|
On Our Radar
* Direct-To-Consumer Sales. Patience Brewster recently sent an email to its retail partners, letting them know that as of Jan. 1, 2015, the company will no longer offer products wholesale through its U.S. retail distribution channel. Instead, it will sell products exclusively on its own website, citing the growing trend of online purchasing. Will we see other small manufacturers follow suit?
* Tablet Use Still Growing. There were 109 million tablets in use during the third quarter of 2014, up from 74 million last year. More than half of consumers (55%) use the device for video features, from video calling to watching streaming content.
|
|
Hot Topic:
What's Hot/
What's Not
Retailers are sharing lists of winners -- and losers -- this holiday season. Some of the areas trending up: boot socks, scarves, apparel, gourmet, made in the USA, state-specific items and phone chargers. To learn what's trending down and offer your own lists, visit our Buying & Product forum. Reminder: Access to Giftbeat's Community Board is a FREE service for subscribers.
|
|
Quick Links
- Did you know Giftbeat is on Facebook? We've just "redecorated" for winter. Take a look - and follow along!
|
|
|
|
Tip: Wrap It Up -- Easily
Want to learn a unique new way to wrap a package? An  Iowa retailer shared this cool Facebook video on Giftbeat's Community Forum, courtesy of a Japanese store. Watch it and you'll see that it has an origami feel. A Virginia retailer tested the technique and offers this report: "It is easy to wrap this way, but you do have to have the perfect size box and the perfect size piece of gift wrap paper." |
|
Pick: High Cotton's Doormats
A very successful retailer once told me, "If you can get a customer to laugh, you're halfway to the sale." These High Cotton doormats always make me chuckle. They're fun, functional and made in the USA of 100% Olefin indoor/outdoor carpet. It's not surprising they're the company's best-selling product category. This new wine design looks like a perfect way to greet guests at your next Girls' Night Out event! Retail: $19.99.
|
Cafes have gone to the cats! Over the past decade, hundreds of cat cafes have popped up in cities around the world. Now, New York joins the craze with the grand opening of  Meow Parlour. People can book times to visit the cafe ($4/half hour), where adoptable cats roam freely. Reservations are nearly filled through February. Sounds like a purrfect way to pass some time (photo courtesy of Navid Baraty/Gothamist). |
|
|
Feeling Inspired
"I have learned that what I give, free from expectations, comes back tenfold."
-- Jean Haller, Journeys of Life, from her column "Why Charitable Partnerships Are A Win-Win" (Giftbeat December/January issue)
|
|
That's a wrap! Thank you for joining me in 2014. I wish you a Christmas season filled with peace and good cheer. I'll be back with more Top Tips in 2015!
Joyce Washnik, Editor Giftbeat
P.S. 'Tis the season for sweets! Don't miss How Sweet It Is, one of my favorite Pinterest boards. |
|
|
