In addition to Wholesale Central’s product feed integration, the new version of Pinnacle Cart includes new quality templates, an eCommerce widget, and Intuit integration that syncs directly to the user’s PC or online QuickBooks account.

Wholesale Central accepts product data feeds from thousands of the web’s leading wholesaler suppliers, and makes those products available to buyers from one convenient search box on its home page. “Wholesale Central was the first to offer such product aggregating and sourcing tools for the wholesale industry,” remarked Scott Sumner, CEO of Wholesale Central’s parent company, Sumner Communications. “Nearly half million wholesale buyers use this free tool each month. The automated Pinnacle Cart integration will now make it effortless for wholesalers to submit their product data, and is expected to dramatically increase the number of products available through our product search tool.”

The continually growing number of quality wholesale sources in the Internet’s original wholesale directory secures over half a million unique visits to the site each month. Wholesalers who include their products in the Wholesale Power Search have an unparalleled opportunity to increase their exposure to an audience of active buyers. With continuing innovation and extensive product offerings in over 50 major merchandise categories including: Apparel, Fashion Accessories, Jewelry, General Merchandise and Novelties. Wholesale Central commands top organic search rankings in all the major search engines, solidifying its position atop of the wholesale buying and selling industry.

Scott Sumner, CEO of WholesaleCentral.com’s parent company, Sumner Communications, shared, “We did an exhaustive survey of eCommerce products, and chose to partner with Pinnacle Cart due to its state-of-the-art features, superior ease of use, and dedication to PCI compliance. We are very pleased to now be a part of their outstanding eCommerce platform.”

Wholesale Central is a product of Sumner Communications, Inc., publisher of monthly trade magazines, directories, and websites serving the wholesale merchandise buying and selling industry since 1988. The company’s mission is to maintain its position as the number one online and print resource for the general merchandise industry, and to facilitate sales of wholesale products such as apparel, jewelry and novelties, with independent retailers, drop shippers, closeout distributors, eCommerce retailers and online auction dealers.

Between March 5 and 16, retail employees and business owners began submitting two-minute videos sharing their retail stories, and highlighting anything from the positive impact they’ve had on shoppers, to how an initiative within the business has helped to generate new jobs and boost the economy. After careful review, the NRF announced on April 2 the 20 finalists chosen for a final round of judging. While this first lot of finalists were determined by prominent retail executives at NRF member companies, the final round of voting was issued to the public, and began April 3.

Contest finalists ranged from small business owners to vice presidents at national retail chains, and from wine shops to sporting goods retailers. The selection process continued through April, as the 20 finalists went head-to-head in a bracket style tournament, narrowed down each week from 20 to 10 to five, and then the top three. During NRF’s Washington Leadership Conference this month, the third place winner of $10,000, second place winner of $15,000, and first place winner of $25,000 will be announced. “The incredible stories we heard from small business owners and employees through this contest serve as a reminder that retail is at the heart of every community,” explains Shay. “While each of these finalists has their own story, they collectively demonstrate the opportunities in and power of retail, which supports 42 million U.S. jobs.”

Store based retailers even found better success through their associated online business, as seen in the combined web sales of brick and mortar retailers, growing about 14.4 percent to $37.45 billion last year, from $32.73 billion in 2010.  Catalogers posted the lowest growth rate among all Top 500 merchant types in 2011, growing web sales with 13.1 percent year over year, to $6.58 billion from $5.82 billion. Web only merchants have seen a collective sales increase year over year of 35.6 percent, from $46.55 billion in 2010 to $63.11 billion in 2011. While the results include Amazon.com, whose sales grew nearly 41 percent last year, ecommerce merchants still saw recognizable growth. This story is adapted from an article on InternetRetailer.com.

Among some of the notable trends is that store brands are more important than ever, with natural, organic, and eco-friendly products continuing to advance. But as MarketWatch points out, “At the same time, many Americans remain budget strapped, and it’s essential that pet marketers and retailers respond to this mindset, as well as to the expectations of less cost-conscious pet owners.” As a result, in this market environment, it’s no accident that along with pet specialty retailers, price focused dollar stores and wholesale clubs have been growing their pet business. The best way to win customers, other than prices, is to effectively relate by recognizing that pet owners are more like pet parents. “Pet parenting, and the ensconcement of pets as members of the family, is more than just a trend. It is a long term societal shift, favoring even greater spending in the pet market for years to come,” emphasizes MarketWatch and the U.S. Pet Market Outlook. This article is adapted from a piece by MarketWatch.com.

