I am positively elated that, as I write this ahead of press time, I will soon be hopping on a plane and attending some of the top buying destinations for retailers. I’m also excited to share that a new face joins the magazine staff on the trade show floors this summer: Ellen Wagner, the new managing editor of Gift Shop® Plus and Stationery Trends. Ellen is an excellent editor and eager to meet the industry. If you see us perusing the markets, please say hello.

This summer edition of Gift Shop® Plus is curated to be a source of inspiration as you stroll through this season’s booths and showrooms. We feature new-to-market product debuts on page 94. If you’re buying for the upcoming holidays, take a look at our Holiday Ornaments showcase on page 24 and our Holiday Entertaining, Tabletop & Gifting feature starting on page 74.

For those looking beyond the holidays and into 2025, consider referring to our Living Alfresco Trend Report (page 29), our Apparel & Accessories feature (page 66) and our Products with Purpose article (page 88) — just to preview a few.

NOMINATE AN INDUSTRY STAR

The gift industry loves to celebrate — and we’re right there with you! Gift Shop® Plus has opened nominations for the 2025 Spotlight Awards, which showcases 12 individuals who are making an impact on our industry with exemplary leadership, vision and innovation. This group is composed of retailers, manufacturers, designers, sales managers and executives.

We honored our dozen 2024 Spotlight Awards winners at Atlanta Market in January with a breakfast ceremony that drew nearly 70 excited (and hungry) attendees looking to cheer on their peers who are making a difference. We’re accepting nominations through Aug. 23 at giftshopmag.com/spotlight.

Ultimately, I encourage you to seize the opportunities to make your impact. I cannot wait to visit with you all in the coming weeks as market season unfolds. Keep your eye on our socials and website as we identify the hottest trends, reunite with industry friends and, per usual, have a ball.

Until next time,

The post From the Editor: Making an Impact appeared first on Gift Shop Magazine.

I never let a holiday go uncelebrated.

I love the togetherness holidays bring. I love the nostalgic smells of indulgent food cooking — from hot dogs grilling on July 4 to a turkey roasting in the oven on Thanksgiving. I love the sound of laughter echoing through a home. I love the hugs from my long-distance family and friends.

As an aunt to six little ones under the age of 5, I now experience holidays through their perspectives, watching them form their own core memories firsthand. Whether it’s an egg hunt on Easter, anticipating Santa’s long-awaited visit on Christmas Eve, or trick-or-
treating on Halloween, holidays are somehow made even sweeter through their eyes.

CONSUMER TRENDS

Consumers are also embracing the holidays and spending at pre-pandemic levels, despite headwinds like inflation.

The National Retail Federation (NRF) forecasted 2023 winter holiday spending to reach record levels, growing between 3% and 4% over 2022 to between $957.3 billion and $966.6 billion. Additionally, the average U.S. adult spent nearly $900 during this timeframe on holiday-related items.

“It is not surprising to see holiday sales growth returning to pre-pandemic levels,” said Matthew Shay, president and CEO of NRF. “Overall household finances remain in good shape and will continue to support the consumer’s ability to spend.”

IN THIS ISSUE

Holiday Shop 2024 is designed to inspire and help you meet this increased demand from consumers. The issue covers 10 holidays, showcasing products that elevate the occasion at hand, beginning on page 12.

Our massive Christmas package — spanning pages 38-60 — is carefully curated to guide you through the top décor styles, colorways and products for 2024.

Additionally, page 72 introduces Jomana Siddiqui, whose company answers the call for upscale, on-trend partyware and home goods that create new traditions for Muslim-American families. Islam is the fastest-growing religion worldwide, yet there’s a gap in the market for modern Ramadan and Eid products; Siddiqui’s company is helping to change that.

Lastly, don’t miss out on our first-ever Halloween Hosting feature on page 62. Halloween is bigger and better than before, with adults joining in on the fun by hosting festive parties with elaborate tablescapes, spooky cocktails and themed appetizers. I spoke with several wholesalers who identified the leading tabletop and décor trends for Oct. 31.

Whether you’re a wholesaler or retailer, our industry is integral to making holiday gatherings special. So let’s do what we do best — and make it a big deal.

Until next time,

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The Spotlight Awards honor 12 individuals who are making an impact on our industry with exemplary leadership, vision and innovation. This group is composed of retailers, manufacturers, designers, sales managers and executives who were nominated by their peers and carefully selected by our editorial team.

