Different & Special? California Gift Show Report, Summer 2009

WSL: Women ready to spend on home – if goods are ‘different’
-- Home Textiles Today, 7/23/2009 10:55:00 AM

New York – WSL Strategic Retail’s recent consumer survey found women are itching to spend again, if carefully. The top four items on their list: apparel, vacation, a night out and decorative home items.
But they’re not seeing the kind of merchandise that would stimulate a purchase, according to the consultancy.
WSL’s “How America Shops/Pulse of Shopping Life” found 48% of women surveyed could afford to shop but want to spend on items that are “different and special.” Among girls age 13 to 17, 50% would be willing to cut back on small purchase for something more expensive “if they really wanted it.”
One-in-four women said they were tired of penny-pinching and “ready to splurge,” according to the survey.
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That’s the article I received from a retail-specific publication in my email today. Great news and something that I think Webster’s Fine Stationers can definitely offer our customers! Our fabulous WFS buyers, Lori and Michelle, handpick everything here. We also have the input of our crew, who hears what you’re saying about what you’d like to see in our store. All our merchandise is special and isn’t something you’d find elsewhere. From our hand-made Altadena signs and cards to original oil paintings and picture frames, we’re stocking the decorative items you want at prices that aren’t out of this world. Even our office supplies are different. Many companies we feature are made here in the U.S. and you don't have to buy a pack of 50 file folders, envelopes, Post-It Notes or sheet protectors. Pens, pencils, binder clips and report covers are also available individually.

The Summer 2009 California Gift Show just ended Monday and I thought it was the best show we’ve been to. Granted, attendance was down due to the economy but those who were there were upbeat and looking forward to happier times ahead. The mood was lighthearted and we were happy to spend time in those showrooms that had the best and brightest to offer. It was nice to have time to make critical decisions and not be distracted by hundreds of buyers clamoring for attention.

I was personally very enamored by a newish company called Open Hand, out of Atlanta, Georgia, USA. Although their merchandise is made outside the U.S., they are a fair-trade company and provide all their artisans with safe, clean working conditions, fair wages and medical insurance for their families. Their products – scarves, wraps, jewelry and bags – are made out of post-consumer waste material and are uniquely beautiful. I love their messenger bags made out of recycled billboards and rubber tires! What’s great about this company is that they donate 10% of their profits across the board, before taxes, to organizations committed to helping people who have been subjected to the injustices of human trafficking here in the U.S. They’ve partnered with Wellspring, an Atlanta-based non-profit that helps women and girls who’ve been victimized by the effects of alcohol and drug addiction, depression, and working in the adult entertainment industry. Human trafficking takes many forms and is a complex problem. As long as there is a demand for products and services, and there are people living in poverty who are easily taken advantage of, trafficking will continue. We’re proud to be helping in any small way we can…look for Open Hand to arrive in store shortly.

Just in is inspirational jewelry and décor from Praols, a California company who manufactures their merchandise in Chula Vista. They create unique handcrafted jewelry and believe that everything in life carries a message. Therefore, their bracelets and necklaces aren’t just jewelry, but a fun way to pass the message on. Stay-at-home moms and low-income single mothers that find themselves in dire circumstances make the line. Working for the flexible company, these women are able to earn an income without the burden of day-care expenses. This great company’s merchandise arrived this morning and we couldn’t be happier to introduce it to you!




Check back in soon for another sneak-peek of the new items we’re expecting in.

To Market, To Market....The Winter Gift Show Report

January is the month of the winter Home Furnishing and Gift shows all across the country, and the Los Angeles show just ended this past Monday. According to the reports, attendance was down a bit due to the economic climate, but those who were there (and there were plenty of us) were buying, albeit a bit more cautiously. And that's fine, said many showroom reps. They'd rather the buyers buy less and reorder when needed. Michelle and I found a few new things to bring you this season and we're very excited about them.

When the economy slows, producers of new products go into what I call "safe mode". Nothing really innovative, just repetition of proven winners, maybe revamped a bit for a new look, so we had to look hard to find things that wowed us. But find them we did, all across the board from kids stuff to more sophisticated adult items. Here's a highlight of what we found that made our hearts flutter and what you can expect to see in store soon:

• Really cool lenticular design rulers, bookmarks and small journals - looks like the (cute) animals on face of the items are running, walking or trotting toward you. We predict this will be a hit with our school-age customers!
• Fabulously cute and soft stuffed monkeys that have little magnets in their hands and feet....they're adorable and are such a great price, you'll want to get two (just so they can "hold hands")! Also arriving are cuddly soft little animals that can be carried in backpacks made of the same soft materials. Very affordable, and the kids will love them!
• New inspirational pocket note pads from Punch Studio for Valentines Day. Also from Punch, gorgeous nesting book boxes that will add high impact design and function to your home office (or anywhere else). Beautiful file folders with coordinating notes will be arriving, too, along with their prettily designed boxed candles.....perfect for gift giving!
• Very high end looking (but not too costly) recycled glass terrariums from Roost. They're big....and sure to make a statement.
• A refresher for the Pacifica solid perfumes....an addition of a couple new scents plus candles to go with. All natural, all good....look for these to arrive soon. Waikiki Pikkaki is one of the sublime new scents you'll be excited to try!
• New books for the kids are on the way, with some great new titles that should keep them enthralled throughout winter, with an emphasis on Black History Month selections. Little Golden Books will entertain the younger crowd with their favorite characters - these will arrive in a month or so.
• For Valentines Day we've ordered the most luscious massage candles! Made by a local artisan in Venice, CA, they're made predominately of shea butter with just enough soy wax in them to allow them to burn. WOW, these are so fabulous....light the wick, let the solids liquify and pour on your lucky massagee. It doesn't get too hot so there's no danger of burns....this is all natural, pure hedonism at its best and it smells sublime. What a great gift for your significant other....make Valentines an evening to remember!
• New designs in paper ware are on their way....cocktail napkins, dinner napkins and paper plates for your next party or function. Wonderful new recipe journals and take out menu organizers....we all need things like this for our kitchens....just wait 'till you see them!
• More funny, funny office stuff from Knock Knock will be arriving soon. What a fabulous line - it had you in stitches at Christmas, just wait 'till you see what they've got on tap for Spring!
• We're excited as heck about the new greeting cards (sold individually at a reasonable price!) from Crane & Company....just gorgeous!

This is just a sampling of what's coming in....be sure to stop in soon to see the new arrivals!

I wanted to let you know, also, what other things we'll be doing in the coming months. We've got decorating on the schedule for Spring....I'd love to do a little seminar on how to freshen up your home without spending an arm and leg. Speaking of decorating, I'm proud to announce that WFS won 3rd place in the Gift and Home Channel's nation-wide Holiday decor contest! This makes two wins this past year....perhaps this year we'll take first place. Stay tuned and look for my next post about some exciting new plans we've got in store for our customers (that's you, right?).