Consumers Send Mixed Messages
Re: Confidence and Spending
The stock market has reflected general optimism in the economy since the election in November, 2016, with President Trump's record of increase in the Dow Jones on his 30th day in office ranking fifth among all US presidents, but some consumers still seem cautious.
While consumers say they will spend more, the emphasis is on "need" rather than "want".
While consumer confidence is at a 15-year high, retail customers say they are, or already have, cut back on discretionary spending. Their planned spending patterns will change in other ways, according to research by Prosper Insights & Analytics.
While consumers say they will spend more, the emphasis is on "need" rather than "want" and 36-percent of those surveyed say they will spend less overall. The number one thing respondents said they will spend for will be vacations, which could bode well for retailers in vacation destinations.
That, and the fact that the second most-mentioned item was automobiles, may indicate that consumers have been waiting on big-ticket items and now, with consumer confidence increased, they are willing to spend again.
Those under 55 seemed most optimistic, with those with incomes over $50,000 being most positive, but those older than 55 having less optimism about improvement in their personal finances.
Prosper Insights & Analytics also measures "untouchable" expenses; things consumers are not willing to sacrifice. A majority, 57 percent, put mobile phone service in that category. That compares with just 23 percent in 2008, which tracks with the increase in mobile apps and functionality. While not many retailers sell mobile phones or provide service, many retailers sell accessories that serve the mobile market.
The other side of the coin is "expendables"; things consumers will cut first. Number one was luxury handbags. High-end and costume jewelry came next. High-end cosmetics rounded out the "expendable" leaders.
So, while consumer confidence promises more spending, the form it takes may be different than past recoveries. (source)
Quick Industry News
TRADE SHOW NEWS
SOUTHERN WHOLESALE GIFT SHOW TO DEBUT IN JULY
The semi-annual Southern Wholesale Gift Show (SWGS) debuts in Lafayette, Louisiana, this summer, ready to welcome buyers and sellers to the “Happiest City in the USA!”
“We're so excited about this show and we know all our exhibitors and buyers will benefit from this experience. Buyers will find unique gift items, exhibitors will find new customers and everyone will have fun enjoying the Cajun culture, food and activities of South Louisiana (Acadiana/Lafayette),” said Robert Benoit, SWGS president.
Show dates are Saturday and Sunday, July 22-23, at the Cajun Dome Convention Center, right in the heart of Acadiana. Read about the show, link to the Cajun Dome and see what's going on in the area right from the show's site: http://southernwholesalegiftshow.com.
The SWGS will also publish the “Let's Shop! The Southern Wholesale Gift Show Magazine” and hold a special luncheon for members of the media Friday, July 21, at 1:00 p.m. “We invite all the media to come meet our exhibitors, see all the activity and get to know this first-of-its-kind show right here in Lafayette,” Benoit said.
NEW WHOLESALE WEBSITES
Ala Carte Alice just opened its new CAMEO EZ© wholesale website. The company is a family owned business that is proud of its products and packaging. Ala Carte Alice's mission is simple: to provide the best products and service to its customers and use the freshest ingredients available. Product categories include cheese balls, desserts, entrees, glazes, relishes, jams, party dips, Red Dog Rubs and soups.
PRODUCT NEWS
Calypso Studios Introduces Comforting Faith Pillows
Calypso Studios has introduced its full selection of Comforting Faith Pillows for 2017. These stuffed pillows are perfect to embrace to feel love and hope in times of joy, sorrow, concern, and peace. The Scripture Faith Pillow collection consists of cross pillows in three different floral watercolor patterns. Each Pillow has an applique with the verse Philippians 4:13 which states “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” The Multiple Blessings Comforting Faith Pillows by North Carolina artist Caroline Simas are a spin off our popular classic collection of the Comforting Faith Pillows. With three colorful patterns designed exclusively for Calypso Studios, these pillows are sure to brighten anyone's day!
Featured Vendors
indicates a CAMEO EZ© web site.
Aloha Farms
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Aloha Farms brings the tastes and scents of Hawaii to you. The site features Kona Coffee and Kona Green Coffee, Hawaiian honey, Hawaiian Treats like dried fruit, candy and macadamia nuts, plus Coffee scented candles and soap.
Badash Crystal
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Badash Crystal's broad selection of mouth blown tabletop and decorative accessories from around the world will surely meet your needs. Every piece is individually and safely boxed; superb quality and value for all your gift giving, bridal and/or personal pleasure.
