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Study: Shoppers Venture to Multiple Outlets on Food Buying Trips
Consumers are veering off the well-traveled traditional route and branching out into new shopping patterns, according to findings from a Hartman Group study of the purchase decision-making and shopping habits of America’s consumers. “The days of shopping trips to one store just to fill the pantry are long gone,” said Laurie Demeritt, The Hartman Group’s president and COO. “For today’s consumers, shopping is very much in constant motion; it’s a virtual 24-hour, seven-day-a-week activity. The consumer is now in total control of the shopping process, not the manufacturer or the retailer.” With perhaps more product and brand choice and channel ... |
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Sur La Table Opens First Store in Baltimore Area
Seattle-based gourmet kitchenware chain Sur La Table has opened in Towson Town Center, the first store in the Baltimore area.The 4,800-square-foot store will employ more than 20 full- and part-time employees. “Towson Town Center is the perfect location for our first Baltimore-area store,” said Jack Schwefel, chief executive officer of Sur La Table, who operated 90 stores. “The Center strives to provide exciting shopping options to its customers and Sur La Table is able to add the unmatched breadth and depth of our culinary assortment to that mix.”As with its other stores, the Towson location will conduct cooking classes focused ... |
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Specialty Japanese Barware and Kitchenware Store Opens in Oakland
Two female entrepreneurs have opened a new store called Umami Mart, focused exclusively on Japanese bar and kitchenware products. Friends since college, Kayoko Akabori and Yoko Kumano (pictured right) opened the store in Oakland’s historical district after operating a blog and online business selling Japanese wares and offering Japanese cooking and cocktail tips from contributors worldwide.“We have the cocktail guide, we have a beer guide, we have a shochu guide. We also have a writer who writes often about sake,” Kumano told the Oakland North newspaper. “Beverages are the start of your meal,” she said. In 2010, the business partners ... |
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Three Companies Win Summer 2012 Eco Choice Awards
Three companies – Iskin, Are You? and Box Play for Kids – have been named winners of the sixth semi-annual Eco Choice Awards recognizing the most innovative and environmentally responsible gift, home and lifestyle products at the summer 2012 New York International Gift Fair (NYIGF), hosted this week.For the first time, voting took place online for the Eco Choice Awards, co-sponsored by NYIGF and GREENRetailer magazine. According to Christian Falkenberg, NYIGF director and GLM vice president, “The competition’s first ever online balloting was very well-received and a record number of votes were cast. From among 24 finalists, the three winning ... |
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Rosanna Inc. Partners with Tri-Coastal Design
Rosanna Inc. is partnering with Tri-Coastal Design, whereby Rosanna will license its designs to Tri-Coastal, which will introduce a brand-new product line to the market.Product developed by Tri-Coastal Design will be sold around the world, according to a joint company statement. The companies did not disclose any specifics about the new product line.Tri-Coastal Design is a leader in high-quality fashionable products, founded in 1990 as a giftware company specializing in decorative storage boxes. The company has expanded its product offering to include stationery, travel mugs, insulated cups, bath and body products, and fashion accessories.Rosanna Inc. designs tableware rooted in tradition ... |
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The Next Big Give Contest Open for Nominations
Dallas Market Center has launched the third annual The Next Big Give contest, a national search for specialty retailers that give back to their communities through volunteering, fundraising or donation of goods. “We’re truly inspired by retailers serving in their communities,” said Cindy Morris, COO, Dallas Market Center. “We look forward to hearing even more stories of good works and kindness.” Ten finalists will be announced on Jan. 8, 2013, and two winners will be named on Feb. 14, 2013. The winners will receive a complimentary trip to March Market in Dallas (March 21-24, 2013), including round-trip airfare from anywhere in ... |
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Mayorga Coffee Ranked Among Top Hispanic Businesses
Mayorga Coffee LLC has once again been listed in Hispanic Business magazine’s prestigious Top 500 Hispanic-owned companies. Mayorga Coffee’s multiyear presence on this list comes on the heels of continuing expansion with national grocery and foodservice companies, as well as specialty grocers and coffee shops throughout the East Coast. “Being on this list is always an honor,” stated Martin Mayorga, president and founder of Mayorga Coffee, which is based in Rockville, Md. “We put so much passion into our relationships, our products and our common love for what we do,” he continued, “the top-line revenue is only one measurement of our ... |
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El’s Kitchen Leases Space for Gluten-Free Bakery
El’s Kitchen, manufacturer of gluten-free snacks, has recently signed a lease on a 3,000-square-foot space in Stratford, Conn. The company’s current production is mostly outsourced because of existing space limitations. Building a new kitchen will allow the company to bring all of its snack manufacturing, warehousing and office functions under one roof, streamlining production and cutting costs. The space is undergoing extensive construction to cater to the requirements of El’s Kitchen, and new automated equipment is being delivered that will help the company meet increasing demand for its Medleys Gluten Free Snack Mix. According to Eleanor “El” Smith, the company’s ... |
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Cupcake Café Crumbs Teams with Starbucks
Crumbs Bake Shop Inc., the nation’s largest specialty cupcake retailer, has entered into an agreement with Starbucks Corp. to bring the full complement of Starbucks’ brewed coffees, teas and espresso-based drinks to all Crumbs locations. “Starbucks coffee is perfectly suited for Crumbs cupcakes,” said Julian R. Geiger, president and CEO of Crumbs Bake Shop, which is based in New York. “We believe that the availability of Starbucks drinks in our stores will greatly enhance the Crumbs experience for our customers and significantly increase our beverage business. As our beverage business increases, we also expect to see an increase in the ... |
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Housewares Design Awards Call for 2013 Entries
The call for entries has begun for the 10th Annual Housewares Design Awards, which will be presented during a special gala, Jan. 29, 2013, at the New York Marriott. Awards will go to 12 Best in Category winners, three Best of the Best winners and the Green House Award recipient for eco-responsible design innovation. “The Housewares Design Awards is proud to have been a catalyst the past 10 years for recognizing and raising awareness of the compelling housewares innovation that fuels this business,” said Peter Giannetti, editor-in-chief of HomeWorld Business. “The theme of this year’s special anniversary Housewares Design Awards ... |
