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.
SUBSCRIBE HERE
Still have questions? Contact us here.
December 2025
PRODUCT FOCUS
NEW & NOTEWORTHY:
12 New for You
Uncover your next fun and unique items to place on your shelves.
TREND WATCH:
16 Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day & Easter
Find gift and décor ideas — and more — for these three holidays.
20 Special Occasions & Inspirational
Show customers how to celebrate meaningful moments in their lives.
22 Personal Care
Add these products to your mix to help shoppers relax and rewind when they have time.
BUSINESS SENSE
24 Winter Show Preview
Learn what is new and things to see and do when you head to 2026’s first markets.
34 Tricks of the Trade
Follow these tips to discover how leveraging TikTok can boost your store’s visibility and sales.
38 Business Briefs
Sustainability, personalization shape holiday gift trends; humor in the workplace is no laughing matter; employees want more than a paycheck; tips for having difficult conversations; cooking at home is back in style.
DISPLAY & DESIGN
40 Hearts, Flowers, and Leprechauns
Start planning now for your store’s displays for both Valentine’s and St. Patrick’s days.
RETAILER SPOTLIGHT:
43 Spring Green General Store
Karin Dittmar Miller was looking to list her natural foods store for sale in a newspaper when she saw an ad about a general store for sale — one she had visited a few times in the past. Six months later, she was moving to Wisconsin with her husband and baby to become the new owner of the Spring Green General Store. More than 30 years later, Karin is still running this business that also includes a café’. Her product mix on the retail side continues to evolve, and her store hosts concerts and pop-up stores as well.
IN EVERY ISSUE
8 Editor’s Note
10 Welcome Exchange
48 Trade Show Calendar
50 Advertiser Index
ON THE COVER:
Discover a variety of seasonal and everyday interchangeable LastingLite candle sleeves and LED bases at cr-designs.com. Each candle is meticulously handcrafted in America since 1999 by CR Designs.
