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April, 2010

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May 2010
10-12, Miami
13-16, New York
17-19 ; Honolulu
17-19, Petoskey, MI
17-22, High Point
18-20, Columbus
18-20, Harbor Springs, MI
18-20, Minnetonka, MN
21, Gettysburg
26, Marlborough, MA

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In this issue:

Health Care Reform Includes Tax Break for Small Business
Tax Credit Is Rare Benefit This Year

According to a recent postcard mailing from the IRS, the recently passed Health Care Reform bill will give many small business a tax credit for 2010.

Many provisions of the bill, whose official name is the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, do not go into effect for several years, but the tax credit worth up to 35% of premiums paid, is effective for the 2010 tax year. Tax exempt groups are also able to get a credit of up to 25% of premiums paid.

Not all businesses qualify, however. You must have fewer than 25 employees (more if some are part time) and the average wages must be less than $50,000. To get the full 35% tax credit, a business can only employ 10 people and self-employed people aren't eligible at all. They'll have to wait until premium subsidies kick in in four years. (source)

White House officials estimate that 4 million businesses qualify for this tax break, and they’re promoting it through Web chats, the aforementioned postcards to small businesses from the Internal Revenue Service, and workshops around the country.

Ever since the controversial Health Care Reform bill passed in March, "there’s been a real hunger" for information about what’s in the bill, said John Arensmeyer, CEO of Small Business Majority, an organization that supported the legislation. Arensmeyer’s organization has created a tax credit calculator that businesses can use to determine how much money--if any--they can save through the tax credits. (source)

Retail Sales Up For Third Month

Some economists were surprised by March's retail sales numbers, reported by the Commerce Department. Sales were up for the third consecutive month, with March showing an overall increase of 1.6% over February, compared with the 1.2% predicted by some economists (source).

Last month was also up 7.6% over March, 2009. "It’s evident consumers were feeling much better about the economy and their finances last month," NRF Chief Economist Rosalind Wells said in a Wednesday release. "Pent-up demand combined with an early Easter and warm spring weather significantly boosted consumers’ moods and retail sales." (source).

Wholesalers in the Gift and Decor Industry have seen increased demand recently according to Gift and Home Index which tracked sales at the Atlanta and Dallas winter markets.

"It was refreshing to see that the Index confirmed the positive vibe from Atlanta showing a year over year performance that was nearly flat vs. the significant drop-off the industry experienced during the Atlanta Winter market in 2009," said Todd Litzman, President of Brandwise, which produced the study together with the Gift and Home Trade Association (GHTA).

Still some were doubtful. "There isn't enough evidence of a recovery trajectory that will result in a real improvement in the economy," said Kevin Regan of FTI Consulting. He called April a "test" month, since retailers must now decide on what they'll do with their inventory levels. "March could have been a temporary phenomenon," Regan said. (source).

Featured Vendors in GiftsWholesale.Com
indicates a CAMEO EZ© web site.

Aspen Bay Candles: The best candles on the market--a result of our continual and diligent application of superior candle science. Take a moment to visit our unique high quality line of candles. Once you have experienced the superb fragrances and long burn times, we are sure you will be back again and again.

Brownlow Gifts: Brownlow produces a full line of inspirational gifts for every occasion. You will find useful and attractive home decor gifts for the kitchen, bedrooms, study and all other rooms in the house. Brownlow is well known for gourmet products, journals, gifted paper items, photo albums, photo frames, decorative sentiment plaques, a variety of stationery, many different ceramic gifts as well as a large assortment of inspirational gift books. Most products are in coordinating themes that retailers can purchase in eye-catching countertop display collections.

Cha Cha Designs is a manufacturing and design company. We take pride in our sassy creations and know you will love them too! They are handcrafted in the USA! We are located in sunny Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.



Don Mark DUEL OPENING Stainless Steel Water Bottles. -"Go Green" to protect you and your environment. Refill, reuse and reduce our landfills. Each bottle comes with dual, leak resistant caps, one for drinking, the other wide mouth to insert ice cubes and make hand cleaning easier. Also comes with handy carabineer clip. Our lightweight bottle weighs less than 6 ounces and holds 24 ounces of your favorite cool or cold drink (not for hot liquids). Comes with attractive "Go Green" hangtag. Visit our web site to see our entire line of petzzz plus over 180 other unique gifts and gadgets.


