OASIS Gift Show Promises New Products, Purchases and Promotions

Importers, wholesale distributors and retailers recognize domestic and international tradeshows to be a leading resource for top market trends and key business contacts. One such highly anticipated event is the OASIS Gift Show established by the Organization of Associated Salespeople in the Southwest, Inc. (OASIS), a gift trade association representing the manufacturing, sales and distribution side of the giftware industry. An annual show, the OASIS Gift Show, held in Phoenix, AZ, is going to kick off the new year from Thursday, Jan. 26 to Saturday,... 

Are Mobile Shoppers Purchasing Your Products?

National news sources and even IndependentRetailer.com have not only followed the growth of mobile marketing (smartphone and tablet) throughout 2011, but have declared it as one of the fastest growing browsing and shopping channels of the year. As a result, this increasingly popular marketing platform is now influencing retail industry forecasts for 2012. Yet there are some retailers who might ask, “Will mobile marketing serve a purpose for me?” Stores magazine columnist, Susan Reda, writes, “Much of the excitement around mobile isn’t [even]... 

Gift Card Top Choice for Holiday Gift Giving

Gift cards continue to be a popular item for consumers. Javelin Strategy & Research reported in 2009 that 61 percent of U.S. consumers used gift or prepaid cards, and in 2011 there was a surge in websites charging 50 to 95 percent of the value of unused and unwanted gift cards, drawing consumers with discounted prices fit for most budgets. Now, as the holiday season is well underway and many shoppers are doing their last minute shopping, gift cards have found themselves at the top of the shopping list, fit for the stockings of those hard to... 

Retailers Look for Legislative Support in Addressing Government Regulations

A recent Gallup poll found that compliance with government regulations is an increasing concern, even above consumer confidence, for today’s small business owners. As PR Newswire reports, “According to government research, small businesses spend around 36 percent more than larger businesses to comply with federal regulations.” As a result, Congress’ approval of the Regulatory Accountability Act and the Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act has become a crucial first step toward returning balance to the federal rulemaking process... 

Mobile Marketing a Crucial Part to Holiday Shopping

Many independent retailers have come to terms with the fact that consumers flock to the Internet, whether it be via PC or mobile browsing, for product information and purchasing options. But for those smaller businesses holding out on mobile opportunities, the “Back to School” shopping season confirmed the change in consumer shopping trends. A survey commissioned by Deloitte and conducted by an independent research company picked up an increasing trend among parents shopping for this year’s school supplies, in which nearly two-thirds of the... 

Continuous Campaigning to Boost Local and Small Business Awareness

Similarly experiencing food and fuel price increases, and other economic strains, North American neighbors, Canada and America, are promoting two national campaigns to spur the many local economies taking a hit. With the help of the American Independent Business Alliance (AMIBA), on Nov. 19, communities and consumers will be urged to “unchain” for a day, maximizing the impact of their dollars and injecting potentially millions more into the local economy by shopping, dining out and visiting only locally-owned independent businesses. The America... 

Independent Retailers Can Capitalize on Small Business Saturday

American Express and independent retailers are asking American consumers to not only shop, but pledge their allegiance to local small businesses this holiday season. Over the years, Black Friday has become recognized for the flash mobs hunting for bargains and big name brands at big box retailers, while Cyber Monday has become a day for eCommerce giants to celebrate the increased checkouts among their digital shopping carts. Independents, however, have earned a day to showcase their unique merchandise, offer in-store specials and bring together... 

Retailers See Positive Signs in Higher Than Expected October Sales

October retail sales were higher than predicted across the board, a positive sign for retailers heading into the holiday season, the National Retail Federation reports, as sales increased 0.7 percent from September and 4.7 percent over October 2010. Data released today by the U.S. Commerce Department showed total retail sales increased 6.7 percent unadjusted year-over-year. According to the Wall Street Journal, economists surveyed by Dow Jones Newswires only forecasted a 0.1 percent increase in October. “October retail sales support the assertion... 

Small Businesses and Retailers Still Focused on Recession

The National Bureau of Economic Research declared the Great Recession over in 2009, but is forced to acknowledge the economy’s slow recovery as “the unemployment rate remains stubbornly high and durations of unemployment unprecedentedly long.” And while some U.S. citizens are gaining back a sense of a normal life, many families are still experiencing economic turmoil and in turn, tight budgets. It comes as no surprise that consumers directly affected by the Great Recession, or who know a family member, friend or neighbor still struggling with... 

Retail Continues to Find Its Way on Campus

Recently, NRF Foundation Chairman and CEO of the Container Store, Kip Tindell, encouraged retail entrepreneurs and employers to partner with the NRF Foundation in promoting the retail industry as a top career choice for recent graduates. He implored, “Join me and The Container Store, along with many other world class retailers, in making sure that many, many, many more of the best and brightest students coming out of school choose retail for their career.” Those organizations that joined became what Tindell calls, Retail Careers Employer Partners. The... 

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