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  1. News from Us
  2. News from Members
  3. Events
  4. Press
  5. Dollars & Sense
  6. Profile Stories
  7. Updates
  8. Training Calendar
  9. Training Videos
  10. Jobs
+ Bridge in the News - Bridge in the News

2,076 Results:

December 22, 2023 It's a Party
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It's a Party
December 22, 2023
Treating yourself to a sweet dessert is always a joy, especially when served on our whimsical patterns.🍰 It's a party for the taste buds and eyes all in one! View Post
December 20, 2023 Check, Please 📝
How a checklist can be used as a valuable tool for existing clients or prospects.
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Check, Please 📝
How a checklist can be used as a valuable tool for existing clients or prospects.
December 20, 2023
This past Thanksgiving, Austin Kleon, the author of "Steal Like an Artist" and other inspirational books, shared a free gratitude journal via his weekly email newsletter. (Please view that clever, hand-drawn journal here: 
https://austinkleon.substack.com/p/a-gratitude-zine) A part of this journal is making a list of what one is grateful for. (He also has an ad lib for gratitude!) I can imagine him having a gratitude checklist. A checklist is a very efficient tool to deliver...
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December 20, 2023 Calaisio Holiday Dining & Entertaining: Wine Bottle Coaster Holiday Cheers!
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Calaisio Holiday Dining & Entertaining: Wine Bottle Coaster Holiday Cheers!
December 20, 2023
This woven wine bottle coaster is the ideal centerpiece for any celebration, whether you're entertaining a group of friends or just trying to liven up your place for the holidays. It is made of pure, 100% organic vines showcasing a natural rustic realness, evoking woodsy images adding an authentic touch to your favorite bottles of reds, whites, and rosés. Cheers to the holiday season!


CALAISIO
natural elegance, extraordinary durability



 
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December 17, 2023 The new threat: Chinese apps backed with Chinese factories
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The new threat: Chinese apps backed with Chinese factories
December 17, 2023
The Atlantic shares how Chinese factories have found a new way around U.S. retailers and into our homes: Chinese apps. SHEIN and other Chinese apps are bypassing Amazon to be a new leader in Chinese goods.  In addition to Amazon, Target, Walmart, and indie shops now have a new group of digital competitors embedded in customers’ pockets. 

Except from The Atlantic article: 

MATERIAL WORLD
IS THIS HOW AMAZON ENDS?
An open embrace of cheap foreign products has helped ...
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December 16, 2023 Ask your staff to use Instagram to promote recent purchases
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Ask your staff to use Instagram to promote recent purchases
December 16, 2023
Staff at manor department stores like Saks are finding success with Instagram and social media. The Information shares this:

……….

Tyler Bell was encouraging all her clients to “tag your bag.” Every time Bell, a Saks Fifth Avenue stylist in Troy, Mich., closed a sale, she asked the buyer to show off their purchase on Instagram and tag her account, @tyler.saks. Bell posts Saks inventory multiple times a day on Instagram Stories. Her 27,000 followers will...
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December 15, 2023 WHEN THE FRAGRANCE IS A MEMORY, THE VESSEL IS A TREASURE.
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WHEN THE FRAGRANCE IS A MEMORY, THE VESSEL IS A TREASURE.
December 15, 2023
Mottahedeh's votive collection make the perfect double holiday gift. First a wonderful fragrance fills your room then after the candle is done you are left with a beautiful covered porcelain container. Use it for jewelry bedside, in the bathroom for small goods or the entrance foyer to hide your keys and spare change. View Post
December 14, 2023 Calaisio Holiday Dining & Entertaining: Holiday Cheers with Wine Bottle Coasters!
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Calaisio Holiday Dining & Entertaining: Holiday Cheers with Wine Bottle Coasters!
December 14, 2023
This woven wine bottle coaster is the ideal centerpiece for any celebration, whether you're entertaining a group of friends or just want to add some festive cheer to your house. It adds an authentic touch to your favorite bottles of reds, whites, and rosés. Made from pure, 100% organic vines, it showcases a natural rustic realness, giving woodsy visualization. Let's toast to the festive season!





