Retailers Reveal Hot New Categories

"I decided that women, who are the bulk of our customers, needed small luxuries for themselves and friends, so I brought in bubble bath with fun and funny packaging, as well as the Tussie Mussie products I carried ages and ages ago. None of these is over $10 retail and most are around $6 or $7. These are just the sort of pick-up items to add to a card at a 'no gifts' occasion or tie a bow around as a hostess gift or party favor. We also brought in a very expensive line of purses which can double as diaper bags because my Boston-based daughter told me about them...and to my amazement, we sell two or three a month at $300+.  I never would have guessed we could do it!"

Edie Frére, President | Landis Gifts & Stationery, Los Angeles, CA

I continue to add more lower-cost entertaining and home decor items. I have also added more companies that will print 10 or 20 invitations so I do not have to stock as many imprintables on my shelves as they do not turn as quickly as they used to."

Tanja von Kulajta | Owner/President | R.S.V.P., Plymouth, MI

New categories - that's tough.  We have pretty much kept the same categories, but changed what we offer within them. Some of the lines we used frequently several years ago, we no longer offer. New lines have emerged as very strong. Although our market is still traditional and conservative, our customers like products with a new twist. We are often surprised and glad we can accommodate!"

Beth Buchanan, Owner | Buchanan Ink | Nashville, TN

I haven't added a new category this year, The closest we've come to a big change is that the store is more colorful and fun with Jonathan Adler, more Tops Malibu, Party Partners, the party merchandise from Meri Meri, brighter color boxed goods from Crane's, Molly n' Me, etc. Last year the colors were more subdued, natural and 'green.'"

Hannah Rodewald, Co-Owner | The Pleasure of Your Company | Lutherville, MD 

Rather than adding new categories, we have been weeding out vendors who do not pay attention to detail and have terrible customer service.  Less is more for us. We'd rather buy broader within a few lines than the opposite. If anything, we have to go online to give our lines (and our 12-year-old business) a fighting chance...it is the way of the shopping world and you cannot fight it anymore.  I'd rather do less retail (open to the public) hours and concentrate more on the 'online' customer because like it or not -- Main Street is drying up."

Melinda Cantor, Owner | Only You Gifts | Islip, NY