Independent Retailer by Sumner Communications

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contents

May 2014 | Volume 25 | Number 6

What does Ecommerce Mean for You? page 38

NEWS

NEW PRODUCTS

14 By the Numbers

MARKETING & MANAGEMENT 16 20 24 26

Hashtags Explained The Value Of Selling American Handmade Craft Industry Thriving 5 Retail Design Tips

WEB PROFITS 30 34 38 40

Characteristics of Good Product Pages Branding Your Website What Does Ecommerce Mean For You? Wholesale Supplier Directory

SUPPLIER PROFILES 44 46 48 50 90

Sip-N-Oodle Squire Boone Village Pure Essential Aromatic Oils Wancube 3D Figurines Lightload Towels Customizable 24/7 Skins Star Cutouts Heads To America GlideHanger Clothing Hanger Scentco Rolls Out New Line HempMedsPX Hemp Oil Products

PRODUCT TRENDS 74 LuvaLamps: Lighting Fixture & Puzzle

CLOSEOUTS/LIQUIDATIONS

Sports Embroideries & Letter Art Nutel Wireless On Top of Trends Worldclass Jewels At Bargain Prices WowBacon For Easy Cleanup Product Spotlight

INDEPENDENTRETAILER.com Facebook.com/IndependentRetailerMagazine

52 56 58 60 62 64 66 68 70 72

@indretailer

78 Merchandising Liquidation Products 88 Closeout Supplier Directory

TRADESHOWS 92 Norton Shows Oer Personal Touch 96 New York Toy Fair Top Trends In 2014 102 May — June 2014 Tradeshow Calendar

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Think small. Dream big.

You have big dreams for your store. So why use an online marketing solution made for just anybody? Only SnapRetail was strategically designed to meet the VSHFLȴF QHHGV DQG FKDOOHQJHV RI LQGHSHQGHQW UHWDLOHUV

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LAUNCH PAD

As the world leader in store technology, Toshiba understands that mobility represents the most signiﬁcant challenge – and the greatest opportunity – facing the modern retailer. How can you give your customers a seamless experience, whether they’re browsing on the bus or paying in the store? Can your store associates better engage via mobile tablets like our new TCxFlight™ – and, if so, is it time to rethink the design of the store itself? Find out how mobile technology can both enhance the customer experience and boost the bottom line in our new white paper, “Taking Stock: How to Secure Merchandise in a Mobile World.” Download it today at togethercommerce.com/mobility

Toshiba, Together Commerce, TCxFlight and related logos are trademarks of Toshiba Corporation, Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions, Inc. (“TGCS”) or their afﬁliated companies in Japan, the United States and/or other countries, registered in many jurisdictions worldwide. Copyright © 2014 TGCS.

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by the numbers

Father’s Day 58 years passed between the time Mother’s Day was ocially recognized (1914) and Father’s Day received national holiday status (1972).

The average person spends:

$123.89 on Mom $90.89 on Dad

Greeting cards sold on Mother’s day

162 million

Greeting cards sold on Father’s day

110 million

GIFTS FOR DAD An Outing

(dinner, sporting events, etc.)

$1.9 billion

Gift cards $1.2 billion Electronics $1 billion Books or CDs $548 million Home improvement

$522 million

Sporting goods

$502 million

World Cup Nike, Adidas and Puma, Expect sportswear sales growth of between 3.5% and 4% this year.

Sales are also expected to increase on: Flat screen TVs

Smartphones

Tablets

Sports products (team shirts, etc.)

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marketing & Management Hashtags Explained THE HASHTAG has evolved from a Twitter-only feature to having total social media domination. Social networks like Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram now have their own hashtag feature. So how do you know if you are using a hashtag to its fullest potential, especially if you do not know what it is? Read on to learn how to optimize hashtags for your independent retail store.

What is a hashtag? The very basic definition of a hashtag is a short word or phrase preceded by a pound sign (#). Regardless of the number of words, they should not contain spaces or symbols. Avoid using exclamation marks, periods, questions marks or other similar characters, because they are not accepted; however, numbers are. By adding a # in front of a term like â&#x20AC;&#x153;Shop Localâ&#x20AC;? (#ShopLocal), you can turn it into a clickable link. Your fans and followers can search for it, and then click to see related posts. When creating hashtags, capitalize the first let-

May 2014 | INDEPENDENT RETAILER

by Kelley Sloyer

ter in each word. #SpringArrivals will not generate different results than #springarrivals, but it does make it more readable.

Which phrases should I change into hashtags? Hashtags are great to use for store events, sales, new arrivals and vendors, but should always be related to a specific topic. Conduct a search for the keyword before using it in your post, tweet or pin. This will give you an inside look into the type of content other brands or users are posting, tweeting or pinning with the same hashtag. If you have a kitchen store and you post a tip with a recommendation of the correct knife to use to cut a tomato, you would not want to include a hashtag like #Knife. Something like #KitchenTip would be more appropriate, especially if you give tips on a continued on page 18

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marketing & Management Hashtags Explained continued from page 16 regular basis. Because your hashtag is a searchable keyword, your fans can search for #KitchenTip to go through all of your past posts. To keep your posts cohesive, consider creating one brand-specific hashtag. If your store name is “The Shop in Center Square,” your personal hashtag could be #ShopInCenterSquare. It is easy for your customers to remember and is unique to your store. Promote the hashtag on all your social networks and through email, so your customers can post, search and join in on the fun.

How are hashtags used on each unique social network? As the social network that started it all, Twitter has perfected the hashtag and made it simple. When you

create a hashtag, you are categorizing your tweet and making it show more easily in Twitter searches. When it is clicked on, your followers will see all the other tweets marked with the same tag. Popular hashtags become “Trending Topics” and are displayed on the sidebar of your Twitter account. According to Buffer, tweets with a hashtag receive two times more engagement than tweets without one. Hashtags are relatively new on Facebook. Like Twitter, they turn phrases into clickable links that are easily searchable. When one is created, it is designated its own unique URL (facebook.com/ hashtag/YourHashTagHere), and will show a feed of posts that include your tag and related ones. Similarly on Pinterest, hashtags are widely popular and are used to segment content into a searchable page with pins. They should not be used in your username, description and board names. On Instagram you will notice continued on page 22

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marketing & Management The Value Of Selling American Handmade

by Karen Hohler

BUYING AND selling American handmade items can make your retail business stronger, and expand your customer base. Drawing new people into your store becomes easier when carrying exclusive and unusual products that customers can’t find elsewhere. Not only does this help build your reputation as being a unique destination to shop, but it also strengthens your community and the American craft movement. Following are tips on how you can benefit from selling handmade items, and how to promote them.

Make displays more engaging and appealing.

Use special interest stories to promote sales.

Increase sales to tourists and locals.

One way to purchase items is at a craft wholesale show, where you as a retailer can meet directly with the artist and gain valuable insight on the product and the process behind it. This allows you to learn about the artists and their work, so that you can engage your customers with interesting stories about each piece.

Ask the artists for pictures of themselves and enclosure cards to go with their work. Or if at a show, pull out your digital camera and ask to take a head shot. Interview them about the creative process, the materials used, and what they say to potential buyers that helps make the sale. Put a picture of the artist and a bit about the work on the shelf, to play up the handmade factor. That personal touch adds value to a gift.

Tourists love buying American handmade gifts and souvenirs to bring home. Conversely, locally made things are impressive to send or bring to friends in other states and countries. Use this as a selling feature in your store by promoting the craftsmanship, creativity and quality of the items you sell. Your customers will enjoy hearing that their purchase is as individual as the

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person they are giving it to.

Let customers know you are supporting local jobs. The 3/50 Project states that for every $100 spent in locally owned independent stores, $68 returns to the community through taxes, payroll and other expenditures. If you spend that in a national chain, only $43 stays here. Spend it online and nothing comes home. If the items are American handmade, closer to $100 stays in your community.

Promote the “Buy Local” and “Buy American” message. Buying American handmade increases the sense of community in your store. Your customers will appreciate that you have made the effort to bring something to them that means more than just the object itself. They can also be proud that they are supporting a small business.

Help make dreams come true. Buying handmade work enables artists to fulfill their dreams of freedom, financial independence and being in charge. Artisans make things that take years of learning, practice and skill building. They do this with a passion and dedication that is often not part of business today.

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marketing & Management The Value Of Selling American Handmade

Hashtags Explained

continued from page 21

many users include 10 or more hashtags in their posts, but avoid doing the same. A rule of thumb for all social networks is to keep your hashtags limited.

contribute to pollution and energy costs. In addition, you can be sure that what you are selling was not made in a sweatshop, where conditions, hours and wages do not support a basic cost of living. American handmade helps both artists and retailers to improve their businesses, while allowing the craft industry to prosper. ■ Karen Hohler created and managed Whippoorwill Crafts for 29 years in Boston’s Faneuil Hall Marketplace, The Shops at Prudential Center, and downtown Boston’s Financial District. A Founding Member of CRAFT in 2002, Hohler started working on CRAFT committees immediately, and joined the board two years later. She served as President from 2007- 2014. CRAFT is a national organization of craft retailers and artisans. Its goal is to strengthen members’ businesses, promote the appreciation of American craft, and support the craft industry. For more information, contact info@craftonline.org, or visit www.craftonline.org.

May 2014 | INDEPENDENT RETAILER

continued from page 18

Four things to always keep in mind when using hashtags: search for related keywords; keep hashtags short; limit the number of hashtags in one post, tweet or pin; and write keywords relevant to the content you are posting, tweeting or pinning. #HappyHashtaging! ■ Kelley Sloyer is the interactive copywriter for SnapRetail, a ready-to-use online marketing solution that helps independent retailers engage and sell to customers, using email and social media. She has a retail and writing background, earning a bachelor’s degree in communications media and journalism from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. For more information, please visit snapretail.com.

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marketing & Management Craft Industry Thriving

with Andrej Suskavcevic

INDEPENDENT RETAILER recently spoke with President & CEO, Andrej Suskavcevic, of the Craft & Hobby Association (CHA), the international, notfor-profit trade association. CHA consists of thousands of member companies engaged in the design, manufacture, distribution and retail sales of products in the nearly $30 billion U.S. craft and hobby industry. Suskavcevic discussed a broad range of topics, including the state of the industry, social media, and how to help customers fulfill their needs for creative expression.

in comparison to brick-and mortar, which is a bit more cost intensive. We are also seeing a lot more brick and mortar stores that are developing an online presence, and are really getting savvy with social media engagement within their marketplace. They are expanding their borders, so to speak, from what is within driving distance of their store. I think all these things, particularly with the trending of activity in the DIY movement, speak to a healthy, vibrant and growing industry.

IR: What is the state of the industry?

IR: What is the DIY movement?

Suskavcevic: Given the level of exposure that the industry is getting, and the level of engagement of new companies that are sprouting up, particularly on the Internet, I would say that this industry is strong and thriving at the moment. A proliferation of online stores are selling DIY and craft merchandise now, because the barrier to entry to get into the business is very low

Suskavcevic: The DIY movement is a form of creative expression using any type of medium to do that, whether it is painting, beading, jewelry making, paper, stamping, knitting, or crochet. For retailers, this means consumers want to create something themselves. This can range in difficulty levels from, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hey, I would like a little kit because I want to keep my children occupied

May 2014 | INDEPENDENT RETAILER

IR: What do you foresee in the future for retail, crafts and hobbies? Suskavcevic: The economic recession was horrific for everyone involved, particularly retail. As the economy slowly but surely recovers, there are going to be more opportunities to engage customers, and more dollars in the market that people will be willing to spend. The important thing for retailers to do is to involve the community they are in, from engaging their school systems to the local boy and girl scouts clubs. A retail store can be a forum and a place to gather and learn about different crafts. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re seeing the most successful independent retailers in our membership are the ones that are community activists. They have classes for people, they allow birthday parties to happen at their stores, and they are a place where people can come and express themselves creatively.

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IR: How else can retailers help customers fulfill their needs for creative expression? Suskavcevic: We have a consumer awareness initiative called Cre8time. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a mission to engage and raise awareness about the need for creative expression. Every time you post something on personal social media, if you hashtag #cre8time it will show up on the feed. This is another platform for the retail community to be able to show what they do, and display the creativity that they have going on in continued on page 28 I NDEPENDENT R ETAILER.com | May 2014

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marketing & Management 5 Retail Design Tips

by Clare Evans

FOR INDEPENDENT retailers, standing out from the competition is the key to survival. But when you do not have the budget to compete with big brand counterparts, leaving your mark is not always easy, especially when it comes to following the latest trends in store and retail design. As customers become harder to please, and increasingly desensitized to what they see at retail, indie retailers need to think of new and exciting ways to capture passing footfall. Here are five techniques that stores of any size, and with just about any budget, can invest in to transform their brick-and-mortar store.

new life into a retail space. Not only that, but an accent wall can create the illusion of a larger space. Retailers should also consider the addition of wallpapers, fabrics, patterns and textures to make their store capture the eyes of passers-by. It is most certainly worth remembering, though, that less is more. A bold color should be offset by complimentary shades in a lighter hue, and retailers should also do well to remember their brand. It is important that any décor sits well alongside your brand colors, to create a streamlined and seamless in-store design.