Bonn
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Bonn has a great assortment of ladies cross-body handbags, men's wallets, money clips and passport holders as well as tool kits, grooming kits, and more. The company's products are made to help keep your identity safe from cyber thieves. Cyber Guard means safety, security and peace of mind. Trendy credit card cases, made of high quality aluminum and animal friendly faux leather, are new to our Bonn family and will help protect your credit cards and I.D.s from being scanned.
Cala Home
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Cala Home is a new division of Conimar Group, LLC. The Cala Home initial offering includes elegant hardboard table mats and coasters, packaged as a set of four in attractive gift boxes. Each of the 30 new licensed collections is designed for today's casual dining and entertaining lifestyle, with a focus on art-driven transitional and contemporary on-trend patterns.
The Candle Cottage
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The Candle Cottage is proud to offer these officially licensed, highly scented, gourmet candles approved by Miss Kay Robinson and Duck Commander! The company's highly scented and long burning candles are made with lead free wicks and only the finest waxes, dyes, and fragrances available. Candle Cottage offers a large variety of delightful fragrances in an assortment of reusable glass jar.
Candles and Quotes
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Candles and Quotes' 100% All Natural All Soy Candles are made by "The Soy Sisters". They pour each and every candle by hand and use only Essential Oils to fragrance their candles, which are candles are 100% Eco-Friendly. Each candle comes with a beautiful quote, that is either meaningful, funny or down right crazy. If you don't see what you like ask "The Soy Sisters" and they will make it for you. They personalize all of our candles so your own uniqueness and quirky personality can be put on a candle. So watch what you say because it may wind up on a candle!
cinda b®
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cinda b® was created by Altlant designer Cinda Boomershine. Cinda's love for color and a passion for design, inspired her to launch her own back and accessory line. cinda b® tastefully blends solid colors with modern prints. Poly/nylon fabrics make cindab bags uniquely lightweight yet durable, water and stain resistant, and machine washable.
Coast Lamp Manufacturing
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Coast Lamp Manufacturing was established and incorporated in the state of Florida in 1955. Now, a North Carolina Corporation since 1975, located in the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina. We are a family owned and operated company. Our product is UL/ULC listed and approved and made in the USA. Customer satisfaction and a long lasting relationship are our goals. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to serve you.
Dreams After All
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Artist Renee Rubach creates beautiful greeting cards and gift enclosure cards for all occassions. Early on, she became interested in creating greeting cards, both the designs and message. She absolutely loves creating products that people can enjoy and use.
Elegant Baby
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Elegant Baby® understands that babies deserve style just as fresh as they are! Our marvelous collection of baby products is full of bold colors and spectacular designs. From traditional to contemporary, today's baby gift is sure to become tomorrow's treasure. Pro ducts ranging from My First Rubber Ducky to My First Baby Bible, My First Baby Blankie, My First Baby Jeans to the iconic silver spoon, Elegant Baby is where style meets tradition.
Gently Spoken
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The dream of Gently Spoken is to touch a million hearts with words of affirmation and encouragement. Thanks to YOU, the dream is becoming a reality. PEAS are changing hearts and lives! Turn the pages and you'll discover why. Featuring the "Eat Your Peas" books.
GetSassys
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GetSassys has fun, colorful, cool, hip gifts that are sure to bring a smile to everyones face! From flour sack towels to baby and toddler t-shirts, koozies, wooden memo holders and linens, Get Sassys designs make shopping fun!
Gina B. Designs
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Gina B. Designs is an award-winning greeting card, gift and stationery products company featuring exceptional art and design. With an array of styles, variety of products and outstanding customer service, Gina B. Designs has "something for everyone." All products are proudly made in the U.S.A.
Hang Accessories
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The first chapter of Hang Accessories was the reinvention of the purse hanger. Now the company also has belt bags, carry-on rolling bags, cosmetic and jewelry organizers, eyeglass hangers, fashion backpacks, tablet cases, tote bags, and much more.
Healing Crystals
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Healing Crystals is a leading online global provider of quality crystals. With customers around the world and over 2,000 different crystal assortments, and metaphysical products, the company has become a recognized and trusted market leader. Established in 2003, Healing Crystals' retail site (www.healingcrystals.com) has become the leading educator and retailer of crystal products. The company has over 1 million followers on social media and attracts a loyal and passionate audience who are drawn to crystals for solace, energy, healing and enjoyment.
