Author: Publisher

The U.S. domestic toy market is huge, with sales of $22 billion last year. Toys are always great gifts for special occasions and holidays, as well as just for fun.

Selling online can be a lucrative business, and can assist retailers in taking their companies to the next level. One of the most crucial pieces of the online retail puzzle is ensuring that customers receive their orders efficiently, and on time.

With the rapid rise of bargain shopping and the proliferation of ecommerce and coupon sites like Amazon and Groupon Goods, consumers’ shopping behavior has changed dramatically over the past several years. Shoppers are now increasingly focused on getting the best possible deals on the highest quality name brand items.

With the USPS enacting a 5.9 percent increase across all mailing types, the largest rate hike for print mailings since 2007, catalog mailers are being forced to consider new strategies. Rather than dramatically reducing circulation and frequency, or jumping to less established online marketing channels, one option that’s attracting renewed interest is the “Mini Slim Catalog.”

In recent months, a combined 41 million customer credit and debit cards were compromised, due to a string of cyber-attacks on two high-profile corporate chain stores. As a small business owner, your footprint may be smaller than a mass-market retailer, but you are subjecting yourself to a huge risk if you are not making data protection a top priority.

The Original Lighted Construction Set™ from Laser Pegs® is a line of kits that combine light and building, two things kids love. Nearly 50 kits are available, and each contains clear or colorful construction pieces in various shapes that snap together securely, as well as a power source.

Pontiac Eleven designs and manufactures innovative protective cases for Samsung Galaxy tablets, and Apple iPads and MacBooks, sold through its Go Tablet online store. The products are the creations of CEO, Jerome Jao, a self-professed gadget aficionado.

Glitsand® by Kristash® Bijoux is a unique collection of clear acrylic tubes containing a mixture of glitter and sand. The line includes pendants worn on chains or bracelets, and earrings. Made in the USA, the tubes are available in sterling silver and pewter.

Most retailers have been in a situation where there was a big product, company or merchandise decision to make, and they would have liked feedback but did not know whom to contact. Being a member of The Zoo & Aquarium Buyers Group (ZAG) provides the opportunity to ask retail buyers and managers from other establishments that are close in climate, size, location and traffic about what works for them, so retailers can utilize what they have learned.

At the ASD Las Vegas trade show this week, Independent Retailer publisher Bill McNulty presented his thoughts and ideas on what retailers can do to boost their sales using the Buy Local Movement.