1. Bold accent colors

Lighting is a key part of your store’s retail design, but is something that is often overlooked. Take a look at your store from a shopper’s perspective at different times of the day. Are there areas that are dimly lit? Are the lights in your changing rooms flattering? Can customers navigate the store clearly?

When a full-scale interior design project blows the budget, indie retailers can still make a statement instore with a simple accent wall. For example, painting one wall a bold color, or employing an eye-catching graphic, is an affordable and effective way to breathe

! ! W

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Lighting can create ambience and set the mood within your store, and is a really affordable way to transform the design. Consider a mixture of different lighting styles to ensure that all corners of your shop are well lit, and really showcase your products. For indie retailers on a budget, lighting is a quick fix and a quick win. Think about the atmosphere you want to create, and lighting is a great way to deliver that experience without having to blow the budget.

3. Increase dwell time One of the biggest challenges for all retailers is increasing dwell time in-store. For independent retailers particularly, keeping shoppers in the store longer, and encouraging them to increase their basket spend, are key ingredients for success. Some simple and affordable ways you can do this include seating areas around changing rooms to help customers feel like they can take their time over a purchase. Product demonstrations and ‘try-before-you-buy’ areas can help customers learn more about your products, and stay in-store lon-

ger. Also, knowledgeable staff are a underused resource, and a great way to build brand advocates and keep customers engaged longer.

4. Eye catching POS displays When a full-scale retail redesign is out of the question, indie retailers can still emphasise new product lines with striking point of sale displays. Eye-catching bays that interrupt the customer journey and direct customers to specific products and product ranges can instantly revamp and revitalise a store. Again, consider branding and customer journey in any new design, but for indie retailers this is a quick win.

5. Visual merchandising If you want to stand out from the competition, window displays are the way to go. Indie retailers should look at ways they can differentiate their window campaigns from the competition. Visual merchandising doesn’t just have to display products; it should speak volumes continued on page 29

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marketing & Management Craft Industry Thriving continued from page 25 their stores. All it takes is to add a hashtag. Encourage your customers to join the movement. IR: How has social media affected the industry? Suskavcevic: Social media has been huge. People are finding inspiration online, and want to translate that into a tangible purchase. It is important to stay connected to your customer and build a relationship with them when they are purchasing, and when they are not. Understanding their needs, their wants, and being on top of what is going to excite them tomorrow is a whole new area of marketing that social media plays a huge part in. IR: What is the mission of the Craft & Hobby Association? Suskavcevic: In three parts, it is about networking,

May 2014 | INDEPENDENT RETAILER

knowledge and advocacy, meaning we want to represent the industry and help connect it. We are here to help membersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; businesses grow and sustain themselves, increase awareness about the industry overall, and help promote consumer participation and sales. IR: What benefits will retailers receive when they become a member? Suskavcevic: There are a number of benefits for retailers to participate in, which include access to the vast network of similar businesses that are already members. This provides the opportunity for retailers to expand their personal network, and connect with folks who are doing similar things. In turn, they are able to assist one another in answering questions and helping to solve the problems of the day. We also focus on providing education. Not only do we provide business education to help businesses understand the best practices in merchandising, social media marketing, cash flow management and all the nuances of running a retail store, but we also provide education

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on selling products and engaging your customers in product demos. We put on the largest marketplace event globally for the craft industry. Our annual MEGA conference and tradeshow provides different events for people to understand and get engaged with their respective niche of the market. ■

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5 Retail Design Tips continued from page 27 about your brand, and encourage customers to cross the threshold into the store. Indie retailers don’t need to blow the budget to wow with their retail designs. By following these tips, it is possible to enhance your store, stand out from the competition, and drive customers into retail spaces. ■

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web profits Characteristics of Good Product Pages THE PRODUCT page is one of the most important pages on an ecommerce site, and a place to display new items. Unlike brick and mortar stores which naturally possess a hold on the customer, due in part to the time it would take to leave and seek a similar or same product at another store, buyers online can move from store to store in just a few seconds. What might take one offline shopper several hours, hundreds of miles and gas expense, only takes seconds for the online shopper. This means that in order to sell online, one must be fully aware of customer needs, and not waste any time providing the answers they seek. All good product pages have a number of elements which help deliver the best experience possible to the audience.

Shipping information All Internet consumers want to know “how much does shipping cost” and “how soon can I get it”? Naturally, many begin to first ask this question at the product

May 2014 | INDEPENDENT RETAILER

by Eric Leuenberger

page. Providing the answer to that question at the precise point during their buying cycle is critical to moving them closer to conversion. Giving easy access to the shipping rates and shipping options will improve the customer experience, and set a store up for success.

Product availability Even if a product is in stock, do not assume the customer knows that. A customer who sees a product listed as “in stock ready to ship” is more likely to put that item in their cart and proceed forward.

Add to cart button No matter how good a product page may seem, it is certainly no good if the customer cannot figure out how to add the item to their cart. Developing an “add to cart” button that is larger and more visible is an essential element toward increasing conversion. continued on page 32

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web profits continued from page 30

provide a very nice professional touch.

Presence of payment methods accepted

Customer assurances

Indicating the types of payments accepted can be achieved in a variety of unobtrusive ways. A good test is to try adding small icons of the payment methods accepted, just under the “add to cart” button.

Product photo On the Internet, the product picture is just about the only element that can show clearly what an item really looks like. Make sure photos are clear, crisp, show detail and are large enough to provide plenty of visual appeal, yet are optimized for fast download times. Using tools such as Lightbox effects for showing larger photos, and even zoom type effects, often with jQuery or Ajax, can

Building trust and confidence with customers is at the forefront of any strong ecommerce site. Although customer assurance elements should be present site wide, they need to be obvious on the product page. If offering warranties or guarantees, make sure these are in plain site on the product page. For example, letting the customer know that a product comes with a 90-day guarantee will help move them toward placing the item in their cart.

Product price Customers want to know the price of a product before they commit to moving forward, yet there are sites that still state, “add the item to your cart

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to see the price.” In the majority of cases there is no reason for this, and here are two reasons this tactic could hurt conversion. First, doing so adds another step to the customer’s buying process, and the more steps they have to go through, the greater the chances of losing them. Second, customers like choice. Forcing them to add an item to the cart in order to get information, which should be in plain view from the start, discourages any action at all.

Customer reviews With the enormous growth of social media, it should be no surprise customers are indicating in surveys that the presence of peer reviews is playing a bigger role in their decision to buy products. Store issued product reviews can appear biased at times. However, consumers feel that peer ratings provide a true picture of the worthiness of a given product. These should be included on every product page, and the ability for a customer to write a review should be in plain site.

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Product pages are where most information is gathered and questions are answered, ultimately leading buyers to add items to their carts. Proper placement of elements such as shipping, photos and customer assurances will result in visitor action. ■ Eric Leuenberger is an ecommerce expert, founder of Ecommerce Amplifier, and owner of Voom Ventures, LLC, whose products and services help store owners and operators increase traffic, maximize ROI, decrease expenses, and increase revenue. He can be contacted online at TheEcommerceExpert.com, or call 1-866-602-2673. I NDEPENDENT R ETAILER.com | May 2014

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web profits Branding Your Website WHAT IS a brand? We can all easily name a few quickly. These brands permeate our culture on all modes of communication, like billboards, TV, digital and print. These top of mind companies may include newer brands, or ones that have existed for decades. Likely as a small business owner, you are not trying to compete in the same arena as these established names. However, the methodologies these companies have employed should apply to establishing your online brand. Branding your website means knowing, first as the business owner and second as your customer, exactly what your brand represents. Once you have this defined, you can take some simple steps to reinforce your brand vision.

Define your brand Before shelling out cash for a gorgeous logo or stunning website design, it is imperative to give thought to

May 2014 | INDEPENDENT RETAILER

by Mike Auger

some of these questions. Knowing what these questions mean to you and your online business will shape what your website begins to look like. • What is your company’s mission? • What are the benefits and features of your products or services? • What do your customers and prospects already think of your company? • What qualities do you want them to associate with your company?

Spread the word Now that you have an amazing brand defined for your online business, what good is it if no one knows about it? A fantastic logo that creatively and succinctly embodies

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your brand is a requirement. Not a graphic designer by trade? Spend the money and work with a reputable company to get this important creative element designed. It will and should be used everywhere, including business cards, header of your website, on email communications and invoices. Integrate your brand within your company to further enhance your brand message on aspects like email signatures, what employees wear, and how the phones are answered. Building employee awareness of your defined brand is a key step in spreading the word. Be sure they understand and can articulate the attributes associated with your

brand, even if your staff includes you, yourself and your dog. Paying for advertising is another way to spread the word. Banner placements on industry sites and blogs, and pay per click (PPC) on Bing AdWords and Yahoo for your brand terms are good promotional tools. This step may be a bit further down the road in your marketing plan, but it needs to exist. Work with an expert to help guide you if this is something that seems scary. You can also utilize remarketing by showing display ads to people who leave your site without buying. Remarketing helps keep your brand top of mind to your website visitors continued on page 36

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web profits continued from page 35 that have not completed the buying process.

Establish a voice Create a voice that is reflected in all written communications, visual imagery, and anything public facing that can assist in delivering your vision. Establish a memorable, meaningful and concise tagline that can be used for places that have text or graphic space limitations. Design templates and create brand standards for your marketing materials. Even if you send an email marketing newsletter once a quarter, a consistent look and feel helps further ingrain your brand and messaging, and continues to get the word out.

May 2014 | INDEPENDENT RETAILER

Take action Website visitors like to read about other happy customers. Display customer testimonials somewhere on your site. Have you won an industry award or achieved some specific certification? Display loyalty and trust building images on your site for further brand promotion. Another option for building brand loyalty and trust on your website are your social follower stats. Website visitors like to know that you have “X” number of Facebook followers, or Google+ fans. Finally, if you do not have a blog, get one. If you already have one, make sure you are posting relative and re-shareable content. Establish your website and your brand as a resource in your industry. ■ Mike Auger is chairman of the board and chief strategy officer of Pinnacle Cart, a hosted shopping cart and ecommerce software application that allows you to create, manage and effectively market your business. For more information, visit pinnaclecart.com.

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I NDEPENDENT R ETAILER.com | May 2014

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web profits What Does Ecommerce Mean For You? HAVING A website is imperative for every retailer, including independent brick & mortars. At minimum, potential customers should be able to find you through a search, get a sense of who you are and what type of merchandise you carry, and find your locations and hours. For many there is also additional money to be made in selling products online. By looking at how the best performing retailers manage business operations, and how those operations are supported by technology, retailers can incorporate online sales smoothly and profitably into their business plans. According to an ecommerce benchmark study from RSR Research, the following are key points for retailers to consider when venturing into ecommerce.

Digital channels Amazon.comâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s march towards market dominance is forcing retailers to differentiate their digital presence.

May 2014 | INDEPENDENT RETAILER

by Paula Rosenblum

Uncertain consumer demand remains a huge challenge, as merchants of all sizes struggle to grasp the way different customer segments prefer to interact with them. Operationally, retailers are focused on finding more cost-effective ways to fulfill and deliver orders placed through digital channels. These channels have both unique challenges and opportunities. One important area of focus is improving search and browse capabilities. Shoppers must be able to find your website easily, and once there, need simple and intuitive capabilities to look for the product of their choice. In addition, the technology infrastructure used to drive the web should be moved into your store. More than three-quarters of RSR Research study respondents either have or are planning to use their ecommerce platform as a mobile platform, and more than half can envision a time when their ecommerce platform is also their point of sale tool.

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Organizational inhibitors Lack of budget can be a roadblock to retailers’ ecommerce initiatives. In 2012, 38 percent of RSR Research study respondents cited capital expenditure constraints as a topthree inhibitor to moving forward with ecommerce initiatives, while in 2013 that number rose to 63 percent. Getting internal IT resources allocated has also risen as a concern. Retailers’ best option could be simplifying their infrastructure.

Specific technology enablers RSR frequently looks at the difference between “Retail Winners”— those whose comparable year over year sales outpace inflation—and their peers. In the area of technology, the difference between Winners and lagging retailers in the perceived value of new ecommerce technologies is stark. Retail Winners believe user-generated reviews and recommendations are the most valuable technologies they could add to their websites. Next are product-level social network integration, and retailer generated reviews and recommendations. Of those surveyed, 60 percent have added user-generated content to their websites already, and twothirds have implemented call center and CRM solutions. RSR’s recent research left many takeaways for the independent retailer, the most important of which may be the notion of a single streamlined technology platform. The last thing an independent retailer needs is to think about updates to multiple systems from different sources. The need for technology is inescapable. Today there are many creative ways to finance technology implementa-

tions, including the old standby of leasing coupled with cloud-based or hosted solutions. ■

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To download the full report for free, visit www.rsrresearch.com/2013/11/13/thegreat-leveler-ecommerces-next-move. Registration is required. Paula Rosenblum, managing partner of Retail Systems Research, is widely recognized as one of the top analysts in the retail industry. She formerly served as VP of Research & Content at Retail Systems Alert Group (RSAG), and as VP of Aberdeen Group’s Retail Research practice. Rosenblum was also retail research director for AMR Research. She spent over 20 years as a retail technology executive and CIO, and received her MBA in 1991 from Northeastern University, with a major in management of high technology firms.