Europa Home decor including glass, candleholders and candles for garden, lodge and more.




Gina B. Designs offers 3 Calendar Products to organize in style: Perpetual, Desk and Weekly. Gina B. Designs is an award-winning greeting card, gift and stationery company featuring exceptional art and design. All products are made in the USA.


Highland Graphics: A leader in functional gift with decorative items for gift giving and kitchen. From our top selling Absorbastone coasters, to our decorative bamboo cutting boards, everything we manufacture is made in the USA. Our high quality plus competitive pricing lets our customers make higher margins. We feature licensed art, official collegiate products and have a full range of custom capabilities with low minimums.


Magnolia Lane Collection: A leading distributer of handpainted ceramic collections like NFL, College, Kids, Wedding, Birthday, Christmas, Everyday and the extremely popular "Make it Personal" line. The whimsical table top designs are a must have.


Mud Pie: Mud Pie products are now featured in three catalogs: Mud Pie Baby, Mud Pie Gift, and Mud Pie Pet. It has always been our goal to offer innovative giftware that's affordably priced and adorably packaged.


Natural Life: Fashionable and fun treasures to share or keep! Whether you’re shopping for friends, family, baby or yourself, Natural Life has the perfect gift for you.





Peking Handicraft, Inc. is a global manufacturer and wholesaler specializing in home textiles decorative accessories and gift items. The company expertise in sourcing, manufacturing and brand development are second to none. Peking’s variety of products consists of renowned designer collections as well as exciting designs from their in-house design studio. Both are trend right and of exceptional quality and value. With over three decades in the home textiles and gift arena, Peking is proven to be a company that you can trust today and in the future.


Regal Art & Gift: Offering unique & colorful Metal Garden Décor, Home Décor and Gifts. Garden items include: 3-D Garden Décor, Garden Stakes, Wind Chimes and Welcome Signs. Home items include: Wall Art, Wall Hooks, Candleholders, Ornaments, Boxes and Photo Frames. Popular themes include: Garden Bugs, Birds, Frogs, Tropical, Coastal, Fish, Suns & Celestial, Southwest, Western, Crosses, Americana, Country, Halloween, Harvest & Holiday


Sample House Take a look at our unique collection of original design gift bags, tissue paper and home to the 2-second wrap. We have a complete selection of Take-Out-Cartons solids and prints, tissue, bags, wraphia and more.


Shade Tree Greetings' "Actual Pictures" are recognized as one of the best-selling greeting card lines in the industry. Nostalgic photographs and clever, funny verses make these cards a success. Go to our website to browse over 300 styles. GREAT introductory programs and free fixtures.


snoozies!® are not socks and they're not slippers - sort of a crossover between the two and that's why we call them "foot coverings"! snoozies!® are made with a brushed fleece exterior in colorful & fun printed patterns and then lined with a soft Sherpa fleece inside.


Spring Street is proud to offer the finest assortment of personal, home, and office accessories. Our extensive product lines are all theme oriented, from baby to bride and beyond. All of our gift items are hand epoxy enameled and adorned with faux jewel encrusted motifs. Many of our designs are inspired from the famed Soho district of New York City where the very real Spring Street is located.


Sunset Vista Designs: From the same creative team that brought you Care and Wonder Company; We're back with a fresh new line of the latest in home and garden decor.


Tripar International Inc.: Tripar International is your source for both displays and decorative accessories. Our extensive product line includes a wide assortment of easels, risers, ornament stands, plate racks, mirrors, jewelry displays, and unique display pieces. We are also an excellent source for wine accessories, wall décor, inspirational signs, and cookbook stands. We offer quality with style, low minimums and fast shipping.


Wellspring: a great gift and stationery line. We bring art and organization to everyday life! Our products include: hand-painted ceramic pieces, note pads, Flip Notes, compacts, pill boxes, recipe books, and much more!