  View Post
December 14, 2023 The Perfect Ice Bucket this Holiday Season
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The Perfect Ice Bucket this Holiday Season
December 14, 2023
From the kitchen to the living room, Beatriz Ball has all the essentials to make your home warm & welcoming this holiday season. With undulating surfaces, innovative designs, bisque-like finishes; Beatriz Ball is reinventing melamine … again! The VIDA Nube Collection features sculptural works of art rendered in a luscious matte finish.  This generous ice bucket is great for chilling wine and is a striking accessory on the holiday bar. Makes a great gift for the host or ...
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December 12, 2023 20% Of Consumers To Buy Holiday Gifts at Independent Retailers
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20% Of Consumers To Buy Holiday Gifts at Independent Retailers
December 12, 2023
A recent study conducted by Jungle Scout reports that many consumers prefer to support small and local businesses for their holiday shopping. 20% reported they will buy holiday gifts from indie stores, up from 10% last year. The report ranks independent retailers in 4th place for in-store shopping, surpassing Costco, Walgreen's Best Buy, Sam's Club, Macy's and Home Depot. 

The article shares 53% of consumers bought online from independent stores on Small Business Saturday as reported by ...
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December 11, 2023 Beatriz Ball Pedestals Set the Scene for Holiday Goodies
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Beatriz Ball Pedestals Set the Scene for Holiday Goodies
December 11, 2023
In signature Beatriz Ball style, the towering and elegant VIDA Alegria Triple Tiered Dessert Server in winter white is an essential holiday piece from our bestselling collection of luxury melamine. With charming pearl rims and brilliant surfaces, the three generous serving areas in graduated sizes are joined by silver-toned metal risers, topped by a circular handle. Great for Holiday parties and gatherings, when serving desserts, scones, party sandwiches or little nibbles, this generous three-...
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December 11, 2023 Calaisio Holiday Dining & Entertaining: Your Holiday Bread Basket Display
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Calaisio Holiday Dining & Entertaining: Your Holiday Bread Basket Display
December 11, 2023
This woven bread basket looks great on any table or buffet, and when filled with freshly made bread, it's quite filling for the heart and stomach. This bread basket is made from gorgeously textured organic climbing vines and has gorgeous natural rustic tones. With its excellent craftsmanship and variegated hue, it exudes offbeat elegance. Enjoy and spread the warmth of your heartfelt Christmas holiday breakfast to your loved ones.


CALAISIO
natural elegance, extraordinary durability


&...
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December 9, 2023 Celebrate with Artisan Pieces by Beatriz Ball
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Celebrate with Artisan Pieces by Beatriz Ball
December 9, 2023
Flowing and organic, the dynamic design of the THANNI Bloom Medium Bowl (Red and Gold) features rippling petal-like movement, creating a serving piece that combines beauty, artistry, and functionality. Designed in collaboration with Louisiana-based ceramicist Gretchen Murchison, the medium sized piece combines a red exterior color surface with a brilliant gold interior. The stunning color combination allows you to celebrate the Holiday Season in festive THANNI Collection style. This great medium...
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December 8, 2023 THANKS FOR 50 YEARS by MARSHA DAUTCH
THANKS FOR 50 YEARS by MARSHA DAUTCH
December 8, 2023
I recently saw a car with the license plate: WHYWRK. I had a sad feeling for the driver, who perhaps wasn’t as lucky as I to have the best job in the world – getting paid to shop for the most beautiful goods in the world – which I am now retiring from. After 40+ years as a buyer of tabletop and gifts in Buffalo, I have the opportunity to put the dishes away, polish the flatware, and store the stemware. As a small specialty store, we’ve been through our share of ups and ...
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December 8, 2023 Kate Spade New York @ 20
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Kate Spade New York @ 20
December 8, 2023
Kate Spade New York tableware and accessories has for two decades held a singular spot on retail shelves and on customers’ tables thanks to a timeless charm and chic stylings. Even after 20 years, the fun, fresh, playfully sophisticated, and refreshingly original collections from Lenox occupy a unique niche in the tableware pantheon. 

