Lori's completed file on Feb. 3, 2014
Ideas To Help Power Your Gift Shop - December 17, 2015

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On Our Radar 
 
* Trucker Shortage. The U.S. has a shortage of truck drivers, with estimates of about 50,000 more needed. But a new trend is emerging: female drivers are joining the ranks. 

* Shazop Site. 

A new comparison shopping site aims to do for online fashion shopping what Kayak did for airline tickets. Shazop features fashions, bags and shoes from more than 60 retailers, and lets users compare prices and sizing.
Hot Topics:
Long Day
 
After a grueling day at her shop, a Kansas retailer stopped at the local liquor store. With her wine bottle in hand, she said to the clerk, "Whoever said Christmas was fun never worked retail." The clerk's response? "Yeah, well it's only gonna get worse. You want a bag for that bottle of wine?" She told him, "Naw, I'm gonna drink it between here and the car." Cheers! You can share your own humorous holiday stories in our Coffee Break forum. Reminder: Access to Giftbeat's Community Board is FREE for subscribers.
Quick Links 
  • Have you started following our Display Creativity board on Pinterest? Please take a look - we share unique display ideas and photos that inspire.
Tip: A Reinvention Business Book  
 
Ready for some reinvention in 2016? A recent column in Inc. names Disrupt You! by Jay Samit as a must-read for entrepreneurs. The writer says, "In a world where change is the only constant, Samit recognizes and underscores the need for professional and personal disruption in order to continually transform and reinvent yourself and your business."   
Pick: Mud Pie Cocktail Towels

 

Look at these fun, colorful cocktail towels from Mud Pie's spring 2016 line, each featuring a different drink recipe. We find that towels continue to perform well as functional kitchen-themed gifts priced $10-$12 retail (Mud Pie's are $4 cost). Cotton towels are 26" x 161/2" and come on rolled corrugated cards tied with twine.  

Trend: Home Trends For 2016

What's trending for homes in the New Year? Refinery 29 shares the top 10 Pinterest home trends that will rule. From graphic pillows to woven wall decor to a rising interest in artisan goods, consumers will be looking for fresh ways to spruce up their homes. And what's trending down? It might be time to say goodbye to mason jars and burlap. 
Feeling Inspired
"The person who says it cannot be done should not interrupt the person who is doing it."
 -- Chinese proverb
This is my last Top Tips & Picks of 2015. Thanks for joining me. It's been a fun year! From our office cat Daisy and the entire Giftbeat team, we send best wishes for a Merry Christmas and the Happiest of Holiday Seasons! See you in 2016! 

 
Joyce Washnik, Editor
Giftbeat


P.S. File this under one of the more bizarre Craigslist ads: a Boston-area man is charging $100/hour to be your personal Elf on the Shelf!