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wholesalecentral.com The web’s original wholesale directory This is a small sample of the suppliers you will ﬁnd on WholesaleCentral.com. Find suppliers by category or product! Suppliers, to list your company here and reach 600,000 retailers monthly, call 1-800-999-8281 ext. 126.

APPAREL / CLOTHING

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599FASHION.COM www.599fashion.com

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ASW WHOLESALE CLUB www.aswexpress.com

ALABAMA WHOLESALE www.bamasocks.com

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APPARELCANDY.COM www.ApparelCandy.com

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BUSINESS SERVICES ALLIANCE ONE LLC www.allianceonellc.com

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APPARELSHOWROOM.COM 800-243-4131 www.apparelshowroom.com

M & M GIFT www.iges.us

BEVERLY HILLS UNIFORMS 718-378-1188 bhuniforms.com/catalog_scrubs.php

PAYMENT WORLD 818-732-4231 info.paymentworld.com/asdtradeshow

BH WHOLESALE INC www.bhwholesale.com

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347-394-5559 800-652-8275

CRESWELL SOCK MILLS www.sockmills.com

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DAISY’S SWIMWEAR 213-746-9939 www.dippindaisysswimwear.com

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THE INCREDIBLE SUNVISOR 866-644-6044 www.theincrediblesunvisorinc.com

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UR ETERNITY www.ureternity.com

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WONA TRADING www.wonatrading.com

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PLUM ISLAND SILVER www.plumislandsilver.com

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SUNRISE WHOLESALE 877-250-5045 sunrisewholesalemerchandise.com

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WMS WHOLESALE www.wmsclothing.com

ROYAL ENTERPRISES 888-261-8277 www.royalwholesalecandy.com

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PRICEMASTER www.PriceMaster.com

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EFASHION WHOLESALE www.efashionwholesale.com

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EROS HOSIERY CO www.eroswholesale.com

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ORIENTAL APPAREL INC 386-383-2618 wholesalecentral.com/orientalapparel/store.cfm

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BRAZABRA CORP brazabra.com/promos

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R&M WHOLESALE 330-479-9950 www.wholesalecentral.com/ywengwholesale

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ACCESSORIES PALACE shop.accessoriespalace.com

SOCK WHOLESALERS www.sockwholesalers.com

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GREAT LAKES WHOLESALE 616-261-9393 www.glwholesale.com

KAY BOUTIQUE LLC 406-222-4853 wholesalegirls.kay-boutique.com

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KOLE IMPORTS www.koleimports.com

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LA WHOLESALE ROUTE www.lawholesaleroute.com

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HENRY BRANDT www.HENRYBRANDT.COM

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STAR BOUTIQUE starbusa.com

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PRICE KING INC www.priceking.com

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LANCY ONLINE INC www.LancyNY.com

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TALON STAR DBA www.visolproducts.com

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STEAL DEAL www.stealdealinc.com

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MICHELLE AND SCOTT’S www.wholesaleimport.com

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WANCUBE www.wancube.com/wholesale

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TASHA APPAREL www.tashaapparel.com

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DOBA www.doba.com

MY WHOLESALE ROUTE www.mywholesaleroute.com

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WORLD BUYERS www.worldbuyers.com

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WESTERN EXPRESS www.wexpress.com WHOLESALE CLOTHING wholesaleclothingfactory.com

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DP & COMPANY INC www.dropforyou.com

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ROCKEY TRADING CO www.rockeytrading.com

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EDWIN EARLS JEWELRY EdwinEarls.com

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S & J ENTERPRISES www.sandjwholesale.com

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WHOLESALE FASHION SQ. 323-583-2875 www.wholesalefashionsquare.com

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99 CENT MAX www.99centmax.com

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F E AT U R E D S E L L E R

LEMON TREE TRADING 213-747-3410 www.wholesalefashionplace.com LIQUIDATION GENERAL www.liquidationgeneral.com

ELECTRONICS FASHION ACCESSORIES

CLOSEOUTS VIA TRADING CO www.viatrading.com

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F E AT U R E D S E L L E R BARGAIN OUTLET WHOLESALE 217-826-6230 wholesalecentral.com/thebar0001 Gifts, Figurines, Christmas, Collectibles, Wall Plaques, Home Decor, Fireworks, Hats, Gags-Jokes, Jewelry, Knives, New-Years Supplies, Novelties, Plush, Latest Fad Items, Light-Up & Glow-In-The-Dark Items, General Merchandise, Party Goods, Pencils, Toys, Inflatables, Wedding-Accessories, Sunglasses.

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Special $20.00 Fragrance Display when you purchase 24 dz. different fragrance oils. ($65 value/limit 1 display per new customer)

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ELECTRIC OIL BURNERS!

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INCENSE We Guarantee Your Customer Will Love This Quality, Which Will Help You Develop A Great Customer Base!! UÊ- > i`Ê Ê Vi ÌÀ>Ìi`Ê ÊÊÊ" Ê ÀÊÓ{Ê ÕÀÃ UÊ V Ê Àii UÊ ÕÀ }Ê/ iÊ ««À Ý°ÊÇxÊ ÕÌiÃ UÊ- i vÊ viÊÓÊ9i>ÀÃÊ"ÀÊ Ài UÊ >ÌÕÀ> Ê ÀÊf£°ÇxÊ Õ ` iÊ Ê ««À Ý°Ê£ääÊ*VÃ° UÊ ÃÃ ÀÌi`Ê ÀÃÊf£° xÊ Õ ` iÊ Ê ««À Ý°Ê£ääÊ*VÃ°

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41 I NDEPENDENT R ETAILER.com | May 2014 VISIT WWW.SCENTED.COM TO VIEW CATALOG AND SEE UPCOMING NEW ITEMS AND OUR MONTHLY SPECIALS!

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wholesalecentral.com

SUPPLIER PREVIEW

Suppliers, to list your company here and reach 600,000 retailers monthly, call 1-800-999-8281 ext. 126.

continued from page 40

CERIJEWELRY.COM www.cerijewelry.com

626-810-3283

HANDBAGS & LUGGAGE

CHRISSANDRA’S BOUTIQUE 678-232-1346 chrissandras.com

CHOICEHANDBAGS www.choicehandbag.com

213-745-3065

GOLDEN GRASS BRAZIL 914-312-7969 www.wholesalecentral.com/goldengrassbrazil

FASHION WORLD www.handbagfashion.com

213-747-7145

HANA WHOLESALE ilovehana.com

HANDBAGSHOPPING.COM www.handbagshopping.com

972-243-2475

HIPHOPJEWELRY 410-493-2269 www.hiphopjewelrywholesale.com

HUA FU INTERNATIONAL www.huafu.org/

212-268-9985

INTERNATIONAL JEWELRY ijdi.net

954-577-9099

MAD BAGS LLC mad-bags.com/index.html

708-615-0445

JUDSON & CO www.judson.biz

256-355-8844

MEZON HANDBAGS www.mezonhandbags.com

213-748-9228

NES JEWELRY www.nesnyc.com

212-502-0025

PHILLIPS INTERNATIONAL 800-432-3636 www.cooljewels.com/emailland2.aspx

ON SALE HANDBAG www.onsalehandbag.com

213-745-6811

PLANET SILVER www.silver-jewelry-planet.com

941-460-4001

PRINCESS PURSE www.princesspurse.com

213-746-9933

SALES ONE LLC www.bodyvibe.com

203-356-9077

SD DESIGNER HANDBAGS www.pursepros.com

619-730-7063

SAM’S ONE www.samsoneinc.com

213-622-6661

SHOPFORBAGS.COM www.shopforbags.com

214-637-5300

SILVER JEWELRY DEPOT www.silverjewelrydepot.com

212-213-4967

HEALTH & BEAUTY

SORA IMPORTS www.soraimports.com

646-454-9143

BII WHOLESALE 201-933-1461 wholesalecentral.com/cosmetixplus/Store.cfm

T & J INTERNATIONAL www.tandjinternational.com

718-321-3760

DISCOUNT WHOLESALERS 610-458-1131 www.discountwholesalersinc.com

THE WELMAN GROUP www.wholesalesterling.com

301-907-7916

MERCHANDIZE LIQUID. 754-204-0740 merchandizeliquidators.com/Cosmetics-Closeouts.htm MVP TRADING CO www.mvptrading.com

913-402-0322

PERAROMA www.peraroma.com

212-204-0003

RSVP SKIN CARE 417-773-0548 rsvpmen.com/wholesale-mens-skin-care-products SISQUOC HEALTHCARE 888-909-9910 sisquochealthcare.com/wholesale.html STEALTH INTERNATIONAL www.stealth-international.com

KNIVES & SWORDS CKB PRODUCTS www.ckbproducts.com

888-252-2897

EDGEWORK IMPORTS INC www.edgeimport.com

800-799-6955

MASTER CUTLERY INC mastercutlery.com

201-271-7600

PANTHER TRADING CO www.pantherwholesale.com

410-644-0134

REX INTERNATIONAL www.rexdist.com

626-969-7866

SHARP IMPORT www.cutlerywholesaler.com

856-382-0631

212-924-0900

TURKEY CREEK TRADING 410-368-8307 wholesalecentral.com/turkeycreekco/Store.cfm

JAFRUM INTERNATIONAL www.jafrum.com

908-352-5400

HOOVER’S MANUF. www.hmchonors.com

DUKE IMPORTS, INC www.dukeimports.com

260-665-1100

NOVELTIES

TRENDSETTER TRADING www.trendsettertrading.com

732-309-1196

JEWELRY ALAMODEONLINE.COM www.alamodeonline.com

714-636-4237

ART BOX www.artboxjewel.com

213-243-0730

AZUR GLOBAL IMPORTS www.azur1.com

303-980-1218

BEADS CORNER DBA www.wholesalebeaded.com

422

888-278-3889

877-906-2211

UVAPER 253-236-5251 www.wholesalecentral.com/uvaper

SPORTING GOODS PIONEER VALLEY 413-787-2190 wholesalecentral.com/pioneervalley/store.cfm

PERFUME A2Z www.a2zperfumes.net

THE EXTRA MILE www.thextramile.com

EUROPEAN COLOGNES 832-439-5454 www.wholesalecentral.com/europe0001 FRAGRANCE HOUSE INC www.iperfumenetwork.com

323-271-1000

FRAGRANCEX.COM INC www.fragrancex.com

718-482-6970

LUXURY PERFUME www.luxuryperfume.com

213-688-9600

PERFUME CENTER OF www.perfume-center.com

516-348-1124

PERFUME MARKET www.perfumemarket.net

305-593-9017

937-748-8181

SELF-DEFENSE, SECURITY SAFETY TECHNOLOGY www.safetytechnology.com

904-720-2183

SHARP IMPORT www.sharpimport.com

856-382-0631

SHOES & FOOTWEAR 247 FASHION STORE www.247fashionstore.com

909-839-0186

S & S SPORTS www.sports456.com

313-444-0277

518-383-9084

STORE / DEALER SUPPLIES CANDY CONCEPTS www.candyconceptsinc.com

262-696-4076

SUNGLASSES & EYEWEAR CTS WHOLESALE LLC 800-796-3486 www.ctswholesalesunglasses.com NEVA ENTERPRISES, INC www.olympiceyewear.com

PET SUPPLIES

801-975-1656

PACIFIC LINK WHOLESALE 706-275-0079 www.sunglassespacificlink.com PR SUNGLASSES www.prsunglasses.com

800-777-7656

RUBY IMPORTS www.rubyimports.net

901-375-4377

SOLAR SUNGLASSES www.solarsunglasses.net

856-589-0616

ST LOUIS WHOLESALE stlouiswholesale.com

800-340-7642

TOPPER INTERNATIONAL www.topperliquidators.com

800-867-7371

626-810-4848 877-815-8998

TELEPHONE & CELLULAR GEARONIC.COM www.gearonic.com

888-433-6614

WIRELESS WAREHOUSE www.wholesalephonelots.com

519-252-7575

SMOKING PRODUCTS 323-767-5980

BI-WIN NOVELTY 713-278-7677 www.wholesalecentral.com/unishow/Store.cfm BNB WHOLESALE www.bnbwholesale.com

562-321-7296

EAST COAST WHOLESALE 413-537-9175 www.wholesalecentral.com/eastcoastwholesale 800-223-1159

F E AT U R E D S E L L E R KALAN LP 800-345-8138 www.kalanlp.com Lansdowne, Pennsylvania United States Market leader in humorous and personalized programs. Specialize in the newest Impulse products. PERSONALIZED PRODUCTS: Mini lanyard key rings & hot pink key rings. Also, tin signs, shot glasses, magnetic stickers, party goods, birthday candles, balloons and confetti. Over 10,000 items in-stock.