Kate Spade’s contribution to fashion cannot be understated. She became synonymous with fashionistas everywhere when she started her fashion ...
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December 8, 2023 New Feature: Breadcrumb Navigation
How to navigate around your site quickly using breadcrumbs in order to save time.
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New Feature: Breadcrumb Navigation
How to navigate around your site quickly using breadcrumbs in order to save time.
December 8, 2023
Your Shop Local Store has a new feature: We've added breadcrumb navigation to a brand's Home (Collections) page and a product's Details page. The trail of links (or "breadcrumbs") at the top of these pages shows the site's structure and identifies the hierarchy.

Benefits of Breadcrumbs:
  • Helps shoppers identify their current location on your website.
  • Helps shoppers find what they're looking for more easily.
  • Encourages shoppers to navigate from the current page to different
...
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December 7, 2023 Tableware Today Interview - Colin Riggs + Ned Voelker
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Tableware Today Interview - Colin Riggs + Ned Voelker
December 7, 2023
It’s a 40th anniversary for the company founded by Colin Riggs (left) and Ned Voelker’s parents, Abigail and Ed Voelker. Over the last four decades, the entire family has created a curated collection of handmade tableware and giftware for the nation’s independent store retailers.
................................

Congratulations on a milestone 40th year in business. Are you surprised Abigails has endured?
Ned Voelker: We are surprised. It’s a tribute to Ed and Abbie ...
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December 7, 2023 THE BLUES OF THE GRAYS
THE BLUES OF THE GRAYS
December 7, 2023
I have a friend who recently took a job with a respected women’s clothing retailer after 13 years of retirement. My friend, Leslie, a former school teacher, wanted to be of use and knew that retail was a great opportunity for seniors. She was all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed her first week. She loved that the manager asked her to try on clothes she liked and then suggested outfits that would look good on her. Leslie even purchased a few of those suggestions, couture she never would have ...
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December 6, 2023 MyRegistry.com Review
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MyRegistry.com Review
December 6, 2023
Part of my job is to review registry software. I ensure it works well for retailers, registrants, and gift-givers (family and friends). I also assess whether it offers good value (price vs. results).

When looking for registry software, some retailers consider MyRegistry.com for their registry service. I reviewed a retailer's site using MyRegistry.com and assessed how a customer would make a registry purchase. For privacy purposes, I blurred the store's name in the screenshots shown.

...
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December 5, 2023 Home for the Holidays
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Home for the Holidays
December 5, 2023
A luxury melamine bowl for the holiday season ... in classic Bamboo style! The VIDA Bamboo Large Salad Bowl (White and Natural), an essential new item from Beatriz Ball's VIDA Collection of luxury melamine, is the result of a collaboration with noted illustrator, August Wren. With a bamboo inspired rim and a brilliant white surface, the stylish and generous bowl works well with our VIDA Bamboo dining sets, serving pieces and flatware. Create a table with a carefree and classy, Beatriz Ball twist...
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December 4, 2023 RetailDive Reports Online and Mobile Sales are the Winner for Black Friday 2023
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RetailDive Reports Online and Mobile Sales are the Winner for Black Friday 2023
December 4, 2023
According to a recent RetailDive report, online and mobile purchases for Black Friday sales were the strongest, with smartphone sales leading at 54% of online sales. The article states consumers spent a record $9.8 billion online on Black Friday, according to data from Adobe Analytics. That’s up 7.5% from last year.

Industry experts forecast that consumer spending will be up 2-3% year over year. The National Retail Federation projects 3-4% year over year. Consumers are cautious about ...
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