Holiday Fried Pecans
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Holiday Fried Pecans' rise in popularity can be attributed to its first treat a salty, sweet 100% certified Louisiana fried pecan that is guaranteed to satisfy the most demanding of cravings. These great tasting pecans that have less fat & calories than raw pecans are a perfect addition to any store. Lightly sweet, Lightly salty and great on Salads, Sweet Potatoes, Ice Cream, Cheese Cake or as a snack. Holiday Fried Pecans...a curious and delicious flashed-fried Louisiana Pecan that's great for corporate gifts givers, retail locations, cooking, baking or solo-snacking!
Imagine Design
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Imagine Design brings you a unique variety of home decor and gift items made with the finest quality materials. Items are three-dimensional, embellished and eye-catching. But the best part? All of Imagine Design's products are made here in the U.S.A. by people with disabilities and other barriers to finding work.
Isa's Naturals
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Isa's Naturals is a forward thinking personal-care products company. Our products include therapeutic bath salts, body cleansers and moisturizers. At Isa's, we draw our inspiration from Ethnobotany - the relationship between people and plants.
Jack Rabbit Creations
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Jack Rabbit Creations works hard to bring you heirloom-quality toys and gifts that adults and kids love. The company's products are updated twists on classics, with original art and amazing packaging. Jack Rabbit prefers to use wood, tin, cotton and other natural materials for its designs, favoring a "no batteries required" approach.
JTP Wholesale
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JTP Wholesale is a wholesale website offering monogrammed bathroom tissue, coasters and a line of t-shirts for the young and old: Future Jock t-shirts and onesies and X-Jock adult t-shirts.
Oak Patch Gifts
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Oak Patch Gifts' product lines encompass a vast array of different items including jewelry, coffee mugs, party goods, humor items and juvenile products under the brands Jody Coyote, Cross of the Trinity, Monarch Inspirations, MIXMATCH, Laid Back, and Laid Back Kids. Oak Patch Gifts sells wholesale to over 10,000 retail stores in the United States, Canada, and internationally.
Optari:
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The word "Optari" comes from the Latin word "optare" (pronounced "optari"), which means "to desire." Our goal is to develop products that are fun, colorful, useful, and, most of all, that people desire. Featuring Spikeletz Glow Bandz, Spikeletz Penz, Spikeletz Journals and Mini Journals, Bracelets & Earrings.
Red Carpet Studios, Ltd.
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Red Carpet Studios, Ltd. features All Jazzed Up™ Fashion Accessories for Fall & Spring. A wide range of Giftware for the Home & Garden. Visit our website for New Products & Specials.
Richard E. Bishop
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Richard E. Bishop features Men's gifts like glass and mug sets, decanter sets, and "Tipsy Wine Glasses". Also the company features a variety of old-book-themed photo albums, binders and storage boxes.
Santorini Design
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Santorini Design offers a jewelry collection of elegance, style, and luxury. Santorini features high quality jewelry lines that are all made using the finest natural stones and delicate & bold metal pieces with crystal embellishments. All products are of superior design and they are, of course, both nickel and lead-free.
Shadetree Greetings
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Shade Tree Greetings: is a publisher of greeting cards, magnets, notepads, and distributor of Helen Exley and Viva Editions gift books. Our products are recognized as some of the best-selling in the industry. Go to our website to browse over 500 different items. We have GREAT introductory programs and free fixtures.
snoozies!®
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snoozies! are not socks and they're not slippers - sort of a crossover between the two and that's why we call them "foot coverings"! snoozies!® are made with a brushed fleece exterior in colorful & fun printed patterns and then lined with a soft Sherpa fleece inside.
SOi Essentials
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SOi Essentials is a Northern California based company that offers an array of richly scented candles to enhance your overall wellness. SOi Candles are hand-poured in the USA using 100% All Natural Food Grade Kosher Soy Oil, that burns cleaner and up to 40% longer than paraffin based, wax or soy blend candles. The company's candles are made with 100% cotton lead free wicks, are soot-free and do not emit harmful toxins (such as Benzene) into your home or the environment.
Spiker Brands
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Spiker Brands is the creator and wholesale distributor of the Spiker Lifestyle Holder, the original made-in-America holder for all your items at the beach, river, lake, lawn and more. Sand Spikes, Beach Spikers, Cup Holders, Beach Beverage Holder, American Made, Made in USA.
