Yesterday on a cloudy, snowy day here in the Midwest, I heard some great news — spring training has begun. (Remember the time travel thing — I know it’s now March). When you think about it, baseball spring training is all about hope and possibilities. It reminds us that winter will be gone eventually and spring will appear. It reminds me of the same kind of optimism I saw at the gift shows this year. Companies welcomed buyers with lots of new product and buyers were willing to, well, buy again.

Recent reports confirm that consumers continue to increase spending a little more each month. Maybe they are tired of the cloudy gloom too. However, as one company exec told me “you have to give people a reason to buy.” 

Spring training is also the time for trying new line-ups and plays. But first you have to get people in the door. Maybe this is the time to give your store a fresh coat of paint or maybe a new sign. Simple wood pieces painted white or maybe bright spring colors can be used to display merchandise and give your shop a distinct look. Think about suspending some wire from the ceiling and hanging items from it to create visual interest. One retailer told me that she uses garden hose suspended with fishing line in the windows to hold vines, lights, etc.

And speaking of those windows, are they clean? That’s the first impression people get. That’s the place to put some of your glass pieces and fashion accessories so they can catch the light and people’s eyes. You might even want to talk to teachers at the local high school to see if they have an art student interested in putting together your window displays. Or maybe one of your own sales staff might enjoy taking a swing at it.

Here at Giftware News, we will keep scouting out the best prospects for your shop, show you some new categories to explore, and offer a different way to present products.

One way we’re doing that this month is our “Keepsake” page. We all know that Halloween is the second biggest decorating holiday. We’ve heard, and it was apparent at the shows, that people are buying more expensive pieces and then bringing them out every year — just like Christmas decorations. This is another way to present these pieces as gifts. As something someone can give to celebrate the holiday and then can be kept for the next year. Along the way, chances are there will be stories attached to the pieces — for instance, “Grandma gave us this when you were five”. The pieces may be handed down as family heirlooms. Take a look at our Halloween Keepsakes page to get some ideas for the season.

Also in this issue, Ashley brings you some beautiful crystal and glass pieces and the talented people who make them. Mary shows you the latest pieces for your table and reports on the country-inspired kitchen trend. And I’ll bring you some inspirational gifts that reflect Eastern ideas and philosophies.

See you next month-

Barbara Wujcik
Editorial Coordinator