GIFT AND HOME RETAILER NEWS

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March 2014

Grow, Stretch, Try

With the recent holiday sales season quickly disappearing into the rearview mirror, early spring clears just enough to schedule a little time for some self development. You could use some self development, couldn't you?

Grow Stretch Try 2014 Retailers can be so focused on meeting the daily demands of the business that scheduling time to "up your game" can get lost in the shuffle. Even so, in order to grow personally and succeed professionally, consistent improvement is required.

You may have already identified a few areas where you feel your business could benefit from greater knowledge, training, or expertise on your part.

Make a list of areas you'd like to develop further, with a special focus on any skills that may be holding you back from greater success. You may have been asked to speak to a women's group, a wonderful marketing opportunity, but declined due to a discomfort with public speaking. Or, perhaps you have a desire to improve your computer skills so tasks can be handled more quickly and accurately. Some retailers want to learn more about Human Resources and practices, especially around hiring and providing productive employee feedback.

Select the top item that would have the greatest impact on the success of your business and look into where you could get the training. Online research is great place to start. You'll find webinars on all types of topics (some free), books (the Dummies or Complete Idiot's Guides are used by many) or perhaps a local community college offers a class on the topic of interest.

Complete your first development project and add more as time allows, but avoid the trap of never getting around to it. Put your development time on your calendar each week so you stay on track.

Let 2014 be a year of discovery and accomplishment. There is still time.

Gail Markert is a seasoned gift industry specialist who helps manufacturers and retailers improve their merchandising, marketing, branding and product development. To learn more visit MarkertGroupConsulting.com or contact her at Gail@MarkertGroupConsulting.com.

© Gail Markert, Markert Group Consulting, 2014



Quick Industry News

Trade Show News

Hundreds of Lines Offered at Growing Dallas Western Market

DALLAS - March 6, 2014 - Dallas Market Center today announced that it will offer dozens of new exhibitors, special events and crossover buying opportunities during its growing Western Market, March 26-29, held in conjunction with the Total Home & Gift and Apparel & Accessories Markets.

Dallas Western Market includes The Territory, a permanent western apparel & accessories neighborhood located on World Trade Center (WTC) 14; Western Temporaries on WTC 12; Western Home Temps on WTC 6, making its debut featuring western-inspired home accents; and buying opportunities in The Range, a neighborhood of western home accents located on WTC 6 including mirrors, frames, rugs, pillows, furniture, leather, hides and more. (source)


New (or New Look) Wholesale Websites

Grandparent Gift Company Blog: Family Tree MattersPUREfactory Naturals has redesigned their wholesale CAMEO EZ website. Born with a west-coast mind set and raised with southern sensibilities, PUREfactory Naturals has the best of both worlds, but is always and forever 100% American made and sourced. "A Fun Approach to Natural" is their tagline.

CAMEO EZ© is the B2B e-commerce system developed by OmegaNet Inc., publisher of this newsletter, for use by retailers in ordering inventory for their stores. A partial list of CAMEO EZ sites can be found at the company's portals such as www.giftswholesale.com, www.accessorieswholesale.com, www.apparelwholesale.biz, www.decorwholesale.com, www.usmadewholesale.com, www.toyswholesale.com and www.usmadewholesale.com. A complete list of sites is available in the "Directory" on www.CAMEOEZ.com.