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Here's the news for the week of April 7, 2008.

In This Week's Issue:
1. Current Buys Lilliian
2. At High Point: Manufacturers Express Guarded Optimism
3. Getting an A+
4. Dog Unleashes $$ Grants
5. Making a Livelihood
6. From the Editor
7. And the Survey Says...
8. Your 2 Cents Worth

1. Current Buys Lilliian
Colorado Springs, CO — Current USA Inc., a subsidiary of Taylor Corp, reached an agreement to acquire Lillian Vernon Corp. The iconic cataloger had declared bankruptcy in February. <<Click to Continue>>

2. At High Point: Manufacturers Express Guarded Optimism
(From Home Accents Today)
While economic worries have home accents vendors lowering their expectations for the High Point Market, many remain optimistic about the amount of business they expect to write over the next few days. Some are even basking in the aftermath of record sales, enjoying a bit of sun before the stormy days that may lie ahead. <<Click to Continue>>

3. Getting an A+
White Plains, NY - Young designers, including students, recent graduates, or new companies in business for one year or less, are invited to participate in A+: The Young Designer's Platform, an "incubator" exhibit area within Accent on Design at the New York International Gift Fair. <<Click to Continue>>

4. Dog Unleashes $$ Grants
Portland, ME - Planet Dog Foundation, the non-profit arm of environmentally conscious manufacturer of dog accessories, Planet Dog, is providing $42,000 in grants to several organizations. <<Click to Continue>>

5. Making a Livelihood
Malden, MA – Give a woman a necklace, and she can wear it. But give her the beads, and she can create a livelihood. <<Click to Continue>>

6. From the Editors
Hello Retailers! Your store or website might be a winner. Or maybe you have a winning marketing/advertising campaign. And what about one of your reps -- a winner? You just never know!

As the lottery marketing campaign here in New York states: "You gotta be in it to win it!" In your case, we are talking about Gifts & Decorative Accessories 57th Annual Retailer Excellence Awards.

Among the most prestigious in the industry, the Retailer Excellence Awards – introduced in 1951 – are the oldest in the industry recognizing excellence in retailing and individual achievement. Please consider this your very own personal invitation from us here at GDA to enter the magazine's 2008 REA competition.

This year's award categories include:

Gift Store Design
Redesign Marketing Achievement
Visual Merchandising
Display Retail Internet Innovator/ Innovation
2008 Outstanding Manufacturer’s Representative
2008 Industry Achievement
2008 Rising Star

We hope we've got you thinking about all your remarkable achievements and the achievements of others in this fabulous industry of ours. Click here to learn more about entering.

We look forward to receiving your entry. Who knows? You may already be a winner!

Warm regards,
The Editors of Gifts & Dec

7. And the Survey Says...
With the economy becoming increasingly difficult, you will especially want to know the results of Gift & Decorative Accessories' annual Today's Gift Retailer Survey. The results of this year's survey will be more important than ever as a tool for independent retailers in evaluating their store operations and purchasing plans. The survey results will be published in the June issue of the magazine, just in time for summer market planning. All responses are combined; no individual responses will be identified or published.

If you have not already completed the survey form mailed to you in March, please help us by completing the online version today. To begin the survey, click here.

8. Your 2 Cents Worth
We've got gas pains.

Nearly 40 percent of respondents to last week's poll, asking which factor of the current economic downturn carried the most negative impact personally speaking, said it was the rising price of gasoline. Decreasing home values, decreasing retirement fund values and fear of losing job/company/store were dead even as having the most negative impacts, at 16.13 percent each. Nearly 7 percent said rising grocery food prices were of the most concern. Another 6.45 percent said they were unaffected by the downturn, and to those we ask: Who are you and where do you live?

Speaking of an impact, do give one to next week's poll by voting.

To comment on poll results or to suggest a poll question, contact mweiskott@reedbusiness.com.

We are conducting a survey among retailers to get your opinions about how several gifts and decorative accessories’ categories perform in your store as well as your opinions about their vendors’ products and services.

This survey will not be published. We are asking you to help us better understand the category and the vendors’ role in your business. Your individual answers will be combined with those of other retailers. Your store’s answers will not be revealed individually.

Click here: www.giftsanddec.com/Perception08

Trends & Forecasts--Vendors Generally Upbeat in Face of Weakening Economy

Presidential election, credit crunch, spiraling fuel prices — these are but a few of the hurdles we are facing this year, making the task of forecasting nothing short of a monumental challenge. And it's a challenge that's especially acute for anyone in the business of asking wary consumers to open their wallets; that business, of course, being retail. Click Here to Order

For daily news updates visit www.GiftsandDec.com.

That's all for now. We'll be with you again next week.

Maria Weiskott, Editor In Chief
Matthew Kalash, Managing Editor

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