Retail Update
Susan Dickenson, Retail Editor, Home Accents Today, Twitter: @susandickenson
Buying momentum continues in Las Vegas
AS THE RETAIL and interior design business continues its slow-but-steady acceleration following a strong end to 2011, buyers in Las Vegas last week responded with shopping lists and open minds. Those interviewed by Home Accents Today Monday morning hit the World Market Center campus early, where we found them running to appointments, looking for inspiration, and fishing for fresh finds. Interestin... Read More
Comments (0)Lights, camera... action!
DURING THE FIRST HALF of March, the National Retail Federation will be accepting submissions for its "Best Retail Story in America" video contest. On April 2, the top 20 videos (selected by a judging panel of retail executives) will be announced and posted online for public voting. In mid-May, three finalists will be flown to the NRF's Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C., where the... Read More
Comments (2)Great mood at retail: Stores restock in Atlanta following strong year-end
ATLANTA - If they're not coming off their best year or holiday selling season "ever," retailers shopping Americasmart this week say their businesses have finally taken a solid turn for the better. As a result, they're here with money to spend, and they're spending it on tried-and-true favorites, along with new lines, add-on categories and "one-of-a-kinds." (Written with Gifts &... Read More
Comments (1)Retailers share game-changing strategies at Furniture Today conference
In December, 350 furniture manufacturers and retailers listened to and participated in a series of "Game Changer" themed presentations at the 14th annual Furniture Today Leadership Conference. The event, held at the Ritz-Carlton Beach resort in Naples, Fla., included two and a half days of seminar programs and networking; a salute to Havertys, Furniture Today's Retailer of the Year; and... Read More
Comments (0)2nd retail 'Workshop at Macy's' now accepting applications
In this month's retail profile of Nyla Simone Home, shopowner Maria Benson mentions the contacts she's made as a result of participating in this year's inaugural retail "Workshop at Macy's," a business development program that identifies and mentors "up and coming minority- and women-owned businesses." As a participant, Maria spent a week at Macy's headquarters in New York netw... Read More
Comments (1)Keith Granet's 'The Business of Design' - how to run an interior design biz, develop and license products
For more than 30 years, Keith Granet has advised designers on everything from billing, branding and marketing, to product development and licensing. At the October High Point Market, Granet spoke to a packed IHFC ballroom, sharing insights and experiences along with excerpts from his new book, The Business of Design, Balancing Creativity and Profitability (Princeton Architectural Press, 2011).Most... Read More
Comments (5)Market brings out 'the best'
This past October's High Point Market was one of my favorites to date. The weather was great, energy was positive, moods were upbeat, and it just seemed really busy. For the first time since I began making the twice-a-year commutes over from Greensboro, I found myself stalled in some pretty significant traffic backups.In fact, this market produced quite a few significant moments for me - I learned... Read More
Comments (0)Helping the homeless: Greensboro College, Middle College, IRC and Furniture Banks
A few nights ago, I attended a Hunger Banquet at Greensboro College. I was welcomed by a young man who invited me to choose my "station" ticket from a box, which would determine where and what I would be fed.I reached in and pulled out a "Middle-Income" ticket, which entitled me to a chair, a plate of rice, salad, a fork, and all the clean water I could drink. The "Lower-I... Read More
Comments (4)Black Friday backlash
Is Black Friday threatening to become Grey Thursday? Maybe not. As the number of major retailers planning to open at or before midnight grows, so does the backlash from employees who have taken to petitioning against the shortening of America's sacred turkey day. A "Tell Target to Save Thanksgiving" e-petition, started by a Nebraska Target employee a couple of weeks ago, now has more tha... Read More
Comments (2)2011 Holiday Retail Forecasts: sampling the samples
It's no surprise that holiday retail forecasts are quite a mixed bag this year. Economic indicators are all over the place: unemployment claims are falling but so is consumer confidence, stock indices are up and down, foreclosure rates are rising as the housing market shows signs of improving.So, instead of posting just one or two retail forecasts, I decided to sample the samplers, consultants and... Read More
Comments (8)Store openings - Kardashian Khaos at The Mirage, Chris Burch's C. Wonder, Norris in Naples, Megan Winters and more
LAS VEGAS - Kardashian Khaos, a lifestyle boutique, has soft-opened at The Mirage. The 1,100-sq.-ft. shop offers gifts, accessories and souvenirs designed by the Kardashian sisters. A decorative focal point is a custom chandelier created by California-based Trend Lighting. From Trend's Pantages chandelier series, the fixture is 48" diameter and made of hundreds of individual braided glass ar... Read More
Comments (8)Retailers, Tap your 'publicity sweet spot'
Business consultant Jon Schallert gave an informative and lively seminar presentation at last month's American Lighting Association Conference in which he shared stories and advice from years of teaching retailers and entrepreneurs how to turn their businesses into "dominant consumer destinations."His "14 Destination Business Principles," shared via seminars, online training an... Read More
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