Sales Network News, Issue 17 Vol. 2

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SNN Sales Network News

Issue 17, Vol. 2 May 22, 2023

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81 YEAR-OLD LIFESTYLE ICON ‘BLOWS UP GLOBAL INTERNET’

Martha Stewart, the 81-year-old lifestyle mogul, has made history by becoming the first woman of that age to appear in a sizzling photospread in the 2023 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. The cover image, released on Monday, May 15th, shows Stewart posing in a white bathing suit with wind-swept beach blonde hair.

According to David Nicklin, SVP of marketing at Gibson Homewares, the appearance generated over 10 billion expected brand impressions.

“You can’t buy this type of exposure,” Nicklin said.

On Monday, May 15th, Martha Stewart’s SI Cover was the number one viewed item across the entire internet!

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MARTHA MAKES HISTORY ON SI SWIMSUIT ISSUE COVER

“Once again, Martha shows that she is as relevant and influential as ever,” said David Nicklin, SVP of marketing for Gibson Homewares.

“On Monday, her SI cover was the number one viewed item across the internet. Crazy!!”

Indeed, Stewart’s Instagram post of the cover image has been liked over 300,000 times.

“Martha blew up the internet,” proclaimed Nicklin, “and our retailers should remain confident that the Martha brand will continue to grow.”

Stewart currently enjoys 98% aided brand awareness, second only to Oprah.

“Martha’s trusted association with all things cooking and entertaining offers tremendous sales opportunities for all concerned,” Nicklin said 2

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WHAT ARE GIBSON’S ADVANTAGES IN THE MARKETPLACE?

From Sal Gabbay: Gibson is a unique company with exceptional opportunities. It’s valuable for what’s on this list and what is not. The following are some points made during our last Rep Partner Meeting about the advantages of Gibson.

Interestingly enough, I just had a call with an MMG, a principal of one of the fastest growing retailers in the country. She said: “I see a lot of opportunities with Gibson, as you offer a variety of categories and brand opportunities at attractive values.”

This list offers a more clear opportunity to present Gibson and generate business.

• Lori Yoder - Creative, with good designs and capabilities; great for private label customers like Belk; High-end brands which cater to the “shop concept” some retailers are trying these days, brands like bloomhouse and SLT • Steve Anderson - Gibson is a “one-stop shop,” which makes it easier to sell to customers who prefer to deal with fewer vendors • Steve Ortale - The company ships efficiently (when inventory is in stock) • Bill Nadel - There’s a full range of product, from value to premium; excellent sourcing capabilities from the best factories overseas to help develop new items • Burt Kravitz - Gibson is available to fill holes in the market as other suppliers go down • Rick Scott - Some customers “fall out of their chairs” when they see Gibson’s pricing Gibson’s Sales Team had a lot of interesting ideas to share at the last Rep Meeting

• Jimmy Martin - There’s so much to learn about Gibson’s full range of capabilities, it’s like “drinking out of a firehose” •

Kerri Cahoon - Gibson is “Affordable Elegance”

• Mark Van Guyse - We can build programs, not just sell items Products come from a variety of sources; Great wood items 3

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• Eric Ohnemus - Great brands; Wide variety; Flexible shipping

• Dennis Pfeiffer - Good overall logistics and a large assortment that allows him to fill a lot of holes • Hal Zabrin - Our variety gives us an edge because retailers want to deal with fewer vendors; New brands allow us to reach new demos • Carmine Marrocco - Fashion-forward brands that put us in a position to educate the retailer on the latest trends CLICK HERE to view Rep Meeting attendance

Kerri Cahoon said that Gibson means “Affordable Elegance” to her customers

Mark Van Guyse said that Gibson’s capabilities allow him to “build programs, not just sell products” 4

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VALUE ACCOUNTS LOVE OSTER GADGETS SAYS GIBSON DIRECTOR OF SALES OPERATIONS

“These Oster tools & gadgets are a big deal,” reports Michael Tavakol, Gibson Homewares director of sales operations. “We just got a very big order from Ollie’s Bargain Outlet.”

Tavakol attributes his success to the high quality and affordable price point of the products, as well as the growing popularity of off-price retailers in the current economy.

Tavakol is confident that the Oster kitchen gadgets will continue to be a success. He encourages his colleagues to try selling them to their off-price customers.

“We’re expecting more orders on these items from Boscov’s and even more from TJ Maxx,” Tavakol said.

“Across the board, every piece is moving tremendously. The wood, the stainless steel handles, the can opener, the pizza cutter... everything!”

137548.02 - Oster Bluemarine 2-piece Can Opener & Tongs Set - Stainless Steel - Open Stock with Tie Card - $3.50 Stand Value

Michael Tavakol has been having “tremedous success” selling Oster gadgets to his value cusomers 5

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NEW SUR LA TABLE PROGRAM AT LARGE NORTHEASTERN RETAIL CLUB Gibson’s latest high-end brand is going places. Rep Partner Eric Ohnemus, SVP of Sales Carolyn LaFavour and Senior Sales Ops Shirin Behbehani and Omar Barrales brought this deal across the goal line.

