For the first time, the Boston Gift Show will feature a Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) Pavilion.  RISD is a community of 2,200 artists and designers from around the world, and prides itself on providing the highest quality education in the visual arts, design, architecture and art education.  Alumni showcasing their unique creations at the Boston Gift Show will include Aster + Sage, Clay Trout Pottery, DAmetals, Ding La Gift Studio, Max Mead Cartoons, Nam Kim Designs Ltd., Red Rover Clothing Co. and She-Weld.   

The RISD Pavilion will be located within the Gifts, Etc. division of the Show.

The Boston Gift Show will add an outdoor element for buyers at the September 15-18, 2007, market, as it launches an Outdoor Living® division and complementary program.  The 159th semi-annual edition will feature new products and education focused on this $50 billion segment of the gift industry.

Sponsored by the Branch-Smith Publishing Family of Garden Gift Magazines, Outdoor Living will spotlight the fastest growing product category in the gift industry – decorative accessories and specialty items for lawn and garden.  Products featured within the division will include bird feeders, decorative accessories, garden tools, planters, furniture, fountains, lighting, prints, patio products and other related merchandise.  Forty exhibitors are expected to participate in the new division. 

Off the Show floor, an Outdoor Living seminar will present an opportunity for attendees to learn about the growing popularity of this product category.  Presented by Garden Center Assistant Editor Sarah Martinez, the seminar will address creating outdoor rooms, including the challenges and opportunities they present for garden retailers.  Adding further value to participants will be the introduction of a Garden Club, which will provide complimentary seminar admission and valet parking to a select group of garden center buyers.

The Boston Gift Show is now accepting nominations for the 3rd annual Pride of New England Awards, a coveted honor recognizing New England retailers for outstanding customer service, creative merchandising and community involvement.  All September Show participants are invited to submit a nomination for this esteemed recognition, which has quickly become a top honor for New England gift retailers.  Nominations must be received by January 4, 2008, and can be submitted onsite during the September market, or online at www.bostongiftshow.com.   
           
Finalists will be announced in February 2008, with winners revealed during a Pride of New England Awards ceremony during the April 5-8, 2008, market.  Winners will be selected by a panel of esteemed industry veterans, including a past Pride of New England Award winner and editors of the leading industry trade publications.  Judges for the 2008 competition include Tony DeMasi, editor, Souvenirs, Gifts & Novelties; Caroline Kennedy, executive editor, Gifts & Decorative Accessories; John Saxtan, editor, Giftware News; Susan Wagner, editor, Country Business; Joyce Washnik, publisher & editor, Giftbeat; and Dave Woodside, president, Acadia Corporation.

Award nominees must be retail establishments that have been in business for three or more years.  Additional information regarding the Pride of New England Awards can be obtained by contacting Jacqueline Zea, public relations coordinator, at (914) 421-3388, or by email, at jacqueline_zea@glmshows.com

Dorothy Biddle Helps Kick Off Outdoor Living Division
By Carla O'Connor

When George Little Management launches the Boston Gift Show’s Outdoor Living division this September, one company that has been exhibiting at the Show for the last three decades will be making the move to join the newest section.

Dorothy Biddle, which has been with the Boston Gift Show since 1979 and formerly showed in the Gifts, Etc. division, will be showcasing its lawn and garden accessories and outdoor living specialty items in the Show’s latest division.

The Greeley, Pa.- based company, which was founded in 1936, got into the gardening world in a roundabout way, according to Lynne Dodson, owner.

“Dorothy Biddle is my grandmother,” explained Dodson. “She was a widow and the author of several books on arranging flowers, table settings and corsage-making, and she traveled around the country giving talks to garden clubs about these topics.”

During these talks, Biddle would use supplies that were difficult to find, so her son, Dodson’s father, set up a table in the back of the halls and would sell some of the products. “A lot of people would ask how they would be able to get the products if they didn’t want to purchase them right then, so he made up a price list, and by the time he was in high school, he already had a successful catalog business.”

In the ‘50s, her father shifted the Dorothy Biddle’s focus from wholesale to retail, which started the company on the path that led it to where it is now.