We introduce the dozen industry movers and shakers here. In each forthcoming issue this year, Gift Shop® Plus will feature four honorees, sharing in depth their achievements, contributions and insights.

The winter 2024 trade show season offers us a natural opportunity to gather. As such, you’re invited to celebrate these dozen individuals and their contributions at Atlanta Market at 10 a.m. on Jan. 19 in Building 1, Floor 14.

The Gift Shop® Plus team is looking forward to hosting this event as well as attending this season’s trade shows. Bidding adieu to the holidays is made
sweeter knowing that we are mere days away from the markets that move our industry and businesses forward.

In the meantime, enjoy Gift Shop® Plus Winter 2024, chock full of the latest trends to guide you through buying season. View a roundup of new- to-market items (page 76), find inspiration in our holiday 2024 preview, and read the stories of four diverse makers whose businesses empower retailers and customers alike.

Please feel free to say hello if you spot our team as we peruse the trade show floors. We will be trendspotting and sharing some standout market finds on giftshopmag.com and our Instagram (@giftshop_magazine).

See any trends this market season that you’d like Gift Shop® Plus to cover? Send me your observations and suggestions at cmcfadden@greatamericanpublish.com — I’d love to hear from you.

Until next time,

The post From the Editor: In the Spotlight appeared first on Gift Shop Magazine.

They present a quiet, fresh change that I find myself yearning for after summer. For retailers, though, the fourth quarter represents their busiest time of year. Holiday shopping is in full swing, many owners extend shop hours, and time can easily feel rushed. Behind every successful Q4 are months of planning, buying, merchandising and training.

Therefore, it is as important as ever to find time to slow down — a theme ever so present in the fall 2023 edition of Gift Shop® Plus. Take our Trend Report, for example, inspired by cozying up with at-home comfort items — think throw blankets, candles and stress-relief items.

Additionally, carving out time to spend with kids during these months is just as crucial for you as it is for them. Toys, games and puzzles that allow playtime to double as family time are on the rise, which we explore in an exclusive fall feature. Conversely, self-care is as important as ever, and we take a look at the latest trends promoting rest and relaxation in our bath and body feature.

Perhaps the greatest reminder to slow down in this issue comes via our Meet the Maker, Kate Walsh-Dodok. Her candle and home fragrance company, Peripeti Home, is founded on the importance of slowing down. But while Walsh-Dodok was caught up in the busyness of entrepreneurship, she found herself in a situation where slowing down was not just encouraged but critical. This was ultimately a catalyst for the business, revealing an opportunity to accelerate growth while adding to Peripeti’s purpose and role in the community.

The year is winding down just as holiday shopping is gearing up. But take time to find moments of peace and gratitude as we close the chapter on yet another year.

My own gratitude points to you, readers. I cannot thank you enough for your time, interest and support as we wrap up our last main issue of 2023.

Until next time,

Featured photo courtesy of Urbanic, as seen in Selling Christmas: 20 tips to drive Q4 sales.

The post From the Editor: Winding Down appeared first on Gift Shop Magazine.

Their stories inspire me to work harder, work smarter and never give up. It is so important to not only celebrate other women, but to also mentor and develop talent. We truly do rise by lifting others up.

I’m excited to report that Gift Shop® Plus and our entire retail group here at Great American Media Services is growing and will now include Lawn & Garden Retailer (L&GR) in addition to Gift Shop® Plus and Stationery Trends. Abby McGarry, previously the editorial director of our horticulture group, will be the editorial director of the retail group, and I will move into the group publisher role.

I could never do this if it wasn’t for the strength of this editorial team. Carly McFadden is a rock star as managing editor of Gift Shop® Plus, and I’m excited to watch her flourish in the role. With the addition of L&GR to our group, we welcome Teresa McPherson, the experienced managing editor of L&GR. Sarah Schwartz will remain in her role as editor-in-chief of the iconic Stationery Trends. Be ready for amazing content to come from this group!

In this issue, we are excited to shine a spotlight on fashion and apparel, beginning with the Trend Report. We take a look at the fun TikTok-inspired fashion “cores” that are pop culture at its finest. Customized apparel and souvenirs create tangible mementos of special places and experiences. We have a great roundup of unique items. And we can’t wait to introduce you to the dynamic mother-daughter duo in California that is honoring and celebrating authenticity in their apparel and gift boutique.

