6. From the Editor's Desk
Hello gift biz partners,

We have some good news! We are extending the deadline for entries to Gifts & Decorative Accessories' Retail Excellence Awards until Friday, May 30.

A great many of you have written and called, asking for deadline extensions on your entries. So we decided to extend the deadline for another month. Now.....ex-hale! You have until Friday, May 30 to submit your entry/en tries.

Many of you also have asked about "entry forms" for the Outstanding Rep, Industry Achievement and Rising Star categories, specifically, the procedure for entering.

When you click on one of those categories, which are located on the REA information page, it will take you to a PDF that you can use as an entry form. The PDF also contains some helpful information about what we are looking for in a candidate for one of these categories. There really is nothing else to do in these categories; just fill out the PDF form and send it either by e-mail (to mweiskott@reedbusiness.com) or by snail mail to the attention of Maria Weiskott, Editor Gifts & Decorative Accessories, 360 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10010.

Requirements for entry to the other categories -- Gift Store Design/Redesign, Marketing Achievement, Retail Internet Innovator/Innovation, and Visual Merchandising Display are completely explained on their entry forms.

Can't wait to receive your entries!

Best regards,

Maria

7. Your 2 Cents Worth
Last week's poll -- again asking what readers are doing for their businesses in the current economic climate -- drew another big response from poll-takers with the very large majority, nearly 70 percent, saying they are "increasing marketing efforts" An equal amount at almost 12 percent each said they are "having more sales" and increasing PR efforts." Almost 7 percent said they are "lowering prices," while no one said they are "offering free shipping/delivery," or "extending credit/more credit."

Our poll prompted a very thoughtful response from one of our retailer readers, offering some food for thought: "Hi I found your poll interesting on what retailers will do in this economy. Has anyone suggested trying to do a price freeze? I have told my customers that where I can. I will hold the line on prices. It means I need to be very conservative in my ordering and try to hold my overheads down in order to do this. Here in Hawaii, we are hit very hard with fuel prices and our shipping costs are going through the roof. I do mostly local business -- with a few tourists mixed in -- but I know I need to help where I can, and let people know they are going through tough times. I will actually go to two more shows this year to try and pick up better products at better prices, if that is possible. Thank you for your surveys. I find them very informative. Dianne Brock, Without Boundaries, Waimea, Hawaii"

We hope this week's poll prompts some thoughts to share as well. Be sure to vote!

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

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

Maria Weiskott, Editor In Chief

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