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Oneida Ltd.'s Jim Joseph
Joseph Steps Down As Oneida CEO, Remains On Board
Jim Joseph, president and CEO of Oneida Ltd., announced Thursday that he will relinquish these roles as of February 1, 2012. He will take the role of executive in residence at Lemoyne College in Syracuse, NY, where he will lecture and mentor future business leaders, Joseph stated.
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In Wake Of Silicone Zone Closure, Karyo Joins Casabella
Silicone bakeware and kitchen tool pioneer Michael Karyo has joined Casabella Holdings to spearhead a new division dedicated to kitchenware and tools.
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Tervis Water Bottles
Tervis To Launch Water Bottle At Atlanta Show
With the introduction of a water bottle, Tervis will expand its product base and enter into an entirely new market. The water bottle will launch January 2012 at the Atlanta International Gift Market.
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Housewares Companies Participate In 7 W Sample Sale
7 W New York will host its annual holiday Winter Sample Sale from November 29 to December 1, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Housewares companies participating in the sale include Zak Designs, Two Lumps of Sugar, tag, Creative Bath Products and the rep group Richard Cohen Collection.
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2012 Housewares Design Awards Category Finalists Named
The finalists are in for the 2012 Housewares Design Awards. Five product finalists in each of 12 core awards categories were selected from more than 300 entries representing Cookware & Bakeware; Countertop Cooking & Beverage Appliances; Countertop Food Prep Appliances; Countertop Kitchenware; Cutlery; Floor Care & Cleaning Appliances; Gadgets & Kitchen Tools; Home Environment Appliances; Home Organization, Laundry Care & Non-Electric Cleaning; Home & Outdoor Décor; Personal, Health & Garment Care; and Tableware, Serveware & Beverageware.
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NRF: Black Friday Shopping Numbers Reach Historic Highs
Black Friday traffic and spending was up substantially from last year both online and in stores, according to a National Retail Federation survey conducted by BIGresearch over the weekend. According to the NRF, Black Friday results reached “historic highs,” with a record 226 million shoppers in stores and online over the Black Friday weekend, up from 212 million last year. Total spending for the weekend was estimated at $52.4 billion. According to the survey, the average shopper spent $398.62 this holiday weekend, up from $365.34 last year.
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California Gift Show Announces January Dates
MMPI's California Gift Show has announced dates for its January 2012 winter markets. The show will take place at the L.A. Mart from January 18-24 and at the Los Angeles Convention Center from January 20-23.
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Atlanta Gift Market Seminars Proffer Food, And Wine, For Thought
AmericasMart in Atlanta, GA, will offer a signature lineup of seminars, networking events and celebrity demonstrations at the Winter 2012 Atlanta International Gift and Home Furnishings Market. The event will be held from January 11-18.
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Zak Aurora Dinnerware
Aurora Dinnerware Embodies Zak Designs Flexibility
Zak Designs recently unveiled Aurora dinnerware, a line of innovative plastic tableware that is said to be both durable and microwavable. Aurora is created using a unique material that allows the finished products to be durable, heat-resistant and microwavable, according to the company.
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Retail Sales Edged Up In October
Retail sales increased .5% in October from the previous month, according to the Commerce Department as reported on Reuters, after rising 1.1% in September. This fifth straight monthly gain was a .3% rise over what economists have predicted and indicates that the U.S. economy is showing signs of maintaining momentum going into the fourth quarter.
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Trudeau Announces Acquisition Of Silvermark
Trudeau Corporation has announced that it has agreed to acquire Silvermark, a supplier of kitchen gadgets and gourmet accessories with a focus on easy, fast food prep and healthy eating. Silvermark was started in 2002 with the introduction of its Toss & Chop Salad Chopper and now supplies a wide range of products to the housewares industry.
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Breville Names New CEO
Breville Group has appointed Jack Lord acting chief executive officer of the Breville Group effective November 10. He replaces Stephen Audsley, who recently resigned the company to return to Melbourne, Australia for family reasons. Lord most recently has been serving the company as group general manager, marketing and product development.
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Zak Designs Receives C-TPAT Validation
As it moves to enhance security in the United States and speed international shipments, Zak Designs has received an official Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism Validation. The C-TPAT program emerged after the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, as a way the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency and private companies could work together to tighten security measures and reduce the risk of further terrorist attacks, the company stated.
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Holiday Season E-Commerce Records Fall
Market research firm comScore has reported that retail e-commerce spending for the first 32 days of the November/December holiday season increased 15% over the timeframe last year to $18.7 billion. The week ended December 3 included three individual days when sales surpassed $1 billion, led by Cyber Monday.
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Tabletop Brands Served á La Carte In New AmericasMart Showroom
Rep group á la carte will unveil a new showroom in the AmericasMart Building's Building 2 West Wing during The Atlanta International Gift and Home Furnishings Market, January 11-18. The 2,678-square foot space is adjacent to the demo cooking area.
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New Corridor, Exhibitors Up The Buzz For AmericasMart's January Show
From January 11-18, AmericasMart Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishing Market attendees will find more than 400 lines represented for buyers and exhibitors. Temporary exhibits open from January 13-17.
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The ‘Green’ Question
it’s no longer if, but how you will participate

