GDA April 2024

VINTAGE VIBES

Artificial intelligence is an ever-evolving technology that can help retailers save time and make money. Read how AI-powered tools can streamline processes, generate social media plans and more.

Attracted to eclectic — and budget-friendly — mixes of new and old dinnerware and serveware, millennials and Gen Zers are influencing tabletop trends in a big way.

Choosing form and function, more and more consumers are seeking design-forward home fragrance options that double as décor. Consider stocking these 21 stylish candles and diffusers.

The summer season is just around the corner; get prepared by stocking goods for beachgoers, outdoor enthusiasts and those that simply love soaking in the warmer weather.

Consumers want to celebrate everything — from getting a new job to buying a home or getting married. We've gathered a few picks that give a little extra oomph to the obligatory congratulations.

DEPARTMENTS

Page 10

Editor's Letter

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Page 89

Page 30

Savvy Store Solutions by Carol Schroeder

Page 32

Retailers Respond INDUSTRY INSIGHTS

Page 36 re:Gifting by Warren Shoulberg

Page 38 Play by Play by Pamela Brill

Page 40 4 Questions With The Tabletop Association Page 41 It All Adds Up

EDITOR IN CHIEF Lenise Willis 336.605.3817 | lwillis@giftsanddec.com

MANAGING EDITOR Amanda Erd | 773.570.4187 | aerd@bridgetowermedia.com

ASSOCIATE EDITOR Adelaide Elliott | 336.605.1145 | aelliott@giftsanddec.com

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Pamela Brill, Patrick Keiser, Carol Schroeder, Warren Shoulberg, Allison Zisko

RESEARCH EDITOR Joanne Friedrick

SENIOR GROUP PUBLISHER, EVP CREATIVE SERVICES Liz Irwin

SENIOR DIRECTOR OF SALES Donna Bischoff | dbischoff@furnituretoday.com

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER, MIDWEST AND CANADA Garry P. Grenier | 224.558.9996 | ggrenier@giftsanddec.com

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE, WEST COAST AND EAST COAST Betsy Malito | 925.998.6706 | bmalito@giftsanddec.com

HONG KONG, INDONESIA, KOREA, MALAYASIA Quentin Chan | 852.2366.1106

PHILIPPINES, SINGAPORE, TAIWAN, THAILAND fax 852.2366.1107 | quentinchan@leadingm.com INDIA Kaushal Shah | +91 22 2305 9305 | kaushal@kaushals.com

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Bill McLoughlin

PRODUCTION SPECIALIST John Reno | jreno@bridgetowermedia.com

DIGITAL MEDIA SPECIALIST Ariel Perez

SENIOR DIRECTOR OF DIGITAL OPERATIONS Chris Schultz

DIRECTOR OF AD OPERATIONS Dan Sage

DIGITAL OPERATIONS MANAGER Randy Melton

DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND CREATIVE SERVICES Melanie Bingham

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER John Coughlan

State of Change

Someone recently reached out to me and thanked me for reporting a positive angle on the state of our industry, in contrast to other publications that seem to have a more negative take. To me, it’s not about seeing the news as positive or negative; it’s about believing in the industry and its ability to pivot, no matter the challenge.

Winter markets have come and gone and now that the dizzying dust of product introductions and market news has settled, I’ve had a moment to reflect on the state of our industry and a few new trends — and business pivots — that are taking root and will likely keep our industry strong.

One of the most obvious and exciting changes we’re seeing is how many companies are testing new product categories. 8 Oak Lane ventured into home fragrance this year; Old World Christmas recently announced its introduction of holiday lanterns, snow globes, cards and candles; Napa Home & Garden now has outdoor pillows; and P. Graham Dunn displayed a new line of candles in January, just to name a few.

This move not only allows retailers the opportunity to buy and display a more wellrounded story from a single vendor, but it’s also answering consumers’ and retailers’ high demand for new products. Trend forecaster Michelle Lamb from the Trend Curve touched on the subject last month — consumers (and therefore retailers) are craving new items faster than ever before due to being deprived of new things during the pandemic.

On the market scene, many retailers have said they no longer attend as many trade shows as they once did, learning during COVID-19 that they could get most of what they needed from one efficient trip to a single market and supplementing as needed with sales rep appointments and online purchases. Some retailers even shifted their loyalty to a different market. Some have decided not to attend markets at all.

“Every time I see a ‘negative’ situation in our industry, a ‘positive’ solution usually follows, which gives me faith in our business.”

Declining market attendance has been in the discussion since 2020, but it has led to an even newer trend of market perks to beckon buyers back to physical trade shows.

This winter, for example, Mud Pie appealed to buyers’ desire for exclusivity by creating a “back room” in its showrooms that showcased the first look of its upcoming holiday products. Only buyers that made a market appointment ahead of time were allowed to peek at and pre-order the goods, which previously weren’t available until summer. Last summer, The Link Companies made a charitable donation for every market appointment booked.

Finally, retailers are becoming more communicative with their vendors, asking for more favorable terms, like a flexible return policy, to ensure their business survives during an uncertain economy. This increase in collaboration will surely add to the strength of our community.

Every time I see a “negative” situation in our industry, a “positive” solution usually follows, which gives me faith in our business. I think all these pivots that we’re seeing are a good sign of the strength and creativity of our industry, and I can’t wait to see where we’ll find ourselves next.

Lenise Willis Editor in Chief

Dorothy Belshaw of Andmore is the Gift for Life 2024 Industry Achievement Award Recipient.

Gift for Life’s 2024 Industry Achievement Award Winner 'Unanimously' Selected

Gift for Life announced it will be honoring one of the most accomplished and influential women in the gift industry this year. Dorothy Belshaw of Andmore will be honored with Gift for Life's 2024 Industry Achievement Award at Gifts & Decorative Accessories’ Retailer Excellence Awards (REA) on June 19, 2024, in Dallas, Texas. Gift for Life’s Industry Achievement Award, which has been presented at REA since 2009, recognizes overall excellence and contribution to the gift and home industry — whether as a thought leader, standard-bearer or overall industry influencer.

“The Gift for Life Board of Directors unanimously chose Dorothy as this year’s Industry Achievement Award honoree,” said Ari Lowenstein, chair of the Gift for Life board. “We are delighted to recognize Dorothy for her career accomplishments and the impact she has had on so many in our industry.”

Dorothy Belshaw is executive vice president and chief growth officer for Andmore. She oversees all revenue generation opportunities including permanent leasing, tradeshow, advertising and digital sales, and leads new business development that enriches markets and unlocks value for buyers and sellers.

“I am truly honored to be recognized by this incredible organization founded by Peter Schauben in 1992 — the very same year I joined the gift industry,” Belshaw said. “Over the past 32 years, I have been amazed by the tenacity and dedication of Gift for Life’s leadership and by the widespread and wholehearted commitment of this industry to help those in need and to do good.”

Belshaw joined Andmore (then International Market Centers (IMC)) in 2012, bringing 20-plus years of home and gift tradeshow industry experience to her role as president of its fledgling gift division, with the specific charge of expanding the

Las Vegas Market’s gift, tabletop and housewares offerings. Her role soon broadened to include marketing and digital oversight, with responsibility for all aspects of the end-to-end customer experience, driving increased buyer acquisition across all IMC Markets, and developing tools and services to improve the at-market experience for buyers and exhibitors.

In 2018, as a member of IMC’s executive leadership team, she was instrumental in the acquisition and integration of AmericasMart Atlanta, which included the then-Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market. In 2022, she led IMC’s acquisition of Shoppe Object and the subsequent expansion of the brand with the launch of Shoppe Object - High Point in 2023. Most recently, she spearheaded the co-location of Andmore’s Las Vegas Apparel with Clarion’s Women’s Wear in Nevada (WWIN) Show, which debuted in February 2024 as a customer-centric, efficient experience that added value and enabled buyers to see more and do more while at Las Vegas Fashion Week.

Prior to IMC, Belshaw was SVP at George Little Management (GLM), then the nation’s largest producer of consumer product tradeshows for the gift and home industries. Belshaw is an executive board member of the High Point Market Authority (HPMA) and the Home Furnishings Hall of Fame, and member of WithIt. Previously, she served as a board member of Gift for Life and the Gift & Home Trade Association (GHTA).

The 2024 Gift for Life Industry Achievement Award will be presented to Belshaw at the 73rd annual Retailer Excellence Awards (REAs), on June 19, 2024 at Dallas Union Station Grand Hall. Donations in celebration of Belshaw’s honor will benefit World Central Kitchen’s worldwide crisis-related hunger relief efforts. Donate at giftforlife.org/donate. For more information about the ceremony, visit retailerexcellenceawards.com.

Evergreen Ditching Direct 2 Consumer

Outdoor décor mainstay Evergreen Enterprises, which sells outdoor décor, flags, mats and other home and garden accents, is reducing its direct-to-consumer footprint, trimming operations of its B2C brand Plow & Hearth and laying off 107 employees.

The Plow & Hearth direct-to-consumer operations include a mail-order catalog and website; John Toler, CEO of parent company Evergreen Enterprises, told press the company intends to continue to send the catalogues out through July and the web store is expected to be taken down in the fall.

According to the Richmond, Va.-based company, the job cuts will take place in early May and most of the employees affected are based at the company’s Madison County distribution center, which the company plans to shutter as part of its restructuring. The center is where most of the Plow & Hearth direct-sales operations take place.

"While we will no longer mail catalogs to end consumers, we’re going to retain the bestselling products and offer them to retailers via our wholesale offering (Plow & Hearth Living) and retail marketplaces (Wayfair, Amazon, QVC, Home Depot.com) and so on," Toler said. "It's more shutting down a channel than a company."

Toler said that the decision to end Plow & Hearth's catalog and web store came after analyzing several factors, including postage costs, freight expenses, competition from e-commerce giants like Amazon and Wayfair, and the effects of rising inflation on consumers.

“While our business benefited significantly from changes in behavior during COVID-19, in the past couple of years these behaviors have shifted in a different direction. Our customer predominantly consists of individuals from an older demographic, many of whom have adjusted their spending habits in a difficult and inflationary economic environment,” the 30-year-old company said in a prepared statement.

Toler also mentioned that Evergreen is currently in negotiations to sell its two other direct-sales brands Wind & Weather and VivaTerra, and he expected the company to close on that transaction in early April.

Previously, Evergreen had already decreased its Plow & Hearth presence by trimming back its brick-and-mortar locations, going from 26 stores to three.

Evergreen B2B Channel Holds Strong

As for Evergreen's wholesale business, Toler says it will not be negatively affected and that cutting its direct-to-consumer channel will only strengthen their focus on its B2B business.

"For our B2B business there will be little change," Toler said. "We’re already selling to wholesale customers many of the Plow & Hearth products under our Plow & Hearth Living brand and that offering may only expand now. We have a longstanding relationship with QVC selling Plow & Hearth branded products on their platform and that will continue also ... the products will still be widely available in the marketplace."

"We celebrated our 30th anniversary last year and we’ve always been a wholesale lead company," Toler continued. "We think we have a good strategy there, with great vendor partners, great product portfolio, a dedicated sales team and lots of great

“While we will no longer mail catalogs to end consumers, we’re going to retain the bestselling products and offer them to retailers via our wholesale offering and retail marketplaces. It's more shutting down a channel than a company.”

— John Toler

retail partners. We see lots of opportunities on the wholesale side here in the U.S. and Canada."

Toler added that the company is confident in its B2B business, moving forward, citing that the company just completed a multi-milliondollar robotic picking installation to support its B2B business. "I would wager it is the best in our industry," he said.

Other recent

improvements include implementing EMUN, a fully integrated commerce, order-entry, sales management & CRM solution for wholesalers, to support the Evergreen sales teams across North America, and the installation of Freightwise, a cloud-based transportation management system, which aids the company in providing the best possible freight rates on shipments.

The company will also soon begin utilizing a Product Information Management system (PIM) called Inriver and a demand-planning solution to improve its in-stock rates later this summer.

"We’re making the investments to be an industry leading wholesale supplier," Toler said. "The Plow & Hearth decision to stop mailing catalogs and sell those goods via wholesale partners and sell the other two brands on the platform is more shift in strategy/focus than anything else.

"Models like ours must accept the future and must evolve to stay relevant."

John Toler is the CEO of parent company Evergreen Enterprises.

DMC Announces New Trade Show to Help With Supply Chain Struggles

As the industry is grappling with challenges to overseas production and an interrupted supply chain, Dallas Market Center believes it has an answer to those problems: a new trade show for exploring nearshoring production in the gift, home furnishings and fashion accessories business.

Dallas Market Center will launch an international expo called Nearshoring America in December to connect brands and their representatives with vetted factories and supply chain service providers from Mexico and Latin America.

“We are creating this groundbreaking new trade event and support services for several key reasons,” said Cindy Morris, DMC’s president and CEO.

“First and foremost, many leading companies in several of the industries we serve have encouraged a juried event in Dallas given recent challenges to overseas production and interrupted supply chains. They requested the event be created by the industry for the industry.

“They also understand our commitment to supporting more efficient trade; our unique access to brands, factories and

service providers as well as our long-standing relationships with them; our purpose-built marketplace infrastructure and operations; our geographic advantages for easy travel; and our safety and controlled access for both attendees and exhibitors.”

Exhibitors will include an invitation-only list of factories and supply chain providers that have been pre-selected based on their history, operating experience and delivery, DMC said. Sourcing agents, trading companies, shelter companies, and design and production consultants will also be represented. All will be vetted by DMC to make sure they can legitimately handle industry needs, the tradeshow organizer said.

The show will be held Dec. 9-11, 2024, at Dallas Market Center. In addition to the vetted exhibitors, there will be seminars and symposia on nearshoring in Mexico and Latin America.

DMC is also working on a Nearshoring America Index that includes an exclusive and vetted list of factories and supply chain service providers organized by country, along with a Nearshoring newsletter.

Atlanta Market’s Temps to be Reorganized for Summer Market

Ahead of the upcoming summer markets, Andmore has announced its plan to reorganize the temporary exhibits at Atlanta Market to help better the buying experience through more streamlined categories.

The 1,400-plus gift and home temporary exhibits previously existed across more than 30 separate categories. The presented plan revamps the presentation of the exhibits under seven new umbrella categories: Fashion Accessories; Gift; High Design; Home; Kitchen + Table; Makers Hub; and Cash & Carry.

