Wanna see the future of retail? First, look back. Look back at the newspaper industry and its hard, swift fall over the last 15 years. Facebook (and other tech platforms) replaced newspapers across the country as the world’s information and advertising platforms. General lesson: platforms replace individual players. Next up: Amazon’s platform is going to substitute national brand (and retail) names with its private label business. Don’t like it? Amazon doesn’t care. It owns the world’s largest ...
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February 4, 2019
February 4, 2019
Deshoulieres' Arcades Grey and Gold Dinner Plate, Dessert Plate, and Bread & Butter Plate on Anna Weatherley's new Dusty Rose Charger.
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January 2, 2019
January 2, 2019
Wired’s Zeynep Tufekci argues that tech platforms (social media) will likely grow up much like the automobile industry did.
Ps- At first, I thought this was an illustration of a unicorn with a black eye. Ha ha. That would’ve been fitting, too!
Sieglinde D’Elia was born in Landshut, Germany, and emigrated to the United States in the 50s. Here, she met her husband François, a Frenchman of Italian family, at an English evening class. She moved to Italy in the 70s and lived there for 17 years, and eventually moved back to the U.S. in the late 80s. Her cuisine is versatile and completely intuitive, and abounds in Italian recipes for her savory dishes, and German ones for her desserts. She has a home-based baking business, and her...
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November 19, 2018
November 19, 2018
Rosenthal Launches New Wholesale Site Powered By Bridge
*** PRESS RELEASE ***
Rosenthal USA, a subsidiary of Arcturus Group, launched a new wholesale website for its family of brands Rosenthal, Versace, Raynaud and other premium brands on November 1st, 2018. The company's retailers and sales reps can login to the mobile friendly website and view real-time stock levels, wholesale pricing, and price lists. The website adapts to the user's country and shows US or Canadian prices and documents.
Have we lost our way? A recent HFN magazine article by Allison Zisko shares how tariffs may raise the price of low cost goods from China. Question: what happened to our industry asking for things to be made in America? We haven’t just slid a little—the article states that 56% of furniture comes from China. Is anyone making anything anywhere in America anymore? And, why is this question relevant? I work daily to get consumers to shop local. Lives depend on it. Family owned businesses depend on it...
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October 9, 2018
October 9, 2018
The tabletop industry is all a flutter this week as they debut their favorite wares!
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September 24, 2018
September 24, 2018
I have a confession: I think Amazon can teach us something.
While I lead a fight to stop Amazon, I believe we can learn something by watching its massive growth.
We first have to accept this fact. Ready for it?
Here it is: you're in the software business.
Retail is becoming a software business for a few reasons, including:
1. Convenience: It’s easier to shop on your mobile vs. drive to the store. Proof: mobile sales are up 40% year over year. Indie stores have to close each night. Amazon is always ...
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August 28, 2018
August 28, 2018
Exited to announce that The Shop of John Simmons will reopen and rebrand soon. John Simmons founded the company in 1960 and once had 55 franchise stores spanning across the United State. John had 11 stores in Memphis, TN. John Simmons has been a leader in the industry for decades both in retail and in his wholesale company Carnevale. I purchased the company in 2018. As a former employee, I both worked in the corporate store as a manager and buyer but in the wholesale division as well. I am...
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August 22, 2018
August 22, 2018
What Does the Gump's Bankruptcy Mean for Your Business?
As you likely know, Gump’s filed for bankruptcy. The famous San Francisco indie store's crash is having wide-ranging consequences for our industry. 41 Madison tenants likely lost more than $1,000,000 on Gump's.
Yet, the economy and stock market are doing very well. How to explain these contrarian events? Furthermore, you surely are asking: How did Gump's reach this low--and more ...
