American Greetings Adds Gift Wrap to Its Product Offerings

The American Greetings Corporation recently announced that it has acquired a european based manufacturer of high quality gift-wrap products. Located in Cleveland Ohio, American Greetings is one of the largest manufacturers of gift ideas and supplies including greeting cards, party goods, candles, stationery, calendars, educational products, ornaments and online electronic greeting cards. Details and terms of the transaction have not been announced.

The acquisition will be merged with the American Greetings current line of social expressions products. Chief Executive Officer, Zev Weiss, stated, "This acquisition is precisely the type of transaction we have targeted as part of our strategy to expand our presence in product categories where we have a right to succeed. We are already a formidable presence in greeting cards, and now, we hope to enhance our selling proposition by offering high quality gift-wrap." Senior vice president and head of the international business unit, John Charlton, added that, "The prospect of coupling our retail distribution capabilities with a premier gift-wrap product line should help us profitably grow our european business."

Proflowers.com & 1800flowers.com Valentines Day Traffic Increases Over 40%

An independent gift industry study reports that consumers once again went online to search for and select Valentines gift ideas. The study suggests 31% of consumers used the internet in researching and purchasing their romantic gifts. Specifically, ProFlowers.com surged with an increase in traffic of 418 percent, 1800flowers.com was up 414 percent in traffic, Bluenile.com surged with a 128 percent increase, RedEnvelope.com traffic increased by 122 percent, Diamond.com was up 120 percent and traffic increased by 91 percent at Avon.com. The research report included consumers that shopped online in the flowers, gifts, Valentine's Day and jewelry categories.

Lillian Vernon Personalized Gifts eCatalog Soon Available on Company's Website

Direct marketing and retailer, Lillian Vernon, reports that it has recently implemented a full-service eCatalog solution on its newly launched e-commerce website. Lillian Vernon is one of the largest specialty gift catalog marketers in the United States, publishing six catalog titles, among which is a personalized gifts catalog showcasing its collection of personalized products available in the U.S. The company also sells personalized gifts in b2b and outlet store sectors.

Jonathan Shapiro, President of Lillian Vernon Corporation, stated "We wanted to provide our customers with an easy, intuitive way to shop our catalogs online. We chose Scene7's full service eCatalog solution for its project management expertise, world class hosting facilities, and unique automated production processes - which ensure that our eCatalogs are delivered on schedule and error free. This powerful combination made Scene7 an excellent choice to deliver our eCatalogs." Scene7 is a rich media platform provider that focuses on increasing revenues and enhancing visual communications via the web, email, displays and print, at the same time automating media production and delivery for its clients.

"We liked the flexibility that Scene7 offered," added Mr. Shapiro. "This gives us the ability to bring our eCatalog publishing in-house." A company spokesman from Lillian Vernon explained that their personalized gifts catalog will soon be added to the system.

MU Association Uses Free Gifts To Entice Potential Club Applicants

The Missouri University alumni association reports that its program of sending small free gifts, to peak further interest joining the club, is proving popular. In fact, the association explained, membership reached a record high of more than 35,000 in June 2004. “We try to make it more fun so they take notice of our message and we stand out from the clutter,” director of membership and marketing, David Roloff, stated.

The association explained that some of the gifts it has sent by mail include personalized memo pads, MU buttons, address labels and holographic luggage tags. The mailings further include information about the alumni association and an application to become a member. Mr. Roloff explained the free gifts intrigue people enough for them to open the mailing and read whatever the current message the MU association is promoting.

Boyds Teddy Bear Gifts & Collectibles Reports Fourth Quarter 2004 Financial Results

The Boyds Collection, Ltd., designer and manufacturer of unique, whimsical and "Folksy With Attitude" teddy bear gifts and collectibles, recently released its financial results for the fourth quarter, ended December 31, 2004. In the fourth quarter of 2004, net sales declined $0.1 million to $21.9 million from $22.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2003. Wholesale net sales in the fourth quarter were $16.0 million, a decrease of $1.4 million, or 8%, from $17.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2003.

