COMMENTARY: Changes in
Scrapbooking
Probably the most common thing I heard at last weekend's CHA
Summer Show was, "Scrapbooking has peaked." Word is
spreading that a number of independent stores are closing; that will
drag down a number of small vendors, and there are too many vendors
selling essentially the same thing (especially paper).
These comments may very well be true, but the ultimate question
is, has the consumer's interest peaked? That's very difficult to
determine because so many retail operations outside our
"traditional" industry are selling scrapbook supplies.
Scrapbooking does seem to have peaked within our industry, but as CLN
reported earlier, Big Lots is selling a million dollars a
month in scrapbook paper. How is Toys R Us doing with its Kodak
memory program? How about Target? The consumer may be as
interested as ever, but may be purchasing substantial amounts of
supplies in stores we don't consider "ours."
Creating Keepsakes' latest research indicated 25% of U.S.
households have a scrapper. That leaves 75% a lot of potential
for the category to resume growing if we focus on attracting the
beginner, rather than bombarding retailers with new, advanced
products every three months.
NEW COLUMNS THIS ISSUE
Memory, Paper &
Stamps. A scrapbook retailer closes
her doors and blames vendors? Does she have a point? Well, yes and
no Mike Hartnett comments.
Tech Topics. An industry website was hacked into and
consumer credit card info was stolen from the e-commerce portion of
the site. Here's how the company handled the problem.
"Vinny Da Vendor". What makes a great
manufacturer's rep? Colleagues describe the late Bob Watkins.
Scene &
Heard. More expert comments on beads: how
beads compare to other industry categories, and design trends from
the recent Bead&Button show.
Category
Reports. The Home Sewing Assn. released
perhaps the most comprehensive study of the sewing industry
ever. Here are some highlights.
Kate's
Collage. A newspaper editor/columnist describes her
introduction to scrapbooking a beautifully written reminder of
why scrapbooking is so popular.
Legal Q. & A. CLN's legal expert, Eva-Marie
Boyd, passed away earlier this year. Here's a brief story of her
wonderful life.
New Trade Show
Exhibitors. Did you miss some of the
vendors in the "New Exhibitor" section of the CHA
Summer Show? Their listings with links to their sites are still
here.
Note. If you surf to a column and it's an "old"
column, click the "Refresh" or "Reload" button
of your browser.
TAKE THE CLN POLL: OUR
GREATEST CHALLENGES
What is America's biggest challenge the economy, Iraq, health
care, or ...? To vote, click on Industry Polls in the right-hand
column or click HERE.
CLN
POLL; RATING AMERICA'S
LEADERS
President Bush cannot be happy with the results of CLN's
latest poll and Congress should feel worse. The President's
handling of Iraq: Miserable: 43.9% ... Poor: 10.6% ... Fair: 6.0%
... Good: 25.8% ... Outstanding: 13.6%.
The President's handing of the economy: Miserable: 30.0% ...
Poor: 24.2% ... Fair: 13.6% ... Good: 16.7% ... Outstanding: 15.2%.
Congress' handing of the economy: Miserable: 30.0% ... Poor:
40.9% ... Fair: 16.7% ... Good: 10.6% ... Outstanding: 1.5%.
(Comment: In CLN's final pre-election poll,
President Bush handily defeated Senator Kerry.)
CHA SUMMER SHOW REPORT
The show was filled with contradictions. There appeared to be a
smaller attendance, but the traffic flow seemed good throughout the
show because there were fewer vendors. While scrapbook exhibitors
seemed very happy with the show, it was a mixed bag for non-memory
vendors. They were the distinct minority, but as a result, the
non-memory buyers had far more time for them than happens at the CHA
Winter Show.
Heard on the show floor:
"Scrapbooking has peaked."
"The traffic seems down but those who are here are
buying." -- Scrapbook vendor
"I came here expecting to talk to a couple of [non-memory]
vendors in particular. I was very disappointed they weren't
here." Large independent retailer
"Vendors who don't exhibit at this show are very
short-sighted" CEO of a major chain
"As the scrapbook business gets tougher, more independents
realize they need to join a group and work together."
President of a retail group
"The investment community seems to have discovered our
industry" President of a company who's receiving 1-2
inquiries a week about selling his company.
