Gifts and Dec Blogs
Happy 15 minutes-off-work-to-have-a-turkey-sandwich day
By Meredith Schwartz Remember when Thanksgiving, America's most universal holiday, was to be celebrated with family and friends and being thankful for what we have? Or in giving back, serving the less fortunate? Well, those days are over. It was bad enough when stores started opening early on Black Friday - first at six, then five, then four and three a.m., so employees had to face the ravening do... More
About this blog
The staff of Gifts & Decorative Accessories share their views and commentary on matters related to the industry.
Beat the Heat: Hasbro Nerf Super Soaker Arctic Shock Water Blaster
With temps steadily climbing into the 80s this week and school due to let out this Friday, our thoughts are turning to ice pops, the beach and all things summer. Because we know firsthand how much the kids need to get outside and play, we need the perfect excuse to keep them there. Enter the NERF Super Soaker Arctic Shock Water Blaster. This is so not your average water gun. Deep within its recess... More
About this blog
This Mommy blog puts a practical perspective on all types of products -- not just toys and gifts -- for moms and their kids. It will help retailers understand what is important to mothers when it comes to buying for their kids.
Small Business is Big
Independent retailers nationwide are basking in the glow of the attention focused our way by Small Business Week. A full roster of activities in major cities around the country is being sponsored by the SBA, and many local organizations are saluting the top small businesses in their area. Google is even providing a place for us to "hang out" virtually all week with panels of experts in... More
About this blog
Veteran retailer Carol Schroeder shares her experience and perspective on the ups and downs of being a gift retailer.
Kids and the Fight for Time
If you really want to grasp how little time today's kids have, just take a look at this well-meaning webpage from PBS Kids. Entitled "Time Management: Make a Daily Schedule," it shows a child how to set goals and plan a schedule with an eye toward "time wasters," something I did not feel I had to learn until my early 30's.Remember when being a kid was all about time without b... More
About this blog
Richard Gottlieb, president of Richard Gottlieb & Associates, a New York-based business development firm specializing in the toy business, offers his sometimes funny and always unique take on developments in the industry.
Paid (not) In Full
Here's a fascinating new marketing idea that I've never heard anyone do before and I wonder if it has any application in the gift and home business.Panera, the sandwich and semi-fast food chain that now has 1700 locations, has been experimenting with a program it calls Panera Cares and it basically allows customers to pay what they are able to for certain food items. First, it has set up five stor... More
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What gifts, et al, have to do with the shoppers, retailing and the rest of the known world...at least according to editorial director Warren Shoulberg.
Brand-building Success
Here's one modern way to build a brand: Create a collector. A recent article in the Washington Post looked at the company's success. Many of today's gift companies are looking for ways to build a recognizable brand that resonates with consumers. Vera Bradley has been very successful in doing just that. Starting with simple, yet fashionably feminine quilted soft luggage, the company has become a li... More
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With her veteran's-eye view, editor-in-chief Caroline Kennedy comments on the highlights and sidelights of our gift industry and the everyday world around us.
Too Little Too Late
I got a call recently from a business owner who was in trouble. First we got through the stories about his big mean bank. Then we talked about how great and glorious his business would be if only he could borrow another $800,000. Then we looked at his balance sheet and discussed the lack of rich uncles or friends who might lend him the $800,000.His bank is actually a little mean bank but they can... More
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Turning Points is dedicated to helping industry leaders survive the current recession and to prepare for success in the inevitable economic recovery.
Do you have any constraints in your store that prevent you from displaying/merchandising your product the way you would like? How do you get around it?
This month's We Asked Board members shared their problems and solutions.Alison Anderson of A. Dodson's:A. Dodson's is an old cottage that's been renovated into a shop. Although it gives us lots of charm, it also gives us some constraints. One in particular is low eight foot ceilings in our Garden Room. Always looking to turn a negative into a positive, we covered the Garden Room ceiling in hanging... More
About this blog
Every month in the magazine Gifts & Decorative Accessories asks three of our retailer advisors a topical question regarding store operations, customer service, employee management, rep relations, merchandise management or some other such matter of relevance to the success of their — and your — business. It’s our way of helping retailers help other retailers. By posting the monthly “We Ask” question online you too can participate and contribute answers that might be of help to other retailers.
Wondering What's Next For Facebook? Timeline!
In the short, it's the new Facebook personal profile layout that gives users the ability to go back to a specific point in someone's personal profile. Yes, I keep saying "personal profile" for a reason. Timeline is projected to release to personal profiles first. Currently, the Timeline view is available on the Developer site. See how my personal Facebook Timeline looks in the photos bel... More
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Christi Tasker shares her tips and answers your questions about Facebook, Twitter and other social and electronic media used to market your store.
5 Things I Loved About the Type-A Mom Conference
Just got back from the Type-A Mom Conference in Asheville, North Carolina, where I and my colleague, Team Mom Director Marie Baker, had the best of times. Following are five things I loved about the conference: Seeing so many members of our Team Mom network of review bloggers and of our Parkbench Panel, including Debbie from Mamanista and Bloganthropy, Connie from Brain Foggles, Beth from P... More
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Mom Market Trends is an ongoing look at the social and marketing developments that affect today’s moms, with frequent emphasis on the power of the online mom community. Stephanie Azzarone, author of the blog and president of Child’s Play Communications, specialists in publicity and marketing communications for products and services targeted to moms, shares studies, trends, relevant articles, feedback from the Child’s Play Communications network of moms, and more, to keep marketers informed of the latest news and concerns impacting this $2.1 trillion dollar demographic.
Interpretation of Children's Products
With their Proposed Interpretative Rule, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is attempting to better define what constitutes a children’s product and how to differentiate a children’s product from a general use item. With some products, such as toys, there is no question that the item is a children’s product. But there are many other products that are less clearly identifiable. The di... More
About this blog
Play It Safe provides regular updates on key quality, safety and regulatory developments affecting the toy industry. Author Susan DeRagon is associate director of the Toy and Premium Division at Specialized Technology Resources (STR), the Enfield, Conn.-based CPSC-accredited testing laboratory.
Cooking Toys are all the rave
I just got back from the Housewares Show in Chicago. You may wonder what does that trade show have to do with toys? Well, cooking toys have been around for a long time and proven to hold kids interest year after year. Starting from the moment toddlers bang wooden spoons and pots and pans, they recognize tools used in the kitchen that create yummy things they taste all day long. Manufacturers have... More
About this blog
Marianne M. Szymanski is founder and president of Toy Tips Inc., an independent research group that conducts academic studies and publishes toy report cards based on child development. She is also the author of A Parent's Essential Guide to Smart Toy Choices (Wiley/Jossey Bass), an entrepreneur, speaker, lecturer and media personality.