Winning the Hearts of Your Customers

I've always admired Target for the way they win the hearts of young people. Excelling as visionaries and strategic planners in retail, they're very much aware of the fact that today's kids will one day grow into adults with disposable incomes.

If a major retailer can grow customers, imagine what we can do as independent specialty retailers! We're all about community and personal interaction, right?

So here comes the question: How do you make young people feel in your store? Important? Welcome? Or are there signs posted on your window threatening their very existence? Unruly kids will be sent home with an espresso and a puppy...

Seriously, what are you doing to engage and win the hearts of young visitors?

Looking back, I still marvel at the six year olds who matured into 16 year olds who would proudly drive to my gift shop to buy presents for their moms and friends. Years later, the 16 year olds turned into 21 year olds who were attending baby and wedding showers, decorating their own homes and hosting special occasions. Making kids feel important and valued is such a simple thing to do. Why not make them part of your store's future and revenue plan?

Consider having a rewards program for children, something that you could stamp every time they visit your store, regardless of whether or not their adult companion makes a purchase. After 5 stamps/visits, they receive a free gift. It can be a small and inexpensive gift item or closeout. At my retail store Something Different, our kids program was called the Something Different Little Sister's Reward Program. Little girls ate it up and could hardly wait to visit and have their card stamped. It made them feel so grown up, like mommy.

Now, I realize kids get a bad rap in retail, and there's often a reason why store owners hang those discouraging signs on their doors. But not all children are shoplifters and little terrors. In fact, most of them are pretty darn sweet and are just looking for an opportunity to feel special. So why not give them the respect and attention they deserve? You just might earn a customer for life.

Truly,
Cheryl Karpen

~ Cheryl Karpen is president of Gently Spoken. A retailer and a manufacturer, Cheryl is best known for authoring the Eat Your Peas Collection, a series of 21 gift books that begin with a promise. Visit Cheryl at gentlyspoken.com and cherylkarpen@aol.com.

Quick Industry News

TRADE SHOW NEWS

NYIGF Expands Tabletop Offerings for Summer Market

WHITE PLAINS, NY, April 9, 2010... North America’s largest collection of tabletop suppliers will be even bigger this summer, with the expansion of Accent on Tabletop at the New York International Gift Fair® (NYIGF®), August 15-19, 2010, at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. Other tabletop-related summer 2010 highlights include a dynamic entrance in the Tabletop & Housewares division featuring industry and design leaders, the return of key suppliers to the New York market, and first-time participation in NYIGF by several established tabletop companies.

"With more than 500 high-end tabletop and housewares suppliers, NYIGF presents the premier collection of tabletop, kitchen and dining resources in the USA," said Dorothy Belshaw, NYIGF director and GLM senior vice president. "As the economy improves, many key suppliers are returning to the New York market, several long-standing exhibitors are planning expansions, and others are making their debut at NYIGF."

Orlando Show Returns to Orange County Convention Center

Perfectly timed to help Florida retailers restock after the busy holiday season and tourist seasons, the July Orlando Gift Show show runs concurrently with the Orlando Cash & Carry Show, providing one comprehensive product resource with tremendous cross market buying opportunities. This year, Orlando Gift Show returns to the Orange County Convention Center (West Concourse - Hall B2/3) for the summer edition with a new date pattern offering convenient travel and scheduling benefits: Saturday, July 24-Tuesday, July 27, 2010.

Managed by Urban Expositions and George Little Management, LLC (GLM), a dmg world media business; July's Orlando Gift Show will present hundreds of exhibiting companies, including leading Southeastern sales representatives and top manufacturers.

Gina B Designs Calendar ProductsPRODUCT INTRODUCTIONS

Gina B Designs Offers Calendar Products

Gina B. Designs offers 3 Calendar Products to organize in style: Weekly, Desk and Perpetual Calendars feature original artwork and are available in several great designs. Coordinating products include List & Plan and Memo Pads, Acrylic Note Sets, Mini Journals and Note Cards. Suggested retail $12-$16.


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