The Biz: Feature Articles

With 35,000 attendees, over 85 countries and all 50 states represented, the New York International Gift Fair is the place buyers and sellers will want to be this January 29th through February 3rd. Held twice annually in January and August, the NYIGF showcases the best and newest in gift merchandise. Stationery, candles, seasonal, houseware and kitchenware are among the categories displayed, in addition to, of course, games, puzzles, toys, baby and child products. Today, The Giggle Guide^® gives you a sneak peak of GRIMM’S, Kidlandia, Jaxxwear, and BabyBindle to whet your appetite for the big event!

As harried parents know, life is generally filled with more demands than there are hours in a day to meet. Given a family’s long list of daily activities and goals, parents who want both themselves and their children to be more organized and accountable can benefit from a helpful selection of tools by The Homework Caddy, Creative Changes, Prosperity4Kids and The Reward Chain. These products help parents teach kids the importance of responsibility when it comes to activities like tracking homework assignments, performing household chores and saving money.

“Chicago, Chicago, I’ll show you around…” Those song lyrics hit the right note, because this January’s Chicago Market: Living and Giving^® gift and home show will lead you through floor after floor of vendors offering fine products — many making their 2011 debut at the show. Unlike those song lyrics, there will be no mention of “betting your bottom dollar,” because the products presented are sure winners for retailers and consumers! Among the juvenile product manufacturers you can meet at the show, watch for Babalu, Inc., Little Toader, Stephan Baby, and Four Peas.

We are a nation of people who want what we want when we want it. American consumerism accounts for two-thirds of the nation’s GPD (Gross Profit Dollars) and nearly one-fifth of that worldwide. Our shopping habits carry quite the impact. That being said, when these buying habits begin to shift (as they currently are), businesses who want to remain relevant will happily shift with them.