Dodson began working for the company in 1973, and since then has focused on interesting, attractive and highly functional outdoor living products that make life easier for the gardening and flower-arranging enthusiast.

“The focus of the business was originally flower-arranging equipment, but I started adding gardening and outdoor living products in the ‘70s,” said Dodson. Currently, the gardening and outdoor living products make up half of the business, with the flower-arranging products making up the other half.

“In the ‘70s, we were one of the only companies offering outdoor living and gardening supplies at gift shows, and today, there are divisions dedicated to the products,” said Dodson, who sees the growth in the category as a good thing.

“Of course, as the industry grows, there is more competition. But there is also an increased interest in outdoor living, the outdoor living room and outdoor kitchen, and this is a huge thing for our business,” she said.

A natural extension of the increased popularity of the outdoor space is, of course, a substantial growth in the product selection available. “There’s been a huge increase in the number of items out there,” Dodson explained. “There’s much more of a selection. This is especially true of tools and gloves. For example, in the ‘70s, we sold one type of glove. Today, our glove selection fills two pages in our catalog.

“Also, people are willing to spend more. We used to sell gloves for $2 but now are selling some for up to $25 to $40,” she added.

At this September’s Show, Dorothy Biddle will be highlighting several new products for the garden, including a new line of gardener’s, bug-repellant and anti-poison ivy soaps; ultra-grip foxgloves; children’s gloves; Grandma’s Secret Spot Remover; and ID My Gear, a new product for writing on plant markers that doesn’t fade or wash away.

Focusing on a few product categories has been the key to Dorothy Biddle’s success, said Dodson. “I try to find new and interesting stuff to fill out our gardening line, interesting but functional,” she explained.

One trend that Dodson sees for the future as far as function is a concentration on ergonomically correct items. “We’re selling to baby boomers who are looking for easier ways to do things, so ergonomics and comfort is becoming more and more important.”

Another reason for the company’s growth is its customer relations, Dodson noted. “We’re known for our superb customer service. We’re a small business, and we deal with a lot of small businesses that really appreciate actually getting a person on the phone when they call.”

Today, Dorothy Biddle, which moved from New York State to the Pocono Mountains in 1981 and is headquartered in an old chicken coop on Dodson’s property, has more than 4,000 accounts throughout the U.S. and Canada, as well as a few other customers in other countries, all serviced by only four or five employees, all members of the family

Snow Goose Shops, Sandwich, MA
Donna Thomas & David Hadley, Father/Daughter Co-Owners

1) How do you differentiate your store from the competition?
We differentiate our store from the rest by having unique and different items – all useful.  Our customers can shop anywhere for most gifts and indulgences, but not every store has what we have.  We hear daily “I know I can always find something unique and perfect here”.

2) What is your #1 customer service tip?
Our customer service tip has been our motto for 25 years: Three ways to stay in business:  #1 Service, #2 Service, #3 Service.  We greet every customer within moments of entering the store, approach them after a few minutes with a brief comment, then leave them alone.  We call it the two-step rule – when you take two steps away from them, they inevitably ask you for help or a gift idea.  Gift wrap is part of the purchase – that brings the men!  Personal phone calls are for personal time – no customer wants to hear your woes.  No gum, no cell phones – how rude!

3) What has been your most successful display?
Our most successful display was a 2.5-foot working Victorian Carousel that served as the focal point of our Christmas display.  We served German appetizers, had live accordion Christmas music and featured German nutcrackers, pyramids and mouth-blown glass ornaments throughout the store.  The staff wore German dirndl dresses.  It was a huge success for our Christmas Annual Open House.

