The digital magazine can be seen only by subscribers who are logged in.

Have a website login already? Log in and start reading now.

Never created a website login before? Find your Customer Number (it’s on your mailing label) and look for First Time Registration top-right after clicking the link above.

Still have questions? Contact us here.

March/April 2019

ON THE COVER:
CandleSmiths has been creating handpoured and dipped candles at its shop in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, since 2000. Well known for its floatingstar candles and primitive hearthstyle pillars, these unique fragrance blends combined with hand-ground spices create irresistible aromas.

Product Focus

NEW & NOTEWORTHY:
10 Heartwarming Gifts for Hearth and Home From classy candles and upscale matches to eye-catching handblown glass “fireballs,” cute critters, rustic plant holders and stakes, there’s something here for everyone.

TREND WATCH:
14 “Scent”sational Candles & Scents There’s probably no more universally loved gifts than candles. They’re practical, offer endless scents, designs, and colors to complement any décor, and can be the star of the show or subtly enhance a room’s ambiance.

22 Patriotic & Made-in-USA: Celebrating National Treasures Before you know it, Americans will be grilling burgers and steaks at their Memorial Day and Fourth of July picnics. Now’s the time to order patriotic products to help customers celebrate the season.

28 Grow Sales With Kids & Baby Products Make your profits grow as fast as those little ones by featuring an assortment of kids and baby merchandise. This segment is absolutely booming!

36 AMC Profile: Haw Creek Forge Hammers Out a Solid Niche in the Décor Market The American Made Collective offers an amazing array of goods made right here in the U.S. Read how Haw Creek Forge is outfitting an Asheville hotel with its spectacular artwork.

BUSINESS SENSE

38 Zero Train, Zero Gain: How To Train Your Employees To Retail Success Learn the secret to training your employees thoroughly, so you can effectively delegate store responsibilities to them.

DISPLAY & DESIGN:

40 Opposites Attract Discover how to draw customer attention to product displays by leveraging various contrasting colors, textures, and materials.

42 Business Briefs: Giving and receiving; shopping center focus shifts to local; let us entertain you; tiny shops, big return; hear ye, hear ye.

RETAILER SPOTLIGHT:

44 The Laughing Dog Gallery: Own Art, Be Happy Susie and Jeffrey Wilber and their canine friends have made an enduring impression on the city of Vero Beach, Florida. The Wilbers’ four bull mastiffs not only roam the glass and jewelry store, but are customer favorites. Read about the marketing genius that makes their shop a memorable destination.

IN EVERY ISSUE
6 Editor’s Note
8 Welcome Exchange: Questions & Answers that Matter
48 Trade Show Calendar
50 Advertiser Index