“It is now incumbent upon those looking to merchandise “green” products to understand what are the elements that legitimately define a product as ‘green.’”
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Employ A ‘Big Bets’ Strategy
focus on products that make a difference

“The retailers that will excel this season are those that can digest product information and focus on key product stories that will generate consumer excitement.”
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The end of an era
It’s the end of an era. After 62 years Bridge Kitchenware is closing its doors in New York City, and moving to New Jersey. The company, which has become a gourmet kitchenware landmark in the Big Apple, will continue to sell through its website and will open a small showroom at the site of its warehouse in Hanover, NJ.
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Ready... Set...
successful holiday selling prep starts now

There are times in a retailer’s life when everything falls into place; where sales come easily, product flies off shelves and customers seemingly can’t add impulse buys to their carts fast enough. This is not one of those times.
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A Beneficial Partner
a good rep relationship supports your store

Business relationships play a vital role in helping us achieve personal and professional fulfillment. With so much more time today spent working, attending meetings and industry events, or flying around the world to visit factories, the time we invest in work and business relationships can help us reach professional and personal success.
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The Best Defense
good customer service is recession-proof

As you read this, the election is approaching, another several hundred people have been laid off, gas prices are on the upswing again, the home heating oil season is about to begin with a near-certain promise of higher prices than last year and you’re most likely beginning preparations for the critical holiday selling season thinking, “who’s going to have money to spend for gifts?”
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Lead The Way
good management breeds great employees

As I meet with specialty store owners around the country, I often hear them vent about employee performance level, motivation and attitude. Somehow, they feel that the quality of employees has declined over the years. When I delve deeper, I frequently discover that the belief is that once an employee is hired, the owner or manager’s job is done.
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A Neighborhood Fixture
Dominic’s Kitchen Store located Park Ridge, IL, has become a local landmark since it opened in 2003, with its creative proprietor Dominic Cimiluca utilizing a wide range of creative events to draw shoppers to the stores upscale mix of kithchenware, small appliances and more. From Iron Chef contests and chef demonstrations to themed parties that help make Dominic’s as entertaining as it is utilitarian, the store has grown quickly.
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Fundamental Economic Shift
changing realities alter ‘value’ perception

For most of this year there has been widespread discussion of the challenging economic factors afflicting the housewares industry and the economy at large. Most of those discussions have looked on these events as transitory. As retailers and suppliers discussed the economic challenges affecting their businesses it was in much the same way one would discuss the latest color trend or culinary fad.
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It’s Time To React Positively
focus on business details you can control

Staying upbeat and positive in today’s challenging world is one of the most important personal traits you have for showing leadership, supporting your business team and inspiring others. “Courage is rightly esteemed the first of human qualities… because it is the quality that guarantees all others.”
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In the Shadow of Giants
After more than five years in business, Sharon Culbertson, owner of The Copper Colander, moved from a downtown Billings, MT, location to a stand-alone store on the city’s west side, and saw sales grow by 53% within six months.
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Gourmet Catalog Announces C-CAP Scholarship Affiliation
Gourmet Catalog has announced the creation of The Gourmet Catalog C-CAP Scholarship fund to support the Careers Through Culinary Arts Program (C-CAP).
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The Show Must Go On
for all you’ll find, can you afford not to go?