GREEN SMOKE wholesale.greensmoke.com

305-290-3669

TOOLS & HARDWARE HENSSGEN HARDWARE www.henssgenhardware.com

518-793-3593

QC AUSTIN www.qcaustin.com

512-266-8880

HABIB IMPORTS INC 916-739-8488 www.wholesalecentral.com/habib IBUYUS LLC 626-921-2637 www.wholesalecentral.com/usdeal0001/store.cfm NEWHERE ELECTRONIC CIG. 888-991-7471 newhere.com/partners REVOLUTION VAPOR 855-888-2767 www.revolution-vapor.com/contact

TOYS & HOBBIES ESCO IMPORTS TOY www.escoimports.com

800-445-3836

HAPPY HOUSE GIFTS 917-855-7957 www.wholesalecentral.com/happyhousegifts

SENSATIONS 662-279-8876 www.wholesalecentral.com/sensations

NOVELTEES WHOLESALE 801-484-6769 www.wholesalecentral.com/NovelteesWholesale

SILVERLINE WHOLESALE www.silverlinewholesale.com

OFFICE & SCHOOL SUPPLIES

SINO AMERICAN TRADE 832-804-7365 www.wholesalecentral.com/tiger/store.cfm

MOVING TREND 626-369-5688 wholesalecentral.com/moving0002/wholesale.html

STARFIRE CIGS 704-737-9520 www.starfirecigs.com/wholesale

May 2014 RETAILER 2014 || INDEPENDENT INDEPENDENT RETAILER September 2012

213-626-6005

704-494-4313

MILITARY GOODS

COUNTRY CLUB USA www.countryclubproducts.com

STOCKWELL GREETINGS www.stockwellgreetings.com

AA GLOBAL IMPORTS www.vialsondemand.com

ROMA LEATHER, INC 909-923-3368 wholesalecentral.com/romaleathersinc/Store.cfm

HOME DÉCOR / HOUSEWARES

906-346-7065

WHOLESALE SHOE STOP www.wholesaleshoestop.com

LEATHER KURT S. ADLER www.kurtadler.com

SAV-ON www.sav-on-closeouts.com

WEPRIX www.weprix.com

516-248-4090

HOLIDAY & SEASONAL

800-543-3487

24/7 WHOLESALE 877-247-9465 wholesalecentral.com/247wholesale/store.cfm

240-235-5029

ONE TREE LLC www.onetreebrands.com

OMG INTERNATIONAL www.omg-international.net

KC CREATIONS www.kccreationsinc.com

213-892-1098

DRUGSTORE PRODUCTS 732-606-4242 www.wholesalecentral.com/dspsales

US GLOBAL IMPORTS www.usglobalimports.com

410-799-7602

MOLLY MCMORGAN DBA 877-828-1577 www.wholesalewalletsdirect.com

DOWA COSMETICS www.dowacosmetics.com

PARTY SUPPLIES & GREETING CARDS

815-372-9270

WATCHES ROYAL CROWN 626-321-4033 www.wholesalecentral.com/royalc0001

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supplier profile Sports Embroideries & Letter Art STATION BAY Wholesale takes pride in offering attractive sports embroideries. The family owned company, which started selling sports-themed signs and tins, launched a line of framed sports embroideries in early 2010. “Our embroideries are framed in double mat or single mat,” owner, Sharon Luebrecht explains. “That is distinctive and unusual. Most people just hang their embroideries directly on the wall, and they gather dust. Since ours are quality framed and under glass, they are very attractive and last forever. That’s the wow factor.” Depending on the team, the embroideries are available in two sizes: 35” x 12” and 14” x 26”, in selected products. They are available for teams from the National Football League, Major League Baseball, the National Basketball Association, National

May 2014 | INDEPENDENT RETAILER

Hockey League as well as most college teams and universities.

Quality-minded sports fan Station Bay Wholesale’s framed embroideries are perfect for an enthusiastic or qualityminded sports fan who wants to move past posters taped to the wall, or unframed embroideries. “Many of the customers are people who have sports rooms, man caves, or professional people like doctors’ offices and law offices,” she says. “We supply gift stores, furniture stores, stationary stores and bookshops; any retailer who is looking to offer exclusive sports products. It is targeted for the higher-end client.” All of the embroideries are shipped with corner protectors and a protective film covering the glass, with a hanger attached on the back. Retailers can easily display a

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“small grouping” on the wall in their shop, either with or without the protective cardboard, to gain the attention of their customers. Station Bay Wholesale enhances the value of their embroideries by adding customized mats in a variety of colors with a solid black frame. There is no minimum wholesale order. The frames are shipped five to a case, so it saves on shipping costs. Single-matte embroideries run $42 per unit at wholesale, while double-mat embroideries are $45 per unit. Suggested retail is $89.95 to $119.95, but the product may be priced higher, depending on demand, as championship teams command a higher margin.

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Letter art In addition to the sports embroideries, Station Bay Wholesale is also introducing custom letter art that allows buyers to spell any phrase or name in decorative letter photographs, then frame it. The letter photographs are all inspired by architectural and natural landscapes. One of the great strengths of this product line is its flexibility. Retailers can let customers buy their own letters and mat design, which includes the frame, and assemble it themselves. Another option is to sell pre-made phrases such as “love” and “family”, or popular names, city names, or sports teams. As a third option, the letter mats and frames can be sold separately. “We customize our frames to fit the letter art,” Leubrecht explains. Frame sizes vary depending on the amount of letters. Sizes start at 9” x 20” frame for four letter words up to 9” x 46” frame for 10 letters. “A lot of people are spending $75

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201-567-2827 cs@mywholesaleroute.com

Ultimate Destination For Costume Jewelry & Fashion Accessories.

continued on page 47 I NDEPENDENT R ETAILER.com | May 2014

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supplier profile Nutel Wireless On Top of Trends WHEN PATRICIA Wyatt used her first Nutel Wireless product, she could immediately see the difference in quality from other phone chargers. “They light up at the end, and you know it is working. You don’t have to check your phone to make sure it’s charging.” Now, as general manager of the company, Wyatt sees the other benefits Nutel offers. “Our displays and packaging are very attractive, and we get a lot of compliments,” she says. “That helps to sell the products.” Nutel knows the wireless industry, being the first company to offer wireless cell phone products to the convenience store market back in 2001. Today, Nutel’s chargers are in about 60 percent of convenience stores across the country. Owners Arif Jiwani and Ali Khan operate a warehouse in Decatur, GA where they distribute to wholesalers. Wyatt came on board four years ago to focus on retail orders, not only from gas stations and convenience stores, but also from cell phone retailers and other gift stores across the U.S. and Canada.

KEEP NECKLACES tangle

The latest move is a new website, nuteldistributors. com, which includes wholesale online ordering, and customers can still order COD or by phone.

Top sellers iPhone 5 and Samsung Galaxy accessories are the biggest sellers, from chargers to cases to screen protectors. Auxiliary cables, which work with any model and allow users to hook up their devices to the car radio, are a new and popular item. Nutel only stocks the latest products, so as soon as a new model comes out, they discontinue the accessories. “It’s a constantly changing market, and you have to stay on top of it,” Wyatt explains.

Buying details A great way to get started is with Nutel’s four-foot grid display rack for $425, which includes 125 hand-picked items. The markups on all the accessories can be quite high. For example, Samsung car chargers wholesale

free AT HOME OR ON THE GO Finally – a simple, elegant and easy-to use product that keeps your necklaces tangle free, at home or on the go!

The PATENTED Necklace Saver®: UÊ ii«ÃÊÞ ÕÀÊ iV >ViÃÊÌ> } iÊvÀii Ê > `Ê À}> âi`t UÊ ÃÊ `i> Êv ÀÊ iÊ ÀÊÌÀ>Ûi t

GUARANTEED TO SELL!

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NECKLACESAVER.com 46

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May 2014 | INDEPENDENT RETAILER

tangle tta angle le ffree rree ee ppatented aten teented teed 800.352.0454 anna@necklacesaver.com

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for $2.25 or less with a quantity discount, and retail starting at $7.99; iPhone cases, chargers, and travel chargers wholesale for 2.99, with retail as high as $14.99; and Samsung cases wholesale for $2.99, with suggested retail of $9.99. The auxiliary cables wholesale for $1.99 and can sell as high as $7.99 retail. There is no minimum order, no shipping charges on quantity refills, and Nutel offers a moneyback guarantee on all products. All customers have to do is call, and Nutel will send out a new product, or credit the account. ■

Nutel Distributors 6025 Sandy Springs Circle Atlanta, GA 30328 Tel.: 678-825-8007 ext. 2 Email: wyatt_gp@yahoo.com Web: www.nuteldistributors.com

Sports Embroideries & Letter Art continued from page 45 to $100 for custom letter frames,” she says. “A retailer could buy an assortment of letters along with the frames or purchase the mats with frames separately. Custom frame sizes are also available upon request. You could easily triple your investment as a retailer.” Because the product line is so flexible, calling the company directly for wholesale pricing is recommended. ■

Station Bay Wholesale 400 Loveland Madeira Road Loveland, OH 45140 Tel.: 866-909-7446 Website: stationbaywholesale.com

I NDEPENDENT R ETAILER.com | May 2014

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supplier profile Worldclass Jewels At Bargain Prices WORLDCLASS JEWELS owner, Terrance Jones, invites you to take the “Genova challenge.” It is simple enough: put one of her Genova bracelets with a suggested retail price of less than $40 next to a high-end Pandora charm bracelet with a suggested retail price of $720, and see if you can tell the difference. Many people can’t. Jones started Worldclass Jewels in 2012 as a distributor for the complete Genova product line, which includes charm bracelets, necklaces, earrings, and other accessories. Genova is a global company based in Beverly Hills, CA, and London, England. It operates through independent distributors like Jones, who set up their own sales accounts and handle marketing, while

Genova handles distribution. “We are planning to sell to people who have novelty shops or stores with a small jewelry selection,” explains Jones. “They will definitely see a profit.”

Charms and bracelets According to Jones, the line of charm bracelets is the most popular. Both charms and bracelets are available through Worldclass Jewels. The company also offers a popular line of children’s bracelets that are similar to the adult designs, but sized for children. Complete packaged sets include matching necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. “You need to see these pieces for yourself,” Jones

“Extreme Value for Today’s Economy” • Plastics • Cleaning • Closeouts • Housewares • Snack/Food • Spring/Summer • Valentines • Christmas • Halloween 48

• Pet • Kitchen • Pre-Loaded Merchandise Strips • Floor/Counter Displays • Seasonal Categories • Stationery/Books www.regentproducts.com 8999 Palmer Street • River Grove, IL 60171 • Health & Beauty • Party Supplies 708-583-1000 • Fax: 708-583-1400

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Over 4,000 Items In 20 Categories! Serving ALL Retail Since 1985!

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BELTS - CINTOS

says. “People are always impressed when they see the jewelry. Our product line looks almost exactly

7525 Rosencrans Ave. #201, Paramount, CA 90723

1.888.777.5541 www.impormexico.com Hundres of Belt Styles; We Use Leather Only Plus Charro and Horse Accessories, Mexico Styles. Accesorios Para Charreria / Huaraches-Sandals, etc.

like Pandora, but most of our bracelets are only $39 at wholesale, while Pandora costs hundreds.” Retailers interested in carrying the Genova line can also get product displays, Jones notes. Additionally, individual orders placed directly through the website are packaged in attractive display boxes and bags.

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Worldclass Jewel’s line of Genova jewelry can be ordered through the company’s website. The pieces

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Ordering and pricing

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& MANY MORE!

C & J Sports is committed to providing quality Fishing Supplies at prices that our customers should be able to be competitive with the chain stores!

Fishing Tackle Blowouts range in wholesale pricing, and Jones recommends a 20 to 50 percent markup that allows retailers to build their own profit in. There is no minimum order. “I suggest retailers try them and see how they sell. We can keep a continuous supply of products, each with a lifetime warranty and lifetime replacement policy.” ■

Worldclass Jewels 5377 Cosmos Cove, Memphis, TN 38118 Tel.: 901-619-6414 Website: www.worldclassjewels.com

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supplier profile WowBacon For Easy Cleanup THE WAY WowBacon sees it, everybody loves to eat bacon, but no one likes actually cooking it. “However you cook bacon, it’s a mess,” says Harlan Kerson, a consultant with WowBacon’s parent company, Chalnj, LLC. “If you cook it on the stovetop, there’s splatter. If you cook it in the oven, there’s tinfoil and all that grease. Even in the microwave, there’s paper towels, and the bacon sticks to it so you have to peel it off and there is still grease everywhere.” This is where WowBacon comes in. The company has developed a microwave bacon cooker that eliminates the mess, controls leftover grease, and turns out perfectly cooked bacon every time, explains Kerson, who purchased the patents and manufacturing equipment associated with WowBacon in 2012. The product was introduced in 2006 by Valcor Inventions.