“Following our successful strategic remerchandising of AmericasMart’s permanent showrooms through Atlanta Next, we now turn our focus to reorganization of our temporary exhibits to create more cohesive discovery and sourcing,” said Dorothy Belshaw, Andmore executive vice president, chief growth officer. “This remerchandising will simplify the market experience and create synergistic new adjacencies, which will introduce buyers to innovative merchandise guaranteed to provide a differentiated retail mix and unique finds for clients and customers.”

The Atlanta Market temporary exhibits will be broken into seven new umbrella categories, including Cash & Carry and: Fashion Accessories combines Accessories Council, Boutique, Gentlemen’s Boutique, Jewelry and Fashion Accessories & Apparel. Gift combines Body + Soul, Spa Products, Children’s World, Modern Child, General Gift, On Trend Gifts, Seasonal Gifts, Outdoor Living, Noted Village and Emerging Brands.

High Design combines High Design, Modern Maker and LUXE. Home combines Home Accents, Home Furnishings, Fine Linens, Home Textiles, LUXE, Seasonal Gifts and Outdoor Living. Kitchen + Table combines Georgia Grown, Gourmet Food, Housewares, LUXE and Tabletop.

Makers Hub combines Handmade Designs, Handmade Jewelry, Emerging Artist, Made in America, Global Designs, The Gallery Collection (MSA) and Museum Gifts.

The temporary exhibits will run July 17 through July 21 at AmericasMart Atlanta. Atlanta Market will be open July 16 through July 22. A full list of exhibitors and their locations can be found online.

Outdoor Décor Company Closes After 35 Years

Studio M Home, maker of outdoor décor and gift products, announced via email that it will close in April. Officials cited enduring financial hardships, further intensified by the challenges of the pandemic, as the key reason for ceasing operations.

"It has been an incredible journey filled with creativity, challenges and countless memories," said Sue Todd, co-founder of Studio M. "We are deeply grateful to the many talented employees, artists, vendors, sales agencies, retailers and customers who have made this journey so memorable and rewarding."

“It has been an incredible journey filled with creativity, challenges and countless memories.”

— Sue Todd, co-founder of Studio M

Studio M’s roots go back to 1989 with the invention of the MailWraps magnetic mailbox cover. As the creators of a patented

product, Curt and Sue Todd were able to develop relationships with licensing artists. As the patent ran its course, the Todds brought licensed artwork to a wide variety of categories for the home and garden.

Over the years, Studio M grew its product offerings according to consumer demand, such as its launch of holiday wall décor in 2022 and windchimes in 2019. Its garden stakes are also well known.

"It has been incredibly difficult to say goodbye to this company and to the industry we have been a part of for so long, but we’ve reached a point where we cannot continue,” CEO Curt Todd said in the company's announcement.

“It’s not common for companies to last 35 years, and it’s particularly rare in the highly creative and dynamic gift and home industry. We are proud of what we have accomplished and the impact we have made on both the industry and our community of artists, employees, retailers, customers and vendor partners.”

Studio M stopped accepting orders on March 25.

2023 Toy Sales Saw Double Digit Growth From 2019

Toy sales performance figures for 2023 across 12 global markets, labeled collectively as G12, have been determined by consumer behavior and trend tracker Circana.

"With inflation at the highest level we have seen in decades and birth rates at their lowest in many countries, the global toy industry faced new challenges in 2023,” said Frédérique Tutt, global toys industry advisor at Circana.

“As economies continue to improve, the (toy) industry should experience some respite in 2024.”

Across the G12, which includes Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Netherlands, Spain, United Kingdom, and the United States, sales declined by 7 percent in 2023, versus 2022, but were 17 percent higher when compared to pre-pandemic 2019, according to Circana’s Retail Tracking Service. In 2023, the average selling price was up 1 percent, year-over-year, and increased by 18 percent, versus 2019.

In 2023, two of the 11 toys super-categories tracked by Circana experienced a year-on-year sales increase within the G12. Building Sets toys took the top spot in terms of sales growth, up 4 percent, followed by Plush, up 3 percent. The plush category has been a staple in the industry, with Circana quoting it in 2022 as having the fastest dollar growth. Strategic Trading Card Games and Vehicles also posted gains. All four of these sub-segments posted growth for the fourth year in a row.

Licensed toys account for 31.1 percent of the total toy market, highlighting the continued importance of characters and franchises in driving sales. Pokémon retained its crown as the top-selling toy property globally, followed by familiar classics like Barbie, Star Wars, Marvel Universe and Hot Wheels. Notably, Lego Icons emerged as the top gaining property, reflecting the trend towards toys targeted at older consumers, the “kidults.”

“Consumers across many regions had to make difficult tradeoffs and reduced their spending on toys and games," added Tutt.

"As economies continue to improve, the industry should experience some respite in 2024, particularly as the flow of new products and innovations re-introduce the wow factor and encourage engagement. This should help to stabilize sales.”

To remain relevant, retailers must provide in-store experiences. If you don’t, jaded shoppers accustomed to constant digital stimulation will quickly grow bored and leave. We’ve come to accept this as fact. But a recent seminar dispelled that myth.

SEE MORE PAGE 23

“ “A good product assortment is still the most important part of retail. If you fill your well-laid-out store with impossible-to-resist stuff, consumers will feel at ease.”

Quaint Town, Big Vibes

Downtown Stillwater, Minn., is a vibrant and picturesque area that encapsulates the charm and history of this beautiful river town. Nestled along the banks of the St. Croix River, Stillwater is often called the birthplace of Minnesota, offering visitors and locals a unique blend of historical attractions, boutique shopping and scenic beauty. This historic area is a delightful destination for anyone looking to experience the essence of a small-town atmosphere while enjoying diverse activities and shopping experiences.

The heart of downtown Stillwater is its Main Street, lined with beautifully preserved 19th-century buildings. These historic structures house various businesses, from antique shops and bookstores to fashion boutiques and home decor stores, making it a paradise for shoppers seeking unique finds and artisan goods.

One such shop is River Bank Gifts and Décor, which inhabits one of the oldest buildings in Stillwater. Located in a former bank, the store is filled with treasures and unique finds for shoppers to explore. From handmade jewelry to unique Minnesota-made products, novelty clocks, and major brands like Demdaco and Mud Pie, River Bank Gifts and Décor is a one-stop shop for all gift items. With gigantic display windows and thoughtfully curated products in the displays, their store acts as a magnet for shoppers perusing the streets of Stillwater. The owners of the store, Kris and Jon Mahachek, commented that they have met customers from all over the world since taking over the store at the beginning of 2023.

Visitors who come to Stillwater find pride in Minnesota emanating from its stores. Stores like the Sota Clothing Company produce Minnesota-themed clothing, hats and drinkware to represent locals’ enjoyment of the Land of 10,000 Lakes. There is also the Smith and Trade Mercantile, which sells goods from more than 100 local artisans from the Minnesota and Wisconsin area. The owners' mission is to provide a place for these makers to get their goods out to the public. With its beautifully merchandised displays throughout the space, the store feels like a love letter to Minnesota.

One of the longer-tenured stores in Stillwater is a yarn and knitting store called Darn Knit Anyway. This store combines passion, friendliness and community in a way not often seen in retail stores. They firmly believe that knitting is an activity anyone can and should have access to.

The light-hearted and friendly atmosphere of the store encourages anyone, expert or novice, to experience the craft. Darn Knit Anyway hosts sold-out classes and events to teach skills and help with projects; they even take advantage of the

majestic St. Croix River and have Knit the River Cruises to bring yarn lovers together during the summer.

Last year, they expanded the store next door into what had been a restaurant to create a Makers’ Lounge. This area seats 70 and provides people a quiet place to work on their craft or ask questions to improve their technique.

Beyond the area's natural beauty and the stores' unique charm, the town of Stillwater does a tremendous job of bringing people into the area for events and activities.

Every January, the World Snow Sculpting Championships are held in Stillwater along the St. Croix River. This event alone brings in 50,000 people to the community. Between this event, July’s Lumberjack Days, events around Halloween and Christmas, and the town being a destination for corporate retreats and bachelorette parties, hundreds of thousands of people visit Stillwater every year.

Stillwater is an area that focuses on its community. Whether it’s through the seamless blending of its historical buildings into modern-day businesses, its love of the natural beauty of its geography and the state of Minnesota, or the creation of a community among people passionate about the same thing, the town knows that it has a special quality about it that brings people together and helps its main street thrive.

If you’d like your town to be featured in the Main Street Monday series, email contact@heartonmainstreet.org.

Patrick Keiser is the executive director of Heart on Main Street, a nonprofit organization that offers education, mentorship and financial aid to independent retailers. His weekly column, Main Street Monday, at giftsanddec.com highlights various towns and independent boutiques across the nation that act as good examples of what it takes to maintain a thriving store and/or shopping district.

A mural in Stillwater, Minn. (Photo by Patrick Keiser.)

BEAUTY OVER BUSTLE

An overstimulating retail environment — one with too many visual cues and in-store experiences — can be detrimental to business. Make sure your fundamentals are right before venturing into other activities.

by Allison Zisko

Raise your hand if you’ve heard this before: To remain relevant, retailers must provide in-store experiences. If you don’t, jaded shoppers accustomed to constant digital stimulation will quickly grow bored and leave.

We’ve come to accept this as fact. But a fascinating seminar given by Retail Design Lab’s Katelijn Quartier during Ambiente dispelled that myth, along with several others that address consumer shopping behavior.

I learned that an overstimulating retail environment — one with too many in-store experiences — can be detrimental to business if other fundamentals aren't met first. A shopper first needs to figure out the lay of the land in the store to find what they're looking for.

A common misperception is you only have a few feet of store entryway to make a good impression. But when we first enter a store, we aren't ready to be bombarded with signs, proclamations or can’t-be-missed deals. It may take less than a second for our eyes to adjust to the light and for our brains to make a mental map of the store, but we need that time. There is no formula for how large this so-called landing zone needs to be, Quartier said, but don't put your most important products there.

Eye-tracking studies have proven that people don't look at what is

right in front of them, but rather scan the space around them to get their bearings. They don’t usually look up, either, so overhead signs aren't particularly helpful, unless you are in a supermarket or some other large format store. We tend to navigate at eye level.

Even more interesting, in countries where people drive on the right-hand side of the road, they will head to the right when they come through the door. So, make sure people can go right when they enter your store. If there is some barrier to that, make the left side of your store interesting and enticing.

A good product assortment is still the most important part of retail. If you fill your well-laid-out store with impossible-to-resist stuff, consumers will feel at ease. They will find what they want and still have time left over to linger and explore.

Then, and only then, is when a good in-store experience comes in, whether it’s music, food, a product demonstration, or, for the sustainable-minded, opportunities to recycle or repair clothing or other goods. Some enterprising stores are adapting advanced tools and techniques from their digital retail peers, like personalized welcome messages and offers via text when a shopper enters the store.

Regardless of what experiences you choose to entice customers, be sure your foundation is stable first.

THE BEST — AND CHEAPEST — BUSINESS PARTNER

Many independently owned boutiques rely on a barebones team. Fortunately, there are several artificial intelligence tools that business owners can use to not only fill in the gaps, but progress forward.

by Lenise Willis

With a tech-heavy name like artificial intelligence, AI can sound intimidating, but think of it as a highly efficient assistant that can help you make more informed purchasing decisions, set the right pricing strategy and market your business online. AI tools are all about enhancing your skills with data-driven insights and lightening your load so you can get back to business.

“I think the first thing for retailers to understand is that AI isn't new and we are all already using it all the time,” said Susan Negen of Whizbang Retail Training. “When Google maps reroutes you if there's a backup ahead — that’s AI. If you use Grammarly to catch grammar errors and help with spelling, that's AI. If you open your phone using your face and ask Siri to call a friend, that's AI. And the list grows every day.”

Here, we look at some of the key — and easiest — ways that AI tools can help independent business owners feel like they have a team of 20.

BETTER DECISION MAKING

Heavy is the head that wears the crown and being a business owner is no different; nearly every decision about your store falls on your shoulders and that can be stressful, intimidating and

exhausting. One of the great things about AI tools is that business owners don’t need to feel like they must make every decision on their own. For example, artificial intelligence can alleviate some of the pressures at market by helping store owners analyze purchasing data and make better-informed decisions about what to restock and bring in next.

Most point-of-sale systems, like Square, Shopify, Lightspeed or QuickBooks, have built-in forecasting tools, but there are also special AI add-ons like Inventory Planner and Forecast Pro that can integrate with those systems.

In general, whether you’re using your point-of-sale system, an AI add-on or separate AI platform, the process includes feeding information to the system, by either syncing your sales data or uploading it separately in spreadsheet form. The AI tool will then analyze the data, find patterns and make predictions on how much of a certain product you are likely to sell in an upcoming period.

Having this type of analysis in hand will help you make better purchasing decisions, as well as ensure you don’t experience excess inventory when demand is low or stock shortages when demand is high. AI can help you achieve just the right balance

and, better yet, save you time from having to crunch the numbers yourself.

Crystal Vilkaitis, owner of Crystal Media Co., uses AI platforms like ChatGPT to analyze data among other functions.

“I use AI every single day,” she said. “My top tool is ChatGPT. I use it for many things; some of the common things are proofreading and optimizing website and email copy, generating titles for seminars, webinars and articles, competitive analysis, content, research and brainstorming. I've also used Dall-E 3 within ChatGPT to design some images and logos for marketing materials, and I've used a PDF plugin to analyze survey results fast.”

Nate Barr, owner of Zootility, is constantly testing new AI functions and frequently uses ChatGPT 4, which costs $20 a month (at the time this article was published), to help run his wholesale business. One of the things Barr says he likes about using a non-integrated AI platform is the ability to have a back-and-forth conversation with it, so to speak.

“Think creatively about what you might ask it to do for you,” he recommends, noting that he’s used the platform to research topics, answer specific questions, brainstorm new product names, and write job descriptions and even the follow-up interview questions.

“It’s essentially pulling from all of the world’s knowledge to answer your questions, which is more than anybody in the office can do for you.”

PRICING STRATEGY

Independent retailers know all too well that the price of their products can make or break their business. The price tag must be competitive since consumers have been trained to seek the cheapest option — some shoppers will even compare an item to Amazon while still in the store — but retailers also need to ensure they’re getting good margins to stay in business. Fortunately, AI tools like ChatGPT can help retailers determine a competitive pricing strategy, as well as promotional plans.