It seems almost every story in the press these days starts with the phrase, “in the current dire economic circumstances,” or “despite the current economy.” I could swear I heard a sports announcer say recently that “despite the current economy, the Steelers won the Super Bowl.”
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It’s State Of Mind
every challenge an opportunity if you stay positive

In spite of all the stimulus packages being thrown at our current economy, I feel this recession, like a bad cold, is going to be with us a little longer than we would like. There is a new dimension to today’s issues: the amount of time we are going to have to deal with an economic downturn. So many of the cornerstones of our economic system have been compromised, such as housing and banking, that the light at the end of the tunnel is like a tiny pinhole that doesn’t get closer no matter how much money government throws at it.
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Shackford's Kitchen Store and More
Napas neighborhood gourmet store caters to shoppers with plenty of everything...
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King Arthur Flour, Kansas Wheat Select Bread Baking Contest Finalists
Eight finalists have been selected in the first-ever National Festival of Breads bread-baking competition, organized by King Arthur Flour and Kansas Wheat.
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Gourmet Insider To Add Kitchen Textiles Coverage
Gourmet Insider, the magazine connecting the business of Gourmet Housewares, will add coverage of kitchen textiles effective with its May/June 2009 issue.
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King Arthur Flour To Host Bread Bakers Guild Baguette Class
King Arthur Flour will host a sold-out baguette class May 15-16 for Bread Bakers Guild of America members as part of the Guild’s 2009 National Tour.
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An Insider Look At Sur La Table's Breakout Coffee Program
The dramatic coffee statement, currently on display in Sur La Table store windows, is the product of a major merchandising initiative whose planning goes back four years and encompasses multiple product categories and vendor partnerships, according to Kerin Seeger, evp/merchandising at Sur La Table.
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Making A Sale Is Your Best Stimulus
tap into fundamentals to give sales a boost

There is much talk in the media today about government bailouts and stimulus packages. Each day seems to bring a new program and uncover a new company in need of a bailout. However, the fact is that independent business owners who, like you, took the risk to open a store, are responsible for creating approximately 70% of the new jobs in America. Yet no one is coming to bail you out.
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Specialty Retailer University
the best program you are not attending

This year’s International Home + Housewares Show was one of my most eagerly anticipated in years, for a number of reasons. First, there were a number of new initiatives at HOMEWORLD BUSINESS®, parent publication to Gourmet Insider.
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Tags Ace Hardware Focuses on Serving its Cambridge, MA, Customers
Tags Ace Hardware is a Cambridge, MA, fixture, first opening its doors in 1955. In the almost 55 years since, the two-level store has grown to offer hardware, housewares and 10 checkout lanes in 27,000 square feet of space in a community shopping center in the Boston suburb.
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Create Your Own Opportunities
turn focus to goals, not obstacles

As you turn the pages of this month’s Gourmet Insider, you may notice something you haven’t seen before. It’s not the news tidbits you’ll find on The Dish, nor the insights of industry legend Frank Brady. And it’s not the in-depth cutlery report aimed at helping you improve the profitability of your cutlery department.
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Embracing The Big Idea
innovate today for future success

Summer is here and soon many of us will be participating in outdoor activities with family and friends, and enjoying great food and wine. From a business standpoint we are all coming out of a long cold winter. No matter how much “fuel” we put on the fire we just couldn’t seem to get warm.
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Americasmart Announces Seminars For Upcoming Atlanta International Gift Fair
Americasmart has announced a series of seminars, roundtables and training sessions to be held during the upcoming Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market to be held July 8th through 15th. A listing of gourmet housewares related events include the following:
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Jura Capresso To Hold 'Brewology II' Demonstration Event At Atlanta Gift Fair
Jura Capresso will hold “Brewology ll,” a demonstration of coffee classics, summer coffee coolers and tasty dessert coffees at the upcoming Atlanta International Gif & Home Furnishings Market
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The Cook's Warehouse To Move Its Flagship Store
The Cook’s Warehouse announced today that it will move its flagship store to a new location in Ansley Mall this fall.
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Location, Location, Location
for shows or stores it really matters