According to the company, the decline was primarily attributed to lower bookings as Boyds transitioned to its new sales model in late October of 2004. Additionally, net sales in the retail segment increased $1.3 million, or 29%, to $5.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2004 compared to $4.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2003. This increase of $1.3 million was a reflection of the opening of the company's second Boyds Teddy Bear gifts store location in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, beginning in November 2004.

On a comparable store basis, retail sales declined by $0.4 million, or 9%, versus the same quarter in 2003. The decline was attributed by the company to lower tourist traffic to the Gettysburg area Boyds Teddy Bears gift store during the fourth quarter. Additionally, Boyds reported a net loss of $2.3 million, or a loss of $0.04 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2004 compared to a net loss of $1.8 million, or a loss of $0.03 per diluted share, in the same period in 2003. The decline in net income for the fourth quarter of 2004 was due primarily to $0.8 million in restructuring charges for the company's sales force and international operations, $0.4 million in a year-end physical inventory charge, a $0.7 million increase in transportation costs due to higher fuel prices, and $0.5 million pre-opening/operating costs associated with the Pigeon Forge, Tennessee Boyds Bear Country gift store. These costs were partially offset by a $1.8 million charge in 2003 for the change in the Boyds Bear CEO.

Chief Executive Officer of Boyds, Jan L. Murley, stated, "In the past few years, the retail environment in which Boyds operates has changed dramatically, characterized by a greater shift towards consumers seeking gift related products in national, mass market stores. We are aggressively working to address this shift and better position our company within this marketplace. Among the actions we have taken are accelerating the pace of introduction of new, innovative product lines at gift price points and recruiting senior management with broad experience in the consumer gift retail sector."

Oscar Nominee Gift Baskets Included Memorex DVD-RW Discs

Memorex announced that a selection of its products were included in an exclusive gift basket for the non-winning "nominees" at the Oscars. Select nominees who were not chosen to receive the coveted golden statue for their respective categories were given an elaborate, $46,000 gift basket that included the Memorex Mini DVD-RW discs.

The Memorex Mini DVD-RW 3-pack was included in the "Palms Casino Resort Presents 'Everybody Wins at the Oscars'" gift basket produced by Distinctive Assets. The basket of gifts also included resort packages, fashion and beauty gifts and high-end personal services.

Survey Finds Men and Women Differed in Valentines Gift Opinions

A national gift industry survey released recently found that women and men didn't always agree when it came to Valentine's Day gifts and their pricetags this year. Fifty percent of men thought they needed to spend more than $50 on Valentine's Day, while seventy-five percent of women planned to spend less than that amount on gifts. Most women believed the thought behind the Valentine's Day gift, not its cost, is what mattered. Seventy-five percent of females stated they expected their significant other to spend less than $50, and only 5% expected a gift valued at more than $100.

"This year, it's the smaller, more personalized Valentine's Day gifts that were hot, and you didn't have to spend a lot of money to say 'I love you,'" celebrity shopper and founder of the Los Angeles boutique Intuition Jaye Hersh stated. Romantic gift ideas like personalized his and hers robes, pajamas, pomegranate candles and monogrammed clothing were among the less expensive Valentine's gifts she purchased for her major Hollywood clients.

Romantic italian food and a home-cooked meal were heavily favored for both men and women when planning a romantic dining experience. 32% of those surveyed considered Italian food to be the most romantic meal for Valentine's Day, and 20% thought cooking dinner at home was the ideal date. 11% preferred a steakhouse, 8% chose French food and 7% considered seafood as the most romantic selection.

Men were much more likely to send flowers, with 30% sending flowers as compared to 4% of women that did so. Over 50% of women preferred to receive flowers at home on Valentine's Day, 24% wanted them delivered to their office or workplace, and 20% would receive them in either location equally.

The Ultimate Luxury Wedding Gift Presented to Trump by Shaq

The entainment industry recently reported that, as a luxury wedding gift from Shaquille O’Neal to Donald Trump and Melania Knauss, O'Neal surprised them with a white Rolls-Royce, dubbed the “Phantom Rolls-Royce” by O'Neal. The massive luxury car is valued at around $325,000. “It’ll be parked at my house when he wants to use it,” O’Neal stated.

He and and his wife Shaunie were among the estimated 400 guests that attended the Trump wedding, the third for the real estate mogul and reality television star. Other guests included Billy Joel, Matt Lauer, Barbara Walters, Rudolph Giuliani and Regis Philbin. Shaquille O'Neal presented the luxury gift at the wedding reception.

