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  Ideas To Help Power Your Gift Shop - March 30, 2016 |
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On Our Radar
* Wearables Market.
The category is projected to grow 38.2% this year, as analysts predict an influx of well-designed, less tech-looking products from smaller manufacturers.
* Debit Card Swipe Fees.
The National Retail Federation sent a letter last week, urging the Federal Reserve to lower the amount banks charge merchants for debit card transactions.
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Hot Topics:
Donation Requests
Retailers get some interesting donation requests from people in their communities. A Massachusetts retailer shares an example: "I get a chuckle out of the people coming in looking for donations for their kids' hockey team, dance group or organization who are traveling somewhere for an event. If you don't want to pay for it, what makes you think I want to pay for it!" Have you experienced similar requests? Join the discussion in our Ask A Retail Expert forum. Reminder: Access to Giftbeat's Community Board is FREE for subscribers.
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Quick Links
- We added some new pins to our Display Creativity board. Please take a look and get inspired!
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Tip: Vintage Vera Promo
 Want to have some fun with your Vera Bradley fans? Follow the lead of a Florida retailer, who recently invited customers to win a new piece of Vera Bradley by sharing an image of their oldest piece on Facebook, Instagram or by bringing it into the store. She said it was her best recent social media campaign: "We let our rep by the judge and, wow, did we ever have a lot of entries! People like to show off their old collections!" A customer's Provincial Red (from 1986) was one of the winners. |
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Pick: Zad Fashion Earrings
Put this line on your radar: the "Picture Perfect Collection" from Zad, tiny stud earrings presented on complementary four-color cards. The line has been a bestseller since its introduction last year. Offered in a mix of popular themes (from peace signs to cat paws, shells, tulips, pizza slices and more), the earrings are priced right at $3.50 cost. Pendants also available for $4.50.
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Trend: There's An Emoji For That!
 Have you noticed all the emoji smileys and icons popping up in mobile ads? Emojis are being used almost eight times more in advertising this year than the year prior, according to Appboy, the mobile marketing automation vendor. And retail and e-commerce sites are using them the most. Which emoji is No. 1? The party popper! |
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Feeling Inspired
"Don't look at your feet to see if you're doing it right. Just dance."
-- Anne Lamott
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Thanks for joining me! See you next time.
Joyce Washnik, Editor Giftbeat
P.S. Feeling creative? Read how a talented woman transformed an old dresser she found at a garage sale into a VW keepsake that she plans to auction off for Samaritan's Purse. Love this idea! |
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