According to Pro AI Prompt, a website that recommends different prompts for AI platforms that help users get their desired result, ChatGPT can provide professionals with market insights and even suggest a pricing model tailored to a specific industry.

“The big new thing with AI in the last year or so has been the ‘large language models’ that have allowed AI to write and ‘talk’ like a human while also having access

to essentially unlimited information.”

— Susan Negen

Some examples of effective prompts from the website include:

• Can you suggest some pricing strategies that [MY COMPANY NAME] can use to offer promotions or discounts while maintaining profitability in the [INDUSTRY NAME] industry?

• Based on the latest market data in the [INDUSTRY NAME] industry, what pricing models would be most effective for [MY COMPANY NAME] to implement and why?

• Can you suggest some pricing strategies that [MY COMPANY NAME] can use to offer promotions or discounts while maintaining profitability in the [INDUSTRY NAME] industry?

For the best results, help ChatGPT get to know your business first by providing your company details, website and target market or consumer base, as well as by using industry language. Remember, although ChatGPT and other AI tools are incredibly

beneficial, they still require human guidance and tweaking for optimal results.

Vilkaitis says that ChatGPT 4 is a great platform to use when analyzing the competition, saying that retailers can list their competitor’s websites and have it run a competitive analysis on messaging, pricing, products and more.

ENHANCED CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE

Successful store owners know how to create a positive and engaging store experience, but now that customers interact with brands across a multitude of platforms, addressing their needs has become even more complicated. This is where AI comes in, whether it’s used to optimize your website or interact with your customers.

With the help of AI tools like ChatGPT, retailers can write clear, concise descriptions of products on their website, as well as helpful content, like an FAQ page and informative blog posts. Retailers can even ask the chatbot to use key search terms in blog posts and website copy to help optimize the site for search engines. Barr uses ChatGPT 4 to help write product descriptions and create his wholesale catalogues.

Other AI-powered tools, like LiveChatAI and SecondBrain, can interact directly with visitors and help retailers provide better online support and customer service for e-commerce customers.

“An AI-enhanced chatbot can be ‘taught’ everything about your company or products and then give fantastic answers to questions posed by your website visitors,” explained Negen, adding: “Better service, higher sales.”

The key to using this type of AI tool, however, is to weigh the pros and cons, and examine the level of service it's providing to customers. Ideally, a personal touch to customer service is best, but sometimes it's simply not possible given certain staffing and time restraints. If it's a choice between not answering customers' questions or using AI to answer their questions, then a chatbot is the way to go. But, as Carol Schroeder, retail expert and co-owner of Orange Tree Imports in Madison, Wis., warns: "Let’s hope we don’t end up adapting this idea — a personal touch is essential for giving independent shopkeepers an advantage over our competitors in the hearts of those who shop local."

CRAFTING CONTENT

You don’t have to be a wordsmith or English major to write quality content anymore; AI writing tools can make creating on-brand content a breeze.

“The big new thing with AI in the last year or so has been the ‘large language models’ that have allowed AI to write and ‘talk’ like a human while also having access to essentially unlimited information,” Negen said. “ChatGPT is the premier example. Retailers can use ChatGPT to help generate all kinds of ideas and content in a tiny fraction of the time it would take a human. Articles, video scripts, subject lines, headlines, product descriptions, event ideas (and names), recipes, menus, jokes, lists, bios, job descriptions ... the options are endless.”

Vilkaitis says that ChatGPT is her go-to AI writing tool, but that Canva Pro’s Magic Write tool is great for writing copy, as well. Since many retailers already use Canva to create imagery, this might be an option they feel more comfortable with. No matter which AI tool retailers decide to use, they can be incredibly helpful in creating quality digital content for a store’s website or social media channels.

ChatGPT, for example, can help retailers write a blog post for their website, which can then be used as content for an eblast to their customers and several social posts.

Retailers can use AI platforms like ChatGPT to brainstorm content ideas, write blog posts, create product captions and even write a 30-day social-media plan.

Negen gives the example of an art gallery: “An art gallery could ask ChatGPT for a list of the top 10 new artists in their state, with a bio about each artist, a description and an expert critique of three pieces of work. In less than three seconds, that art gallery owner would have enough content for one blog post with the list; 10 emails, one about each artist; and text snippets and images for 30+ social posts — in three seconds!”

ChatGPT has a free version if retailers want to play around with it before investing in it any further. The platform is also able to accept feedback and make tweaks, according to human guidance, so if you don’t get a post you love right away, ask it to write it in a different tone, or in list format. The more guidance you give it and the more information you provide about your store, brand and website, the more personalized the content will feel. To help ensure you get the best content results, Vilkaitis recommends these tips:

“[Retailers] can absolutely use AI to help with their social media and they should be. It will save them so much time and there’s so much they can do.”

— Crystal Vilkaitis

• In the prompt add, “Let me know if you have any questions.”

• If you’re getting a list and want more ideas, have the next prompt say, “list 10 more.”

• If it’s writing an email, caption or article, and you don’t like the tone, ask it “Write this again and make it more [ENTER TONE], like “professional,” “friendly,” “funny,” “poetic,” or even like a specific person like Shakespeare or David Ogilvy — the father of advertising.

• To organize the answer, ask it to “put it into a table.”

• If the answer is too long, the next prompt can be “make it shorter.”

• Give feedback if the answer is good or bad; you’re training ChatGPT.

• Start new chats if you’re going to ask for something totally different than what you previously asked for.

The possibilities with AI writing tools are endless. Platforms like ChatGPT cannot only write keyword-rich blog posts, email subject lines, advertising copy, radio or podcast commercials, product descriptions or even job descriptions, but it can also brainstorm content ideas for specific events, marketing campaigns or initiatives, and even write a 30-day social-media plan, including captions, hashtags and image or video suggestions.

“[Retailers] can absolutely use AI to help with their social media and they should be,” Vilkaitis said. “It will save them so much time and there’s so much they can do.”

To generate a social-media plan, Vilkaitis offers this prompt: “Create a social media content calendar for the next 30 days. I post to Facebook and Instagram five times a week [or enter whatever platforms you're active on]. I want a blend of personal and sales videos and posts. I need you to help me with this, as well as provide me with the full content calendar for each platform. First, you will ask me questions about my business and audience until you have enough information. Then, you will provide me with a calendar formatted in two tables, one for Instagram and one for Facebook. You will provide me with the text caption column which should include 3-5 hashtags, and a suggested image in the second. I own a [enter store type] and here's my website [enter web address if you have a paid ChatGPT subscription]. Let's begin.”

Vilkaitis also built a custom GPT, called “The 30-Post Framework with Crystal Vilkaitis,” to help retailers with their channels. Retailers can access it as long as they have a ChatGPT Plus subscription. Retailers can also use AI-powered tools like Dall-E 3, available through ChatGPT 4, to create images for social media posts, email

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Top AI Tools for Retailers

LiveChatAI

This chatbot helps enhance the customer’s online experience, while freeing up time for business owners. Retailers “train” the AI bot with information about the company and products for sale, so it can answer questions posed by website visitors.

Dall-E 3

This AI image generator helps retailers create high-quality images easily and inexpensively. It’s great for creating product imagery for e-commerce use, visuals for social media and blog posts, graphics for advertising materials and more.

ChatGPT

With both a free and paid version, this AI platform is versatile and easy to use. Retailers can use it to brainstorm campaign or event ideas, research the competitive market, analyze data, and write blog posts, social-media copy and even emails.

Canva Pro

This well-known platform for image creation contains a suite of AI-powered tools. Subscribers to Canva Pro can take advantage of Magic Write, an online AI text generator that can help users brainstorm content ideas and write various content types; Magic Design, which allows users to describe visual projects they’d like created, such as an Instagram post or advertisement, all of which can be tailored to a pre-loaded brand kit; and Magic Design for Video.

Lumen5

Create short and engaging videos easily with this AI-powered video creation tool. Retailers can create videos for their website and social channels in a matter of minutes. The tool also auto generates captions and has a full library of music, stock photos and videos.

Grammarly is an AI-powered app and browser extension that checks writing for grammatical errors and makes rewrite suggestions. It can also check AI-generated copy for plagiarism.

blasts or blog posts. In this issue's Savvy Store Solutions, on page 30, Schroeder explains how she uses AI to craft store content, with specific examples. Schroeder's tools of choice? Canva Pro's Magic Write and Magic Design.

PROCEED WITH CAUTION

Though AI tools are extremely helpful for professionals across any industry, especially when analyzing data or brainstorming, it can be tricky when asking it to write content meant to be published or create images you plan to copyright. As of now, businesses cannot copyright AI-generated content. U.S. District Court Judge Beryl A. Howell ruled in August 2023 that human involvement in creative was necessary to be protected by copyright law and that AI-generated content does not qualify.

There have also been cases of AI-written copy being flagged for plagiarism. This is why it’s always best to tweak the final copy and ensure it’s in your own words, as well as use other tools, like Grammarly as a failsafe.

Grammarly, another AI-powered platform, can check content and determine if it has been plagiarized, among other functions. This service, however, is only available in the paid Premium version of the app, which at the time of this article’s publishing is $12 a month.

The app and browser extension helps users to edit and rewrite content, as well as check content for plagiarism. If you plan on using platforms like ChatGPT to write blogs and other published content, it would be wise to run it through the program before pushing the content live.

Vilkaitis recommends the same process: “If a retailer is using AI to write copy, I always recommend personalizing it. It should sound like you and be your tone/voice/tips. You can also run it through Grammarly to check grammar and for plagiarism.”

Though there are still some hurdles of using AI in retail, the benefits far outweigh the challenges. AI not only streamlines operations and enhances customer experiences but also levels the playing field, allowing small retailers to compete with larger players in innovative and cost-effective ways. By embracing AI, small retailers can not only survive but thrive in the digital age.

“Don't be afraid of AI, go ahead and try out the new possibilities,” Negen said. “Honestly, deciding now that you're not going to use AI is a little bit like deciding in 1992 that you didn't need a website. Ready or not, here it comes.”

Q & A

HOW TO BEST USE AI IN YOUR STORE

Retailer Carol Schroeder discusses some simple ways to use AI technology within your store’s processes and touches on how much is too much with product displays.

Using AI

Q: Everyone is talking about how AI is changing the way we work. Have you found any practical ways for independent retailers to use it creatively?

A: Last spring, I was faced with a dilemma when the planning for our business district’s celebration of Earth Day didn’t come together in time for us to post it on social media. I had noticed that Constant Contact, the platform we use for email marketing, was offering a free AI option, so I decided to take it for a spin. I put in the few details I had — “locally owned businesses acknowledge the importance of helping the planet” — and asked for an enthusiastic description of what would happen on April 22.

The result was engaging but vague verbiage that was just what we needed to get started on creating the event. Because these copywriting bots provide content based on what already exists online, the text included some ideas used elsewhere as well as reasons why Earth Day is important to communities, small businesses and the planet. The app allowed us to try out different tones, such as professional, informative and persuasive, and we selected the phrases we liked best to create the final version.

If you decide to make use of one of the many AI platforms, it is essential that you edit the results so that they don’t sound like they were written by a robot. I usually generate several versions and take the phrases that I like best from each — almost always shortening the final version. You can see that each of the two examples below took my very short sentence saying that AI is

a potentially useful tool for retailers and spun it into an entire paragraph!

Here's what the Constant Contact app suggested, in an enthusiastic tone:

“Are you an independent retailer looking for new ways to engage with your customers? Look no further than AI technology! With its advanced algorithms and data analysis capabilities, AI can help you generate compelling social media and email content that resonates with your audience. Say goodbye to writer's block and hello to a more efficient and effective marketing strategy. Don't miss out on this game-changing technology — start exploring the possibilities of AI today!”

And now the same concept in a professional tone:

“We are excited to announce the launch of our latest tool for independent retailers — AI-powered content generation for social media and email marketing. With the increasing demand for unique and engaging content, we understand the challenges faced by retailers to keep up with the pace. Our AI tool is designed to simplify your content creation process, enabling you to focus on the core aspects of your business. You can now generate high-quality, relevant, and personalized content for your social media and email marketing campaigns. Say goodbye to the hassle of brainstorming content ideas and welcome the future of content creation with our AI tool. Join us in revolutionizing the way independent retailers generate social media and email content.”

I’ve also been using the AI options in Canva, which is my favorite platform for creating visuals for social media and email blasts. Canva already offers a vast library of photos, search-

able by theme, but it’s sometimes fun to ask it to create something original. Using the Magic Media app within the platform, I asked it for an image showing kids creating posters promoting recycling. While the first four options were basically photos, the watercolor, dreamy and anime versions are colorful and eye-catching “art.”

Making a Statement

Q: My partner likes to display a single example of an item of merchandise in order to highlight it. She hates it when I create a mass display of something, which I believe is an effective way to attract attention. Which visual merchandising technique is best?

A: It might be fun to mix things up in your shop by using both approaches. You are right that giving a line of merchandise a lot of shelf space creates a strong visual statement and shows that you really believe in it. In addition to drawing attention, this approach helps increase sales by encouraging customers to mix and match different items that go together. In our shop, we group large quantities of The Thymes’ Frasier Fir candles, soaps, diffus-

ers and accessories together in a display that’s hard to overlook. But it’s not usually effective to just put large quantities of the same products together on a shelf, because customers may associate that approach with grocery stores and mass merchandisers. It may be efficient to stock some “bread and butter” items that sell themselves this way, but there is no romance to it. Your partner’s idea of showing a single example of something special is an effective counterpoint to what is referred to in visual merchandising as "massing." Creating a focus by setting an item apart from other goods is a great way to highlight it. It encourages your customers to experience this part of your shop as a carefully curated selection.

Because jewelers and galleries often only put a single example of an item on display, this approach may signal that the item is likely to be expensive. If that’s not the case, you’ll want the price clearly displayed. And if you aren’t able to provide the personal assistance to each of your customers that a high-end retailer would, make it easier for shoppers by having a few more examples of the item available nearby. Scarcity may increase the desire to purchase an item before it's gone, but people are often reluctant to pick up the last one.

at specialtyshopretailing.com.