The Gourmet Housewares Show is returning to its roots in San Francisco this month, reuniting the upscale housewares event with the city whose culinary culture helped give the show its distinctive flavor.
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Inside My Little Black Book
a glimpse at trends driving business

In spite of all the electronic gear we carry, from Blackberrys and iPhones to laptop computers, an unexpected phenomenon has surfaced. It seems today that everyone has a “Little Black Book” and meetings really never get started without most participants placing their book on the table.
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King Arthur Flour Receives A+ in The Better World Shopping Guide
King Arthur Flour has announced it is the only Baking Goods & Baking Supplies company ranked with an A+ in The Better World Shopping Guide.
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Condé Nast Closes Gourmet, Modern Bride, Elegant Bride Magazines
Condé Nast announced it will cease print publication of four magazines, among them Gourmet magazine, following a business review as ad sales and circulation fall.
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Great News! Discount Cookware and Cooking School, San Diego, CA
Ron Eisenberg has learned two important lessons in the more than 30 years since he first opened Great News! Discount Cookware and Cooking School. First, you can’t be afraid to make mistakes. And second, you never stop learning.
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A Growing Sense Of Community
store owners share strategies, goals

The cover of this issue features the participants of an Exclusive Gourmet Insider Retailer Roundtable held at the recent Gourmet Housewares Show in San Francisco.
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Control What You Can
take steps to keep your life in balance

I am happy and energized to have seen the number of retailers turning out at trade shows this year. From Frankfurt to San Francisco and every regional gift show in between, retailers have mustered up the courage and conviction to search out new products, new merchandising concepts and ideas to get their customers back into their stores and shopping again.
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Think Locally, Act Locally
community involvement key to survival

Welcome to the third Annual Gourmet Insider State of the Industry report. It has been a challenging year for retailers both large and small and that became quite evident as our staff worked to compile this year’s study. While we do not individually track store openings and closing each year, anecdotally it became clear that the current recession has resulted in a higher number of store closings than at any time in recent memory.
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Lessons Learned
let today’s trials lead to future success

It is amazing how many things I have learned during this recession. The period we are emerging from has shaken confidence in many aspects of day-to-day life and in many of the structures that have always felt strong and solid. Confidence in our banking system has been shattered. Friends, family, or maybe even you, have lost jobs that were counted on for well-being. Sales numbers have fallen for what seems like an eternity and no one knows when or if they will rebound.
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Keep The Pedal To The Medal
keeping focus on driving business is critical as the economy improves

The year 2009 was not a bad one. For gourmet housewares stores that is.
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A Housewares Visionary
what we can learn from Howard Lester

American industry has been fortunate to have more than our share of great leaders who contributed to creating what I call the “American Business Machine.” One such leader has been Howard Lester of Williams-Sonoma Inc.
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Managing Risk
build partnerships with key suppliers

Partnering with your best suppliers and involving them in your business can really help you grow in good times and bad. Your suppliers, after all, get you the products, innovation and marketing support to keep customers coming in to your store every day.
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Redefining Value
economy reshapes next-gen shoppers

The critical fourth-quarter season is approaching rapidly and there are growing signs of economic uncertainty. Discussions of a “double-dip” recession are increasingly widespread and there appear to be significant disagreements both domestically and internationally over whether the best path to economic recovery is through spending cuts or more economic stimulus.
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Good To Go
Amy’s Place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, has become a destination for impulse buys