"I never saw so much paper in my life. Are there any trees
left?" Scrapbook retailer
"There's absolutely no need for three scrapbook shows
CHA Winter and Summer, and Memory Trends. Retailers and vendors
can't afford to attend three." Scrapbook manufacturer
"We absolutely need three scrapbook shows because the demand
for new products is so constant." Scrapbook manufacturer
Trends: Successful scrapbook retailers are expanding into picture
framing and paper crafting, and using a wider variety of
"craft" products in their projects ... There appears to be
an up-tick in needlepoint, probably due to an overlap of a new
generation discovering knitting ... There's recent growth in
wearable art/fabric painting, too, as the
personalization/embellishment trend continues to grow.
Seminars. Two very successful seminars were How To Sell To The
Chains (100+ attendees at 7:30 am on set-up day) and Scrapbook
Retailer's Surviving in the Scrapbook Industry, a five-hour event
that mixed business topics and breaks to work with products.
MICHAELS: A STRONG QUARTER
If Michaels performs as its execs expect, it will be the clear
winner for the second quarter. The company announced it expected
diluted earnings/share for the second quarter ending July 30 to be
$0.20-$0.22 as it had announced in May. Same-store sales for the
quarter are expected to increase 5%-6%. The top departments: general
crafts, yarn, scrapbooking, and ribbon/wedding. Top regions:
Southwest, Pacific, and Southeast. For the fiscal year, diluted
earnings/share are expected to increase 25%-30%. The sales/earning
report will be released Aug. 4.
EK SUCCESS: THE PLOT THICKENS
Advent International Group is making a major bid to buy or
invest in EK Success, according to TheDeal.com, a trade
publication for the mergers and acquisitions industry. In May,
Advent bought a 70% stake in Making Memories.
As reported in the previous issue of CLN, EK Success hired
Banc of America (BofA) to handle the sale. Advent and BofA declined
to comment to TheDeal.com, and EK had already announced it would not
comment until any deal was completed.
TheDeal.com quoted unnamed sources as saying EK's EBITA
((Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization)
was about $30 million and could attract bids of 8 times EBITA.
Advent may be willing to pay up to 9 times, or $270 million,
reported TheDeal.com.
While a rumor spread at the CHA Summer Show that the deal
has been completed, CLN learned that no deal with any buyer
has been completed.
THE LATEST YARN TRENDS FROM
ITALY
(Note: The following report is from Cari Clement, Director
of Fashion & Design for Caron Int.)
Pitti Filati, the international yarn show held recently in
Florence, is "the" show for anyone involved in yarn
the fashion press, designers, knitwear manufacturers, and U.S. yarn
importers. Many craft industry yarn spinners and importers were
there, including myself.
While the trends area is always changing, it reflected an
upcoming knitwear direction of "knitwear as art" and, more
specifically, a pallette for individual expression, whether in
color, stitch patterns, or overall design. Other trends for the
2006-07 season:
Tweeds and plaids in non-traditional shapes ... Northern looks
such as Aran and Fair Isle patterning ... Soft, romantic looks
translated into ruffles, lace, and other similar embellishments ...
Continuing global influences reflected in rich colors and
tapestry-inspired looks ... Chunky and "big" looks with
large shawl collars and cowl necklines. One of the most significant
trends is that of increasing embellishing, from trimmings to beading
to sequins to embroidery.
The show was very busy and the Italian mills are beefing up their
offerings in their hand knitting divisions, indicating that knitting
is finally catching on in Europe, following America's passion for
the art. The mills describe Europe as being where America was a
couple years ago. But the look for the US seems to be getting more
toned-down (after all, where else could it go?) and focusing more on
stitches and color than heavily textured yarns.
(Note: Cari is also the driving force behind the Fiber and
Craft Entrepreneurial Development Center which is starting knitting
cooperatives for the women of Rwanda. To read more, click on Business-Wise in the left-hand column.)
PAINT BY NUMBER REBOUNDING?
The (Portland) Oregonian recently published an article
about the resurgence of, yes, paint-by-numbers. The article
highlighted Art by Numbers (www.artbynumbers.co.uk)
from Great Britain. The company offers kits for contemporary floral
designs ranging in price $50 to $123.
Meanwhile, the Bob Ross Co. is unveiling Bob Ross for
Kids paint-by-number kits next month. Visit www.bobross.com.
The Oregonian said collecting vintage paint-by-number
paintings from the 1950s is popular, too. Fifty years ago,
paint-by-number kits sold for about $2.50. Last summer, a portrait
of Queen Elizabeth sold for $2,800 on eBay.
The pastime started in the 1920s when kits were sold to children.