Adult Gifts Store Owner Sues Wisconsin County & Town

The owner of an adult gift store in Hazlehurst, Wisconsin is currently suing the town and Oneida County. Owner Mark Syring stated that his constitutional rights were violated when the county and town revoked his operating permit. Mr. Syring added that the county and town shut down the adult gifts store because he sells "sexually expressive" merchandise.

Mr. Syring established "Darling Gifts" in August of 2004. Town board members stated that Mr. Syring explained to them that he planned to sell toy gifts, clothing, books and movies, however he did not mention that these items were adult themed in nature.

Spa Gift Basket Promotional Program Announced by Elements Home Spa, Inc.

Elements Home Spa, Inc., a national marketer and distributor of hand-made bath and body products, at-home spa treatments, and soy candles, recently announced a program that offers promotional gift baskets. Christy Kopp, President of Elements Home Spa, stated “We have taken some of our most popular products and added two custom items to create a unique gift basket that features romantic scents of chocolate and vanilla.”

Elements Home Spa and the promotional gift basket program were featured recently on Colorado & Company, a daily magazine show on the Denver NBC affiliate that focuses on Colorado’s best businesses, the products they offer, and the people behind them. All enclosed in a hand-made basket, the gift basket features Oatmeal Honey Body Soap on a wooden soap dish, Vanilla Massage Oil, Chocolate Indulgence Lotion Bar, Vanilla Dead Sea Mineral Bath and Coconut Lip Balm.

“We know that most of our customers do not visit their favorite day spa or destination spa as frequently as they would like, so we have developed a line of spa-quality, natural based products that bring the spa experience home,” continued Kopp. “Our customers enjoy the spa experience in the privacy and comfort of their own home between their spa visits through the use of our luxurious products. There’s no better time to pamper yourself and the one you love."

Elements Home Spa, Inc., based in Englewood, Colorado, distributes and markets hand-made bath and body products, spa treatments and soy candles through its national network of independent sales consultants.

Romantic Gift Basket Supplier Announces Added Selection of Choices

Nationwide supplier of romantic gift baskets, Gift Basket Village, announced recently it has increased its selection of offerings. President of Gift Basket Village, Susan Flowers, stated “I like to think that our gift baskets will melt your sweetheart’s heart. I design and create each one, paying close attention to every detail, so that they will truly ‘Wow’ your loved one, from the first sight to the last indulgent bite.”

According to Flowers, several of the most popular romantic gift baskets offered are: I Treasure You - Set in a keepsake treasure box basket, a gift basket featuring Karla Kay, a 12-inch plush bear, a variety of relaxing designer bath products, and an ensemble of gourmet treats, from milk chocolate Lindor truffles to a large collectors tin filled with Danish butter cookies. Red Hot Lover: Includes all the essentials for a romantic evening, from a "You Light My Fire” love letter to two red taper candles and chocolate body frosting. Also includes animal print plush "Love Cuffs", a devilish teddy and selection of gourmet goodies, all packaged in a basket decorated with silk ribbons and flowers. Royal Treatment: Features English Rose fizzing mineral bath, bath gel, bubble bath, hand cream and body lotions, as well as exfoliating gloves, loofah cleansing mitt, terry bath pillow, a rose shaped candle, wooden hair brush and slippers. Puppy Love: A gift basket filled with a 19-inch plush puppy surrounded by a box of creamy Lindor truffles, assorted Italian cookies, chocolate caramel peanut clusters, a romantic candle set and chocolate covered cherries.

Established in 2000 and located in Ortonville, Michigan, Gift Basket Village supplies its gourmet gift baskets for holidays and occasions including anniversary, birthday, graduation, wedding, housewarming and and the Christmas holiday.

Gift Basket Company Awarded Exclusive Commercial Contract

Ballston Spa, New York gift basket company, Expressions of Gratitude, has recently been awarded an exclusive two-year contract supplying M&T Bank with customized gift baskets to augment the bank's business relationships. The gift backet company is expected to service all 662 M&T Bank locations in Maryland, Delaware, New York, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Washington, DC and West Virginia.