May 2014 | INDEPENDENT RETAILER

Enclosed bacon cooker The WowBacon is a totally enclosed bacon cooker with a convenient coffee pot style handle. The bacon is suspended from vanes inside the product while it cooks, allowing grease to collect in the bottom of the pitcher. Grease disposal and clean-up are easy. According to Kerson, the WowBacon is superior to competitive microwave bacon cookers that use rods, because the bacon hangs in straight strips, so it cooks flat. This also prevents scorch marks, common to other bacon cookers, which occur when the inner sides of hanging bacon strips touch each other and burn. The WowBacon is compatible with any type of bacon, including thick or thin sliced. “When the bacon is cooked, you take it out of the microwave, take the top off, and you can move the bacon from the product to the plate,” says Kerson. “All the drippings stay in the bottom of the container to do

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whatever you want with, and the product itself can go right in the dishwasher when you’re done.” The WowBacon cooker fits 95 percent of microwaves on the market, and is easy to assemble and disassemble.

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Committed to retailers WowBacon’s marketing philosophy is built around independent retailers, instead of big-box stores or national advertising campaigns, so the company offers extensive support for retailers. After testing, the firm opted to package individual products in sleeves instead of boxes, because consumers understand it better when they can see the product itself, notes Kerson. Within the next 90 days, WowBacon plans to introduce both floor and shelf topper displays that can hold up to a case (12 units) of cookers. WowBacon is also developing an integrated shelf and floor display with an 8” screen and video player. “We have a video that shows the product in use, and people really respond to it,” says Kerson.

Buying details The WowBacon product can be ordered via email, on the website, or by phone. The product is priced at $8.49/unit, plus shipping for wholesale orders, with a minimum order of 12 units. The minimum advertised price is $19.95, meaning margins generally hover around 100 percent once shipping is figured in. WowBacon products are made in the United States and Asia. ■

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new products Sip-N-Oodle THE CONCEPT for the Sip-N-Oodle started in the backyard pool of Cameron Parker’s father, Chip. “I was a young kid at the time, and everyone was relaxing on noodles in the pool. I was splashing around and gett ing water in their drinks, and one friend said, “Wouldn’t it be great to design something that keeps the water from gett ing in there?” Four hours later, the fi rst prototype was built. “Fast forward to last summer,” says Parker, “and I found the old prototype and decided to turn it into a company.” He contacted an old friend, Greg Neely, and together decided to give it a shot. The Sip-N-Oodle is made from the highest quality noodle you can get from the original noodle company in Canada, not China, with a silicone bladder that runs through the length of it for the liquid. The medical and food grade silicone material does not retain any taste, smell, or bacteria, and just needs to be rinsed out with water after use. On one end is a recessed funnel with a silicone plug, while the other end is a capped-off straw with a bite valve. The Sip-N-Oodle was launched at the International Pool | Spa | Patio Expo in Las Vegas last November, where Parker says they took orders for several thousand noodles. “We realized there must be something to this.” Then, at the Everything Under the Sun Expo in February in Orlando, SipN-Oodle was named Best Product.

Buying details Production has just begun, in two sizes: a three52

May 2014 | INDEPENDENT RETAILER

inch noodle for people under 200 pounds, and a four-inch noodle for those over 200 pounds, each with the capacity to hold 24 ounces of fluid. Wholesale pricing depends on quantity, ranging from $10.95 for the three-inch model, $12.95 for the four-inch model, down to $9.45/$11.45. The suggested retail price is $19.95/$24.95, and the minimum order is one case of 25/16 units. Orders can be placed by phone, or on the website’s wholesale portal when it launches in May. Parker will be in Orlando for the International Pool | Spa | Patio Expo in November. ■

Parker Neely Enterprises LLC 410 E. Taylor St. #I, Griffin, GA 30223 Tel: 678-688-1000 • Email: jhickey@sipnoodle.com Web site: www.sipnoodle.com

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new products Squire Boone Village SQUIRE BOONE Village has as finally solved the “problem with jawbreakers” with a surprisingly simple approach: a lollipop stick. Slobber Jawbbers are the brainchild of company president and CEO Rick Conway, who carried the concept around in his head for years before finally figuring out a way to bring the perfect novelty jawbreaker to market. “We have a strong business in rock crystal candy, so I’m m ew always trying to dream up new candies that kids would like to have fun with,” he explains. “I remember loving to eat jawbreakers when I was a kid and watching the colors change. But I would get to a point when the colors would change but the flavor would stay the same. And jawbreakers were messy, with kids wiping their hands on their clothes and getting it all over their faces. Slobber Jawbbers solve both problems.” Sold on sticks just like regular lollipops, each jawbreaker has a bubble gum core. As the jawbreaker changes colors eight times, there is also a new flavor with each layer.

Limitless market Early reception to the Slobber Jawbbers has been excellent, Conway says. “Squire Boone has a strong core business in souvenirs and resort markets, so we introduced the Slobber Jawbbers at a souvenir trade show in Pigeon Forge. They broke all the records. Buyers loved them, and I was ecstatic. We have already started receiving re-orders from those first customers.” Now Squire Boone is preparing to launch Slobber Jawbbers at a candy tradeshow, but Conway sees an almost limitless market for the unique jawbreakers. Sold in self-merchandising display boxes of 12, they are perfect for any retailer with a counter that sells candies, collectibles, or groceries. They can be sold in greeting card shops, party and drug stores, and even bookstores. 56

May 2014 | INDEPENDENT RETAILER

Tongue Lash bubble gum Tongu Jawbr Jawbreakers are not the only new Squir Boone product attracting Squire attent ention. The company is also introducing a line of Tongue Lash bubble ducin gum. It was designed with kids in gu mind: they turn your tongue m colors (black, red, blue, purple, or green), come in five flavors and are filled with sour goo. Each gumball is printed with a phrase a kid might say after his or her tongue changes color, including “I ate a ch bug,” and “I don’t feel so good.” Tongue Lash bubble gum comes in a colorful and branded 90-count tin paint can that makes a perfect point-of-sale display.

Buying details Slobber Jawbbers are available in two sizes: the 1.75” regular size and a Monster Slobber Jawbber clocking in at 2.25” in diameter. All Slobber Jawbbers come in self-merchandising display boxes of 12 jawbreakers with the product name and logo. The company also offers permanent displays, including a 5-foot-tall wooden display tree and counter displays. Squire Boone’s products are available wholesale through the company’s website, or by phone or email. The company has a comprehensive line of souvenir products, candies, and collectibles. Wholesale pricing is available to registered retailers. Online registration is simple and fast. The company requires a minimum wholesale order of $300. Slobber Jawbbers’ suggested retail price is $1.99 for the regular size and $3.49 for the monster size, guaranteeing at least a 50 percent gross margin on each lollipop sold. ■

Squire Boone Village 406 Mount Tabor Road, New Albany, IN 47150 Tel.: 800-234-1804 • Email: sales@squireboone.com Website: www.squireboone.com

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new products Pure Essential Aromatic Oils ANCIENT ESSENSE carries a line of therapeutic essential oils. The company’s chief product is its proprietary blend of frankincense and myrrh, on which five additional scents are based. With gentle and uplifting aromas, Ancient Essense oils can be worn directly on the skin as a perfume, and for meditation and relaxation. Frankincense and myrrh can also be used to repel fleas, ticks, mosquitoes and other bugs, and as a household cleaner. In addition, the oils can be added to a diffuser to freshen the air. “Frankincense is one of the oldest natural resources and top traded commodities of all time, and is the most versatile of all essential oils,” explains Michele Hammerton, owner. “It has powerful healing properties. My journey with these oils began when my daughter was sick with a fever and swollen glands. I rubbed some frankincense on her glands, and her fever and the swelling went away. Now I’ve been using and selling these products for 15 years.”

Five additional aromas All Ancient Essense scents are original, pure, and highly concentrated. In addition to Frankincense and myrrh, there are five aromas named after one of the five human values. “They are fascinating and everyone loves them,” Hammerton states. Ahimsa, which means nonviolence, is made with lemongrass oil and light amber, infused with frankincense; Sathya means truth, and is a mix of jasmine, amber and frankincense; Dharma means right conduct, and is a blend of violet with myrrh and light amber; Prema-love is made with light and dark ambers and myrrh. In Sanskrit, prema means love; and 58

May 2014 | INDEPENDENT RETAILER

Shanti-peace is light and dark amber with frankincense. Ancient Essense does not add carrier oils to dilute its products, and because they are natural preservatives, they last a long time. The oils are processed using carbon filtration, which results in fresher, crisper aromas than steam distilled essential oils.

40 percent margins “We are the only company that specializes in frankincense and myrrh,” Hammerton adds. “Our oils come from Somalia and Ethiopia. They are popular because they work, and many people are repeat customers. I have been wholesaling the oils for around five years, and the business continues to grow every month.” All six scents are available in onethird ounce roll-on bottles, and the frankincense and myrrh is also available in a one-ounce bottle. The onethird ounce wholesales for $8.99 and retails for $15.85, while the one-ounce bottle wholesales for $24.87 and retails for $41.45.

12 and 42 bottle displays All products are hand bottled in the U.S., with strict attention to quality. The minimum order is 12 bottles, and two display boxes are available. The box of 12 products includes one tester, and the larger box contains 42 bottles, which has six testers. “Testers really help sell the products,” Hammerton stresses. The boxes include brochures that have information about each of the scents. ■

Ancient Essense P.O. Box 121386, Clermont, FL 34712 Tel.: 407-948-9873 • Fax: 866-423-6457 Email: info@ancientessense.com or ancientessenseoils@gmail.com Website: ancientessense.com

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new products Wancube 3D Figurines CALIFORNIA BASED Wancube is reinventing the souvenir portrait with their novel 3D printing technology that produces lifelike, custom figurines. The company uses either a 3D scan or a standard 2D photograph to produce an accurate 3D figurine of any subject, including single subjects, couples, families and pets. The figurines are great for all special occasions, including graduations, weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, or whenever a lifelong memory is created.

but we are currently working on a very high-end solution.” According to Wen, the entire process, from photo or scan to completed figurine, takes two to three weeks. Although 3D scanners and 3D printers have been available for a few years, Wen says his company is the first, and currently the only company to use these technologies to create lifelike, personalized figurines. “We are the only business in the United States doing this.”

First 3D photo company in USA “It’s the next generation of photography,” says company founder and president, Jianjun Wen. “We use a 3D printer to print out a model of the person that is very accurate, even down to their clothes. Then we ask our artist to do a mold cast from the model, and put the color on the figurine. The customer ends up with a figurine with their face.” Wancube has a retail location in Los Gatos, California. Customers are scanned with a 3D scanner, which is used to create the figurine. “The problem we realized is that a lot of people couldn’t make the trip to the store,” Wen says. “So we can also use normal photos, and our artist will create a figurine from that. The similarity will be lower than using a 3D scan, 60

May 2014 | INDEPENDENT RETAILER

Helping customers build memories Retailers interested in selling Wancube 3D figurines are provided with sample figurines for display, and can offer the service based on conventional photography, instead of providing a 3D scan. “Retailers can ask customers to send pictures and we’ll make the figurine here, and send it back to the store,” Wen explains. In all, it should take about three to four weeks to receive a completed figurine, including shipping time. Wholesale prices begin at $80, depending on the figure, but Wen says bulk discounts are available for retailers with high volume. Suggested retail begins at $99.99 for a 4.7” figurine of a single person. An 8.27” wedding cake topper retails for $279.99. ■

Wancube 233B N. Santa Cruz Ave., Los Gatos, CA 95030 Tel.: 408-888-7023 Website: www.wancube.com

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new products Lightload Towels WHEN YOU are backpacking, every ounce counts. That is why Lightload Towels, which come in a package the size of a hockey puck and weigh in at .5 to .6 ounces, have become so popular with the hiking crowd. Founder George “Wideload” (his trail name) Wheeler knows this as a hiker himself. At a mail drop on the Appalachian Trail in 1999, Wheeler picked up a care package with a similar towel inside. “I had never seen anything like that before, a towel that was easy to carry in your pack.” Three years and many steps later, the product was launched.

Lifetime use Made of highly absorbent and quickdrying 100% viscose, the towels can be used for cleaning up or drying off, to bandage cuts, or as insulation against the heat or cold. They also function as survival gear for starting fires when there is no dry kindling to be found. After the hike, they are sturdy enough to throw in the wash for the next trip, or at such a low price they are easy to leave behind. The biggest plus of the product is that it can be used in an emergency. “The packaging is so tight and waterproof, it lasts and lasts,” Wheeler points out. “You can throw them in your bag and you might use them a year later, but you still have a nice, clean towel.” 62

May 2014 | INDEPENDENT RETAILER

Lightload Towels come in two measurements, 12x12” and 12x24”, with packages of 50 selling for $22 and $41.50 wholesale, respectively. Keystone markup is suggested. Three-packs of the 12x24” size wholesale for $2.50 and suggested retail is $5. Also available are two-packs of the 12” size, which wholesale for $.83 and suggested retail is $2.

