Marketing Solutions from National Jeweler Network
Feb. 28, 2008 - Source: The Merchandise Group
National Jeweler Network, the resource for jewelry industry professionals, has launched Customer Connect, which offers independent retailers and small jewelry merchants trusted marketing solutions.
Confidence Among U.S. Consumer Products Companies Declines
Feb. 28, 2008 - Source: The Merchandise Group
According to PricewaterhouseCoopers' Consumer Products Barometer, 38 percent of consumer products senior executives are pessimistic about the domestic economy, compared to 22 percent who are optimistic.
Americans Eager to File Tax Returns This Year
Feb. 27, 2008 - Source: The Merchandise Group
More than 60 percent of Americans have filed their tax returns or will file by the end of February, according to a survey from the National Retail Federation.
Consumer Confidence Drops Sharply in February
Feb. 27, 2008 - Source: Home Furnishings News
The Conference Board released the consumer confidence index for February and it dropped to the lowest level in 15 years, Home Furnishings News reported.
Small Business Confidence on the Rise
Feb. 26, 2008 - Source: The Merchandise Group
After six months of declining confidence in the U.S. economy, small business owners' attitudes improved in February, according to the Discover Small Business Watch.
NRF Warns of Online Auction Sites
Feb. 25, 2008 - Source: National Retail Federation
The National Retail Federation has issued a consumer alert about common household items sold through some online auction sites.
Young Entrepreneurs Gather in D.C.
Feb. 25, 2008 - Source: Inc.com
National Entrepreneurship Week kicked off this weekend and the seven-day event works to educate and encourage young Americans to start their own business, Inc.com reported.
The Economy This Week
Feb. 22, 2008 - Source: Inc.com
Several major reports on the economy came out this week, Inc.com reported, and the stock and housing market woes continued to drive down the index of leading economic indicators.
SBE Council Encourages Patent Reform to Protect Small Businesses
Feb. 22, 2008 - Source: Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council
The Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council (SBE Council) has released a study, "Patent Reform: Protecting IP, Enabling Innovation and Bolstering Entrepreneurship," which details the negative effects the U.S. patent system has on small businesses and innovators and recommends reform.
On the Green
Feb. 21, 2008 - Source: Entrepreneur.com
As the "green marketing" trend has become more and more popular, small and midsize businesses are joining in, alongside major corporations such as Wal-Mart, Entrepreneur.com reported.
Veteran Small-Business Bill Enacted
Feb. 20, 2008 - Source: Inc.com
President Bush recently signed the Military Reservist and Veteran Small Business Reauthorization and Opportunity Act, which will expand small-business opportunities for veterans, Inc.com reported.
Multi-Channel Retailing Made Easy
Feb. 19, 2008 - Source: The Merchandise Group
ChannelAdvisor, a provider of e-commerce solutions, has extended its alliance with Overstock.com through August 31, 2011.
Penny-Pinching Shoppers Boost Wal-Mart Profit
Feb. 19, 2008 - Source: Reuters via Yahoo
Discount retailer Wal-Mart saw a 4 percent increase in net income for the fourth quarter, which was more than expected during this tough economic time, Reuters reported.
CPSC Chair Warns Toy Industry on Safety
Feb. 19, 2008 - Source: Associated Press via Yahoo
Nancy Nord, the acting chair of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, has spoken out about the lack of safety controls in the toy industry, the Associated Press reported.
How Will the Tax Rebate Checks Affect the Economy?
Feb. 15, 2008 - Source: National Retail Federation
The National Retail Federation released a report detailing consumers' decision to spend or save the tax rebate checks that were recently approved by Senate.
Small Businesses Going Global
Feb. 14, 2008 - Source: Inc.com
A report from Intuit's Future of Small Business found that lowered infrastructure costs and stronger social networks will encourage smaller businesses to go global, Inc.com reported.
Consumers Focused on Buying Necessities
Feb. 14, 2008 - Source: National Retail Federation
While retail industry sales for January (excluding automobiles, gas stations and restaurants) rose 2.0 percent from January 2007 and 0.1 percent from December 2007, according to the National Retail Federation, consumers were buying necessities and not discretionary items.
Wal-Mart De Mexico to Open 205 Units
Feb. 13, 2008 - Source: Associated Press
Discount retailer Wal-Mart de Mexico SAB is opening 205 new stores and restaurants in Mexico this year, the Associated Press reported.
Retail Sales Rebound in January After Slump
Feb. 13, 2008 - Source: Associated Press
The Commerce Department reported that retail sales rose by 0.3 percent in January, after a 0.4 percent drop in sales in December, the Associated Press reported.
Entrepreneurial Education
Feb. 13, 2008 - Source: Small Business Resource Center
The National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship is planning its annual Salute to the Entrepreneurial Spirit Awards Dinner on April 2, which will honor aspiring business owners from 14 different countries, the Small Business Resource Center reported.
Specialty Stores Winning Over Shoppers
Feb. 12, 2008 - Source: Inc.com
A survey from IBM Global Business Services found that about a quarter of shoppers would recommend specialty stores and online retailers, while only 13 percent said they would recommend larger chain and discount stores, Inc.com reported.
Toy Sales Fell 2 Percent in 2007
Feb. 12, 2008 - Source: Playthings.com
Toy sales in the U.S. were $22.1 billion in 2007, a drop of 2 percent from $22.6 billion 2006, according to an annual report from The NPD Group on the toy industry, Playthings.com reported.
Amazon.com Sees Growth in Jewelry Sales
Feb. 12, 2008 - Source: The Merchandise Group
Online retailer Amazon.com continues to grow in the jewelry market, as its retail diamond sales were up more than 100 percent for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2007, compared to the same time last year.
Consumers Want Seamless Cross-Channel Shopping Experience
Feb. 11, 2008 - Source: The Merchandise Group
A new survey from Sterling Commerce has found that "high-value" customers, or those will higher incomes, college graduates and younger consumers, want more seamless cross-channel shopping and favor those companies who can give them such an experience.
Healthcare Key With Small-Business Voters
Feb. 11, 2008 - Source: Inc.com
A survey from the National Federation of Independent Businesses has found that most small business owners feel that the presidential candidates are not focusing enough on health care, Inc.com reported.
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