Browsing: For Buyers

Independent retailers are stocking up for holiday sales, and toys for children are a big part of many merchants’ gift inventory. The Best Toys for Kids 2013, presented by The American Specialty Toy and Retailing Association (ASTRA), names toys that promote creative play, incorporate innovative design features and maintain exceptional safety standards. ASTRA’s list names the following 21 toys in 13 categories:

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Small business optimism edged up in July, according to the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB). The NFIB’s Small Business Optimism Index increased 0.6 point to 94.1 last month, recouping most of June’s decline, and was the fourth highest reading since December 2007, when the economy slipped into recession.

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Retailers saw gains in July, specifically in many back-to-school categories like clothing and sporting goods, as July retail sales excluding automobiles, gas stations and restaurants increased…

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The White House has launched a new Website designed to inform and educate business owners concerning the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare. The Health Care Changes Wizard, which is part of BusinessUSA, the administration’s interagency information outlet for employers, asks employers to input their state, company size and current insurance plans. The Wizard delivers tailored information about changes under the law, important dates to remember, and the formulas for determining requirements and penalties.

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Facebook pages are at the heart of social commerce. They are one of the many ways retailers grow brand influence, find and engage in conversations with potential customers, promote products and leverage the power of peer influence in purchase decisions. The Facebook Commerce Index highlighted three new Facebook changes this quarter that apply to retail brands: the U.S. release of Graph Search, the launch of Facebook hashtags, and new page engagement metrics

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Omni-channel commerce is having a trickle down effect on wholesaling, as savvy retailers expect their suppliers to provide functionality and features that are similar to those found in the B2C marketplace. Even though retailers are expressing preferences for B2C type buying experiences, many wholesalers are not prepared to do business in the e-commerce space, and it is an oversight that may have impact their ability to attract and retain retail customers.

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