spirit of giving celebrated by so many people all at the same time.
The early reports of this season's retail sales are encouraging. Consumers seem to be spending a little more, but are still being careful. We are not out of the economic woods yet. And small retail businesses are still having a hard go of it. But even there, signs are encouraging. "Shop Local" campaigns - whether it's the 3/50 Project, Main street, Hidebound or some other movement - are gaining more momentum as small retailers reach out to reinforce the importance of these businesses to their communities. Last month, the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association launched the first-ever Neighborhood Toy Store Day with much success. Participating retailers reached out to their local media to promote the day, they planned special events and reported increases in sales and foot traffic. The idea for the day was conceived earlier this year, giving plenty of time to plan and promote the concept.
More recently, American Express Open promoted the Saturday following Thanksgiving as "Small Business Saturday" to encourage shoppers to remember to support their local small retailers during the frenzied shopping time between Black Friday and Cyber Monday. A wonderful idea! The national attention that was given to the message through American Express Open's promotional efforts during the holiday weekend certainly helped to raise awareness. However, the idea was launched a little too late for many businesses to get behind the idea and promote the heck out of it. Hopefully next year, given the time to plan and promote, like Neighborhood Toy Store Day, retailers should be able to benefit more.
A New Look Book
This issue - a newly redesigned Gifts & Decorative Accessories - is our holiday gift to you. Going into our 94th year, we took a page from our new sister publication, New Beauty, and have had a facelift. (Now 94 is the new ... ?) It will continue to be a work in progress as we make adjustments in the coming months. We hope that you like it.
We would love your feedback!
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Business It All Adds Up
Dec 23, 2011 -
Déjà View
Mar 11, 2011 -
Profiles and Previews
Dec 9, 2010 -
March Sales May Be Gauge of Recovery
Mar 5, 2010 -
Easy Everyday Events
Jan 1, 2010
VIEW ALL GALLERIES