4) What is your advice to a start-up retail operation?
Do your homework before you decide.  Go to market many times.  Don’t buy anything for two weeks.  Retail rule: Study long, study wrong!  If you have to convince yourself to buy it, it probably won’t sell in your store.  Listen to your intuition – it works.  Look at merchandise, ask questions, admit to reps “I don't know” what the various terminologies mean (case packs, terms, show specials, freight discounts, early buy, etc.)  Have 6-12 months working cash available. File and pay your taxes and invoices on time.  Keep your sales tax out of your checkbook balance – that way you won’t spend it on purchases.  When you hire staff, give both them and you a sixty day probationary period.  They might not be a fit for you, and the store might not be a fit for them

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Gift Rap is back!  With the September edition of the Boston Gift Show® quickly approaching, we’re back with breaking Show news, trend articles and a sneak peak at new products launching during the market.  We have some exciting new initiatives in store for both exhibitors and attendees, including the addition of a Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) Pavilion and the launch of an Outdoor Living® division.  Both promise to deliver new products and resources never before seen at the Boston Gift Show.  These new features, along with an extensive list of product launches and a lineup of engaging seminars, will combine to create a dynamic market this September.  Stay on top of Boston Gift Show news as the big event draws closer at www.bostongiftshow.com!

Kanin Press (Booth #1225) is excited to introduce its new Harvard Square and Boston Swan Boats glass ornaments at the Boston Gift Show.  Each one is hand-painted from the inside through a small opening in the top of the ornament. Kanin Press ornaments are known for their amazing detail, color and quality – the most popular being their Fenway Park ornament.




Alice Sturzinger (Booth #1066) is working with a designer in Venice, Italy, to create an exclusive new line of gorgeous Murano Glass Jewelry.  It will be shown for the first time at the Boston Gift Show. Beautiful Venetian glass is set into necklaces with matching bracelets and earrings, featuring many unusual designs and tremendous color selection.




New to the market! SWEET BITES™ (Booth #1211) has combined two American favorites into one “over the top” decadent dessert with its Triple Chocolate Peanut Butter Orgasmatron - a cross between a brownie and fudge, with a peanut butter cookie base and a rich brownie mix with peanut butter, white chocolate, and milk chocolate chips folded in.  Also, the California Bar is “Like a Blondie…But Better“, combining almond paste with dried apricots and cherries, bittersweet chocolate chunks, roasted pecan pieces and orange essence.



Dunitz & Company, Inc. (Booth #1332) will introduce several new products at the September edition of the Boston Gift Show, including these Macramé (cotton threads) Earring Hoops adorned with Czech fire polish crystal flowers.  Approximately 1 ¼” in diameter, the earrings are hand-beaded in Guatemala and available in 13 different colors.




Besheer Art Tile (Booth #1205) will introduce a new addition to its popular Cat Tile Wall Plaques.  The new plaque is titled “Cats Rule,” and measures 6” x 6” and comes complete with a secure hanger and backing.  Shown is the Cat with the blue border – available with a Gold, Jade or Ruby border. In addition, Besheer Art Tile has been commissioned by the Curators of the U.S. Capitol Building to produce a series of Tile Plaques, adapted from the Historic Minton tiles embedded in the Capitol Building. These Tile Plaques are for sale in the U.S. Senate Gift Shop and in the New Capitol Visitors Center, nearing completion of its seven year construction, located underground between the Supreme Court and the U.S. Capitol Building.




Vibrant with true essential oil scents. Blends of only the purest emollients and cleansers. That’s Natural Spa by Earth Friendly Products (Booth #1056), a strikingly pure personal care line.  Look for Natural Spa’s new Body Souffle at the Boston Gift Show – their newest offering of skin care, remarkable for its rich simplicity and inherent, natural goodness.


Violet Love Headbands™ (Booth #929) will introduce its new line of Fantasy Fusion headbands at the September market, and is excited to be featured in the July issue of Womens Surf Style Magazine.  Violet Love Headbands have unfinished edges so they can be worn wide, narrow or scrunched.  They are fully-functional, comfortable and complement every attire!




For the first time at the Boston Gift Show, see the quirky greetings of Max Mead Cartoons (RISD Pavilion)!  The postcards and greeting cards feature irreverently colorful characters with some rather bold things to say – from “Just Knowing You Is Exhausting” to “Actually, It Was Not Nice Meeting You”, these cards delight cynics of all ages and are perfect for someone looking to send a decidedly honest and funny greeting