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Carol L. Schroeder is co-owner of Orange Tree Imports in Madison, Wis., and the author of “Specialty Shop Retailing: How You Can Succeed in Today’s Market.” Her book and weekly blog can be found

BACK TO THE BEGINNING

Let’s go back in time for a moment. When did you get your start in retail? When did you open your store? For some of you, that start or opening was only a few years or even months ago. For others, it may be as far back as a few decades ago. No matter how long ago you started, we're sure you remember those exciting — and sometimes challenging — times and the many lessons you learned while diving into retail. This month, we decided to tap into all those firsts and ask a few retailers from across the country to share the biggest challenges they faced and the best pieces of advice they received when they were first starting out. The lessons and tips these retailers — new and seasoned — share offer a little something for every retailer, no matter how long they've been in the biz.

Jenna LeBlanc

Winton + Waits Fort Worth, Texas

"One of the challenges we have worked hard to find solutions for is how to turn a customer into a brand ambassador as opposed to someone who just makes a one-time purchase.

A challenge we didn't see coming was how many times we would have to pivot and rework our business plan to fit the ever-changing industry climate and consumer behavior. [The best piece of advice I received] was to create systems, a pathway for growth, and know your mission as a brand, but remain flexible. Flexibility creates longevity.

“My advice to new retailers? Customers connect with human experiences way before they connect with products. Focus on a memorable experience for each person that walks in your door and you will make lifelong customers!”

Jane Kerr

Apple Butter & Shugie's Morris, Ill.

"I started in retail back in 1988. At that time my biggest challenge was cash flow. I was blessed to have my husband handle all financials for our home life until my business took off. The challenge I least expected was the hours needed from me to build the business.

“If you financially can do this, I recommend you buy your building. With the help of my husband, I bought and sold two buildings in a prime location of our downtown shopping district. I am currently renting the building I owned for 20 years, for retirement is just around the corner. Best advice I received was to get involved with our chamber of commerce and our community. Promote everyone in your shopping district."

Ari Lowenstein

Ari's Pantry

Dallas

"Understanding how to merchandise my store to optimize and balance housewares, giftware, fresh food and shelf-stable food [has been my biggest challenge since opening in December]. As new suppliers have come on board, I’m continuously remerchandising the store. Also, getting customers to see the store as a part of their regular shopping habit. The first visit is usually curiosity then delight then a purchase. The second visit is often two to four weeks later saying that 'they should have come back sooner.' After that, they get into a rhythm and become regulars.

“[One piece of advice is to] monitor your average sale when you are at the store vs. the average sale when you aren’t. Track that difference as you train your staff and consider it as part of your cost model. [Great advice I received is] for the first year, be in the store as much as you possibly can. Interaction with my customers early and often helped me pivot quickly, make real-time changes that improved many aspects of the operation, and helped me build a rapport with my clients."

Amy Sparks

Once Upon A Time By Amy

Hendersonville and Mt. Juliet, Tenn.

“My career before this had nothing to do with retail, so I had plenty to learn when I jumped in. Thankfully, I had always enjoyed shopping for clothes, and I learned I really loved putting together the stores, so that really kept me going. Be prepared to learn a lot and be sure this is something you really love to do and sell, because that will keep pushing you through all the hard parts.”

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What’s Doing Well In Stores?

"Our own Winton and Waits Wardrobe (one size) and accessory collection that we also sell wholesale [has been a bestseller]. For gifts, we are loving Ruff House Print Shop personalized letterpress jotters and Generation Bee’s line of honey and personal care.”

—

Jenna LeBlanc, Winton + Waits

"Spring is here, so everyone is shopping for new, cute little things for summer.” — Amy Sparks, Once Upon a Time by Amy

"Hot products have been Ari’s Tomato Sauce, Fred’s PastaSaurus, Puzzles from New York Puzzle Company and guanciale for carbonara.”

— Ari Lowenstein, Ari's Pantry

"We recently added FreshCut Paper’s pop-up paper bouquets and they have been popular among people who want their ‘flowers’ to last or don’t want to care for something live.”

— Cassie Osterloth, Wonderland Floral Art and Gift Loft

"When starting in retail, my biggest challenge was and trying to 'turn it off.' Knowing there is no limit to what we can do as retailers is constantly nagging at us. The challenge I least expected was being consistent as a retailer. Consistency is key in every aspect of retail, from advertising to logistics. It’s difficult not to jump [ship] when something, be it from a marketing or logistics standpoint, appears to not be generating a sales increase imme-

“To new retailers: Don’t get discouraged if you don’t see immediate results. Just like losing weight, it takes time and effort. And just like losing weight, success is worth all the time and effort. The best piece of advice I received is that you can’t depend on your friends to shop with you. Shockingly, this is the truest advice I ever received. I am in a very small town, and the people I socialize with are nowhere close to my best customers. It doesn’t make sense, but it’s true, and I received that advice from a retailer who received that advice from yet another retailer."

Cassie Osterloth

Wonderland Floral Art and Gift Loft

St. Petersburg, Fla.

“People told me I would have to be flexible and willing to change, and that has remained true in all parts of my work, whether that be retail or floral design. You always have to be able to learn and change, even if you don’t enjoy it all the time. I also encourage everyone to find ways to get customers into their stores regularly, whether that is through classes like we offer or something else.”

Becky Brown Dyer

Pat's Hallmark; Ruby Kate's Boutique

INDUSTRY INSIGHTS

“

“Well, guess what, stores didn’t disappear. Not only that but they seem to be reviving with a vengeance.”

Once again some of the so-called experts, supposedly smart people and other sorts who wear suits and charge by the hour, are having to eat their words. Remember all those forecasts about how e-commerce was going to obliterate physical retailing?

SEE MORE PAGE 36

Stores? Yes, Actual Stores

Once again some of the so-called experts, supposedly smart people and other sorts who wear suits and charge by the hour, are having to eat their words (if not necessarily their fees). All of these guys who said physical retailing was dying and the shopping world was going totally online have suddenly gone offline themselves.

Remember all those forecasts about how e-commerce was going to obliterate physical retailing? (And I don’t call it bricks and mortar … that’s a really dumb and awkward term to me, not to mention stores today use absolutely no bricks or mortar in their construction, but I digress.)

Well, guess what, stores didn’t disappear. Not only that but they seem to be reviving with a vengeance. Other than some selected urban areas like Midtown Manhattan and San Francisco’s Union Square, where the slow return of both tourists and office workers is impacting occupancy rates, most shopping districts are experiencing nearly unprecedented levels of strength. According to one study, more than 16,000 new stores have opened since the end of the pandemic and malls — especially outdoor ones — are reporting nearly full houses. Another study says those outdoor malls (sometimes called lifestyle centers) are

“This is not the moment to do business as usual — because the usual has become unusual. We don’t know how long this window will remain open so it’s even more important to seize the moment.”

getting amazing traffic as well.

All of this is good news — very good news — for independent specialty retailers, including those in the gift and home sector. This is especially true for retailers located in suburban and exurban areas, where work-from-home has become a very regular part of the employment picture. These workers may be spending their working day where they live, but when they go out they are shopping, eating and socializing locally. All of a sudden, neighborhood stores have a new audience to tap and it’s an opportunity that can’t be wasted.

How to take advantage of that is something that needs to be seized. That may be more in-store events, be they purely social or involving guest speakers, fashion shows or whatever works for your particular store’s merchandising mix. You of course have to work your regular customer contact lists, but this may also be the time to do a little prospecting to find new customers. Chances are these are consumers who used to shop where their offices were and may have never stepped foot in your store. They could be an amazing asset to your business if you can find them, reach them and get them to come shop with you.

The key thing here is that the pandemic has caused a major reset in all sorts of things, not the least of which is shopping patterns. This is not the moment to do business as usual — because the usual has become unusual. We don’t know how long this window will remain open so it’s even more important to seize the moment.

For years, you were told your store was a liability and you needed to think about an entirely different business model. You still need to be selling, promoting and communicating online but your store is now an asset and not an albatross. Who knew?

Warren Shoulberg has reported on the gift and home industry for most of his career. He is often quoted in national media like the New York Times and CNN, and contributes to several trade publications, Forbes.com and the Robin Report.

Sustainability and a Nod to the Future

As Kermit the Frog would say, it’s not that easy being green. But the work being done now to preserve our natural resources will help to ensure our children’s future — and that’s something that the greater toy community is fully embracing.

With the Toy Association and ASTRA citing eco-lasting play and sustainability as top trends to watch in 2024, toy makers are rightfully adjusting their production and packaging processes. Here’s how some companies are doing their part to promote sustainable play for the next generation.

Standards and Stewardship

When developing new playthings, toy companies are finding ways to minimize their impact on the environment. Juratoys, for instance, has been paying close attention to its carbon footprint and will start conducting annual assessments in 2025. Currently, 90 percent of toys under the Janod brand are FSC (Forest Stewardship Council)-certified, while 100 percent of its Kallo and Lilliputiens toys use recycled polyester. “We aim to improve with increasingly sustainable sourcing of materials in the coming years,” said corporate social responsibility manager Agathe Simon.

Certification is also top of mind for Hape, which successfully obtained the Green and Low-Carbon Factory certification last year. “We insist on using more sustainable green materials, such as renewable … cork and bamboo; water-based paints and plant-based plastics to reduce reliance on finite resources and minimize the environmental burden,” noted sustainability manager Svenja Baumert.

Greener raw goods have become an essential component in Playmobil’s product designs. The company kicked off 2024 with a complete overhaul of its rebranded Playmobil Junior portfolio, converting from fossil-based materials to 90-percent plantbased materials. The plant-based plastics, noted Playmobil U.S. Vice President of Sales and Marketing Marc Shinderman, originated as leftover materials from food or paper production based on the ISCC 208 standard.

In addition to the toys themselves, sustainable packaging further communicates manufacturers’ commitment to protecting the environment. Petit Collage, a subsidiary of Chronicle Books, recently removed acetate windows, swapped shrinkwrap for recyclable card bellybands and replaced plastic secure seals with cellulose or paper seals. “All of these changes are

great news for our customers as we maintain our retail prices, keep our focus on quality and use fewer natural resources,” said Head of Brand Jo O’Donoghue.

Juratoys has also made a concerted effort in packaging updates; bubble wrap, polyester and doufline protective foam have been replaced with paper and anti-moisture sachets, with clay packaging — saving up to 5.3 tons of plastic annually. Meanwhile, PlanToys has devised a set of 28 standard size boxes that can accommodate all its products. Labels are then printed on demand at the company’s factory to eliminate any unnecessary print jobs for discontinued or unused inventory.

Speaking of production facilities, in 2022, PlanToys began powering its Trang, Thailand factory with renewable energy. “We installed 1,851 solar panels to reduce our carbon footprint by approximately 400 tons of CO2 emissions per year,” noted Vice President of Americas Rudy Valenta. “This is equivalent to planting 42,105 trees yearly.” And because PlanToys sources over 75 percent of its raw materials within a 30-kilometer radius from its factory, the company is able to further minimize its carbon footprint.

As toy makers continue to make great strides in sustainable play, they all share a common goal, which O’Donoghue sums up: “We are in the business of making things for children to enjoy, and the responsibility is on us to ensure that we are not harming the world they live in to achieve that.”

Pamela Brill has covered the toy industry for 20-plus years. The former senior/managing editor of Playthings magazine, she serves as an ambassador for the Toy Association’s Genius of Play and writes for numerous national business and lifestyle publications.

Playmobil Junior Animal Home is made with plant-based materials.

Q & A

4 QUESTIONS WITH the Tabletop Association

Prominent members of the Tabletop Association and tabletop community answer questions about design trends, the changing consumer and the future of the tabletop show.

Emon Maasho, Orrefors & Kosta Boda

Q: What are some of the biggest design trends you're noticing in tabletop for 2024? What's driving them forward?

A: A prominent tabletop design trend revolves around a vibrant infusion of color, deviating from the traditional reliance on cut-patterned glassware. This shift is driven by a collective desire for visually stimulating dining experiences. The resurgence of color serves as a canvas for self-expression, reflecting evolving tastes and a global blend of influences. This trend adds an element of playfulness and joy to dining, transforming tabletops into dynamic expressions of creativity and individuality. Embracing this colorful revolution, tabletops no longer merely serve a functional purpose but become captivating stories told through a spectrum of hues, enhancing the overall dining ambiance.

Lisa Knierim, Creative Tops

Q: What are consumers looking for when it comes to tabletop? Any consumer trends driving certain purchases or categories?

A: Tabletop is a highly emotive category. Consumers will browse online or in stores and see a pattern, a color, a style that speaks to them. Recent trends show consumers are using bowls vs. flat plates more and more during meals. Barware and drinkware continue to trend as mocktails and craft cocktails remain popular. Colored glass is increasingly popular. Casual, every day dinnerware continue to increase and take share from fine dining products. We also see mix and match in dinnerware used as a creative outlet for consumers to express their personal style.

Holli Draughn, Vietri

Q: Are tabletop vendors pivoting toward a younger audience? If so, how?

A: Yes. Platforms like TikTok and Instagram, especially Reels and videos, are some of the ways vendors are attracting younger customers, as well as focusing on wedding registry items, lower price points, dinnerware and serveware sets, drinkware and home décor goods. Sustainability, eco-friendliness and transparency in the supply chain are important to younger customers, and tabletop vendors are working to better communicate this information in an effort to win the trust of millennial and Gen Z shoppers. [But balance is key] as most vendors also want to retain their core, more mature customer base.

David Zrike, Zrike Brands/R Squared

Q: How has the tabletop show not only survived, but progressed over the last several years? What differences do you see in the show since being driven by the tenant association?

A: We believe, based on our conversations with clients, that shows play a significant role or even greater role in the store assortment process. It's a place to brainstorm and work on product ideas and assortments. The main difference since the tenant association has taken over has come from the interaction and collaboration of the membership on the common goal of improving the show and attracting key accounts. The board is a great group of diverse companies who has openly shared information and resources for the betterment of the show and the industry as a whole. We are truly excited about the future of the Tabletop Show and its impact on the industry.

Source: CNN Business POKÉMON, BARBIE and SQUISHMALLOWS were the top three bestselling brands in 2023.

BY THE NUMBERS KIDS

In the U.S., toy sales have been trending upwards in the years since the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, toy sales in 2023 were 26 percent higher than they were in 2019, according to a report from consumer behavior and trend tracker Circana. However, sales compared to 2022 saw a 7 percent drop. The toy industry can be fi nicky at times, with popular names and licenses often driving a large part of intere st. In 2023, licensed toys accounted for 31.1 percent of the total toy market. Worldwide names such as Pokemon, Barbie, Star Wars, Lego and several others saw success across the globe, and also highlight the importance of knowing your consumer base — while products may initially be for kids, the trend of the “kidult” is still on the scene.