Tucked into 635-square-feet in Philadelphia’s Reading Terminal Market, Amy’s Place is an impulse shopper’s paradise.
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Romance On The Menu At Cook's Warehouse Class
The Cook’s Warehouse is cooking up more than food during its cooking classes.
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Sara Moulton To Teach Two Classes At Rolling Pin
Rolling Pin Kitchen Emporium, in Brandon, FL, will host a cookbook signing and two cooking classes with Sara Moulton, celebrity chef, food editor and television host, to promote her new cookbook, “Sara Moulton’s Everyday Family Dinners,” on October 17.
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Rita Burns, retiring owner of
Tess' Kitchen Store
Tess' Kitchen Store To Get New Owner
Tess’ Kitchen store in Grass Valley, CA will soon be under new ownership. After operating the store for the past 14 years Rita Burns, who converted the store from a gift and card shop into a gourmet housewares store, has decided to retire and enjoy some new adventures. “I feel like I’ve accomplished all my goals,” Burns told Gourmet Insider. “And I think the new owner, Steve Rosenthal has the energy and the enthusiasm to really take it to the next level.”
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The Cook's Warehouse Rolls Out Fall Class Schedule
The Cook’s Warehouse has released its Fall 2010 class schedule. From “Knife Skills 101 Hands On” to advanced classes with local chefs, there are 125 classes from which to choose.
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Still A Lot To Be Done
non-profits still need your help

There’s no ifs, ands or buts about it, the International Home + Housewares Show last month was a hit. Continuing this year’s upbeat trade show trend, the Housewares Show aisles were bustling, and retailers weren’t just window-shopping. They were on the hunt for good new merchandise, and there was plenty to be found.
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It’s Time To Show Up
there is no substitute for attendance

The recent announcement that GLM will co-locate the Gourmet Housewares Show with the summer New York International Gift Fair beginning in August 2011, coupled with the pending arrival of the summer gift fair season, has brought the topic of trade shows to the fore once again.
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Don’t Overlook This Channel
re-embrace the independent retailer

This trade show season has been a busy one, with buyers scouring for new suppliers, products and merchandising ideas. I’ve been especially aware of independent specialty retailers, who are out to find the products and information that will keep their businesses vibrant.
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Return Of The Customer
prepare your store to leverage growth

Every week, I hear success stories from retailers sharing thoughts about how their businesses are doing. They describe how well the consumer is responding to new products and talk about how new brands are motivating their customers to buy. And while no one describes the current business environment as a “turnaround”— that implies a degree of permanency that most don’t yet feel exists in the economy— the consensus is that things are decidedly improving. This is great news!
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Learning From Each Other
share strategies to boost business

The economy has presented the gourmet housewares business with a number of challenges the last two years, putting increased pressure on margins, hampering expansion, and for several stores, delivering a knockout blow.
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Lessons In Leadership
now is the time to seize opportunities

