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July, 2009
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Better Business Bureau Challenges Wal-Mart's Advertising Claims

The Council of Better Business Bureaus wants Wal-Mart Stores to modify some of its advertising claims, and stop telling consumers that they can save $700 a year by shopping at its stores. (source)

The problem arose because Wal-Mart's advertising tells consumers they can save $700 by buying their groceries at the discount mega-retailer. BBB's National Advertising Division (NAD) had been investigating Wal-Mart's claims following a complaint from a competing Texas retailer.

H-E-B Grocery Company, which runs 300 H-E-B stores in Texas and Mexico, as well as eight Central Market stores, specifically charged that Wal-Mart does not honor ads, for example, that require a purchase in order to receive the advertised price or free product, "Buy One/Get One Free" advertisements, double or triple coupons or percent off advertisements, "misprinted" advertised prices, Internet prices or price matches based on other methods of proof, including sales receipts.

While acknowledging that all price-matching programs have terms and limitations that may not reasonably be expected to be disclosed in a TV spot, the NAD did recommend that Wal-Mart "make its disclosures substantially more clear and conspicuous in its printed and broadcast advertising and on its in-store signage." It also recommended that it ditch the "$700 annual savings" claim entirely. Wal-Mart is no longer running the ads. (source)

Jack Moore Is New President of Retail at Hallmark Cards

Hallmark Cards Inc. has named veteran retail executive Jack Moore as president of its retail operations. Moore, who started June 18, is responsible for retail revenue growth, branding messages, product offerings and daily operations, the company said in a release. He succeeds Jim Boike, who is retiring after six years with the Kansas City-based company. (source)

Before coming to Hallmark, Moore served as president of Burlington Coat Factory, president and COO of Linens N Things and lead merchant at Kohl’s.

Hallmark products are sold in 100 countries and in 41,000 stores in the United States alone, including 3,400 Hallmark Gold Crown^® stores, most of which are independently owned (source). The company, which will be 100 years old next year, produces 19,000 new and redesigned greeting cards and related products each year. (source)

Hallmark reported consolidated revenue of $4.3 billion in 2008, down 2 percent from the previous year. The company has taken a number of cost-cutting measures, including the enactment of a wage freeze and an announcement in April that it would cut as many as 750 jobs.

Quick Industry News

Fine Whines, Bellemonde, Noble Initials, Gerard Puvis Collection, Mi-Pops, and Pewter-A-Peel, formerly collectively known as Living the Good Life LLC, will now be marketed under the name Under Stella’s Umbrella to reflect the name of the owner and designer, Stella Martin. The name change is reflected in the new website www.understellasumbrella.com. Under Stella's Umbrella will launch at the upcoming summer gift shows in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, New York, and Seattle.

On just two consecutive days in June, three Sales Rep Agencies representing a total of more than 100 vendors opened new wholesale OmegaNet Inc. websites: Gib Carson, Next Generation, and Cathy and Company.

The three agencies are in different parts of the country: Gib Carson is based in Virginia and serves the Southeastern states from their showroom at AmericasMart in Atlanta; Next Generation is headquartered at the Dallas Trade Mart, and Cathy and Company is based in Kansas City.

Other companies that opened OmegaNet Inc. sites recently include: Philosopots, Talkin' Trash Gifts, My Woozie and Glory Haus

Gift Sales Managers Association (GSMA) is proud to announce that they will be sponsoring a Buyer's Lounge at the upcoming AmericasMart July show, July 8-15. The lounge will be in room #707 of the Gift Building. There will also be a reception on Thursday July 9, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with drawings for prizes for those buyers attending. Buyers can sign up for "Buy 3 Win One Free" contests. Seven $300.00 wholesale orders will be given away.

GSMA, Gift Sales Managers Association, is comprised of approximately 110 members who strive to learn and develop means of helping the independent retailers. More information can be obtained at their web site, www.giftsalesmanagers.com. Members' Show Specials are featured at www.giftshowspecials.com.

Peking Handicraft Introduces New Holiday Designs by Loved Artist D.L. Rhein

New retro chic designs to debut at Summer 2009 Markets

(San Francisco, Calif.) -- Peking Handicraft, Inc., an international manufacturer and wholesaler of high quality home decor, tabletop and giftware items, continues to impress customers this upcoming market season with the introduction of its new mix-and-match holiday textiles designed by D.L. Rhein that showcase a never-seen-before retro look with block letters and vintage Santa designs! The new holiday items feature a unique combination of the charming flair of the late 50's and 60's mixed with today's chic palettes and patterns. The new one-of-a-kind designs can be viewed at the July 2009 Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market in Building 1, Suite 10A4. (more)

New misting device turns outdoor fans into luxurious space misters

San Diego, Ca. - Deco Breeze®, a leading manufacturer of decorative floor and table top fans, introduces an exciting new addition to its ever-popular outdoor fan collection - a new Misting Kit! The innovative misting kit features a universal-fitting metal ring which snaps onto the face of any Deco Breeze outdoor fan. Held neatly to the body of the fan with adjustable brackets, the misting kit's hose connects the metal ring with a standard garden hose for an enjoyable cooling mist. For a suggested retail price of only $27.99, the new Deco Breeze Misting Kit has the capacity to fit most standard outdoor fans, as well as the company's designer outdoor fan collection. (more)

Several of Mud Pie's holiday products are available with initials for personalized gifts and decor.

Tucker, Ga. -- The award-winning international gift company, Mud Pie, introduces its much-anticipated new holiday gift collections for 2009. The company's new holiday-themed gift products are sure to steal everyone's heart, featuring trendy designs that mix traditional favorites with bright colors and polka dot patterns. Customers can make holiday gift-giving personal with Mud Pie's new monogrammed home décor and gift items or make friends and relatives clamor over the newest family additions with adorable new Santa Baby onesies, leggings and more! The new holiday items are affordably priced at retail ranging from $7 to $30, and are perfect for everyone on the list - even favorite furry friends! (more)