89 PERCENT of parents went toy shopping for adults during the 2023 holiday season.

Source: The Toy Association

in the U.S. Toy

45 PERCENT of parents under 40 consider ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT of a toy before buying.

Source: The Toy Association

Importance of licensed characters when buying toys

Dollars By Region 2023 vs. 2024

How non-top 100 retailer regional receivables in the U.S. compare year over year: February

GAIN AR Statistics show the February 2024 overall receivables of non-top 100 retailers are down 3.0 percent compared to receivables of non-top 100 retailers in February 2023. Additionally, January 2024 overall receivables of non-top 100 retailers were also down 19.1 percent from January 2023. Receivables of top 100 retailers for February 2024 are also down 2.2 compared to February of last year. Additionally, January 2024 overall receivables of non-top 100 retailers were also down 15.3 percent year over year. Combined, both the non-top 100 and top 100 retailer overall AR receivables for year to date of 2024 are down 17.6 percent compared to the same period last year. But February numbers look to be headed in the right direction. This chart is created from data provided by the Gift Associates Interchange Network (GAIN).

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Consider making a donation to Heart on Main Street today to help our Main Street retailers thrive!

MAKING SCENTS OF HOME FRAGRANCE

A LOOK AT GIFT VENDORS IN THE HOME FRAGRANCE

CATEGORY

MAKING SCENTS OF HOME FRAGRANCE

Elevate Your Store with Fresh Scents & Stylish Décor

Q: I’m looking to refresh my store’s fragrance selection for spring and summer. What are some trending scents from Crossroads Original Designs?

A: Crossroads is your one-stop shop for captivating scents and stylish accents! We have a fantastic selection of trending spring and summer fragrances perfect for refreshing any space. Our top picks include:

• Grapefruit & Citrus: This invigorating blend of grapefruit, orange, strawberry and vanilla bursts with sunshine and energy, ideal for uplifting any space.

• Cherry Blossom: Capture the essence of spring with this delicate cherry blossom floral fragrance with hints of apple, vanilla, and gardenia.

• Black Raspberry Harvest: A sweet and juicy scent reminiscent of summer berry picking, with notes of raspberry, blackberry, strawberry, and vanilla.

• Blueberry & Lavender: This unique combination blueberry and lavender offers a calming yet vibrant aroma, perfect for creating a relaxing atmosphere.

Q: How can I create a more engaging fragrance experience for my customers?

• Wax Melts & Crumbles: These fragrant wax cubes can be melted in an electric warmer, providing a safe and mess-free way to enjoy your favorite scents.

Q: Beyond candles, are there other ways to incorporate delightful fragrances into my store?

A: Consider accessorizing your candles with decorative floral rings and candle holders! Crossroads offers a variety of styles that complement different aesthetics. These decorative touches not only enhance the presentation of your candles but also allow customers to personalize their fragrance experience. Floral rings and candle holders can easily transform the ambiance for any season, adding a touch of spring with pastel colors or a burst of summer with vibrant hues.

Q: Not all my customers are comfortable with open flames. Does Crossroads offer any flameless fragrance options?

A: Absolutely! Crossroads understands the importance of safety and convenience. We offer a wide range of flameless fragrance solutions, including:

• Reed Diffusers: These versatile diffusers continuously release fragrance for weeks, perfect for creating a subtle yet long-lasting scent experience.

• Room Sprays: Offer a quick burst of fragrance with our refreshing room sprays, perfect for bathrooms or to freshen up specific areas.

A: We’re thrilled you asked! We’ve recently launched a luxurious line of scented hand soaps and lotions. Available in 6 popular scents, including Avocado & Sea Salt, Buttered Maple Syrup, Fresh Apple, Lemongrass & Lavender, Southern Charm and Spiced Georgia Peach, these soothing, moisturizing products offer a touch of indulgence for everyday pampering. These products provide a delightful sensory experience while leaving skin feeling soft and refreshed.

Ready to Elevate Your Store’s Fragrance Experience?

Contact Crossroads Original Designs today to learn more about our wholesale program and discover how our high-quality, 100% American-made fragrance products can enhance your store’s atmosphere and product offerings. Crossroads is proud to offer clean-burning, long-lasting fragrances that your customers will love. We invite you to explore our Family of Companies’ brands and discover our complete range of fragrance, gift, gourmet, and home product offerings.

Contact the Crossroads Family of Companies today to take your store’s fragrance and décor to the next level! Call 866-247-0156 or visit www. crossroadsfamily.com to learn more.

MAKING SCENTS OF HOME FRAGRANCE

Candle Warmers Etc. Expands Scope of Flameless Home Fragrance

Candle Warmers Etc. continues to explore innovative ways to bring style and function to its growing assortment of flameless home fragrance and aromatherapy products. Its team of experienced designers puts extensive effort into trend research and product development, elevating its presentation each and every new season. This year, its new product offering spans attractive new warmers, hard-to-resist fragrances, limited edition candles, beautiful decorative lamps and lanterns and Pluggable Fragrance Warmers, to name a few.

Candle Warmers Etc. became the original alternative to lighting a candle in 2001, when founder Bart Kennington became aware of the dangers of lit candles due to a neighborhood house fire. He invested his family’s savings into 5,000 mug warmers, and the original candle warmer was born. Today, the company is a leader in the home fragrance industry, as well as a valuable resource to gift and home décor retailers. Here, LaRen Johnson, Fragrance Manager, provides the latest overview into the company’s efforts to maintain its position of prominence.

Q: What does the latest research tell us about the state of the home fragrance market?

A: From our research and information provided by our vendors, it’s clear the candle market has been growing steadily due to rising consumer interest in home decor, aromatherapy and wellness products. Consumers are looking for candles and wax cubes made from natural, sustainable materials like soy wax or beeswax, as well as unique scents and attractive designs.

Q: How about your company’s growth and performance in 2023? What were your strongest sellers/trends?

A: In 2022 and 2023 Candle Warmers Etc. was the fastest growing brand of wax melts in the U.S. according to Nielsen. We were also voted the industry’s Best Warmer Melts Supplier by Gifts & Dec readers in 2023. Our company has experienced significant growth, and we continue to attract many new customers because of the increased interest in our products. Additionally, our candle warmer lamps have seen remarkable growth, becoming a popular trend on social media platforms.

Q: How have the lamps and lanterns enhanced your presentation?

A: Candle Warmer Lamps and Lanterns have been a staple of our assortment since the early 2000s. Candle Warmer Lamps provide all the benefits of candles (ambiance and fragrance) without any of the dangers (smoke, soot and fire danger). We approach the design of our Candle Warmer Lamps to be a décor piece as much as a home fragrance delivery system. The virality of our lamps and lanterns on social media has been exciting to watch. Due to demand, we’ve added new lamps over the past two new launch cycles with more to come this summer.

These include our Arched Candle Warmer Lamp, our Fluted Glass Candle Warmer Lamp and the Pendant Candle Warmer Lamp.

Another featured new product is the Canopy Illumination Fragrance Warmers, which quickly and safely warm wax melts from above. A halogen light gives off a soft glow, and ceramic or porcelain finishes provide a pop of color in line with today’s home décor trends.

Q: Last year you emphasized wellness in a big way – does this trend continue to be dominant? How do you take it the next level?

A: Certainly, this trend is pervasive. We’ve directed our attention toward the “Good for You” trend by developing fragrances that resonate with simple pleasures, igniting feelings of happiness and joy.

Q: What’s your message to gift retailers?

Candle Warmers Etc. remains committed to providing new and on trend product that creates the safest and finest home fragrance experience. With nearly 200 trending designs that fit any budget and style, we have a unique product and fragrance line for every retailer and their customers.

MAKING

SCENTS

OF HOME FRAGRANCE

How does Mixture set itself apart in the marketplace?

Competition in our category is very strong. Mixture sets itself apart in two ways, Fragrances and Product Offerings. Sixteen years ago, when Mixture first started out, we were known more as a candle company than anything else. We started out with 8 fragrances in 8 products. Today we have 55 fragrances and well over 100 different products spread across 6 different categories ranging from candles to laundry to men’s to baby products. Fragrance is an integral part of Mixture’s success. When deciding on a new fragrance, we go through approximately 30 plus fragrances to pick just 1.

Q: How does Mixture decide on what fragrances and products to introduce?

A: Excellent question. Mixture has developed a following for our fragrances. With that, we are VERY selective in what we release. We choose fragrances that are rich, complex and have a unique edge. We strive to continuously offer exclusive fragrances to differentiate our brand within the marketplace versus promoting a fragrance that is repeated frequently.

release a full line of natural pet products at this Summer Market. When looking at pet trends we found in 2024, 68% of United Stated households have pets, whereas in 1988 only 56% of households had pets. This not only is an increase to the number of pets in households, but it also opens up a need for natural pet items in the marketplace.

In reference to our product selection, we analyze up and coming trends. We factor any element of trends in relation to color, fragrance profile and even home styles. This ultimately drives the base before we add our creative touch to it. We often find involving our customer base in potential offerings helps to establish a better product and fragrance roll out as they

have a direct relationship with the end consumer.

Q: What are some of the new products that Mixture will introduce for the Summer 2024 markets?

A: We are thrilled to finish our product development for the upcoming Summer Market and continue with more products for the Winter Market. We are delighted to

Another new addition to Mixture’s product line up will be a Waterless Diffuser. Over the past few years, Waterless Diffusers have grown in vast popularity. Waterless Diffusers are often preferred in settings where a long-lasting aroma is desired. Our fragrances are suspended into the air and will permeate throughout the desired space working with the airflow. This will allow the end consumers to feel they just brought a touch of luxury home with them. If they are worried about running out of fragrance, there is no need to stress as we will offer refills. Safe to be around pets and kids.

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GET TECHNICAL

Appealing to Gen Z, Gen X and millennial shoppers, TikTok allows businesses to create authentic content and connect with a multitude of consumers. But Anita Desai, head of industry at TikTok, says it’s the millennials, the new head of households, that businesses should be targeting. SEE MORE PAGE 52

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“Many millennials are interested in videos from home and living brands, which opens the door for branded content.”

TikTok Tips for Capturing Millennials

by Lenise Willis

Though the platform gained fame through Gen Z’s viral dancing videos, TikTok is much more useful to businesses than you might think, and it’s not just for the youngest generation. According to Anita Desai, head of industry at TikTok, businesses that use the app to connect with younger audiences online and engage with them with unique content have better chances of increasing sales.

Appealing to Gen Z, Gen X and millennial shoppers, TikTok allows businesses to create authentic content and connect with a multitude of consumers. But Desai says it’s the millennials, the new head of households, that businesses should be targeting.

According to research presented by Desai, millennials bought the most homes in 2021, account for the largest share of homes with kids (at 46 percent) and have an annual spending power of $2.5 trillion. The numbers show that millennials are fast-tracking previously postponed life stages and now have new needs: One in three millennials want to get married this year; 82 percent were first-time home buyers in 2021; and 2021 saw the largest rise in birth rate in nearly 10 years.

For these reasons, many millennials are interested in videos from home and living brands, which opens the door for branded content. To succeed, branded TikTok videos should follow one of five angles: Point of view; reviews; home inspiration; satisfaction; and quick hacks and tips.

Appealing to the Millennial

According to a Nielson report that TikTok had conducted, TikTok users are most interested in content that sparks joy and is unique, honest and real.

"Don't make ads," Desai said. "Make TikToks." According to the report, 71 percent of users say they feel a closer connection to the people they interact with on TikTok than on other sites and apps they use. It's possible this is due to the wide variety of cultures and community segments on TikTok, like #cleantok and #watertok. The segments not only offer more personalized content, but a great sense of community.

"Brands must move from identity to affinity marketing," Desai said. "Communities are the new demographics."

To connect with millennials, Desai says to:

• Make it easy. "Loyalty is won when brands make millen-

nial life easy, pairing great products with great experiences. According to research quoted by Desai, 86 percent of millennial moms will pay more for a product that saves them time, and 55 percent of millennial TikTok users say that convenience is their top driver for making decisions.

• Be authentic. "Authenticity enables action. Stay-at-home orders cemented authentic human connections as critical in the path to purchase." According to Desai, 50 percent of users said user-generated content was the most important thing to them in making a home-related purchase. Seventy percent say that content from friends and family most impact their purchasing decisions.

• Keep wellness top of mind. "Every decision is now viewed through the lens of personal wellness, including in the home." According to research, 72 percent of millennials said their home was key to their mental health during COVID-19. Furthermore, nearly every participant in a 2021 survey about the Great Resignation, cited wellness as their No. 1 reason for quitting.

• Take a stance. "Purpose is the fifth 'P.' For commodities to become brands among the 'least loyal generation,' they must make a stand."

Making a stand is especially important for millennial customers, who are typically willing to "pay more for purpose." For this reason, TikTok videos should express a message or backstory because this younger generation wants to "know the why." Desai suggests making sure that you're sending a good message in your marketing and "scream it on TikTok."

Desai quoted that two in three consumers will pay more for products from a brand that is committed to making a positive social impact. Also, millennials are four times more likely to pay significantly more (+25 percent) for sustainable products than baby boomers and three times more likely than Gen X. "Purpose turns customers into fans," she said.

Finally, "'shoppertainment' is the new currency," she said, reminding business owners that, today, consumers usually have multiple screens in front of them, so branded content must fight for their attention. Content that is humorous or entertaining, or that teaches consumers something will captivate their interest and keep them engaged.

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GET INSPIRED

Editor in Chief Lenise Willis covered the Inspired Home Show last month, tracking trends, exploring new products and learning about the latest innovations making a splash in housewares. Head to our Instagram story highlights to see live coverage of the event and some of her favorite product finds!

@gifts_and_dec

“With the U.S. economy’s strength resting heavily on household spending, all eyes are on the consumer — and how consumers will respond the next few months to the Federal Reserve’s ongoing efforts to tame inflation. While inflation is down from its peak, it ... is still an important problem that remains to be solved.”

— Jack Kleinhenz, chief economist for the National Retail Federation

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CHECK YOUR CALENDAR

Did you know that Gifts & Decorative Accessories’ editorial team maintains a comprehensive directory of industry events online? Head to our website to see what is going on across the industry and get your calendar updated with market dates, trade association event details and more.

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See a few of the top social posts in our network.

While stationery is traditionally an analog category, that doesn't mean posts from stationery retailers and products don't thrive in the digital world, especially on social media sites like Instagram. Gathering inspiration on how to better make your own stationery pieces pop in posts online is easy if you know where to look.