Kits for adults started in the 1950s and took off when a finished
kit winning third place in a San Francisco art contest attracted
national publicity. The Oregonian quoted William Bird Jr.'s
book, Paint by Number: The How-To Craze that Swept the Nation,
as saying by 1954, "the hobby's critics ruefully noted that
more number paintings hung in Americans' homes than did original
works of art."
READERS COMMENT ON DUMPING AT
CONSUMER SHOWS
The previous issue included an email from an industry veteran who
was shocked by the amount of "dumping" (selling excess
inventory at drastically reduced prices) at consumer shows. That
elicited the following responses:
1. "We didn't call it 'dumping' back then, but that
practice ruined the ceramics industry, the tole painting industry,
and it's going to ruin scrapbooking, too. They just don't learn. If
I was an independent scrapbook store I wouldn't tell my customers
about these shows." (Comment: The same thing happened in
counted cross-stitch, too, and show sponsors have no control over
the prices exhibitors charge attendees.)
2. "I also attended a show recently and I have never
seen anything like this anywhere in the three years that we have
been doing shows. This put a huge dent in the pocketbooks of the
attendees as well as their perceptions of the value of other
products at the show.
"I felt so bad for those retailers who had devoted booth
space to selling product from those companies doing the dumping. But
I doubt that will influence their buying habits much. Retailers are
constantly whining about the unethical practices of large companies:
from selling brand new products to chains or at consumer shows
before independents can get them, to heavy chain discounting and
selling on QVC and HSN. The independents continue to buy the large
company's products and ignore those more loyal to independent
smaller manufacturers.
(Comment: independents probably argue that the larger
vendors advertise heavily; then the retailers' customers request the
products, so the independents feel obligated to order them.)
JUNE SALES: DISAPPOINTING
A.C. Moore (and Michaels) does not announce monthly
sales figures, but A.C. Moore's quarterly results were sluggish
see below. Meanwhile, Jo-Ann's net sales increased 4.0% to
$151.8 million, but same-store sales decreased 0.2%. Year-to-date,
sales are up 3.8% to $687.1 million and same-store sales have risen
0.4%.
Wal-Mart's same-store sales rose 4.5%, the largest
increase since May, 2004. The company said a higher average ticket
was responsible for 75% of the sales increase. Once again, Target's
increase was higher: 9.0%.
Hancock's same-store sales fell 8.0%. CEO Jane Aggers
announced that it has finalized its new $110 million secured credit
facility with Wachovia Bank, N.A.
Others. Kohl's, +14.4% ... Costco, +9.0% ... Nordstrom,
+8.1% ... Walgreens, +7.8% ... JCPenney, +7.4% ... CVS, +5.8% ...
Dollar General, +4.3% ... Duckwall-ALCO, +3.3% ... Family Dollar,
+1.4% ... Big Lots, +1.1% ... Rite Aid, +0.2%.
A.C. MOORE: A DISAPPOINTING
QUARTER
For the second quarter ended June 30, sales rose 12.1% to $113.5
million, but same-store sales rose only 0.5%, below the company's
expectations. For the first six months of the fiscal year, sales
were $236.4 million, up 11.1%, but same-store sales have fallen
0.6%.
As a result, execs now expect earnings to be a penny profit or
loss/share for the quarter, and lowered its full year profit
forecast by six cents to $1.00 - $1.03/share. The stock dropped
$3.16 the day of the announcement.
CEO Jack Parker stated, "During the second quarter, we spent
a great deal of energy re-merchandising our stores and preparing for
the important last six months of the year. This year we re-worked
over 75% of our basic merchandise footage. We believe the changes we
made will not only serve us well in the third and fourth quarters of
this year, but also provide benefits for future years. With that
said, we were disappointed with our sales in the second quarter,
especially our weekend business starting with Memorial Day and
continuing through June."
Earnings will be reported today, July 20.
RECOMMENDED READING
Most publications offer suggestions for summer reading for the
beach or vacation. But if you're one of those people who can't
completely leave work at the office or store, here are some
suggestions:
1. The Paradox of Choice, by Barry Schwartz, a
professor of psychology at Swarthmore College. His research
indicates that often consumers are simply bewildered by a wide
variety of similar products and often end up buying less than they
would have if they'd been presented with fewer choices. (Comment:
Certainly food for thought for our industry, particularly in
scrapbooking.) To read an interview with Schwartz, visit www.kpmginsiders.com/display_analysis.asp?cs_id=135245.
2. The World Is Flat: A Brief History of the
Twenty-First Century, by New York Times columnist Thomas
Friedman, who explains why trade issues aren't as simple as they
seem.
