Gourmet Business, August/September 2010

Merchandising is the key ingredient in a recipe for success as an independent specialty retailer. Inherently keeping the merchandising fresh, seasonally appropriate and visually stimulating is all part of the challenge. We have dedicated our publication to continually bring you information on the latest products and trends throughout the year to help you meet this challenge.

I was introduced to the housewares industry more than 20 years ago

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Publisher/Advertising David Spencer dspencer@gourmetbusiness.com 877-438-4932 ext. 1

Executive Editor Karen Martin kmartin@gourmetbusiness.com 207-767-5019 877-438-4932 ext. 2

Creative Director Penelope Korff penny@korffdesign.com

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info@gourmetbusiness.com
while working as a sales associate for Bloomingdales
in the housewares department. I was able to expe-
rience through first hand observation the power of
merchandising. Bloomingdales put a lot of effort into
their visual merchandising, changing it multiple times
throughout the year. It was surprising to me that we
often saw the same customers multiple times during a
given week, but since the merchandising was kept so
fresh, they would still discover new items to purchase.

Vice President of Sales Brad Simon bsimon@gourmetbusiness.com 800-765-9797

Advertising Sales

Bonnie Nelson bnelson@gourmetbusiness.com 914-478-4408

Gourmet Business LLC is a division of HousewaresDirect, Inc.

Corporate Offices: Gourmet Business & HousewaresDirect, Inc. PO Box 700

Weston, MA 02493

Gourmet Business is a digital publication serving the gourmet gift retailer. Gourmet Business relies on product information submitted by the manufacturer, distributor or other representative in the featured editorial content. Gourmet Business is not responsible for any errors in the descriptions or prices appearing in the magazine. Gourmet Business is distributed free of charge to qualified professionals in the gift and housewares industry.

www.gourmetbusiness.com Walking the aisles of the Summer 2010 New York International Gift Fair drove home the impact of the economy on consumers.

Consumers are returning to the marketplace, but their needs have evolved and “value pricing” is not the only thing on their minds.

A gift, or really any purchase,
has to do more these days.
Consumers want products that
are functional, but functionality
is not enough. An item must be
beautiful to behold, an object of
art. The next quality to add to the list that consumers want
is eco-friendly. And let’s wrap that all up in a great human-
interest story.

I had more than a few conversations at the show discussing the consumer who wants to “simplify,” with more quality, less quantity. If a purchase is made, consumers are more mindful in their selections, seeking the beautifully functional item, that’s very existence embodies eco-friendliness and social responsibility.

Now every item may not be able to live up to this standard, but specialty retailers are in the best position to seek out these multidimensional products. There were 1000’s of products at NYIGF that would meet the test of the evolving consumer. We’ve highlighted many of these products in our NYIGF wrap-up section.

Maybe it’s just that the definition of “value” is changing. I received a newsletter from a local specialty food store last week, explaining why their eggs were a real value at a dollar a dozen more than those you might find on the grocery shelves. The value was in the knowledge of exactly which local farm provided the egg and that, had you purchased those eggs, you were not checking serial numbers on the carton to see if they should be destroyed due to the recall. How’s that for value?