A Call to Arms
Quinn Halford -- Gifts & Decorative Accessories, 4/1/2001
In spite of some gloomy economic predictions and reports of reduced consumer confidence, stationery manufacturers and vendors are predicting increased sales in 2001. That's the optimistic outlook of 78 percent of the vendors Gifts & Dec surveyed for our annual Stationery Survey. The majority predicted that their 2001 price points would remain about the same as last year's. They also reported on some subtle shifts in certain product categories: The blank books and journals category may have reached a saturation point, while social and business stationery may be benefiting from "e-backlash." The full report, including what's hot and what's not in stationery, starts on page 74.
Gift for Life
Recently, news of the HIV/AIDS pandemic has mostly centered on the costly antiretroviral drugs used to control the disease, and the inability of Third World nations-those countries with the highest rates of infection-to pay for such treatment. The good news is that efforts are being made to reduce those costs to as little as $350 per patient per year. The not-so-good news is that the drugs do not cure or prevent AIDS (there is no vaccine for the disease), and, if they are not administered properly (a strong possibility in countries with primitive health care systems), there is the chance of a supervirus developing that will be immune to any current drug treatment.
So, the battle for a cure and a vaccine continues on many fronts. One of those fronts is Gift for Life, the gift and home decor industry's volunteer organization. Since its founding in 1992, it has raised $2.4 million to support the work of the American Foundation for AIDS Research (amfAR). Funds are raised through donations, sample sales, specially created gift products, and the annual Gift for Life party, held during the National Stationery Show (this year, on May 21).
Support for Gift for Life, as it is about to celebrate its ninth anniversary, is very enthusiastic, but the organization (of which this magazine is a member) still needs retailers to become more involved. While the threat of AIDS may seem far away from your store and your lives, it isn't. The consequences of this disease going unchecked are going to touch every facet of our global society. Also, scientific research into AIDS has resulted in important advances in understanding and treating heart attacks, cancer, osteoporosis, Alzheimer's, and other diseases. So, whether you offer to buy a raffle ticket, attend the May party, sell specially created gift products in your store, or make an outright donation, you'll be joining thousands of your gift industry colleagues in fighting a disease that knows no gender, age, racial, or geographical barrier.
Two Anniversaries
In a business notorious for the number of failures it endures every year, it's a real pleasure to hear of gift retailers succeeding. We were recently notified about two such successes. In Michigan, the Bon Ton Shoppe has been selling gifts and Hallmark cards for 40 years. Stella Wingerter opened her 1,200-square-foot shop in Farmington on May 1, 1961. Today, there are four stores, ranging in size from 6,000 to 7,000 square feet, in Farmington, Livonia, Milford, and Brighton, Michigan. It's a family-run business, with the Wingerters still in charge.
Lucille Westgate opened Bedpost & Pillows, in Hobart, Indiana, 20 years ago. Today, she is assisted by her designer daughter, Roxanne Helding. In celebration of two decades of success, they just opened a second shop in the Historic Court House in Crown Point, Indiana. Bedpost & Pillows offers old, new, and "in-between" items, including antiques, collectibles, candles, greeting cards, and florals.
Congratulations, and happy anniversary.