3. To learn about the growing Hispanic market, read Beyond
Bodegas: Developing a Retail Relationship with Hispanic Customers,
by Jim Perkins.
RANDOM NOTES, RANDOM THOUGHTS
Bill Gardner, the Editorial Director of Craftrends, is
participating in an AIDS walk in Denver Aug. 20. He raised $3,300
last year, and to help Bill reach this year's goal of $3,500, send a
check to AIDS Walk Colorado, c/o Craftrends, 741 Corporate Circle,
Ste. A, Golden, CO 80401 or visit www.aidswalkcolorado.org,
click on Donate, then Sponsoring a Participant, then follow the
instructions to reach Bill's donation page.
You may remember Bill was the driving force behind the auction, Creating
for Life. It was a highlight of the ACCI Chicago show for nine
years that raised approximately $250,000 for AIDS research. Bill was
honored by HIA (now CHA) for his efforts.
MISCELLANEOUS NEWS: THE
ECONOMY
CONSUMERS. The U.S. is number one when it comes to the
percentage of the population that claims to "have no spare
cash," according to a new A.C. Nielsen survey of consumers in
38 countries. More than one-quarter (28%) of U.S. respondents said
that once they have covered their essential living expenses, they
have no money left over. For those who do not live paycheck to
paycheck, 37% of U.S. respondents use the extra money to pay off
debts; 21% use the money for home improvements/decorating a
higher percentage than those buying new clothes or planning
holidays/vacations.
IMPORTS. According to Ad Age, most Americans
believe "Made in the USA" stands for quality and value,
but young adults and higher income households are not inclined to
look for U.S.-made products.
MINIMUM WAGE. Wisconsin is the 18th state to raise its
minimum wage above the federal minimum wage of $5.15. The federal
minimum hasn't increased in eight years, and its buying power is at
its lowest point since 1949, USA Today reported. The paper
cited a Pew Research Center poll in December which indicated 86% of
those surveyed supported raising the federal minimum to $6.45. The
latest proposal to raise it died in the Senate in March.
LACE. The Associated Press recently profiled Manhattan
Lace, in Franklin Lakes, NJ. The 38-year-old company once had 10
lace-making machines and employed about 45 people. Now, it runs
three machines which are 100+ years old, and has four employees. In
1996 Manhattan Lace was one of 400 embroidery companies within a
10-square-mile radius. Today there are fewer than 50. What happened?
"... the world economy comes knocking, and it goes out of
business because it can't stay competitive," said Silvio
Laccetti, author of an economic study of the area. "The cost of
manufacturing everywhere is lower than here." The company also
sells to quilters and home knitters through eBay.
LEGAL. OfficeMax is the latest chain being investigated by
the Securities and Exchange Commission regarding payments to the
company from vendors. The chain began its own investigation when an
OfficeMax vendor claimed "certain employees acted
inappropriately in requesting promotional payments and falsifying
supporting documents," the Associated Press reported. (Comment:
It's the first time CLN has heard of a vendor turning in
a chain to the feds.)
ADVERTISING. According to the U.S. government American
Time Use Survey, adults in homes with children have 4.2 hours of
leisure time per day, and working mothers have a little more than
three hours. Meanwhile an article on BrandWeek.com cited studies by
Yahoo! and Starcom Media where women indicate their total time spent
on individual activities in one day added up to 38 hours of
activity. BrandWeek.com calls it "Multiminding" and claims
traditional advertising methods are becoming less effective because
women don't or can't pay attention; they're already doing two or
more things at once ... eMarketer raised its projection for 2005
Internet ad spending to 34% from 21%, Ad Age reported.
ADVERTISING. A new Forrester Research report revealed that
retailers doubled their spending on search engine advertising in
2004, but reduced slightly their advertising with portals such as
Yahoo!, America Online, and MSN, Media Post reported .... A survey
by the Interactive Advertising Bureau concluded companies increased
their online ad spending by 26% in the first quarter of 2005 ...
Merrill Lynch reported, "We continue to estimate a 29% increase
in U.S. online spending this year to $12.4 billion," Forbes reported.
Merrill Lynch expects a 21% compound annual growth rate through
2009, when spending will reach $25 billion.
GASOLINE. Oil temporarily hit $62/barrel for the first
time since 1983. "It's affected retailers differently, with an
impact on lower-income households," Mike Niemira of the Int.
Council of Shopping Centers told the New York Daily News. The
ICSC sales at luxury stores rose 7.1% over the past year;
discounters' improved only 2.7%.