As we reach the halfway point of 2023, it’s time to focus on finishing strong. That means a robust holiday selling season. To help prepare, we have 20 tips for selling Christmas and a collection of holiday ornaments and décor that will lead to a robust fourth quarter.

Giving back is as important as ever. Products with a purpose and charitable initiatives are top of mind in the gift industry, and we present companies making a difference. And don’t miss Retail Chat with Sarah Mount, vice chair of Gift for Life.

Serving the retail industry has been so important to me as the editorial director of Gift Shop® Plus and Stationery Trends. I look forward to the opportunity as retail group publisher to connect with ALL of our partners and readers. It’s all about how we can help make their businesses better.

The post From the editor: Crushing it appeared first on Gift Shop Magazine.

Lately, I’ve been inspired by the entrepreneurs I meet who have a passion for main street retail. These business owners are listening to what their communities want and providing places where people can come together and discover new things. They are filling their shops with local goods and unique merchandise that speaks to their clientele. For some, it’s a new career after retirement.

For others, it’s a way to raise awareness for a cause. Whatever the reason, these determined merchants are making their marks on main street.

Small businesses on main streets are the backbones of their communities. A new nonprofit formed by OneCoast sales and marketing agency is launching this year to support independent retailers. Heart on Main Street is dedicated to providing tools and resources to independent retailers to help them thrive and evolve.

“We want to help retailers accomplish their goals,” said Patrick Keiser, executive director of Heart on Main Street. Retailers who have been in business less than three years will be able to apply for the Heart on Main Street mentorship and grant programs later this summer. Learn more about this new nonprofit at heartonmainstreet.org.

In this issue, we’d like to introduce you to Lovely Paperie & Gifts in Ohio. The shop’s owner spotted a high demand in her town for a gift shop and subsequently, additional demand for baby and plush items. She expanded her gift shop and opened a children’s boutique a few doors down. Her shop is featured on the cover and online here.

The Trend Report takes a look at Pantone Color of the Year Viva Magenta and a supporting cast of shades that color everything from décor to stationery. The colors of the coast are inspiring more than one jewelry maker’s designs, and we’ve got several to introduce to you.

I hope the stories and photos in this issue provide you with inspiration and encourage your passion for retail. Tell us how your main street is looking at Share Your Story on our website, giftshopmag.com/share-your-story.

We always look forward to hearing from you!

The post Main street inspiration appeared first on Gift Shop Magazine.

Shoppe Object is introducing us to six makers who jump-started their businesses with the Black Lives Matter ActionInitiative. The program is fostering a better, more representative home and gift market by subsidizing the cost of exhibition space at Shoppe Object. Read more about these talented independent Black designers and makers along with four other diverse entrepreneurs we admire.

It’s not often that we get to learn firsthand why customers love a particular store, but it was heartwarming to hear how Keewa Nurullah’s Kido store in Chicago has impacted a mother and her child. Click here to see why Erin Walker and her daughter Sadie are big fans of this inclusive kids boutique.

Don’t miss the graphic designer who has taken negative reviews of national parks and turned them into humorous offerings that provide a laugh AND promote the beauty of the National Park Service. Go behind the scenes to be entertained and inspired.

On the product front, we’ve got the latest trends in baby and plush and new introductions that were seen in person at the winter shows and on digital platforms. As I write this, holiday 2022 is in full swing, but many retailers are already planning for next Christmas. See what they can look forward to.

Our friends at nora fleming share with us how they use modern technology to streamline the creative process. We catch up with Janice Dayon Christensen, president, and founder Nora Napientek in Meet the Maker.

Lastly, I’m happy to introduce readers to a new member of our editorial team, Carly McFadden, who is serving as managing editor for both Gift Shop® Plus and Stationery Trends. You’ll see her bright, fresh perspective throughout these pages, and she was excited to meet the gift industry at markets. Our entire team was thrilled to see people in person at the shows this winter!

The post All My Favorites appeared first on Gift Shop Magazine.

Inflation, gas prices and shipping disruptions have kept everyone on their toes.

“Consumers have become cautious — but they have not stopped spending,” National Retail Federation Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz said recently. “Growth is not as high as last year, but households continue to spend each month as more jobs, wage growth and savings backstop their finances and help them confront higher prices.”