For the beach The company’s other offering is a beach towel that is small enough to fit in a back pocket, and porous enough to absorb nine times its weight in water. It is the size of a greeting card after use, and unlike ordinary towels, the product can easily be wrung out until it is almost dry. Adults appreciate the beach towel’s ease of use and convenience, while kids think it’s cool and want to give it to their friends as a birthday party favor. The wholesale price is $4.35 and suggested retail is $9.95. The Lightload beach towels measure 36x60” and are also available in 12-packs for $52.20 wholesale. There are no minimum orders. First time domestic orders receive free shipping. ■

Lightload Towels Tel.: 888-544-4856 Website: www.lightloadtowels.com

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new products Customizable 24/7 Skins 24/7 SKINS makes customization possible with a line of skins and wraps for popular consumer electronics and products. The line covers smart phones such as iPhones and Androids, vaporizers, personal computers and tablets, video game consoles, and DJ consoles and personal stereos. “We can skin anything,” explains Laura Hallenberger, director of sales and marketing. “Our motto is, ‘customize your world’, because anything you can put a skin on, we can design it.” Although the company’s most popular products are for cell phones and vaporizers, 24/7 Skins prides itself on following trending products and reacting quickly to market changes. According to Hallenberger, the 24/7 Skins team of custom designers can adapt existing skin designs to fit any model of phone or vaporizer, if the company does not already offer a skin for a particular model. The firm offers more than 60 unique designs, including the popular Grim Reaper, the Mad Hatter, flag skins, and a new line of designs based on World War II fighting planes.

Made in USA 24/7 Skins was created as a subsidiary of AMR Racing, a world leader in the design and manufacture of offroad racing graphics for motocross, ATV, and other off-road vehicles. To transition from racing vehicles to consumer electronics, 24/7 used the same process as AMR, but featured thinner skins with a removable adhesive. “What separates our process from our competitors is that we hand template every single item here at our Las Vegas based manufacturing plant,” Hallenberger says. “Everything from the template set-up, design process, and final production is done in-house, and is 100 percent made in the USA.” 64

May 2014 | INDEPENDENT RETAILER

Beyond skins 24/7 Skins is not limited to skins. The company also offers a line of t-shirts with trending slogans and graphics, and a popular line of decals, including hunting permits such as the “Terrorist Hunting Permit” and “Zombie Hunting Permit.” The permits are customized by state. “These are huge sellers,” says Hallenberger. “A retailer can order for their state, and since they all have a year printed on them, they need to be replaced every year.” 24/7 can also customize designs and skins for almost any product and graphic, including corporate logos.

Retail ready 24/7 Skins products can be ordered wholesale directly from the company, which is in the process of developing a display rack. All products are shipped “retail ready.” Individual skins are shipped in a plastic envelope bag, with a hard-stock card backing to protect the skin. They can be hung from a display indefinitely. “Unlike other skins, ours are all packaged with hard-stock backing, so they will not slip down in the bags and get ruined and crumpled,” Hallenberger notes. “Our retail packaging is designed to last. It will not fade after a month or two.” Wholesale prices range depending on the product, and Hallenberger says keystone markup is standard at the retail level. Suggested retail on a full game console package, including the console and two controller skins, is $19.95, with wholesale prices ranging from $4.25 to $7.95, depending on quantity. Orders of 25 units receive a price break, which are also offered at 100 and 500 units. ■

24/7 Skins 6679 Schuster Street, Las Vegas, NV 89118 Tel.: 702-312-2217 Website: www.247skins.com

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new products Star Cutouts Heads To America IF YOU see flat masks in the U.K.—from a member of the Royal Family to a character from “Doctor Who”—it is very likely a Star Cutouts product. The company is now coming to the U.S. with a variety of masks that feature a collection of all the main characters from the popular “Walking Dead” series on AMC, including Daryl, Rick, and Michonne. “That show has gone completely out of this orbit,” says Steve Hoagland, international licensing and sales director for Star Cutouts, and a key person responsible for the U.S. expansion. “It had 15 million viewers in the U.S. at last count, more than double from last year. I have a feeling it is only going up from there, and there’s a spin-off coming.” Star Cutouts also has various licensing agreements in the works, and as Hoagland puts it, “there will be royals, along with a presidential candidate or two. Politician masks are very popular.” Life-sized cutouts, including stand-in models, are also available in hundreds of designs and characters, ranging from penguins to the Pope.

Child-friendly Hoagland says the masks have two important differentials from the competition: their retail price points are under $5, and they are flat, with holes for the eyes, not the mouth. “Instead 66

May 2014 | INDEPENDENT RETAILER

of an expensive, over-the head latex mask for $30 or $40, for a few bucks you can try one of these,” he notes. And for kids, there’s no fear or discomfort associated with putting on a mask. “Those three-year-olds who don’t like the plastic shell masks that come with their Halloween costumes might only leave them on for 15 to 20 minutes. But with a flat mask, you can see peripherally out of the side, and it doesn’t seem to bother the little ones.” Hoagland has a real-life reference: his own grandchildren. “When we went out trick-or-treating, they didn’t take their masks off all night.”

Buying details Star Cutouts’ new masks are just hitting the market, in plenty of time for Halloween delivery. Hoagland expects to have about 150 styles available by Halloween. The company plans to make products available to retailers around May 1, online at starcutouts.us, or by calling or emailing directly. Wholesale pricing is 90 cents, while suggested retail ranges from $1.99-$2.99. The products come in master packs of 35 single masks per design, with a minimum order of four master packs. Wholesale prices for the life-sized cutouts range from $15.50$18.50, and suggested retail is $32.95-$42.95. The minimum order is 12 pieces in any combination. ■

Star Cutouts LLC 640 Bailey Road, Ste.142, Bay Point, CA 94565 Tel.: 925-427-4400 • Fax: 925-281-2636 Email: orders@starcutouts.us • Website: starcutouts.us

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new products GlideHanger Clothing Hanger HANGERWARE INC. is making hanging up clothes easier. The GlideHanger eliminates the need to unbutton, unzip or even thread the hanger up through the bottom of garments that have narrow necks. Instead, the GlideHanger can be quickly inserted through the neck of the garment. Simply slide the hanger arms in one direction, lengthening one end and shortening the other, turn the hanger and then slide the arms back into position. When the glide is not needed, the hanger is fully functioning for other clothes.

Although the hanger converts to the traditional style, the arms could be left stationary in multiple settings, Wittenstein explains.

Durable ABS plastic The GlideHanger is made of ABS plastic, and the durable material holds up well, even handling up to 15 pounds of weight under testing. The GlideHanger is currently available in black, but other colors are possible by working with the sales team.

Functional design “The idea came from the frustration of trying to hang clothes after doing laundry,” says Sebastian Wittenstein, CEO of HangerWare. The GlideHanger relieves that frustration, and eliminates the time it takes using traditional hangers on clothes with narrow necks. Five years of hard work by Wittenstein, and family members assisting with engineering and entrepreneurship backgrounds, led to the development of the GlideHanger and its recent release to market. “There were many designs, some really bad, during the development of this product,” he recalls. This one just made sense. Since introducing the product, Wittenstein says he has heard from some people working in the fashion industry that the GlideHanger is perfect for many applications. A-symmetrical fashions hang very well on it because you can leave the arms in different places, making them fit the garment, rather than the garment just not fitting the hanger.

May 2014 | INDEPENDENT RETAILER

The minimum order is 30 hangers, although Wittenstein said other arrangements may be available. The GlideHanger’s wholesale price is $6 for the standard package of three hangers, and volume discounts are available. Suggested retail price is $8.99 for the standard three pack. To order, contact the sales team by email at sales@hangerware.com. Someone from the team will be in contact right away, according to Wittenstein, as the website is not ready to handle orders directly yet. ■

HangerWare Inc. Tel.: 415-342-5560 Email: sales@hangerware.com Website: www.hangerware.com

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new products Scentco Rolls Out New Line UP UNTIL January, Scentco, Inc. was known for its school fundraising product, scented pencils known as “Smencils.” Now a vibrant, newly redesigned line of pencils, markers, gel pens, and soon, stuffed animals, is available for retailers. “We brought everything on trend and put a lot of design effort into the products. They have a fresh, fun, new look,” explains Sales Director, Brandie Bowers, who is energized about the changes.

New designs One new addition is birthday Smencils, available in five colors with a happy birthday message, and a cupcake scent which lasts for up to two years. They come in individual tubes and open with a colorful plastic top, with an image of a cupcake. “They are such a nice, little gift, and we are finding that a lot of customers use them as present toppers. They are also great teacher gifts,” says Bowers. There are also seasonal Smencils for Halloween, spring, and the holidays. The popular product is still used for fundraising as well. Also new are Smarkers, gourmetscented markers representing a tempting array of sweets: bubble gum, ice cream, soda and cupcakes, to name a few. Gel pens are also hot right now, explains Bower, and the new glitter line of Smens comes in sets of five bright and sweet colors. Smens are also available in black and metallic gel inks. Rounding out the offering are Smanimals, little critters that each reside in their own egg-shaped container, including a mint chocolate chipmunk and an “orangeutan.” There are 10 in all. 70

May 2014 | INDEPENDENT RETAILER

Though the products are geared for tweens, adults love them too, notes Bowers. “There is an endearing quality to the line. People get so exited and engaged.” They also transcend boundaries as far as retail fit. “There is nowhere they can’t go, because everyone needs a pen or pencil, and the addition of scent opens them up to any place that sells sweets, from candy stores to ice cream shops,” Bowers notes.

Recycled fun Every Scentco product has some aspect of green design, and the Smencils and Smens barrels are made from recycled newspaper. The erasers are biodegradable, and the plastic on the pens is recycled. The tubes are made of biodegradable corn plastic, so even the packaging is environmentally friendly.

Buying details The graphite Smencils come in a cylinder of 40 pencils with 10 scents (four of each scent) for $34, or 85 cents per pencil. The minimum quantity is one cylinder, and the suggested retail is keystone. The five-pack display with 20 sets of five assorted Smencils is $70, and the minimum order is one display. Smanimals come in minimum order quantities of two at $7.50 each. Download a catalog for dozens of other products and display combinations at scentcoinc. com/retail-catalog/. ■

Scentco, Inc. 8640 Argent Street, Santee, CA 92071 Toll Free: 1-866-763-6245 Tel: 619-582-9900 • Fax: 619-582-4500 Email: placemyorder@scentcoinc.com Website: www.scentcoinc.com

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new products HempMedsPX Hemp Oil Products MOVE OVER, blueberries. HempMedsPX hopes to introduce consumers to a new superfood: hemp oil derived from industrial hemp that is rich in cannabidiols (CBD) and other healthy constituents. Extracted from a cultivar of the same species as marijuana (Cannabis sativa), hemp oil is enjoying massive sales growth across the country as consumer attitudes toward hemp products changes, and people begin to realize the health benefits of consuming hemp oil, according to Charles Vest, vp of communications. “Hemp seed oil is known to be rich in omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids, and hemp protein is an easily digestible complete vegetable protein, which means it contains all of the essential amino acids,” Vest explains. “When it comes to the over 65 cannabinoids unique to hemp, more and more people are doing their research and deciding to include natural cannabinoids in their diets.” HempMedsPX makes this easy, with a complete line of CBD-rich products, including tinctures, oils and capsules, plus a complete line of personal care products and a CBD-enriched gum.

Commitment to quality Environmentally conscious consumers will also be happy to know that HempMedsPX plants are all grown on sustainable family farms around the world. During processing, the plants and hemp oil go through a rigorous quality control process that ensures “consistency from seed to sale.” Hemp grown for HempMedsPX is very different from the cannabis grown and marketed as medical mari72

May 2014 | INDEPENDENT RETAILER

juana, which is bred for low levels of CBD and high levels of the psychoactive THC. Industrial hemp has very low THC, meaning it is legal to distribute CBDcontaining products and hemp oil in all fi ft y states. “HempMedsPX provides the world with the first mainstream CBD-rich hemp oil products,” Vest points out. “Hemp is considered a super food, and is gaining popularity across the globe. As a result, our product lines are expanding rapidly based on consumer demand, and changing attitudes toward hemp in general. Now is the time for companies to be on the cutting edge of nutritional supplements.”

Buying details The HempMedsPX line of products can be ordered by phone, or through the company’s website, which includes a section devoted to wholesale customers. The product lineup includes the popular Cibdex tincture drops and Real Scientific Hemp Oil (RSHO), as well as Cibaderm personal products and CanChew Gum. The company also offers product displays and marketing support. HempMedsPX and retailers selling hemp oil products cannot make medical claims about the benefits of these products, due to regulations from the Food and Drug Administration. They are considered food or nutritional supplements. ■

HempMedsPX 4901 Morena Blvd. Suite 701, San Diego, CA 92117 Toll Free: 800-827-9052 Website: www.hempmedspx.com

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I NDEPENDENT R ETAILER.com | May 2014

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product trends LuvaLamps: Lighting Fixture & Puzzle LUVALAMPS ARE Danish-designed lighting fixtures that also happen to be 3-D puzzles. “It is an interesting combination,” says Jon Scheerz, president of Product Hunters, Inc., which distributes the lamps. “They started back in the ‘70s as a holiday decoration in pure white, then over the years added 18 solid colors. The past couple of years, LuvaLamps has gone gangbusters, introducing 40 different patterns and print designs. “What is hot right now? Chevron prints,” notes Scheerz, though perhaps a little of everything: psychedelic, funky, animal prints, polka dots. The prints are also great when mixed with bright, solid colors.