TRAVEL. Due to increased business travel, hotel rates are
going up, says the New York Times. Rates will rise 4.3% next
year.
MISCELLANEOUS NEWS
PRICING. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince sold
6.9 million copies the first day, and yet a price war broke out
among retailers. Wal-Mart.com is selling the book for $1.33 less
than Amazon, then Amazon cut the price $1. Retail stores are cutting
prices, too. (Comment: Isn't that called leaving money on the
table?)
PEOPLE. Duncan promoted Mark Peters to Exec VP. Mark has
served in various VP positions at Duncan over the past nine years
... CHA hired Tony Lee as VP of Meetings & Expositions.
Tony has 25+ years of show management experience and is the former
Chair of the New York chapter of the Int. Assn. of Exposition
Management ... Polyform promoted Robbin Bedard to VP of
Marketing from Director of Product Development, and named Teri
Bailey as Marketing Manager ... The CHA Board of Directors has given
a multi-year extension to the contract of the CEO, Steve Berger ...
Joe Brown joined Lil Davis Designs as Exec VP. Joe had
been Dir. of Operations/VP - Strategic Sourcing for Making
Memories.
CNA. The magazine named Laura Rintala as Associate
Editor. The CNA office is also moving to Denver
manufacturers should send all product info to Laura at 12365 Huron
St., Ste. 500, Denver, CO 80234. Her email is laura.rintala@fwpubs.com
and her phone is 303-920-5369. Editor Karen Ancona's phone remains
the same, 570-646-8524.
TRADEMARKS. For an excellent article on the basics of
trademarks and trademark infringement, visit http://wistechnology.com/article.php?id=1971.
AWARDS. Polyform's latest addition to its Sculpey
line, Party Projects Oven-Bake Clay Party Kit, has won an Excellent
Product award from iParenting Media, and awards from The National
Parenting Center and the Parents' Choice Foundation. Visit www.sculpey.com.
YARN/FLIP-FLOPS. A recent article distributed to the
Knight Ridder/Tribune newspapers profiled Joan Cassel of
Colebrookdale Township, PA who decorates flip-flops "with the
fuzzy eyelash yarn popular in scarves." The response has been
so strong she's made hundreds of pairs this summer and is selling
them. The article reported decorated flip-flops are hot sellers in
stores, and that has inspired crafters to create their own. The
article said the local A.C. Moore and Michaels stores
sold out quickly this summer.
NEEDLEWORK. Candamar Designs has recently expanded into
distributing Yazzi Organizers, Angel Knit Patterns for
the Cure, and The Butterfly Looms, which allow consumers
to make ponchos, jackets, scarves, handbags, and home dec items with
yarn, ribbon, fabric strips, etc. Visit www.candamar.com.
DRAWING. Derwent launched a new drawing pencil, Graphitint,
which combines the qualities of a conventional graphite pencil with
a hint of color. Used dry, Graphitint produces a suggestion
of color, but by adding water, the colors become more vibrant. It's
available in 24 shades and is being distributed in the U.S. and
Canada by ColArt.
PAPER. Card designer and manufacturer Meri Meri won
a record 13 Louie awards at the 17th annual International
Greeting Cards awards ceremony in New York in May. She's now
offering adhesive backed die-cuts. Visit www.scrapbookingwithus.com/merimeri.html.
YARN. Lion Brand's website is offering a free knitting
pattern based on the colors of the four different "houses"
of Harry Potter's school. The pattern was developed by a clerk in
the Gilroy, CA Barnes and Noble store. She knitted
"Wizard Scarves" for each of the 60 store employees to
wear for the celebration of the new Harry Potter book, Harry
Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, that premiered last week.
PHOTOS. By late September, Walgreen's customers
will be able to upload their photos to www.walgreens.com,
choose a Walgreen's location, and pick up the photos within an hour.
BEADS. CLN is hearing good things about The Bead
Monkey stores in the Minneapolis area and an impressive
Internet site. Visit www.thebeadmonkey.com.
NEEDLEWORK. Plaid will relocate Bucilla manufacturing
and distribution functions from Hazleton to Plaid's Atlanta-based
facilities. The consolidation will be complete by November.
"Over the past several years, Plaid has invested heavily in our
Atlanta manufacturing and distribution facilities," said Plaid
President Mike McCooey. "Our new manufacturing facility and
enhanced distribution systems will allow the company to leverage
that investment and provide continued growth for the Bucilla
brand. "With our expanded facilities, we now have the capacity
to bring Bucilla to Atlanta." Bucilla was founded in 1867 and
was acquired by Plaid in 1996. The company specializes in counted
and stamped cross stitch kits and felt kits.