That average included strong results from well-known retailers like Target and Macy’s, which both had increases of 7.3 percent, and the Gap, which boosted sales by eight percent. Results did not include giants such as Walmart, or New Jersey based retailers like The Children’s Place, which do not report monthly sales. According to the Boston Globe, “Apparel stores blew through estimates, with their sales rising 8.5 percent, versus the 4.9 percent analysts had expected.” “The clothing industry has just taken off,” says Chris Christopher, U.S. economist for research firm, HIS Global Insight. “The unseasonably warm weather that started in February,” he notes, “helped spring clothing sales, after dismal sales of winter clothes in January.”

Many analysts believe there is more than higher temperatures at play when it comes to the reason behind the increase in spending, especially as many Americans have been claiming they’ll be saving their tax refunds and staying in because of gas prices. One of the top reasons for this increase in retail revenue could be the improving job market. However, Joel Bines, managing director of the retail practice of AlixPartners, thinks, “There’s a growing belief we reached bottom a while ago. Rather than confidence that things have turned the corner, it’s confidence that things are unlikely to get worse from here.” Whatever the reason, retailers have been rewarded.

1) Engage the Senses. A store full of quality merchandise certainly helps drive foot traffic, but it also helps to engage the senses, so lights, sounds and even snacks may help. The buying experience then has an added entertainment factor. Stimulating a customer’s senses not only makes them more invested in the shopping experience, but may ensure a return visit, as they look to acquire the same experience over and over again.

2) Get The Message Out There. Many of your customers may be looking for a particular type of product, but there are also customers who are just browsing. This is where merchandising comes in. A well positioned salesperson or store helper can be placed throughout the store or near a particular display, to answer specific questions, or inquire about the customer’s interests, to steer them in the right direction. Presentation of shelves and displays plays a large part in perception. Are you doing all you can to entice customers at the point of purchase? Although merchandising displays are important, in-store marketing is more than product setup. In-store promotion can have an interactive feel as well, including staff presenting product demonstrations.

3) Stay Friendly. As always, be engaging, active and personable. Many customers buy local to be connected with their community, and the best way to grow that loyalty is by being friendly and helpful, and giving customers the knowledgeable guidance they won’t get at chain stores.

Vapor Corp’s philosophy can be summed up in one word: quality. In a market with fierce competition, Vapor Corp. maintains its integrity by offering the best prices possible for top quality products. “All of our rechargeable batteries are long lasting, as well as backed by a lifetime guarantee,” says Adam Frija, director of business development. “The target consumer is any smoker looking to wisely try an alternative to smoking traditional tobacco cigarettes.” Vapor Corp. offers its e-cig vaporizers in two forms: rechargeable e-cigarettes and disposable e-cigarettes. Among its brands, Krave®, Smoke 51®, Green puffer®, and VaporX® are some of the most popular. New to the market is Krave1000/Krave1001, a complete retail rack ready, rechargeable e-cigarette program for Krave® vendors. Simple to use and simple to sell, Krave® is the favorite amongst e-cig users, for its taste and design. Krave1000/Krave1001 is available in four varying nicotine levels and in tobacco and menthol flavors, along with starter kits and charger accessories. Krave® is priced right, with maximum profitability for the retailer and maximum value for the consumer, which keeps them coming back for more.

Krave1001 is an extension of our Krave1000 Rechargeable product that Vapor Corp. offers in a plastic molded carrying case, in either a starter kit or as 10 pack refill filters in tobacco and menthol flavors, each with an MSRP of $24.95. Many retailers requested something that was a lower price point, and so Krave1001 was born. Krave1001 provides a comprehensive product line-up consisting of a starter kit (without the plastic carrying case), a five pack refill of filters (in tobacco and menthol), and available in four nicotine strengths rather than Krave1000’s single one strength, as well as car charger and wall charger adapters. The suggest retail for the starter kit, five pack of filters and charger accessories is $19.95, $12.95 and $9.95 respectively. All products are packaged on compact blister cards that are universal in size across all products in the Krave1001 line-up, allowing for maximized product merchandising.