Take a peek at these great examples from stationery stores across the U.S., and get inspired with new ways to showcase everything from pens and paper to stickers, greeting cards, notebooks, bookmarks and more.

TRENDING GIFTS

STATIONERY | GOURMET | FASHION

|

HOLIDAY

|

HOME & TABLETOP | BATH & BODY | GIFTABLES | CANDLES | KIDS

Made from vegan leather

Hand-painted reversible designs

AN ARTIST’S TOUCH

by Amanda Erd

Coasters are 3.5-inch squares

Ginny Ball and Eva Harris had no idea the magic they would create when they first met. Introduced by a mutual friend, Ball and Harris quickly realized they both had the desire and creativity to build a business together. Their first company together, Keva Style, focused on bringing a modern twist to leather jewelry. Keva has been, and continues to be, a huge success. But Harris wanted to do even more. Harris wanted to create a platform for others to achieve their goals, while Ball enjoyed being able to help artists share their work with the world in various ways.

Thus, Created By was born. The brand has a simple goal: to make the world a more interesting place to live by shining a light on emerging artists, according to the company’s website. Created By allows artists of all creative mindsets to create, while the in-house design team helps turn their original art into goods. According to the website, there are currently six

artists under the Created By umbrella designing all sorts of products. Though the company initially started with silk scarves and bandanas, they now make a wide variety of products with the artists’ hand-drawn designs including other fashion accessories, along with tea towels and coasters.

These Rodeo Coasters were designed by artist Evelyn Henson, who discovered her passion for painting after being given an old box of craft paint from some friends. The designs were hand-painted in her Charlotte, N.C., studio before being turned into coasters made from vegan leather. Each coaster is a 3.5-inch square with a reversible design and comes with a holder for the four-piece set.

Rodeo Coasters, set of 4. Keva Style + Created By. kevastyle.com

Mismatched Fiesta Teacups. All Little Cute Things. instagram.com/alllittlecutethings

TACKLING TABLETOP Trends

Younger consumers, specifically millennials and members of Gen Z, are making waves in the tableware space as they make big investments in dinnerware and serveware, inspired by an increasing interest in at-home entertaining and online born styles and style influencers. But what kind of pieces are they looking to buy? Tabletop goods that offer more color, more versatility, more value and more vintage influence, according to tabletop experts.

by Adelaide Elliott

A new wave of excited consumers and first-time hosts and hostesses — millennials and Gen Z — are infl uencing tabletop trends for 2024 and beyond. This largely untapped group of consumers are investing in tabletop styling and purchasing thanks to internet influencers and a larger trend that has consumers hosting more dinner parties and day-to-day gatherings at home.

“We all love that feeling we get when we sit down together at a pretty table, made special by great looking dinnerware and serveware,” said Beatriz Ball, founder and namesake of the tableware and home décor brand Beatriz Ball.

What Is Influencing Trends?

Vox Media’s food- and dining-focused digital media brand Eater has declared 2024 “the year of the dinner party” as part of its trend predictions, and it seems that the housewares industry is in agreement.

After an unstable last several years thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic and the economy, the International Housewares Association (IHA) has said that the “home and housewares industry is primed for market stability,” according to its 2024 Occasions Report and collaborative 2024 At-Home Entertaining Report. According to the reports, conducted in partnership with market researcher Morning Consult, one way retailers can spark

such growth and stability is to “serve a consumer base that is embracing relative normalcy after living the same volatility and is eager to celebrate just about everything.”

“The pandemic and its economic aftermath scrambled long-established, occasion-marking and in-home gathering traditions,” explained Dawn Evans, IHA director of marketing. “Results of these complementary consumer surveys chronicle how consumers have rescheduled and reimagined key life events as they settle into a new groove and how their reinvigorated zest for at-home entertaining shows no signs of abating. That has created a wide, new sweet spot for the housewares industry to connect with consumers in a celebratory mood.”

According to the At-Home Entertaining Survey, first conducted in 2022 and expanded on for the IHA’s 2024 Occasions Report, eight out of 10 consumers expect to entertain at home in the coming year, continuing and building on the trend from last year.

“Because of this, we strongly feel that at-home entertaining is the new normal and is here to stay,” continued Evans. “In fact, it has really become part of our lifestyle and natural behavior as consumers still have great enthusiasm for inviting people into their home.”

Aligned with welcoming more people into their homes, the survey found that entertaining is set to be more personal and

informal in 2024, with 73 percent noting that they planned more intimate gatherings of 10 or fewer people and 67 percent noting that they planned to prepare the food themselves versus catering the event. And with all that food and a limited guest list, 95 percent of respondents planned to send food home with guests when entertaining.

Casual Cool

The reports’ findings are in line with style trends being observed throughout the tabletop industry this year, especially among younger consumers — think millennials and members of Gen Z — who are getting into hosting in a serious way, but still seeking dual-purpose pieces that serve a purpose every day.

According to Ball, dinnerware and serveware is able to achieve dual-purpose casual elegance by offering a “nod to tradition” that “can also be colorful and fun.”

“I think the trend now is not to impress our guests at the table with costly items, but to delight them with a thoughtful but fun mix of high and low, luxury and craft store, new and vintage; a curated approach that’s anything but stuffy,” she continued. “As we all know, all good things in life happen around a table!”

Online, more than 110,000 posts under the hashtags #dinnerparty and #dinnerpartyideas have racked up millions of views, likes and saves on TikTok. On Meta-owned social networks like Facebook and Instagram, content around the same themes — discussing everything from menus and setup time to tablescape creations and purchases made ahead of the dinner party — has seen similar numbers.

Creators and influencers have declared that dinner parties are the answer to rising restaurant costs and have given them more flexibility to elongate their gatherings and pair meals with activities. Online, popular dinner party themes include region-

specific themes — think parties that feature food and décor from specific countries — along with book club dinner parties, dinner parties that celebrate the changing of seasons, and “second degree” parties that aim to introduce people who do not know each other well.

There are also plenty of people online and in real life who are replacing elaborate at-home gatherings with casual weekend meals with friends, getting together with no theme. Regardless of the reason or décor, most people are working with their everyday dinnerware, supplementing for themes and special occasion with specialty serveware pieces and decorative accents.

At tabletop brands like Godinger, Guzzini and Vietri, specialty

Glass Aquarelle Coupe. Beatriz Ball. beatrizball.com

Glass Aquarelle Tumbler. Beatriz Ball. beatrizball.com

Ceramic Collection. Beatriz Ball. beatrizball.com

serving pieces like small bowls used on top of or in addition to larger pieces like wooden charcuterie boards have been popular because they offer individual serving opportunities and space to add more variety to dishes with dips, spreads, seasonings and more. Items like flat platters, small bowls, and any other tabletop pieces that can hold chips and dip or multiple items are also important. At Beatriz Ball, Ball said versatility is the name of the game, harkening back to those elements of true casual elegance.

Colorful and vintage-inspired glassware has also been popular for everyday use and as statement pieces that can be swapped out as-needed for different occasions and styling needs. Color wise, pastels and lighter jewel-toned glassware in intricate crystal patterns have been most popular, reminiscent of the colorful glassware trends that first rose to prominence in the 1930s, earning it the name “depression glass.” Today, trend experts in the industry say colored glassware’s resurgence is thanks mostly to bold and colorful decorating trends like maximalism.

On the more modern end of the colorful tableware spectrum, maker Guzzini’s two collections Le Murrine, the brand’s “homage to the Venetian art of glassmaking,” and Grace, “inspired by the noble art of Murano glassmaking,” are made from acrylic and designed in multiple colors and transparencies that play with light and form. At Rosanna, Inc., Rosanna Bowles, president of the tableware and home décor company, has observed grey, beige and white phasing out in popularity. Shades of green are now popular along with pattern mixing and vibrant colors.

Vintage floral motifs and chintzes with lots of color and pattern are popular in teacups, mugs and dessert plates as an accent to neutral serveware and plates, adding to that “eclectic” vibe that companies like Beatriz Ball and Godinger note younger consumers are gravitating toward. These items are so popular in mix-and-match varieties that companies like California-based All Little Cute Things specialize in selling bulk mismatched tabletop pieces — including teacups, dinner plates, salad plates and more

Tiffany Tumblers. Guzzini. fratelliguzzini.com

— inspired by vintage china patterns.

Mixing materials in both tableware and decorative tabletop accents has also been popular. At Beatriz Ball, its colorful new Aquarelle glassware can be mixed with its traditional metalware pieces and its rattan accents, like its multipurpose Rattan Basket and Lid, which can double as a vase for dried flowers.

Financial Focus

And while there are many new opportunities opening up in 2024 for tabletop retailers, there are still a few economic obstacles — new and old — to selling to consumers of all ages.

In Intelligence Node’s December 2023 survey of more than 1,000 U.S. shoppers, it was found that slightly more people — 30 percent — are planning to increase their spending this year over 2023, while 28 percent will be cutting back because of inflation and its impact on the cost of living. That leaves less than half — 42 percent — with plans to keep spending the same.

Vida Rattan Basket with Lid. Beatriz Ball. beatrizball.com

Tierra Hors D’oeuvres Dish. Guzzini. fratelliguzzini.com

Consumers ages 35 to 44 were the most likely to increase their spending, while baby boomers, those 55 and older, planned to be the most conservative, followed by those ages 25 to 34.

Looking more closely at spending specifics throughout the ages, luxury goods will take the biggest hit this year, with nearly half (46 percent) of respondents citing it as the most likely area to target when cutting costs. However, on a scale of 1 to 7, with 1 being most likely for cuts, home décor and furniture ranked second and third by 22 percent and 20 percent of respondents, respectively. The report also notes that this decline would come mostly from female shoppers.

Consumer spending continues to be one of the biggest challenges the home and housewares industries face this year as consumers wrestle with inflation, high interest rates, lower incomes, stretched savings and other pressures.

As a result, home and housewares sales were down 5 percent in dollars and down 7 percent in units in 2023 over 2022, according to Circana’s Retail Tracking over 12 months ending December 2023 versus the prior year. However, when those figures are compared to pre-pandemic 2019 totals, sales were up 24 percent in dollars and up 2 percent in units.

According to Bowles, Ball and other industry experts, that is also impacting stylistic decisions, especially for younger consumers who are most interested in mixing and matching styles and pieces. If they can save money by thrifting an eclectic mix of glassware and only buying new dishware, they will. So,

it is important to embrace selling and styling individual pieces versus complete sets and styling accordingly in stores.

“Make stories in your store to tell that lifestyle story,” added Bowles. “Happy expressions of living life in the moment.”

Erbe Italiane Collection. Rosanna. rosannainc.com

SCENTING IN STYLE

by Adelaide Elliott

Driven by the economy, sustainability movements and personal style preferences, consumers are increasingly invested in getting more than just the latest fragrances out of their home scent purchases. Now, they are seeking out home scent options that add to the overall look of their spaces before and after being used. Whether they prefer candles over diffusers or a modern style over a more traditional look, there is a stylish home scent option for any and every shopper on the market. Read on to see a few design-forward incense holders, candles, diffusers and more that pair form and function with fabulous fragrances.

Oudh Imperial Lamp Candle. Tag Ltd. tagltd.com

Windward Reed Diffuser and Candle. Northern Lights Candles. northernlightscandles.com

Edison Bulb Wax Warmer. Ironwood Candle Co. ironwoodcandleco.com

Sweet Grace Flower Diffuser. Bridgewater Candle Co. bridgewatercandles.com

Oudh Noir 3-Wick Candle Bowl. Napa Home & Garden. napahomeandgarden.com

and pick

or j.bell@artbrand.com

Rewined Chardonnay Candle. Rewined Candles. rewinedcandles.com

Himalayan Salt Warmer. Candle Warmers Etc. candlewarmers.com

Cork Diffuser Stickers. A Dash of Kinship. adashofkinship.com

Burnt Ochre Flur Incense Holder. Amanita Labs. amanita-labs.com

Basil + Sweet Lime Disco Diffuser. Wxy. wxycandles.co.uk

Alpine Meadow Paint Tin Candle. Weekday Candles. weekdaycandles.com

Incense House. Gift Republic. giftrepublic.com

Beach Clean Eco Tea Light Holder. Liga. us.loveliga.com

Olive Oil and Sea Salt Tinned Fish Candle. Tinned Candle. tinnedcandle.com

Fleur De Lagoon Diffuser. Alixx. alixx.com

Tea Light Wax Warmer. EMB Pretty. embpretty.com

Eucalyptus & Botanicals Diffuser with Cypress & Fig Fragrance. Andaluca Home. andalucahome.com

Whitaker & Bull Signature Candle Set. Whitaker & Bull. whitakerandbull.com

Bloom Essential Oil Pluggable Diffuser. Candle Warmers Etc. candlewarmers.com

Waxing Moon Tealights. Ten Thousand Villages. tenthousandvillages.com

Heart Mini Diffusers with Fragrance Oil. Demdaco. demdacoretailers.com

SPLASHING INTO SUMMER

by Amanda Erd

Summer has everything — warm weather, sunny skies, a plethora of outdoor activities to stay busy. It’s the favorite time of year for many consumers. According to a survey by the National Recreation and Park Association, nearly half of Americans (49 percent) say their favorite outdoor activity in the summer is going for a walk or a hike. Not far behind is going to the beach — a favorite for 40 percent of Americans.

Enjoying the outdoors in any fashion offers a variety of product options for consumers. If your store is near a beach, stocking up on a variety of beachgoer items — everything from towels to sand toys — would prove beneficial in the summer months. For those not so close to a shoreline, summer fashion and general outdoor activity products like water bottles and stylish coolers can be successful. Flip through the next few pages to get some inspiration on how to dive into summer.

