t is the 40th anniversary of The Smoky Mountain Gift Show, Inc.®
and we feature a story about the show, photographs of some of its
important faces and the 2005 exhibitor list to commemorate this milestone.
Our cover story this issue features a look at retail at the landmark attraction
Tweetsie Railroad in Blowing Rock, N.C. And we recognize the retirement
of our publisher, Janice Weiss, in a special section. Weiss has devoted
43 years to the magazine and will be missed. I can think of no more fitting
tribute than what friends wrote to Janice in a birthday note: “Janice, in you
we see a free spirit who laughs and dreams and dances with the wind. A
woman of creativity and courage. A friend whose smile and love and words
of wisdom make such a difference in our lives. You’ll always be special to us.”
In our Collectibles Report is the story “Keeping Collectors Collecting.”
And we offer a snapshot of cruise ship retail in an interview with a leader in
that industry.
In the magazine’s Marketing section we offer a story on the Hispanic customer
market. We also look at the growth of Dollar Stores, combining regular
stores with Internet retailing and personalization.
You can also read about customer service, retail theft, retaining customers,
how the workplace is changing, the growth of Aramark in the retail industry
and the traveling habits of the disabled.
In our Zoo retail section we offer two stories. And in the Garden Section,
there are charts of states’ official trees and flowers and stories on the growth
of the home garden and landscape industry and selling for outdoor rooms.
You can read about licensed merchandise in our Trends section. Licensed
designs take a lot of the risk and guess work out of the question of whether
a product is going to sell. Also, in the Stationery section, we offer a list of
popular names for newborns.
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and we offer the story “Midweek
Valentine’s Day Helps Gift Stores,” along with a story on the history of the
holiday and charts that identify spending by age.
We also offer a Special Section on the The Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge
Resort Gift Show®, which is in its sixth year. The section has the latest news
from the show and the 2005 exhibitor list.
We hope you enjoy the issue. Please contact us at the e-mail address below
with your comments, questions or suggestions.
Scott C. Borowsky
President and Executive Editor
SOUVENIRS, GIFTS AND NOVELTIES MAGAZINE
SGNMAG@KANEC.COM
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