With no minimum order, All Krave1001 products come in Compact Point of Purchase “POP” Boxes. Starter kits and refill filter POPs come with 10 units. Charger accessories come with five units in the POP display box. Additionally, Vapor Corp. offers full counter displays that allow retailers to nicely display and sell the company’s products while providing a full range of Krave e-cig options, including the large variety of disposable e-cigs, including, flavors, tattoo inspired, bold nicotine, dual light, and others. There is flexibility on volume based discount pricing.

For more information:

Vapor Corp
3001 Griffin Road
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33312-5649
Tel.: 888-SMOKE-51
Email: adam.frija@vapor-corp.com
Website: www.vapor-corp.com

Made of plastic and oval in shape, Sneaker Kandy can be used with any shoe that ties with laces. “The product is durable and will probably last longer than most sneakers,” adds Barski. There are four designs in a series, and two sets of a particular series in an eight piece pack. “We have a lot of popular design series, some of the top being our Ninja, Froggie, Camoflauge and Soccer series,” says Barski. “We love when kids take pictures of their favorite designs of Sneaker Kandy on their shoes, so we can post them up on Facebook.”

To market the collectible craze, retailers can purchase a small rack for $15, which showcases 72 additionally purchased Sneaker Kandy eight piece packs. The rack is set up as three tiers and showcases a sneaker on top to help demonstrate the product. “It’s eye catching and adds to the impulse buy factor,” explains Barski. While there are hundreds of designs to choose from, there are more to come, including some licensed Sneaker Kandy.

For more information:

Sneaker Kandy, LLC
Trumbull, CT 06611
Toll Free: 888-817-1117
Email: Use online form
Website: www.sneakerkandy.com

Courtney Jeffries, creator and founder of Happy Cheeks, came up with the idea two years ago, and is happy to announce its official launch just within the past couple months. “This is a great impulse buy for any store, including convenience stores, hotel gift shops and other independent retailers selling cosmetics and travel sized items,” she says. Filled with an alcohol based, anti-bacterial sanitizing product, each spray bottle contains up to 50 applications. “I chose a scent that was fresh, clean and has somewhat of a lemony punch to it,” Jeffries adds. “Happy Cheeks was designed with everyone in mind, men, women, boys and girls. And parents no long need to fear public restrooms.”

With multiple display options, Happy Cheeks is a perfect fit at any cash register with a cardboard display box, or the product can hang anywhere throughout the store on a peg board or clip strip. For a wholesale price under $1, Happy Cheeks is a good value buy, making at least keystone between $1.49 and $1.99 retail. The company requires no minimum orders, but is flexible on pricing based on the volume of the purchase.

For more information:

Happy Cheeks
Tel.: 708-480-2457
Email: Use online form, sales@myhappycheeks.com
Website: www.myhappycheeks.com

Ergonomically designed, the BookWedge reduces strain on the arms and neck by providing support at just the right angle. “The BookWedge has been more than a useful tool for people who like to read. It has helped out those who are disabled, elderly, suffering from arthritis and more,” explains John Schulte, marketing consultant for BookWedge. “And if you are a bookstore or perhaps an online bookseller, the BookWedge is for you. Customizable for promotional purposes, a logo or website can be added to the product’s design. There is a 100 unit minimum for custom printing.”

The BookWedge also costs less than other book holders, wholesaling for $8 a unit for small orders of 250 or less. “The price goes down the larger the order,” notes Schulte. Retailers can easily make more than keystone at $17.99 retail. “It is suggested that retailers don’t mark the product any lower than $14.99,” Schulte adds. With a minimum order of 25 units, or one box, any size retailer can make the BookWedge available in their store, either hanging on a peg hook or blowing it up and demonstrating its use.

For more information:

BookWedge
Toll Free: 800-549-5773 ext. 221
Email: Margie@cypresscreekmarketing.com, adam@cypresscreekmarketing.com
Website: www.bookwedge.net