“Hello Summer” Tote in Turquoise. Shiraleah. shiraleah.com

Oversized Brim Crochet Hat with Scalloped Edge. San Diego Hat Company. sandiegohat.com

“Le Beach” Beach Bag. Shiraleah. shiraleah.com

Ghost Net Bracelet. 4Ocean. wholesale.4ocean.com

Sea Monster Beach Tote with Sand Playset. Stephen Joseph. stephenjosephgifts.com

Splash Proof Travel Sack in Poppie Pink. Rockflowerpaper. rockflowerpaper.com

“No Bad Days” Pool Slides. Living Royal. livingroyalwholesale.com

Groovy Flower Pool Towel. Living Royal. livingroyalwholesale.com

“Hello Sunshine” Canvas Tote Bag. Pavilion. paviliongift.com

Gemma Ocean Beach Dress. Rockflowerpaper. rockflowerpaper.com

Summer Nights Cooler Backpack. Jane Marie. janemarie.com

Cooling Gym Towel in Navy. Dock & Bay. us.dockandbay.com

Toile Fleurie Insulated Water Bottle. My Bougie Bottle. mybougiebottle.com

“Don’t Worry Beach Happy” Towel. C&F. cnfei.com

Noma Fish Quilted Duffle Bag. Ida Mae Home. idamaehome.com

Sunset Beach Capiz Chime. Woodstock Chimes. woodstockchimes.com

Beach Travel Candle. Michel Design Works. wholesale.micheldesignworks.com

Beach Tic Tac Toe. Karma. karmagifts.com

Body scrub. Inis. inis.com

Refreshing Odor Treatment Socks. Voesh. voesh.com

Seagrass Drink Bucket. Mud Pie. wholesale.mudpie.com

TIME TO CELEBRATE

by Amanda Erd

Celebrating took on a whole new meaning after consumers were deprived of social gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic. Any occasion became a reason to celebrate together, but it also gave more meaning to those big life moments. Today, consumers have carried on this newfound trend of celebrating, even the little things. According to the 2024 Gift Book Consumer Survey, there are several milestone events for which consumers are looking to buy gifts. Birthdays, of course, top the list with 91 percent of consumers saying they are most likely to purchase a gift for such an occasion this year. But other milestones shouldn’t be overlooked: 43 percent of consumers said they planned to buy a gift for an anniversary, 33 percent for weddings, 26 percent for graduations, 22 percent for new babies and even 16 percent for celebrating a new home.

Celebrating any moment, big or small, will always be on the radar for consumers. Whether your customers are looking to celebrate new beginnings or small accomplishments, we’ve compiled a list of products that will help you stock for all sorts of occasions.

TRENDING GIFTS – STYLE PULSE

Big Dill card. Elum Designs. wholesale.elumdesigns.com

Spontaneous Celebration Kit. Emergency Confetti. emergencyconfetti.com

Graduation giftwrap set. Jillson & Roberts. jillsonroberts.com

Graduation ornaments. Old World Christmas. oldworldchristmas.com

Wood Graduation Bank with Tassel. Young’s Inc. youngsinc.com

Card and Cocktail set. Noble Mick’s. noblemicks.com

“But First, Champagne” Tea Towel. Foreside Home & Garden. foresidehomeandgarden.com

New Home, New Job and Let’s Toast Candles. Homesick. homesick.com

Cheers Can Cooler. Pavilion. paviliongift.com

Pop the Champagne Stemless Champagne Flute. Pavilion. paviliongift.com

Wedding Ornament Collection. Old World Christmas. oldworldchristmas.com

TRENDING GIFTS – STYLE PULSE

“You’re Having a Baby” card. Elum Designs. wholesale.elumdesigns.com

Congrats soy candle. Sweet Water Décor. sweetwaterdecor.com

Birthday Earrings. Jane Marie. janemarie.com

Celebrate You Greeting Card. Primitives by Kathy. primitivesbykathy.com

Gold and Pink Champagne Ornaments. Raz Imports. razimports.com

First Communion Angel with Lamb. Pavilion. paviliongift.com

Goodie Grabber platter with light-up Champagne accessory. Mud Pie. wholesale.mudpie.com

SATIATING SNACKS

Confectionary, food and beverage supplier Mondelēz International’s fourth annual State of Snacking report, released earlier this year, found that 55 p ercent of consumers prefer snacking as a regular eating behavior over traditional mealtimes, and 71 percent of consumers polled reported that they ate at least two snacks per day. Find something new to help satisfy peckish customers with a few of our editors’ lates t snackable gourmet finds.

LENISE WILLIS

GA Jerk Original Beef Jerky gajerk.com

My husband and I are trying to cut down on how many snacks we eat during the day, but going to the movies is still rough. There’s something about sitting down to a movie that makes me crave a snack. This past weekend, though, we snuck in our own protein-packed snack, GA Jerk Beef Jerky. I tried the original homemade hickory smoked jerky, while my husband snacked on the spicy flavor. The first thing I noticed was how tender the pieces were. Each piece was also packed with a hickory smoked flavor. With 28 grams of protein in the 2.4-ounce bag, I felt nourished and satiated. Besides the fact that the company makes tasty jerky, I also love that the brand is based in Georgia and makes each pack by hand. The jerky is also low in sodium, which is a healthier option than other jerky brands.

ADELAIDE ELLIOTT

Snackable Jalapeño & Chipotle Kit crackerology.com

When there is a gathering to attend, I am usually the gal offering to bring drinks. But thanks to Crackerology, it seems my potluck problem may be solved.

The company makes a range of readyto-assemble sweet and savory snack and appetizer kits. I first met Crackerology in January 2023 during Las Vegas Market, where I had the chance to taste-test a number of their kits.

I decided it was time to try assembling my own kit and chose Crackerology’s Snackable Jalapeño & Chipotle Kit to test. In my kit, I found perfectly portioned ingredients ready to use and had my eight crackers (the kits are designed to serve one to three people) topped and ready to enjoy in less than five minutes. The best part? Each one tasted and looked just as good as the ones put together by the Crackerology professionals at market!

AMANDA ERD

Endangered Species Chocolate Bar chocolatebar.com

There’s something about a good, simple chocolate bar that makes it a top-tier snack when I’m looking for something sweet.

Endangered Species Chocolate keeps the ingredients simple and healthy, no artificial flavors here. With dark chocolate made from real cacao and sweetener coming from fair-trade cane sugar, it’s easy to understand why it tastes so good. I was introduced to the brand with the simple milk chocolate bar — with oat milk made from real oats. It’s not an overpowering sweetness like you’d find from the processed chocolates. It’s natural and smooth and doesn’t leave me feeling guilty for indulging. Plus, they have a variety of flavors and the company donates 10 percent of net profits to organizations that help educate and protect endangered species.

PRIMITIVES BY KATHY

FATHER’S DAY BASEBALL CAPS

Shop our selection of high-quality baseball caps featuring playful sentiments perfect for gifting on Father’s Day and wearing all year round.

| 866-295-2849

@ primitivesbykathy.com

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LITTLE BLUE HOUSE BY HATLEY EVERY INCH COUNTS MEN’S BOXER BRIEF

Our hilarious boxers make the greatest men’s gifts. Different display options and 32 designs to choose from.

| 800-667-2583

@ www.littlebluehouse.com

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OOOH YEAH SOCKS BEST DAD EVER

Happy Father’s Day!! Father’s Day should be every day. That’s why you’ll want to wear these fun dad joke socks all the time.

| 909-345-2688

@ www.ooohyeah.com

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DUKE CANNON SUPPLY CO.

3 OZ. BLOODY KNUCKLES

Made with lanolin, Bloody Knuckles provides much-needed moisture without leaving the hands feeling sticky or greasy.

@ www.dukecannonwholesale.com

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OLD WORLD CHRISTMAS BLOWN-GLASS ORNAMENTS

The premier collection of exclusive blownglass, hand-painted ornaments. Call us to become a dealer in your area.

| 800-962-7669

@ www.oldworldchristmas.com

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TABLECRAFT

5-PIECE BAR KIT

TableCraft’s new Gunmetal 5-piece Bar Kit has all the essential tools you need to outfit your at-home bar in style.

| 800-835-1195

@ www.tablecrafthome.com

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PRIMITIVES BY KATHY FATHER’S DAY SOCKS

PRIMITIVES BY KATHY FATHER’S DAY MUGS

Great for everyday use, shop our best-selling stoneware mugs featuring fun Dadthemed sentiments in a classic box-sign style.

| 866-295-2849

@ primitivesbykathy.com

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OLD ROAD BRAND VINTAGE STYLE LICENSE PLATE TRUCKER HATS

It’s always “Road Trip Season” at Old Road Brand, so Find Your State! We offer quality hats and low minimums. Inspired by authentic vintage-era trucker hats in a variety of color styles. Adjustable snap fit for all. Now introducing “College Towns of the Old Road.” We ship fast so order today and be ready for spring and summer!

| 925-360-1789

@ oldroadbrand.com

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I HEART EYEWEAR XANDER POLARIZED SUNGLASSES

Polarized sunglasses, sun readers or sun bifocals, we have it all. These make great gifts for Father’s Day. Stylish, optical quality and reasonably priced. See our full collection. MSRP $22.00.

Give Dads a fun and cozy way to express themselves everyday with colorful socks perfect for gifting on Father’s Day.

| 866-295-2849

@ primitivesbykathy.com

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| 800-247-7667

@ www.ihearteyewear.com

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AMERICAN MADE

“I guess you could say we make dog toys for people, and they work great for dogs!”

It’s an interesting premise, but it’s one that makes sense when you consider people are the ones buying the products for their pets. And that’s the guise SodaPup operates with — putting the consumer first.

“We put the consumer at the center of everything we do,” said Adam Baker, founder and CEO of SodaPup. “We build imaginative and innovative products that we hope will capture (their) imagination and create an emotional connection.”

Baker was just a regular pet parent working a regular job in sporting goods when he decided it was time to do something about the lack of ingenuity in product assortments at pet stores. Using his business knowledge from working at highly successful brands like Nike and UnderArmour, Baker got to work creating durable, high-quality products that are safe for dogs but also innovative enough to attract the humans buying them.

“For example, because a dog bowl sits on your kitchen floor, we think it should be beautiful as well as functional,” Baker said. “We think the colors should be more home décor oriented than dog toy oriented. This is why our bowls look so radically different from others in the pet industry.”

While appearance is important, safety is a top priority. All of SodaPup’s offerings are FDA-compliant and BPA and phthalate free. Products are fully sourced and

manufactured in the U.S. and are even dishwasher safe for easy cleanup. Baker said the company has spent the last 18 months developing a new synthetic rubber material that improves durability, holds bright colors, is odorless and even floats.

This honeypot enrichment cup was recently reintroduced using the newly developed material. It is designed to hold moist foods that can freeze before giving it to your pet to extend the benefits of the eating challenge. Also new with this release is the addition of three new colors — pink, purple and blue — that help emphasize the fun of the brand. “People really identify with this product, perhaps because of fond childhood memories of Winnie the Pooh,” Baker said.

Currently, SodaPup is sold in 45 countries across the world, through wholesale marketplaces and direct to retailers, but they have no plans on slowing down anytime soon. As long as pet owners are interested in the overall health and wellness of their pets, Baker and his team will continue to design products that assist in just that.

“Our goal as a brand is to spread joy and dog love through fun and exciting products that help pet parents do things that are healthy for their dogs.”

Honeypot Enrichment Cup. SodaPup. sodapup.com

by Amanda Erd

With more than 20 years of experience in one of the most intriguing — and maybe terrifying — art forms, Bryan Goldenberg creates hand-blown vases, bowls and other glass items in a 500-pound furnace that must remain heated 24 hours a day. Though temperatures reach 2,100 degrees Fahrenheit and goggles and gloves must be worn while working with the molten glass, Goldenberg says there is nothing he enjoys more.

Not only are the functional works of art beautiful and mesmerizing, but because each one is individually crafted, no two are exactly alike.

Originally from St. Louis, Goldenberg began his career in glassblowing when he moved to Oakland, Calif., and earned a BFA in glass concentration from California College of Arts & Crafts in 2002. Throughout his journey of honing his skills, he has toured the world exploring studios from Inferno Glass Studio in New Orleans to studios in Murano, Italy.

“It has been my honor to blow glass with widely renowned glass artists such as Dante Marioni, Lino Tagliapietra, Hank Adams and Clifford Rainey,” he said.

Goldenberg designed and built his own studio, Slow Burn Glass, in Oakland, Calif., in 2006 and created glass art there for 12 years before expanding into a larger,

5,000-square-foot facility in Richmond, Calif.

“Here, I have excelled in many forms and styles which feature clean lines and superior craftsmanship,” he said. “Using my past experiences to influence these styles, I dedicate time to developing my own colors that transform into one-of-a-kind works of art.”

Goldenberg creates stemless wine glasses, pint glasses, bowls, vases and other glass accents. Each piece is meticulously crafted and can take anywhere from a few minutes to three hours, depending on the size and design. And though Goldenberg makes each piece himself, larger and more complicated pieces require the help of three people at a time.

His work can be found in premier glass art galleries and museums across the country and has been featured in several artist shows.

“Everything I make is made by me,” he said. “It doesn’t come from overseas or is made in a factory. I enjoy doing custom work for retailers, large companies for entry way installations and other artists.”

Ruffled bowl and vase in Cotton Candy series. Slow Burn Glass. slowburnglass.com

Individually handcrafted from blown glass

BLOWING MINDS

by Lenise Willis

Part of the Cotton Candy series

PRODUCT PROFILES

WARMIES ® BY INTELEX USA

PRIMITIVES BY KATHY

TAG

TONI BY TONI

CROSSROADS ORIGINAL DESIGNS

RAGON HOUSE

PEEPERS BY PEEPERSPECS

ABDALLAH CANDIES

ART BRAND STUDIOS

PRODUCT PROFILES

HOME OF THE FREE WOODEN BLOCK STACK 8X8X1.25

Elevate your Independence Day décor with the VHC Brands Patriotic Home Of The Free Wooden Block Stack.

| 417-334-3099

@ wholesale.vhcbrands.com

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SPLIT-P ®

GEO CANDLE

HOLDERS

A bohemian-style home accessory that is crafted from beautiful wood with black metal accents. This is perfect for providing an elegant and welcoming atmosphere in any room. Available in a tall and short options.

| 800-326-3382

@ www.parkdesigns.net

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NORA FLEMING

ONE GIFT. EVERY OCCASION.