Star Home
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Star Home features tabletop and home decor for specialty retailer, catalog and online marketers, the hospitality trade and more. Star Home's designers look to all corners of the world to gather inspiration for this ever-growing market. This inspiration is then turned into real-life, high-quality products by artisan craftsmen.
Stephanie Dawn
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Stephanie Dawn quilted handbags are fun, functional and fresh. All colors and patterns are designed with modern American women of all ages in mind. Finally, a stylish and high quality handbag line that is EXCLUSIVELY MADE IN THE USA.
Stephers Inc.
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Stephers Inc. greeting cards featuring 100% Dead Sea Bath salts, funny sea characters, and a little 'BE HAPPY' meditation to lift your spirits ~ LIFE CHANGING SEA SALTS right in your very own tub! SPA CARDS. "TRANSFORMING HUMANITY ONE BATH AT A TIME".
Sunday Greetings
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Sunday Greetings is a greeting card company that started when Brenda Kellman made a homemade birthday card for her husband Alan. Brenda's photography is on the cover of the company's greeting cards for every occasion.
Sunset Vista Designs
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Sunset Vista Designs offers you extra margin opportunities, and sells thru at retail. They offer innovative designs, in proven products, with space saving merchandising solutions, and attractive package deals that all add value to the quality products we offer. Many say this is the "best ever" line of innovative gift, garden, and home decor.
Tripar International Inc.
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Tripar International is your source for both displays and decorative accessories. Our extensive product line includes a wide assortment of easels, risers, ornament stands, plate racks, mirrors, jewelry displays, and unique display pieces. We are also an excellent source for wine accessories, wall decor, inspirational signs, and cookbook stands. We offer quality with style, low minimums and fast shipping.
Terra Mia Jewelry
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Terra Mia Jewelry is a wholesale, handmade jewelry and accessories provider to retailers nationwide, offering a unique selection of stylish necklaces, bracelets, earrings, fashion clutch purses and more to complement any outfit . . . casual or formal. Terra Mia's items may be made with glass or plastic beads, seashells, gemstones, mixed metal components or a combination of any of these. Terra Mia Jewelry customers appreciate the affordable selection the company offers, its fair trade mission and the way the jewelry is beautifully packaged.
Unforgettaballs:
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"The finest collection of artwork printed on baseballs in the world" is our tagline. The products are baseballs with a variety of designs printed on them. Some are images of famous stadiums, and other baseball themes, but others are messages for special occasions or just "Cool Design Baseballs".
Unwined Candles:
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A glass of wine. Candlelight. The makers of Unwined Candles know that it's the little things in life that make it worthwhile. We handcraft our candles using elegantly rustic reused wine bottles and all natural soy wax infused with relaxing scents. You'll find the difference in the fine details of our candles. "Every day is a great day to Unwined".
White Mountain Puzzles
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White Mountain is ahead of the pack when it comes to puzzles with educational content. Why not learn something while doing a puzzle? If you love to travel, why not put together an entertaining birds eye view of KEY WEST, MARTHA'S VINEYARD, BOSTON or NEW ENGLAND? Or work on a puzzle of states like MICHIGAN, ILLINOIS, OHIO, VIRGINIA, NORTH CAROLINA or GEORGIA? Or learn something about PRESIDENTIAL HISTORY or THE CIVIL WAR? These challenging projects take artists like DAVID HARRISON WRIGHT, DEB MARCONI, GARY TORISSI, and MAUREEN RUPPRECHT months to create.
Zees Inc.
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Zees Inc. has introduced innovative products designed to make eating and drinking more convenient and fun since 1993. Zees Inc. is known for beer glasses and tumblers, wine & champagne glasses, wine bottle stoppers, beer, water and soda can coolers, beverage dispensers, water bottles, cocktail glasses & mugs, lunch, beach and picnic bags, and more. All drinkware is BPA-free.
CAMEO EZ© is the B2B e-commerce system developed by OmegaNet Inc., publisher of this newsletter, for use by retailers in ordering inventory for their stores. A partial list of CAMEO EZ sites can be found at the company's portals such as www.giftswholesale.com, www.accessorieswholesale.com, www.apparelwholesale.biz, www.decorwholesale.com, www.usmadewholesale.com, www.toyswholesale.com and www.usmadewholesale.com. A complete list of sites is available in the "Directory" on www.CAMEOEZ.com.