MENTORS. The Needle Arts Mentoring Programs (NAMP)
pair adult needleworkers with kids wishing to learn various forms of
needlework. It's sponsored by the Helping Hands Foundation, a
division of The National NeedleArts Assn. Order forms will be
mailed this fall to 53 sites that were active during the 2004-2005
program year and new programs are being added for classroom
teachers, after-school program coordinators, Scout troop leaders,
and other adults. TNNA members have been generous with in-kind
donations of supplies to the foundation. Anyone interested in making
a contribution or starting a NAMP should contact Exec Director Penny
Sitler at psitler@offinger.com,
call 740-452-4541, ext. 3250, or visit www.needleartsmentoring.org.
LAWSUITS. Two current and one former employee of Wal-Mart
filed a lawsuit in Oklahoma City claiming the retailer retaliated
against employees who file workers' compensation claims. They are
seeking class-action status for their suit. A Wal-Mart spokesperson
told the Associated Press the company had not been served with the
lawsuit and therefore could not comment on the specifics of the case
but added, "Safety is paramount in every decision we make both
for customers and our associates." ... Ten shoppers filed a
lawsuit against Wal-Mart, alleging that employees in a Boston-area
store targeted them as potential shoplifters based on their race,
the Associated Press reported. In December, the shoppers offered to
settle the case for $400,000, but the company did not make a
settlement offer. A spokesperson said the company has not thoroughly
reviewed the lawsuit, but had investigated the cases and found no
evidence of discrimination.
QUOTATION. "At some point vendors are going to start
putting the onus back on the retailers and say, 'Our job is to make
stuff; your job is to sell stuff.'" Jim Dion, president of
Dionco Inc., a retail consulting firm (St. Louis Post Dispatch)
STOCK. Stephens Inc. downgraded A.C. Moore from overweight
to equal weight.
TV. Our industry is popping up in strange places. A recent
segment of Fire Me, Please featured a scrapbook store.
Contestants try to get fired as quickly as possible and this
contestant was every store manager's nightmare ... One of the
characters of the HBO hit, Six Feet Under, meets with a
knitting group in a store called "Unwind: Knitting for the Body
and Mind."
RETAIL THEFT. According to a new survey sponsored by the
National Retail Federation, 78% of senior loss-prevention retail
execs said their company has been a victim of an organized
retail theft in the past year and 46% have seen the problem
increasing. "From small mom-and-pop stores to big-box
retailers, the entire retail industry is feeling the impact of this
growing problem," said Joseph LaRocca, NRF VP of Loss
Prevention.
THE CREATIVE NETWORK: JOB
OPENINGS
To see a partial listing of the jobs being offered by The
Creative Network, the only personnel recruitment firm specializing
in our industry, click on Jobs in the left-hand column or click HERE.
THE CLN RETAIL INDEX
A. C. Moore (ACMR). Last*: 27.24 ... Change**: -4.96
Hancock Fabrics (HKF). Last*: 6.71 ... Change**: -0.05
Jo-Ann Stores (JAS). Last*: 27.00 ... Change**: +0.49
Michaels (MIK). Last*: 39.70 ... Change**: -1.26
Wal-Mart (WMT). Last*: 49.99 ... Change**: +1.71
CLN Retail Index. Last*: 150.64 ... Change**: -2.6%
Dow Jones Index. Last*: 10,574.99 ... Change**: +2.6%
*July 19 ** from July 1 Prices are exclusive of dividends
CLEVER RETAILING IDEAS
1. Most consumers have old photos stuffed in drawers, but
many also have old jewelry from mothers and grandmothers that they
no longer wear. What about a class teaching students how to take
apart the old pieces and create new necklaces, bracelets, pendants,
and earrings using the ancestor's beads? The new creations become a
kind of wearable scrapbook.
2. Chicago magazine reported that a Chicago yarn
shop, Nina, is hosting baby showers for up to 12 people. The
guests are taught enough knitting skills to contribute a square or
two. The squares are then joined to create the baby's first blanket.
REMINDERS
1. For more information on how your business can be the
subject of a "Business Profile" call Mike Hartnett at 309-925-5593 or email mike@clnonline.com.
2. If you want a hard-copy of this issue, click on
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4. If you want to recommend CLN to a friend, use the
"Tell Your Friends" box on the home page.
5. Creative Leisure News returns to its regular
publication schedule -- the first and third Mondays of each
month. Your next issue will be Monday, August 1.
xxx