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July 15, 2018
July 15, 2018
Happy to see Carol Schroeder as a speaker at this summer’s NY NOW. We’ve mentioned Carol’s book (in which we’re featured) many times. ...but this post comes with an asterisk. The retail industry is facing a huge cliff as Amazon bulldozes it. The NY NOW pamphlet doesn’t mention any amazon seminars. Amazon is the biggest threat to you and your business. Yet according to this slick marketing piece, stores should party like it’s 1999. It even suggests starting the day with mimosas. This show may ...
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May 29, 2018
May 29, 2018
Instructors Mary Aebischer, a native of Mexico City, is presently living in New Mexico. Aside from teaching at UNM, she continues to teach cooking classes while finishing her book on Regional Cuisines of Mexico.
Kelly Campbell (Nicely) has over 20 years of experience in the wine industry that includes teaching and selling wine. During her tenure with B&T distributing she shared with restaurant staff her knowledge, helping them to appreciate and sell wine. Over the past 20 years, she has taught ...
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March 8, 2018
March 8, 2018
Exciting times for our Brides At Brown's!! March 10 Lindsay Roberts & Dustin Hall March 31 Randi Brooks & Jake Colvin April 7 Lyndsey Whitley & Michael Harrell April14 Rachel Hendrix & Patrick Joiner April 21 Amanda Lawler & Zac Moore April 21 Amanda Morris & Rusty Trice April 28 Sierra Dixon & Derek Hammock April 28 Alexis Byrd & Justin Fountain May 5 Melissa Palma & Luke McDuffie May 12 Benjie Neely & Brian Frost May 26 Sarah Rollins & Taylor Moister June 2 Jordan Morris & Ian McIntyre Sept. 15 Mallory ...
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March 7, 2018
March 7, 2018
Lindsay and Dustin will marry this Saturday, March 10. All of us at Brown's wish you both much happiness as you begin your lives as Mr. and Mrs. Dustin Hall!
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March 7, 2018
March 7, 2018
The wedding industry is flourishing. Don't miss out on this fast-growing market. With millennials reaching marrying age, about one in five couples' wedding budgets top $1 million.
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February 28, 2018
February 28, 2018
What Is the Perfect Color Worth?
Inside the mysterious art - and big business - of color forecasting.
Last spring, a dozen people filtered into a sunny, whitewashed conference room on the seventh floor of the Royal College of Art, overlooking London's Hyde Park. Mostly Western Europeans from different precincts of the fashion industry, they had been called together by a British man named David Shah, editor and publisher of the "Pantone View Colour Planner." The book, issued each February and ...
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February 24, 2018
February 24, 2018
We're happy to share that Bridge is giving retailers access to 500% more Smart Products for free. If you're subscribing to a paid plan, you're now just paying $.01 per item.
Please check out this chart comparing our pricing from last year vs this year.
2018 Pricing Highlights: + Bridge is giving retailers 500% more Smart Products for free.
+ With $49/month plan, Bridge is giving retailers 200% more products for free and we reduced the price 17%.
+ Retailers can sync with 20 Smart Brands (or about 6...
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February 15, 2018
February 15, 2018
We're so excited for Lindsay and Dustin! Lindsay's picked out exactly what she wants, so drop by or give us a call, and we'll be happy to wrap it up and make sure it's delivered to her shower this weekend at no extra charge!
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February 1, 2018
February 1, 2018
2018 BRIDES AT BROWNS Check our online registry Here
Feb. 17 Brooke Powell & Clint Cooper Mar. 3 Taylor Booth & Arren Moses Mar. 10 Lindsay Roberts & Dustin Hall Mar. 31 Randi Brooks & Jake Colvin Apr. 7 Lindsey Whitley & Michael Harrell Apr. 14 Rachel Hendrix & Patrick Joiner Apr. 21 Amanda Lawler & Zac Moore Apr. 28 Sierra Dixon & Derek Hammock Apr. 28 Alexis Byrd & Justin Fountain May 5 Melissa Palma & Luke McDuffie May 26 Sarah Rollins & Taylor Moister June 2 Jordan Morris & Ian McIntyre
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