Interlocking puzzle pieces LuvaLamps are made from 100 percent post-consumer plastics, including their own leftovers. Every piece of waste plastic is shredded and melted down to make the next piece. Another unique feature of these lights is that they are created from interlocking translucent plastic puzzle pieces. The plastic is a lightweight, heatresistant polypropylene. The basic LuvaLamp kit includes 30 puzzle pieces, and instructions on how to make more than 20 different designs. There are also instructional videos on the LuvaLamp website. “They are super easy,” says Sheerz. “The product is centered around it being easy enough for kids to put together.”

May 2014 | INDEPENDENT RETAILER

Creative lighting Among the biggest markets are children. “They really have developed an eye for what they like for their rooms, and also change that over the years. LuvaLamps can grow with them, from their pink days to their boy band days.” They are also popular in college dorms, with a new collegiate line in team colors. Then there are the sculptural animal designs that include a 3-D fish and a turtle, which are favorites with both kids and adults. There are so many possibilities, from home decor to weddings, and special events to outdoor lighting.

Buying details The lamps are sold two ways. There are poly-bagged 30-piece kits for retailers at fairs or kiosks, who plan to build lamps and hang them on display. Colors and patterns can be mixed, with a minimum of 24 bags. They are also available in retail packaging for gift and other retail stores, with a 24 package minimum. There are three sizes for the basic round lamps: 10”, 13”, and 17”. The light cord that comes with the kits is for indoor use only, and customers can purchase outdoor cords separately. The lamps work with 40-watt light bulbs, 33-watt CFL bulbs, or 25-watt LED bulbs. ■

LuvaLamps Product Hunters, Inc. 6946 Van Nuys Blvd., Suite 204, Van Nuys, CA 91405 Tel.: 818-939-1193 • Email: info@luvalamps.com Web: www.luvalamps.com

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Closeouts / liquidations Merchandising Liquidation Products LIQUIDATION PRODUCTS can be more challenging to merchandise than brand-new, factory packaged goods, but they can also be highly profitable. Great merchandising of liquidation products can make the difference between a successful discount store and one that struggles to turn a profit. Following are some key techniques to help liquidation retailers that Santa Fe Seconds, a California based trio of wildly successful discount stores, launched in 2000 and implemented in their retail operations.

Display what you have Liquidation discount stores do not require you to have a full size run of every style item. When you buy mixed lots, it is perfectly okay to display everything you have on a wall, and let customers look around and select what they want, with a â&#x20AC;&#x153;what you see is what we haveâ&#x20AC;? display.

May 2014 | INDEPENDENT RETAILER

by Nathania Stambouli

Put seasonal items front & center Holidays are always a time of increased shopping, and it is very important to always source a percentage of seasonal products and display them prominently. This immediately brings the buyer into the buying spirit, so they will spend not only on the seasonal items they have just seen, but also on all of your other attractive offers.

Never underestimate impulse items Make sure you always have a selection of impulse items at your checkout counter to engage customers as they wait to pay for their purchases. Impulse items can consist of food or snacks, and small items like jewelry, cosmetics, batteries or other small, daily-use items. Add impulse items to your checkout locations and watch your average invoice amount increase instantly. continued on page 80

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Closeouts / liquidations continued from page 80

being told an item is “as-is” without knowing what might be wrong with it.

Store credit only When dealing with liquidation items, if customers are not familiar with the fact that they may have damaged packaging or be otherwise imperfect, your requests for returns might be higher than usual. It is absolutely acceptable to offer store credit in place of refunds, keeping your customers happy without making a big dent in your bottom line.

Missing items? No problem It is a common misconception that you can’t sell items in a retail store that are missing parts, or otherwise imperfect. Here is a clever method to inform customers of missing units: on an item’s packaging, make a note of how many units are missing from a set. It is then clear to the customer what he is going to get, instead of simply

No box? No problem Liquidation products often come without an original retail box, or with a box that is in poor condition. If a dinnerware set is missing its original packaging, for example, shrink-wrap the items to keep them together and still sell them as a complete set. At the end of the day, your customer is not buying a retail box, but rather looking for a good deal.

Deals, deals, deals Two-fer deals are always a great way to move more inventory while offering discounts to your customers. Santa Fe Seconds has clean, professional signage next to its merchandise, offering “2 for x” and “3 for x” deals. Do not be afraid to get creative. continued on page 82

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Highlight clearance items Most retail stores place their clearance section somewhere in the back of the store, so it does not detract from the rest of their more profitable inventory. Try the opposite route. Place your clearance items by the front door so that every customer who walks in or out has to look at it. This guarantees higher exposure for those items, and increases the likelihood that they will sell faster.

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If the square footage of your store permits, consider providing shopping carts. The more customers are physically able to carry, the higher the likelihood that they will buy multiple items. If shopping carts are not an option, shopping baskets can also be helpful. Equip yourself for the sales you would like to make.

Toot your horn Invest in a big, clear sign to define the entrance of your store. Many discount stores make do with a vinyl banner that eventually succumbs to weather and ends up hanging by continued on page 84

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Closeouts / liquidations Merchandising Liquidation Products

Communicate

continued from page 82 a thread. An attractive sign can bring in buyers who are just passing by (great return on investment), and creates brand recognition in your neighborhood.

Recycle displays Just like you can use shipping bins to create a rummage sale in front of your store, you can also recycle other display units to highlight certain products. Santa Fe Seconds uses standard grid wall units to display sunglasses. They are cheap, effective and easy, and best of all, they are reusable for other merchandise down the line.

Your store setup should ideally show your new arrivals and your highlighted items in its merchandising, but you may receive too many new items to highlight physically in the space. Peg boards or digital TV displays are great for communicating your latest arrivals, the original retail price of the item, and the great low price at which your customers can buy it. For more information about Santa Fe Seconds, visit santafeseconds.com. ■ Nathania Stambouli is marketing manager for Via Trading Corp, a Los Angeles based wholesale liquidator. The firm specializes in supplying independent retailers of all types and sizes with cost-effective liquidated merchandise from the nation’s leading department stores and specialty retailers. In addition to providing a reliable stream of profitable inventory, Via Trading offers independent retailers a wide array of resources to assist in growing their businesses. For more information, visit viatrading.com.

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tradeshows Norton Shows Offer Personal Touch FOR 27 years, Nortonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Apparel, Jewelry, and Gift Market has been all about the personal touch. That is sure to be the case once again June 7-9, when the allseason wholesale market returns to its home base, the Gatlinburg Convention Center. â&#x20AC;&#x153;So many of our exhibitors tell us we are their favorite show, and they feel like they are part of the Norton family,â&#x20AC;? says Nikke Norton, sole proprietor of Nortonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Gatlinburg Gift and Variety Show, LLC. She runs the show with her parents, Tom and Linda Norton, owners of the Gatlinburg Apparel and Jewelry Market, LLC. The joint shows will also be held again later this year, September 6-8 and November 15-17. Norton describes the mood of the event as, â&#x20AC;&#x153;very relaxed and laid back.â&#x20AC;? There is always live music,

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All exhibitors offer order-writing and cash-and-carry, which Linda calls, â&#x20AC;&#x153;wildly popular and preferred by our family of exhibitors and buyers.â&#x20AC;? She had buyers filling several dollies at once with merchandise at the last show; others have been known to come in on the last day and clean out booths to stock up their stores.

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continued from page 92 a trend spotter, and eagerly offers an insider’s view of what’s hot for summer. “The colors right now are coral and aqua. They are everywhere. And the number one seller is leggings in bright colors and patterns.” As far as jewelry, she says, “We are talking huge, chunky pieces with crystals and lots of bling,” like pieces from jewelry designer exhibitor, Renee Tompkins of Puttin’ On the Glitz. For the feet, there are peep-toe stilettos to go with the leggings. The accessory Norton can’t get enough of? Jeweled handbags by another exhibitor, Raviani. Norton is also seeing diversification across the show’s buyers, with retail business owners becoming increasingly savvy about ancillary products they can carry to grow their businesses. “I’m seeing hair salons, for example, incorporating jewelry into their businesses, or headbands with crystals. There is a new niche of smart businesses out there that are broadening what they buy.”

Registration The Norton Shows are open to the trade only. Store owners do not have to pre-register to attend, but it is advised. To qualify and preregister, visit www.nortonshows. com/contact_us.html. For the latest updates on exhibitors and show news, visit the Norton Shows’ Facebook page, www.facebook. com/pages/The-Norton-ShowsApparel-Jewelry-Gift-MarketLLC/153815107990393. ■

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tradeshows New York Toy Fair Top Trends In 2014

by Adrienne Appell

ANYONE WHO has been to the American International Toy Fair in New York City will agree that opening day is a lot like Christmas morning, with many exciting things to see. This year’s show certainly did not disappoint. Hundreds of thousands of amazing new toys, games and youth entertainment products from more than 1,150 companies filled a record breaking 414,060 net square feet of exhibit space. The opportunities for discovery and play were nearly endless. From e-connected toys and classic board games to outdoor ride-ons and customizable arts and crafts, the show provided toy buyers with unique, eye catching options for their stores. With thousands of playthings launched at Toy Fair, it can be a bit daunting to stay on top of all that is new and different. The Toy Industry Association (TIA) trends team meets throughout the year with toy companies, reviews products, and tracks new and emerging trends, both within the toy world and across other

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industries. The top trends of 2014 were showcased during a presentation at Toy Fair that provided attendees with an overview of the key product types that are expected to drive toy sales through Holiday 2014. “Customization” and “open-ended play” are the catch phrases for 2014. Toymakers are increasingly giving kids more freedom than ever to play exactly how they want, whether building with classic blocks, designing their own dolls, playing in virtual worlds, or mashing up different play patterns. These value packed playthings are available in a variety of price points, and following is the TIA’s summary of the top trends of the year:

Larger than life Expect to see a lot of large-sized toys that pack big play value. Not all of these toys come with hefty price tags. The Larger Than Life trend features a range of price points, from the very affordable to splurge items. Viewed by TIA’s continued on page 98

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continued from page 96 trend experts as a counter balance to the micro-sized toy trend, these Larger Than Life toys can be found in just about every category, from plush and playsets to RC and building toys.

Full STEAM ahead This trend is all about educational toys that teach or reinforce concepts in science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM). Full Steam Ahead toys encourage kidsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; interests in STEAM subjects in a fun and engaging way, and may also introduce kids to new subjects and encourage curiosity and creativity. Families will find these toys in a range of categories, and for kids of all ages.

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Frightfully fun: zombies, monsters & more

Vampires were hot, but now zombies, monsters and ghouls are all the rage, and making their way to store shelves. Some of these toys have more of a storytelling component, so young kids can learn about the characters and relate to them, making them less scary. A â&#x20AC;&#x153;gross outâ&#x20AC;? factor or gothic fashion makes other items more appealing for older RC rampage 2014 is the year of the Radio Controlled boys and girls. The Frightfully Fun (RC) toy. Whether it is a traditional trend also includes detailed, licensed RC vehicle or an animal or skate- figures for older collectors, and trivia games based on popular TV shows, movies and video games.

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Retro / Back-to-Basics First identified in 2013, the Retro and Back-to-Basics trend is alive and well in 2014. There are a ton of retro toys that todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s parents and grandparents remember fondly from their childhoods, and are excited to share with their children, making them terrific choices for families to bond and play together. In addition to rereleases and refreshed toys, there are also a lot of fun, classic toys that are mostly low-tech, and allow families to â&#x20AC;&#x153;switch off â&#x20AC;? from technology. This trend reinforces the fact that classic play patterns remain the same, and just as popular over time.

Custom built Building on the construction trend that has been popular for several years, 2014 takes creating to a whole new continued on page 100

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tradeshows continued from page 98 level. In addition to building and construction toys, the Custom Built trend includes toys that allow kids to make and customize their playthings to reflect their unique tastes, styles and imaginations. The trend extends way beyond the construction toy aisle, and crosses into action figures, puzzles, arts & crafts, and more. Two sub-categories exist within the overarching trend: The Mash Up sub-trend speaks to toys that have been â&#x20AC;&#x153;custom madeâ&#x20AC;? in unique ways, and incorporate many uses or ways to play in one. For example, an arts and craft puzzle, a board game that combines role play, or a building set that can become a collectible. These toys engage kids by allowing them to choose how they would like to play, and also appeal to value conscious parents because they continue to engage kids at different ages and stages. Fashion Forward fashionistas have many reasons to celebrate, as store shelves begin to fill with DIY sets that let kids make their own accessories and fashion dolls that can be styled in a personalized way. In addition,

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we are seeing realistic looking building sets, dollhouses, and play sets with fashionable interiors, igniting the creativity of future designers everywhere. With so many retail toy buyers from around the globe in attendance at Toy Fair 14, it will be no surprise to see these trends featured prominently on toy store shelves worldwide between now and the holiday shopping season. Stay in the loop on all things related to toys and play, and mark your calendar for the 112th American International Toy Fair, February 14-17, 2015 at the Jacob K. Javits Center in New York City. Registration information will be available at www.ToyFairNY.com in the coming months. For information on toys and trends throughout the year, visit TIAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s consumer website, www.ToyInfo.org. â&#x2013; Adrienne Appell is a Toy Trend Specialist and Senior Manager of Public Relations at the Toy Industry Association. Appell has more than 10 years of experience in the toy/youth industry. She maintains close communication with representatives of TIAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s member toy companies, to stay abreast of what is new, next and cutting-edge in the toy industry.