Now is the time for housewares industry leaders to step forward with big ideas to help guide our industry down new, exciting and profitable paths to tomorrow.
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Sur La Table Offers $199.99 Promotion On Wusthof Grand Prix II Block Set
Sur La Table is running an “Online Only Special,” offering its shoppers a Wusthof Grand Prix II 7-piece cutlery set for $199.99.
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J.K. Adams Opens Cooking School At Essex Resort
J.K Adams has partnered with The Essex, Vermont’s Culinary Resort and Spa, in the opening of the new J.K. Adams Kitchen, within the culinary resort, in Essex Junction, Vermont.
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Le Creuset To Sponsor Harvard Science And Cooking Lecture Series
Le Creuset has announced plans to provide funding to help support the Science and Cooking Lectureship series hosted by the Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS).
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Viking Cooking Schools Offers 'Girls Night Out' Classes To Support Fight Against Breast Cancer
Viking Cooking Schools are partnering with National Breast Cancer Foundation this October for a series of ‘Girls Night Out’ cooking classes.
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California Cool
Celebrity Chef Tyler Florence and wife Tolan blend old world charm with contemporary performance in their Mill Valley, CA gourmet housewares store.
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The Extra Ingredient Celebrates 25 Years With Month-Long Events
The Extra Ingredient in Greensboro, NC will celebrate its 25th year in business this month with events planned throughout the month.
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William Glen Closing Its Doors After 47 Years
William Glen, a Sacramento retail landmark for the past 47 years, has announced that it will close its store at Town and Country Center at the end of the year.
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Sonoma's Calphalon ad
Williams-Sonoma Touts Calphalon Unison Discount
Williams-Sonoma is touting a “Limited Quantities” sale on a 3-piece set of Calphalon Unison cookware. The Unison Essentials set includes a 3-quart covered sauce pan and open fry pan featuring Calphalon’s “customized” non-stick surface. The set is being billed as “Just Reduced”, in the retailer’s e-flyers with the additional advisory to shoppers to “Act Now-Quantities Limited.”
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Faraday's e-commerce site
Faraday's Launches Its First E-Commerce Site
Faraday’s Kitchen Store in Austin, TX, has launched its first online shopping website.
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Restaurant Chef Survey Identifies Sous Vide, Sustainability As Key Trends
Sous vide could soon emerge as a hot new food preparation method in consumer kitchens, based on the results of a recent survey of restaurant chefs by the National Restaurant Association.
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Jamie Oliver
Jamie Oliver Debuts New U.S. Line
At a New York City event yesterday, a new line of kitchenware from celebrity chef Jamie Oliver was introduced for the U.S. market. Oliver, according to Wil Hollands, president of Hermes-OTTO International, which is involved in the development of the line, has had success with a kitchenware line in the United Kingdom for the past three years. The comprehensive Oliver collection includes cutlery, kitchen tools, barbecues and barbecue accessories, as well as melamine tableware, recycled glassware, children’s kitchenware kits and kitchen textiles.
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All-Clad Kicks Off 40th Anniversary Celebration
All-Clad kicked off its 40th anniversary celebration with a cocktail reception on October 8th at the James Beard House, in New York City.
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Hartwick's Names October Cookie Baking Contest Winner
Hartwicks, of Eugene, OR, announced the winner of its October cookie baking contest today. The subject for Octobers contest was drop cookies, and the winner was Emily J. Hamill, who was awarded a $100 gift certificate to the store for her "Moms After School Special Cookies."
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Mary Moore, at the Ansley store
Cook's Warehouse Flagship Store Marks One Year In New Location
The flagship store of The Cook’s Warehouse recently celebrated its one-year anniversary in its new location, midtown Atlanta’s Ansley Mall. “This is still my dream store, all 6,500 square feet and two kitchens, stocking 15,000 wonderful tools with which to cook,” said Mary S. Moore, CEO and founder. “And the dream continues with our outstanding success in Ansley Mall.
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Sur La Table's Scanpan Ad
Sur La Table Offers Online Scanpan Special Including Free Shipping
Sur La Table is offering an “online only” one time offer on a Scanpan Professional 3-piece cookware set for $89.99. Announced via its e-newsletter, Sur La Table is offering its shoppers the 3-piece Professional set, which includes a 3-quart covered saucepan and 9-inch open skillet for $89.99 (listed as a $240 value)
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Deadline For State of the Industry Survey Is November 8th
The deadline for completing the Gourmet Insider State of the Industry Survey is Monday November 8th. Please take a few minutes to take the survey, which is designed to provide gourmet industry store owners with decision-making tools to more effectively merchandise their stores.
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Portmeirion Inks Lolita Licensing Agreement, Launches New Line
