Ideas To Help Power Your Gift Shop - March 5, 2015

On Our Radar

* Furniture With A Tech Twist. Ikea plans to sell furniture that can wirelessly charge your phone. The company will begin selling tables, work desks, nightstands and more capable of charging your smartphone when placed in contact with the furniture.

* #TheDress Bandwagon. Last week's viral color debate about a dress saw brands jumping on the bandwagon with tweets that capitalized on the sensation, from Oreo Cookies to Olive Garden to Crocs.

Hot Topics:

Lokai Bracelets

Our online community is discussing the Lokai bracelets, which have been a top seller in Giftbeat's Register-Area chart. A Connecticut retailer says, "That fishbowl of Lokai bracelets has sold thousands of dollars for me...It's one of the best cash-wrap products I've ever had." Check out the discussion in our Buying/Product forum. Reminder: Access to Giftbeat's Community Board is a FREE service for subscribers.

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Tip: Hang It Up -- And Boost Sales!

Is your fashion assortment easy to browse? A North Carolina retailer used to hang just one of a style, then stack the others on a shelf nearby. But she

decided to try something new, installing rods into shelving, which added 8 feet of space for hanging shawls, tops and more. "They show so much better, and customers like thumbing through them," she reports. The best part? The new rods boosted sales.

Pick: Zootility's PocketMonkey

Looking for a unique men's gift? How about a perfect item for the register? Consider the PocketMonkey from Zootility Tools. The multi-use tool is small enough to fit in a wallet, yet packs the punch of 12 tools in one, from bottle opener to screwdriver to ruler. The new counter display has space for one hanging monkey at the back, making it the perfect attention-getter. We expect the line to do well this year, especially for Father's Day. Cost for the deluxe PocketMonkey is just $6.

Trend: Now Ear This!

Have you noticed the growing ear climber trend?

These eye-catching earrings make use of the ear lobe's real estate by filling it with sparkle and style. It was a top trend at the Grammy Awards, where celebrities like Rihanna and Jane Fonda donned jeweled and diamond versions. According to JCK senior editor Jennifer Heebner, "Climbers are often stud or stud-and-hook combination pieces that snake up the ear lobe, and shoppers young and old love them for their modern, funky aesthetic."

Feeling Hopeful

"No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn."

-- Hal Borland

Thanks for joining me! See you next time.

Joyce Washnik, Editor

Giftbeat

joyce@giftbeat.com

P.S. In a Giftbeat interview, Howard Henschel of The Norman Group named Beanie Babies the biggest hit of his retail career. Read about Ty Warner's unique business approach in this interesting piece from Inc.