Managing disruptions is a key to survival in today’s economic climate. For publishers like us, paper shortages and printing resources have us scrambling to come up with alternative solutions. That’s why this printed magazine looks slightly different. Our new trim size and paper stock don’t change that Gift Shop® Plus is the go-to resource for specialty retailers. It’s packed full of exciting new trends, products and retailer profiles to keep our readers inspired and in the know.

When it comes to inspired retail, garden centers like Merrifield Garden Center in northern Virginia have merchandising dialed in for their three locations. They infuse nature into all of their displays, cross merchandising home décor with garden products and plants to inspire customers on their green living journey. Learn more about their process. Check out the Outdoor Living Lookbook for all kinds of natural inspiration and outdoor-centric products across categories.

Alongside our sister publication, Stationery Trends, we are proud to introduce the 40 new honorees to the Gift + Stationery 40 Under 40 program. The class of 2022 features a new group of creatives making their marks in the industry. We were so thankful to celebrate this year’s class IN PERSON during a special reception at the Las Vegas Market on July 24. Meet the entire class.

Getting together and celebrating is something we will never take for granted again. In this season of gratitude, I am so thankful to our readers, our advertising partners, our industry friends and our team here at Great American Media Services, all who inspire me with their versatility and creativity.

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Summer in the gift industry means planning for the holidays and traveling to trade shows. Networking and meeting face-to-face has been tough these last few years and we’ve all had to re-tool to keep business running. As the world slowly opens back up, we are happy to gather again, this time as we honor past and present Gift + Stationery 40 Under 40 honorees at a live, in-person event during the Las Vegas Market!

This exciting opportunity to meet and celebrate will take place on Sunday, July 24 at 4:30 p.m. in The Expo at Las Vegas Market. Everyone is invited and encouraged to make a $40 donation to Gift For Life’s campaign to support World Central Kitchen for hunger relief here and abroad.

Gift Shop Plus and Stationery Trends will host its second Gift + Stationery Week Aug. 9-11, featuring webcasts discussing diversity in the industry, trend forecasting, and the latest e-commerce options for both makers and buyers. The multi-day industry event is interactive and designed to provide the latest insight and trends as we recognize the next generation of leaders.

In this issue, we are proud to shine a light on women-owned businesses, along with other highlights, which include the Trend Report Style Guide; the Apparel & Accessories Lookbook; the cozy comfort of pillows and throws; and summer introductions. And don’t miss the museums&MORE section that focuses on connecting with guests at museums and cultural institutions.

Wherever life takes you – and your dogs – I hope you enjoy the long, warm days of summer. I look forward to seeing many of you – hopefully in person.

Julie McCallum

The post See You Soon appeared first on Gift Shop Magazine.

Diversity matters and representation in gift, décor, toys, games, partyware, stationery and greeting cards is crucial. I was thankful to recently connect with a maker who introduced me to several artists and makers of color. Andrea Lyons, owner of Anna+Pookie is on a mission to allow people of all ages to express and celebrate themselves in a way that is representative of their own interests, cultures, and personal styles. “I launched Anna+Pookie after noticing a lack of gifts, stylish stationery and party decorations that were culturally relevant,” Lyons said. See more products by makers of color in the Editor’s Picks: Diversity Matters.

The adventurous retailers featured in the museums&MORE section prove they are so much more than gift shops. Shedd Aquarium in Chicago and Zoo Atlanta are inspiring stewardship of the planet by providing immersive retail experiences and calling consumers to action. Learn how they are making a difference in the articles Positive Impact and Adventurous Retail. 

Stationery and greeting cards have become the medium of connection during the pandemic and beyond. The messages they convey have reached new limits of emotion with off-beat to heartfelt missives reflective of the population. The Stationery Lookbook, The Medium is the Message by Sarah Schwartz, editor-in-chief for sister publication Stationer Trends, includes a dazzling look into the eye-popping Portland stationery shop also seen on the cover. 

Last but not least, sit down for a spirited Retail Chat with Cat Hildner, a 40 Under 40 alumni, for a pep talk about building your brand in the this issue’s article Level Up Your Product Business Branding.

And don’t forget to nominate for this year’s 40 Under 40 class of outstanding leaders in the gift and stationery industry. We are excited to welcome everyone to celebrate 2022’s inductees this summer as we host 3 days of virtual programming during Gift + Stationery Week Aug. 9-11, 2022.  

As I strive to live with intention, I encourage you, too, to remain true to your values, goals and beliefs. Your customers will appreciate your authenticity. 

Julie McCallum, editorial director for Gift Shop Plus

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