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June, 2009
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MMPI Acquires The California Gift Show

The L. A. Mart's owners have aquired the California Gift Show.

MMPI, owner of the L.A. Mart has acquired the California Gift Show (CGS) from dmg world media, creating a unified market experience anchoring the gift and home industry for the West Coast. The newly integrated California Gift Show, scheduled to take place July 14-20, will run under MMPI's single ownership and management at two venues.

"No show producer has demonstrated a larger commitment to Los Angeles than MMPI," said Mark Furlet, vice president and general manager, L.A. Mart. "We have a combined dedicated team of more than 30 people on the ground in L.A. today, as we work to unify the California Gift Show and the L.A. Mart Gift & Home market offering the retailers even more reasons to shop in L.A. We intend to provide the stability and platform for success our customers and the industry deserve."

MMPI manages The Merchandise Mart and 350 West Mart Center in Chicago; Market Square, the Suites at Market Square, Hamilton Market, Plaza Suites, Furniture Plaza and the National Furniture Mart in High Point, N.C.; the Architects & Designers Building and 7 W New York in New York; the Boston Design Center in Boston; the L.A. Mart in Los Angeles; and the Washington Design Center in Washington D.C.

Consumer Spending Reductions Being Felt at Malls

Malls have been American gathering places since the 1950s but the recession is starting to take its toll as consumers shop less. One industry measure says that any large, enclosed mall generating sales per square foot of $250 or less -- the U.S. average is $381 -- is in danger of failure. The number of so-called "dead malls" -- centers debilitated by anemic sales and high vacancy rates -- will swell to more than 100 nationwide by the end of this year, according to some analysts. (source)

Between April 1, 2008 and March 31, 2009, U.S. malls averaged a 6.5% decline in tenants' same-store sales, according to Green Street Advisors Inc., a real-estate research firm. The recent slump was led by an average 7.3% sales drop at Simon Property Group Inc., the operator with the largest number of mall locations. (source)

In this climate a new trend is developing toward discounted, short-term leases. Landlords seeking to fill vacant space are relaxing minimum requirements in many places. "It's absolutely a win-win," said Don Wood, chief executive of Federal Realty Investment Trust (FRT.N). "In this kind of market there's more space, there's more activity, so you'll see more of it." (source)

"For years landlords would look at their rents and it was all about adding value. The more rent they got the more it added value," says Rodney Barstein, president of Simply Fashion.

But now, landlords are less worried about undermining the value of their shopping mall by leasing a space at a lower rent and more concerned with having a steady revenue stream to appease the banks, who have been tight with lending.

Quick Industry News

Anna Maria Horner's Holiday Designs include Folk Needlepoint Pillow I (left), Folk Needlepoint Stocking, Folk Needlepoint Pillow II, Ornament Hook Tree Skirt, Ornament Needlepoint Pillow

San Francisco, Calif. -- Peking Handicraft, Inc., an international manufacturer and wholesaler of high quality home decor, tabletop and giftware items, introduces two new holiday collections designed by Anna Maria Horner: Folk and Ornament. These charming, new must-have textiles combine Anna Maria's signature palette and feminine trimming with whimsical holiday designs to make any home cheerful this holiday season. Some pieces can even be used to accent home décor beyond just the holidays! The chic Folk and Ornament collections offered exclusively by Peking Handicraft can be viewed at the July 2009 Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market in Building 1, Suite 10A4. (more)

Birthday The Happy Birthday Collection includes Cupcake Party Tub (left), Cupcake Tray with Handles, Party Paper Birthday Frame, Birthday Bottle Bag, Birthday Round Tray with Handles, and Milestone Birthday Cozy

Tucker, Ga. -- Mud Pie, an award-winning international gift company offering products reflecting current trends and popular design, makes growing another year older more fun with Happy Birthday, a new collection of birthday-themed entertaining and gift items featuring polka dot and cupcake designs. In fun shades of pink, green, blue and brown, each gift item features a unique embellishment, including ribbon bows and metallic icon party hats. Happy Birthday is sure to make every birthday special!

"Despite the current economic condition, Happy Birthday is a top seller at our company," says Fred Pannek, Vice President of Product Development. "We believe this is due to the fact that everyone is still going to have a birthday this year and customers are confident in investing ssome financial resources to assure that friends and family enjoy their day." (more)

GPR, Inc. to Debut New Seasonal DecoGLOW^™ Collections at Summer Markets
New themed fashion wax candles are a must-have for the fall and winter seasons!

The Seasonal DecoGLOW^™ Collections include Winter Tree Candle (left), Holiday Ornament Candle, Holiday Glass Tea Light Set, Autumn Leaf Pillar Candle, Pumpkin Candle, and Slime Ghost Candle.

San Diego, Ca. - Global Product Resources, Inc. (GPR), the manufacturer of the popular decorative floor and table top fans known as Deco Breeze®, announces four new collections of seasonal candles to be introduced to the popular DecoGLOW^™ line of fashion wax: Winter Wonderland, Holiday Sparkle, Holiday Cheer and Harvest Market. The DecoGLOW^™ line was recently introduced at the 2008 winter markets and sales have already far exceeded the company's launch expectations. The new collections can be viewed at the Darrah & Company showroom at the upcoming Atlanta Market, Building 2, Suite 1818.

"We are anticipating a great response from customers at the summer markets," said Jeffrey Amon, vice president of marketing for GPR. "The new highly detailed, themed candles are virtually unlike any other candles on the market, and are perfect for fall and winter decorating." (more)