BJ’s Wholesale Club has a 4th quarter order in for an SLT assortment of holiday mugs, a 4-pack of plates, a 5 qt Dutch oven and an ECI skillet.

The 12-inch Enameled Cast Iron Skillet is one of several products that will comprise BJ’s new Sur La Table program

This super sales team placed a premium Sur La Table program in a major warehouse club retailer: Eric Ohnemus, Carolyn LeFavour, Shirin Behbehani and Omar Barrales -- Take a bow!

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PRIVATE LABEL IS A BESTSELLER

Autumn is in the air with Belk’s bestselling dinnerware program, Modern Southern - Home Capri, by Gibson Homewares. The fall photospread below was produced and executed by VP of Sales Amy Walsh and SVP of Creative Aaron Stewart with the Gibson Creative Team. For 10 years Capri has been a bestseller for Belk, and the future looks bright.

“The Belk marketing team is planning to feature a summer version of the new photography in their summer digital marketing campaign,” Walsh said, “And we are launching two new SKUs in the Capri collection next month.”

VP of Sales Amy Walsh worked with Aaron Stewart and his Creative Team on this fabulous fall photo shoot

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GIBSON’S BRANDED TOOLS & GADGETS CAN FILL NEW HOLES ON RETAIL SHELVES Robinson Home Products, a leading supplier of value-oriented gadgets, has announced that it will be going out of business. This leaves a gap in the market for value-priced kitchen utensils, which presents a great opportunity for Gibson Homewares.

The Oster and Martha Stewart Everyday gadgets are perfect for filling the new void on retail shelves. They are high-quality products that are offered at a great value. Gibson Homewares can capitalize on this opportunity by promoting these products to its customers.

Seize this moment to open new sales avenues for these products on an ongoing basis. Gibson’s sales team should take advantage of changes in the competitive landscape and expand market share.

128744.01 Martha Stewart Everyday Alsen Turner- Acacia Wood - Open Stock w/ Tie Card $2.00 SV

New developments in the gadget category come just in time for a refresh of the value-priced Martha Stewart Everyday assortment, an update that includes bright new colors, a redesigned logo and fresh packaging.

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BETTER HOMES & GARDENS REPORTS BUBBLES ARE “POPPING UP” IN HOME FASHION

One of the most trusted and venerable publications in the home space, Better Homes & Gardens, observed in its May issue that a trend in bubble patterns is turning up across all of home furnishings, including tabletop and glassware.

“As a fan of the mid-century era, this texture is also considered classic and vintage,” said Simple Tan-Morin, director of Creative Graphics at Gibson Homewares, “I’ve been seeing this texture in my social media, especially on @the.minimalist.table.”

CHECK OUT SOME OF GIBSON’S TRENDY BUBBLE-WARE BELOW ITEM

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

STD

RETAIL

120573.01

MST Chauncey 14.3 oz Hobnail Tumbler - Clear

$3.50

$6.99

120574.01

MST Chauncey 14.3 oz Hobnail Tumbler - Pink

$3.50

$6.99

120574.01

MST Chauncey 14.3 oz Hobnail Tumbler - Green

$3.50

$6.99

120569.01

MST Chauncey 14.2 oz Hobnail Goblet - Clear

$3.50

$6.99

120571.01

MST Chauncey 14.2 oz Hobnail Goblet - Green

$3.50

$6.99

91850.16

GH Great Foundations 16 pc Glass Set - Bubbles

$11.50

$22.99

The May issue of BHG noted the festive, retro trend of bubbly patterns across all of home fashion... Cheers!

120570.01 - Martha Stewart Chauncey 14.2 oz Hobnail Goblet - Pink $3.50 SV

129392.05 - Gibson Home Pitcher Set - $7.50 SV 9

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NEUTRAL TONES ARE ON-TREND AND GIBSON OFFERS NEARLY 80 ITEMS ON THIS PALETTE

At the last Rep Meeting, SVP of Marketing David Nicklin delivered his slide presentation on The Power of Neutrals.

“Today the retail landscape and sales are dominated by neutral colors such as Linen and Oatmeal,” he said. “Gibson offers almost 80 fantastic items featuring this relevant and highly popular approach.”

So, if your customers aren’t already asking for items on the neutral color palette, now is a great time to educate them on this trend.

“Gibson is always ahead of the trends,” Nicklin said.

CLICK HERE to view David’s deck on “The Power of Neutrals”

129059.14 - Martha Stewart Ruxton 14 pc Cutlery Set with Ashwood Block - Linen - $35.00 SV

“Neutrals are flexible, classic colors that are always in style,” says SVP of Marketing David Nicklin

140531.01 - Mr. Coffee Flintshire 1.75 qt Stainless Steel Tea Kettle - Linen $7.50 SV

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YOUR DAILY DOSE OF CUTE

Business Manager Carlos Anzar sells a lot of Oster items to his Latin American accounts. In countries like Peru, the brand has a high perceived value.

In the video linked below, one Gibson customer has taken to TikTok to promote their Oster program. It’s too cute.

CLICK HERE to view the Oster TikTok video

In many Latin American countries, social media platforms like TikTok are the primary means of promotion and advertising

The TikTok video features an adorable song-and-dance routine to promote Oster items at a Peruvian department store 11