Elevate your spring soirée with nora fleming! Select your favorite mini and base to make every celebration memorable.

| 630-231-2500

@ www.norafleming.com

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CROSSROADS ORIGINAL DESIGNS

WOODEN HOUSES

This set of two rustic green plaid wooden houses from Crossroads Home fits perfectly in a holiday tabletop grouping, but is versatile enough to use year-round. Measure 7.5" high.

| 866-247-0156

@ www.crossroadsfamily.com

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CROSSROADS ORIGINAL DESIGNS

PAW PRINT FRAME

Display your love for your favorite furry friend with a wooden paw print picture frame from Crossroads Home. Measures 6" high with an easel back.

| 866-247-0156

@ www.crossroadsfamily.com

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VHC BRANDS

PRODUCT PROFILES

PARK DESIGNS ® MURRAY COLLECTION

The beauty of a neutral plaid is its ability to effortlessly complement any style or aesthetic. This adaptable collection offers tabletop and kitchen textiles, with an assortment of attractive window treatments in various forms.

| 800-326-3382

@ www.parkdesigns.net

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ART BRAND STUDIOS

WAITING

FOR MOMFRAMED GLASS ART

Stylish, framed glass art with natured-inspired images. Printed with fade resistant inks and ready to hang. Framed size 13"x23".

| 800-445-6413 ext. 5832

@ www.artbrand.com

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SINCERE SURROUNDINGS

NEW AMERICANA WALL ART

Make a statement in your space with our Americana Wall Art. Each piece measures 25.5" x 11.5" x 1". Hang by the keyhole in back. Proudly printed in the USA. Item: BAR1125.

| 712-472-2290

@ sinceresurroundings.com

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PRIMITIVES BY KATHY PRIMITIVE TEXTILE

PILLOWS

Pillows featuring traditional check, star, and diamond patterns in three primitive color options designed to mix-andmatch.

| 866-295-2849

@ primitivesbykathy.com

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OPEN ROAD BRANDS, LLC

JOHN DEERE QUALITY FARM EQUIPMENT EMBOSSED METAL WALL THERMOMETER

Vintage charm meets functionality with this John Deere Metal Wall Thermometer. Perfect for Father’s Day gifting!

| 844-533-6890

@ www.openroadbrands.com

@ sales@orbrands.com

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PRODUCT PROFILES

SAWDUST CITY LLC

NEW SIGNS & FUN COLORS!

Add pop to your shelves with our 50+ colors. New signs introduced regularly. Free shipping for qualifying orders. Solid wood, made in the USA.

| 800-528-6008

@ www.sawdustcitywholesale.com

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PRIMITIVES

BY

KATHY SNACK BOWL SET

A stylish combination of bare ceramic and glazes on durable terracotta that will elevate any snack setup.

| 866-295-2849

@ primitivesbykathy.com

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ABDALLAH CANDIES

KEY LIME RETREATS

New Key Lime retreats is the latest addition to the new 4 oz. sorbets offered by Abdallah.

| 800-348-7328

@ www.abdallahcandies.com

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NORA FLEMING

ONE GIFT. EVERY OCCASION.

Transform your cinco de mayo celebration with nora fleming! Choose a base, then a mini to match any occasion!

| 630-231-2500

@ www.norafleming.com

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BUZZED PITCHER AND STEMLESS WINE GLASS

Get buzzed! tag etched glass pitcher and stemless wine glass are customer favorites! Check out all beautiful tag glassware.

| 800-621-8350

@ www.tagltd.com

# circle #314 TAG

PRODUCT PROFILES

RAGON HOUSE

CHAMPAGNE DOTTED GLASS 3D FLAME CANDLE

One of our most popular selling categories, our flameless candles come in 3D and moving flame options and several styles and colors.

| 877-874-3750

@ www.ragonhouse.com

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CANDLE WARMERS ETC.

NEW GOURMET GRILLERS GARLIC CHIPOTLE RUB & MARINADE

This versatile seasoning packs a powerful punch of robust garlic and smoky chipotle chili flavors that bring any dish to life.

| 800-457-3477

@ chcdips.com

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TAG COUNTRY HOME CREATIONS

CITRONELLA COILS

tag Citronella coils and sticks in 8 blended scents will keep bugs at bay. Check out other tag citronella in reusable vessels.

| 800-621-8350

@ www.tagltd.com

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MICHEL DESIGN WORKS

LAVENDER ROSEMARY ROOM SPRAY

Boasting the distinct scents of lavender and rosemary, this luxurious room spray creates a soothing ambiance in an instant.

| 888-326-5678

@ stonewallwholesale.com

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WEATHERED WHITE WOODEN CANDLE WARMER LANTERN

Place your favorite candle in this timeless aged wood-style lantern and safely enjoy its warm glow at home.

| 801-771-8650

@ www.candlewarmers.com

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PRODUCT PROFILES

TRAPP FRAGRANCES

TRAPP 7 OZ. POURED HOUSE BOX CANDLES

Elevate your space and immerse yourself in the elegant fragrant ambience of Trapp’s famous long-lasting house box candles.

| 800-670-4212

@ trappfragrances.com/collections/7-oz-poured-house-box-candles

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DUKE

CANNON SUPPLY CO.

BIG ASS BAR OF SOAP – HIGH COUNTRY

An impressive 10 oz. offering of our newest Big Ass Bar of Soap with an outdoor-inspired scent featuring eucalyptus and desert sage.

| 855-354-4438

@ www.dukecannonwholesale.com

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VILLAGE CANDLE

DRAGON FRUIT LEMONADE CANDLE

Evoking the laid-back bliss of an island getaway, this tropicalinspired candle refreshes with notes of dragon fruit, lemon zest, wild berry and kiwi.

| 888-326-5678

@ stonewallwholesale.com

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BEEKMAN 1802

NEW LILAC DREAM COLLECTION

Our new Lilac Dream is shipping now, including this everyday gift set!

| 407-351-5656

@ beekman1802.com

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CANDLE WARMERS ETC.

PORCELAIN RIDGES FLIP DISH WAX WARMER

This beautiful and sleek wax warmer features a silicone dish, allowing for quick and easy clean up. It’s as easy as drop, melt and flip!

| 801-771-8650

@ www.candlewarmers.com

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PRODUCT PROFILES

WARMIES ® BY INTELEX USA

EVERYONE LOVES WARMIES®

Warmies® are the number one selling brand of heatable stuffed animals and wellness gifts. Filled with real dried French lavender, Warmies are great stress and anxiety relievers, calming sleep aids, perfect for keeping you warm on a chilly night and are naturally weighted to provide a relaxing sensory experience. Simply warm in a microwave and enjoy hours of soothing warmth and aromatic comfort. Warmies are safe for, and loved by, all ages. PS... we now have Warmies Pajamas & matching Socks, too!

@ warmies.com

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BEEKMAN 1802

NEW GLACIAL MINT & EUCALYPTUS COLLECTION

Our newest fragrance collection evokes the feeling of stepping into a spa! Shipping in April.

| 407-351-5656

@ beekman1802.com

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TRAPP FRAGRANCES

TRAPP

MOISTURIZING

HAND SOAPS AND LOTIONS

Where every cleanse is a sensory journey, and skin’s hydration meets elegance.

| 800-670-4212

@ trappfragrances.com/collections/soaps-lotions

# circle #327

EVERYONE LOVES WARMIES®

Warmies® are the number one selling brand of heatable stuffed animals and wellness gifts. Filled with real dried French lavender, Warmies are great stress and anxiety relievers, calming sleep aids, perfect for keeping you warm on a chilly night and are naturally weighted to provide a relaxing sensory experience. Simply warm in a microwave and enjoy hours of soothing warmth and aromatic comfort. Warmies are safe for, and loved by, all ages. PS... we now have Warmies Pajamas & matching Socks, too!

@ warmies.com

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DOUGLAS CO., INC.

NEW

BUG

SSHLUMPIES

(1443, 1497, 1498, 1499)

DOUGLAS Bug Sshlumpies are the cuddle toy. These adorable infant blankie friends are 19″ long and are the perfect size for a stroller, car seat, or to tag-along on a trip!

| 800-992-9002

@ douglascuddletoy.com

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PRODUCT PROFILES

PRIMITIVES BY KATHY

LITTLE FARM SOFTIES

Our adorable plush toys create memorable playtime moments and display well to create a room full of farm animal charm.

| 866-295-2849

@ primitivesbykathy.com

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PEEPERS BY PEEPERSPECS

POOLSIDE POLARIZED SUNGLASSES

Glossy and oversized with a gradient lens and matching pins on the front and temples, Poolside guarantees you’ll make a splash wherever you wear them.

| 219-872-4413

@ wholesale.peepers.com

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DOUGLAS CO., INC.

NEW BUG PLAYTIVITY™ RATTLES

New DOUGLAS Bug Playtivity™ Rattles include a 100% Silicone teether, crinkle, and rattle to keep baby happy and entertained for hours.

| 800-992-9002

@ douglascuddletoy.com

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LIZAS USA LP QUDO INTERCHANGEABLE

QUDO Interchangeable Rings and Jewelry. Handmade in Germany. Retail starts at $30.

| 678-756-2817

@ www.lizas.com

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MATCH THE FAMILY IN STYLE

The perfect Mother’s Day & Father’s Day gift idea for the whole family, including grandparents! Our products are handmade in Peru with the softest, high quality cotton you must feel to believe. We’re size inclusive carrying 3-6M up to 4X. Find us on Faire: https://faire.com/ direct/tonybytoni

| 713-254-4036

@ info@tonybytoni.com

@ www.tonybytoni.com

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TONY BY TONI

PRODUCT PROFILES

TEN PEAKS PRESS, AN IMPRINT OF HARVEST HOUSE PUBLISHERS

DOCK TOK PRESENTS…THE GOOD, THE DAD & THE PUNNY

From the online sensation comes this family-friendly collection of gloriously groan-inducing dad jokes, delivered straight from the dock and directly to your funny bone. Paperback, MSRP $12.99.

| 888-501-0160

@ faire.com/direct/harvesthousepublishers

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NOBLEWORKS INC.

GRAY IS THE NEW BLOND!

NobleWorks is your source for the funniest birthday cards – and we’ve just introduced brand-new ones! All cards are printed on demand in the USA.

| 800-346-6253

@ www.nobleworksinc.com

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MUD PIE

GAMEDAY HEADBAND AND GAMEDAY BEADED EARRINGS

Top knot headband with rhinestone, pearl and enamel icon details. Beaded icon earrings with rhinestone studs and hypoallergenic posts.

| 800-998-1633

@ wholesale.mudpie.com

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WORLD BUYERS GIFT & HOME D é COR

BEST MATCHBOX SELECTIONS!

New designs with on-trend themes. Choose from a huge selection available only at World Buyers! Register online now for wholesale account!

| 800-996-7531 or Chat Live on site!

@ www.worldbuyers.com

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HARVEST HOUSE PUBLISHERS

NEED TO KNOW FOR GRADUATES

Grads will appreciate this collection of practical and highly relevant wisdom and wit that will help them manage their expectations, experience grace, and laugh at themselves when things don’t go as planned. Hardcover, MSRP $14.99.

| 888-501-0160

@ faire.com/direct/harvesthousepublishers

# circle #339

PRODUCT PROFILES

LEANIN’ TREE GROW FRIENDSHIPS IN SPRING

Notions cards from Leanin’ Tree provide a perfect way to reconnect and nurture friendships. The small format and cheerful designs are fun to share, and a great value.

| 800-525-0846

@ www.tradeleanintree.com

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CROSSROADS ORIGINAL DESIGNS/ BLOSSOM BUCKET

HALLOWEEN GNOME

Spread some Halloween fun with Blossom Bucket’s adorable “This is Boo Sheet” gnome. The wildly popular resin figurine measures 3.5" high.

| 866-247-0156

@ www.crossroadsfamily.com

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MUD PIE

HALLOWEEN LIGHT-UP

CUPS

Plastic straw cup with LED light-up detail. Battery included. Comes in kraft displayer.

| 800-998-1633

@ wholesale.mudpie.com

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KURT S. ADLER, INC. WOODEN CANDY COLOR NUTCRACKER, 2 ASSORTED

Kurt Adler’s 15" Wooden Candy Color Nutcrackers elevate the charm and whimsy of your holiday decorations and bring a touch of classic holiday magic to your home. Each nutcracker is meticulously crafted from wood and painted in vibrant and festive candy colors. Standing at 15" tall, they make an eye-catching and elegant addition to your holiday décor.

| 212-924-0900

@ www.kurtadler.com

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KURT S. ADLER, INC.

FURRY BIGFOOT WITH SANTA HAT ORNAMENT

This delightful ornament adds a playful and festive twist to the traditional Christmas decorations, featuring the legendary Bigfoot adorned in a charming Santa hat. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, the ornament captures the furry mythical creature standing up, just like how it mysteriously walks around the forest.

| 212-924-0900

@ www.kurtadler.com

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APRIL

Market Calendar

13-17 17-18

DALLAS

Dallas Design Days

Dallas Market Center dallasmarketcenter.com

SEATTLE

Spring Buying Event

Seattle Mart seattlemart.com

GAYLORD, MICH.

Gift, Gourmet & Souvenir Show

Treetops Resort and Spa Convention Center gaylordgiftshow.com

HARBOR SPRINGS, MICH.

Northern Michigan Gift & Souvenir Show The Ellison Place nmgiftshow.com

ATLANTA

Formal Markets AmericasMart americasmart.com

ATLANTA

Atlanta Apparel AmericasMart atlanta-apparel.com

NEW YORK, N.Y.

New York Tabletop Show Forty One Madison tabletopassociationinc.com

HIGH POINT, N.C.

High Point Market IHFG Market Square highpointmarket.org

SAN FRANCISCO

*Noted + Gifted

Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture greetingcard.org

PARSIPPANY, N.J.

MINNETONKA, MINN.

Minneapolis Gift, Home, Apparel & Accessory Show

Minneapolis Mart mplsmart.com

MAY

SANTA ANA, CALIF.

West Coast Gem and Mineral Show

Holiday Inn Orange County Airport mineralshowslld.com

ATLANTA

Spring Cash & Carry AmericasMart americasmart.com

LOS ANGELES

Unique Makers LA California Market Center californiamarketcenter.com

LONDON, ENGLAND

London Stationery Show

Business Design Centre stationeryshowlondon.co.uk

INDIANAPOLIS, IND.

Sweets & Snacks Expo

Indiana Convention Center sweetsandsnacks.com

LAS VEGAS

ABC Kids Expo

Paris Hotel and Casino theabcshow.com

ORLANDO, FLA.

International Fashion, Jewelry & Accessories Show

Embassy Suites by Hilton Orlando ifjag.com 20-22

Celtic Showcase

Note: In most cases, shows are open to the trade only. Dates listed are provided by show managements. Before traveling to an event, however, please verify the particulars with the organizer by visiting the website. 2-3 8-9 8-10 9-10 9-12 9-12 8-10 April – May 2024

Embassy Suites Parsippany celticshows.com