Technology is on a high rise in our society; new phones and devices are coming out every day and if you ever need anything, “there’s an app for that”. One would think because of all the technological advances and convenience, no one would ever feel the need to visit a physical store again. This assumption is far from correct. In fact, despite the strong Ecommerce world we live in, people prefer to …

I was talking with some friends a while back. One of them was lamenting over the idea of starting to exercise again, he works at his computer all day (as many of us do) and really the only exercise he gets is walking from the car to the office and back at the end of the day. His complaint was that he was so out of shape the idea of starting an exercise routine was overwhelming. Another friend chim …

J.G. Gallimore once said, “Image creates desire. You will what you imagine.” His words ring true for gift packaging, people normally assume that a creatively wrapped, or visually appealing package contains an equally cool and chic present. That’s why swirling ribbons tied around expertly wrapped gift boxes, along with custom labels are in vogue at independent retail shops.However, while more shops …

It’s not easy to be a gift shop owner in this economy. For many, sales are down while rents are up, and the competition from big-name chain stores is discouraging at best. What’s a mom-and-pop gift store to do?As you probably already know, there’s no one simple answer. But there is help! For this guide, we surveyed 19 successful gift shop owners to get their best tips on marketing and branding, a …