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Proudly Serving the Industry Since 1976

4115 W. Lawrence Ave.,Chicago, IL 60630

Ph 773-286-1448 Visit us at: www.pioneertradingco.net pioneer.ptc@gmail.com

."%& */ 45&3-*/( 4*-7&3 "/% "''03%"#-& #3"44 t $"-- 50%":

Phone: 443-416-0208 Email: Sales@hiphopjewelrywholesale.com

Minimum Order $200.00

I NDEPENDENT R ETAILER.com | May 2014

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tradeshow calendar MAY 9-11

Gem, Jewelry & Lapidary Trade Show Watauga Festival Center Franklin, NC

601-879-8832 www.glwshows.com

MAY 9-11

Great American Gem Show - InterGem Royal Plaza Trade Center Marlborough, MA

MAY 9-11

MAY 16-19

Memphis Cook Convention Center Memphis, TN

New Orleans Morial Convention Center New Orleans, LA

800-541-8171, 630-241-9865 ext. 22 www.helenbrett.com

Mid-South Jewelry & Accessories Fair - Spring

MAY 17-20

MAY 13-13

The Heritage Cash & Carry Wholesale Market Allen County Memorial Coliseum Fort Wayne, IN

301-294-1640 www.intergem.net

International Jewelry Fair / General Merchandise Show - Spring

717-249-9404 www.heritagemarkets.com

International Contemporary Furniture Fair Jacob K. Javits Convention Center New York, NY

914-421-3200, 800-272-7469 www.glmshows.com, www.icff.com

MAY 18-21

National Stationery Show

MAY 9-11

Great American Gem Show - InterGem Franklin County Veterans Memorial Columbus, OH

MAY 16-18

Great American Gem Show - InterGem Dulles Expo Center Chantilly, VA

301-294-1640 www.intergem.net

Jacob K. Javits Convention Center New York, NY

914-421-3394, 800-272-7469 www.glmshows.com, www. nationalstationeryshow.com

continued on page 102

WHOLESALE MEDICAL SCRUBS AND MORE! Off-Price & Discount Merchandise for Uniform Stores, Direct Sellers, Online Retailers & Variety Stores

Value Sets

Famous Maker Print Tops

Name Brand Pants

Value Print Tops

Shop at our Warehouse in NC by Appointment, M-Fri 8-5 and Sat 9-12.

Footwear In Stock Sets...Buy the Size and Color you need

WHOLESALE ONLY! Designer Look Alike Clogs

Chef Wear

Sheehan Sales, Inc. 3BMFJHI /$ t &NBJM JOGP!TIFFIBOTBMFT PSH

102

May 2014 | INDEPENDENT RETAILER

Lab Coats

800-849-9949 www.WholesaleNursingScrubs.com

We Specialize in Helping New Businesses Get Started. CALL US TODAY!

Go Back to www.IndependentRetailer.com

Look what Wholesale Gem and Jewelry Trade Shows are coming up!

2014 Dates

glwshows.com Orlando, FL May 2, 3 & 4, 2014 Osceola Heritage Park 1901 Chief Osceola Trail, Kissamee, FL 34744

Franklin, NC May 9, 10 & 11 2014 Watauga Fesival Center 426 Watauga Road, Franklin, NC 28734-2324

Gem & Lapidary Wholesalers, Inc. *°"°Ê ÝÊ nÊUÊ À>]Ê -ÊÎ äÇ£ ää n

* i\ÊÈä£®ÊnÇ nnÎÓ

Asheville, NC ............ ......................January 7-8 Orlando, FL....................... .......January 10-11-12 Tucson, AZ .............. .....................February 1-14 Minneapolis, MN ............................March 30-31 Livonia (Detroit), MI...........................April 4-5-6 Chicago, IL......................................April 9-10-11 West Springfield, MA ........................April 25-26 Orlando, FL.........................................May 2-3-4 Franklin, NC.......................................May 9-10-11 Livonia (Detroit), MI.........................July 18-19-20 Franklin, NC................................July 24-25-26-27 Spruce Pine, NC......................... July 31-Aug. 1-2-3 Tucson, AZ ....................... .......September 4-5-6-7 Minneapolis, MN ...................... September 28-29 Livonia (Detroit), MI........................October 3-4-5 West Springfield, MA .................. ...October 10-11 Asheville, NC .................... .............October 21-22 Orlando, FL................................October 24-25-26

>Ý\ÊÈä£®ÊnÇ ÎÓnÓÊUÊ > Ê Ê v J} ÜÃ ÜÃ°V

***Dates are Subject to Change***

LICENSED T-SHIRTS Rock, Reggae, Novelty & More! Stickers, Patches & Flags Too!

T-Shirts are available by the piece ($100 minimum) or in money-saving pre-pack assortments.

THIS MONTH’S SPECIALS! 100 ASSORTED 100 ROCK T-SHIRTS 100 ASSORTED METAL BAND ENTERTAINMENT & NOVELTY FOR $299 TEES FOR $399 An Assortment Of Classic, Heavy Artists include Metallica, Slayer, T-SHIRTS FOR $199 Featuring movie & TV themes as well as assorted novelty designs

Metal, Alternative, And Current Rock Artists And Bands

Iron Maiden, Avenged 7X and more.

For more info check out our website catalog, with over 4,000 photos!

BACKSTAGE FASHION

DISC VER NETWORK

Cards ®

® www.backstage-fashion.com 1-800-644-ROCK (7625) I NDEPENDENT R ETAILER.com | May 2014

103

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tradeshow calendar SUMNERCOMMUNICATIONS www.sumnercom.com

MAY cont’d continued from page 102

MAY 29-31

Book Expo America Jacob K. Javits Center New York, NY

203-840-5380, 800-840-5614 www.bookexpoamerica.com

MAY 29 - JUN 1

Las Vegas Jewelry & Watch Show The Paris Hotel Las Vegas, NV

239-732-6642 www.glmshows.com, lasvegasantiquejewelryandwatchshow.com

JUN 22-24

Miami International Mart Show

RETAILER

California Market Center Los Angeles, CA

Miami International Mart Miami Gardens, FL

/C[ r 8QN r 0Q

800-cal-mart (225-6278), 213-630-3737 www.californiamarketcenter.com

305-624-6623 www.martofmiami.com

Los Angeles Footwear & Accessories Show

JUN 8-10

Minneapolis Mart Home & Gift Show Minneapolis Mart Minneapolis, MN

800-626-1298, 952-932-7200 www.mplsmart.com

JUN 13-15

Great American Gem Show InterGem Santa Monica Civic Auditorium Santa Monica, CA

MAY 30 - JUN 1

Great American Gem Show InterGem San Mateo County Event Center San Mateo, CA

301-294-1640 www.intergem.net

MAY 30 - JUN 1

Great American Gem Show InterGem Minnesota State Fairgrounds St. Paul, MN

301-294-1640 www.intergem.net

MAY 30 - JUN 2 The JCK Show - Las Vegas Mandalay Bay Convention Center Las Vegas, NV

203-840-5684, 800-257-3626 www.jcklasvegasshow.com

301-294-1640 www.intergem.net

INDEPENDENTRETAILER.com

PUBLISHER Bill McNulty billm@sumnercom.com 1-800-999-8281 ext. 111 @BMcNultyCT

JUN 27-29

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER

Great American Gem Show InterGem

Ronald A. Fisher raf@sumnercom.com 1-800-999-8281 ext. 107

Timonium Fairgrounds Timonium, MD

EDITORS

301-294-1640 www.intergem.net

JUN 27-29

Great American Gem Show InterGem Pasadena Convention Center Pasadena, CA

301-294-1640 www.intergem.net

Corryn Henry corrynh@sumnercom.com Barbara Scoﬁdio barbaras@sumnercom.com Jon VanZile jonv@sumnercom.com

PRODUCTION Robert Siel, Director robs@sumnercom.com Tracy Biagiarelli tracy@sumnercom.com Luke Calzone lukec@sumnercom.com

CIRCULATION

JUN 17-18

Northstar Fashion Exhibitors Hyatt Regency - 1300 Nicollet Mall Minneapolis, MN

763-546-8717 www.northstarfashion.com

JUN 27-29

San Antonio Wholesale Jewelry, Gift & Accessory Show San Antonio Event Center San Antonio, TX

512-261-4223 www.parkertradeshow.com

JUN 17-19

Licensing International Expo Mandalay Bay Convention Center Las Vegas, NV

888-644-2022, 212-951-6612 www.licensingexpo.com

JUN 20-22

Great American Gem Show InterGem Reliant Center at Reliant Park Houston, TX

301-294-1640 www.intergem.net

Lisa Evans lisae@sumnercom.com Virginia Ramirez virginia@sumnercom.com

COMPTROLLERS Nancy Savarese nancy@sumnercom.com Kate Kulenski katek@sumnercom.com

PUBLISHING OFFICES

Charlotte Merchandise Mart Charlotte, NC

Sumner Communications, Inc. 24 Stony Hill Road Bethel, CT 06801-1166 Phone: (203) 748-2050 FA X: (203) 748-5932 IndependentRetailer.com

704-377-5881 www.charlottegiftshow.com

SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION

JUN 28-30

Charlotte Gift & Jewelry Show

JUN 30 - JUL 1

Midwest Market Days Chicago Regent Showroom, 8999 Palmer St. River Grove, IL

916-376-9437 www.midwestmarketdays.com

JUN 6-8

JUN 20-22

Great American Gem Show InterGem

JUN 30 - JUL 2

Suburban Collection Showplace Novi, MI

Greater Philadelphia Expo at Oaks Philadelphia, PA

TransWorld Merchandise Center Des Plaines, IL

301-294-1640 www.intergem.net

312-201-3800 www.twmerchcenter.com

Great American Gem Show InterGem

INDEPENDENT

JUN 8-10

July Midwest Market Days

r 24 per year; 50 for 1st cl. r 48 for 2 years; 95 for 1st cl. r Canadian subscriptions 40. U.S. funds (Canadian 1st cl. 60) r 2NGCUG CNNQY FC[U HQT ɛTUV issue. For current issue Yith subscription add 7.00. r Individual Copies 7.00 ea. Email: lisae@sumnercom.com Phone: (203) 748-2050 ext. 127 Independent Retailer is published monthly by Sumner Communications, Inc., 24 Stony Hill Road, Bethel, CT 06801, telephone (203) 748-2050. Send all inquiries, letters, and submissions to above address. Entire contents are copyright 2014 by Sumner Communications, Inc. Printed in the United States of America. Independent Retailer (USPS 011-867) Periodicals Postage paid at Bethel, CT and at additional mailing ofﬁces. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Independent Retailer, 24 Stony Hill Road, Bethel, CT 06801. Publisher reserves the right to refuse any advertising, editorial or manuscripts that publisher deems inappropriate.

104

May 2014 | INDEPENDENT RETAILER

www.sumnercom.com

Go Back to www.IndependentRetailer.com

I NDEPENDENT R ETAILER.com | May 2014

105

Go Back to www.IndependentRetailer.com TM

Designer Eyewear

DE5056 XS562 XS137

DE5045

XS118 DE5077

XS7018 XS120

– WAYFARERS –

Hottest Sellers! 8028

32317

8084

31117

Biggest Selection!

DE733

8034

8093

SUNGLASSES STARTING AT $8.00/dozen R9003

R9013

R9015

READING GLASSES Starting at $8/dz

R9008

Di6010

12210

R9032

8225

8142 Di6008

26910

6046

6039

30917

9065

33613

Di6006

HATS/CAPS STARTING AT $2.50/ea A101

A100

A112

R9018

R9022

Di118

Di143

Di145

R9031

NEW PRODUCTS

Di524

Di135

R9001

A113

C153 C5164 C135 C123 3-D Embroidered Caps Adjustable Sizing High Quality Material Low Wholesale Prices

L106

A LE S E RS OL W H I G HT E L OI L

L102

7079

L146

L185

L141

Visit Our Online Catalog ~ Items Change Frequently

www.CTSwholesaleSunglasses.com • 1-800-796-3486 106

WE ARE THE DIRECT IMPORTER!

May 2014 | INDEPENDENT RETAILER

VICES IAL SER

CAR

Cards

FINANC

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I NDEPENDENT R ETAILER.com | May 2014

107

Go Back to www.IndependentRetailer.com POSTMASTER: Please Send Address Changes to:

Independent Retailer 24 Stony Hill Road Bethel, CT 06801-1166 05-14