Portmeirion Group USA recently launched party-themed ceramics under a new licensing agreement with Lolita, at the New York Tabletop Market.
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Beka Introduces 'Eco Friendly' Cookware
Belgium cookware manufacturer Beka has introduced a new environmentally friendly line of gourmet cookware, Eco-logic. All aspects, from materials to the design and manufacturing processes, were carefully considered to ensure the new cookware line could be produced to have the least negative impact on the environment possible, the company said.
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Waterford Wedgwood Opens House Of Waterford Crystal Including 'Retail Experience' Store
WWRD Holdings Limited recently announced the opening of The House of Waterford Crystal. The brand new facility features a crystal factory, visitor center and "retail experience" store, located in Waterford City, Ireland.
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Great News Announces Wusthof Cutlery Seminar, Sales Event
Great News Discount Cookware and Cooking School has announced plans for its semi-annual Wusthof weekend cutlery event that includes Free Knife Sharpening, a Knife Maintenance Seminar and a host of deals on Wusthof cutlery. The event will be held Saturday, November 6 with free knife sharpening from 11am to 1pm and a Knife Maintenance Seminar with Wusthof Represenetative Kyle Hogan from 2pm to 4pm.
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Jura's Impressa Z7
Jura Z7 Espresso Machine Wins International Design Award
Jura Capresso announced today that the The Jura Impressa Z7 One Touch automatic coffee center has won a 2010 iF Product Design Award and has been nominated for the 2011 German Design Award.
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Kuhn Rikon Sponsors PBS Holiday Culinary Special
Kuhn Rikon will sponsor PBS special "Fannie’s Last Supper," a tribute to American Culinary history, airing in November.
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Groupe SEB Realigns All-Clad, Krups Management
Groupe SEB today announced a restructuring of its All-Clad and Krups businesses designed to provide sharper focus on each of the respective brands. Under the new alignment Krups’ sales and marketing will move to West Orange, NJ, headquarters for SEB’s T-fal, Rowenta, WearEver and Emerilware businesses.
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Scanpan CTX cookware set
Great News Announces November 'Scanpan Spectacular'
Great News Discount Cookware and Cooking School is holding a “Scanpan Spectacular” event on Saturday November 20th, from 10am to 12pm and from 1pm to 3pm. The event will include demonstrations, hourly give-aways, gifts with purchase and a Grand Prize drawing to be held at 5
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Rolling Pin Receives Small Business Award
Rolling Pin Kitchen Emporium today announced that it has been named Small Business of the Year by the Greater Brandon, FL Chamber of Commerce, in the category of 6-15 employees.
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City Kitchens A Seattle Landmark
SEATTLE— Kerry Niesen started at Seattle’s City Kitchens almost 17 years ago looking to earn a few dollars as a stock person while attending the University of Washington nearby. Today, he owns the store.
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Williams-Sonoma Launches Membership Program For Free Shipping
Williams-Sonoma has launched a new membership program that will enable members to receive free standard shipping on most of the retailer’s product offerings, in exchange for payment of a one-time annual fee. The new program, which entails consumers paying a $30 annual membership is called Williams-Sonoma Reserve, will also offer members to receive special offers throughout the year.
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Campbell's Gourmet Cottage Re-Opens With New Name, Ownership
Campbell’s Gourmet Cottage, in Louisville, KY has re-opened as Cooking At The Cottage under new ownership. The store closed September 1, 2010, three months after its previous owner Susan Lukjan was sentenced to 12 years in prison for arson associated with a previous Gourmet Cottage location.
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Beans About Cooking Creates Demo Kitchen On Wheels
Pam Potesta, owner of Beans About Cooking, has turned to innovation to create an inexpensive, portable demo kitchen in her Belleaire Bluff, FL, gourmet store.
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Emile Henry Pie Plates
Emile Henry Announces National Pie Day Contest
Emile Henry has announced its second Annual National Pie Contest in honor of National Pie Day, which will be on January 23, 2011. The “How Pretty Is Your Pie?” contest begins on Thanksgiving Day and ends on January 15, 2011. Winners will be announced on the emilehenryusa.com and the piecouncil.org websites on National Pie Day.
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New West Knifeworks Holds Half-Off Sale
To make room for new knife styles coming in, New West Knifeworks is holding a "blowout" sale on some of its current offerings. Right now the cutlery manufacturer is offering its 6-piece Fusionwood steak knife set for $175, half off the regular price of $350.
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Pastry Chef Pantoliano Wins First Vitamix Challenge
Vincent Pantoliano, pastry chef at Meat Market Miami was recently named the winner of the first ever StarChefs.com Vitamix Challeng, helding during during the International Chefs Congress in New York City.
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Cook's Warehouse Hosts Third Farm-to-School Workshop
Mary Moore, founder and CEO of The Cook’s Warehouse, hosted the third half-day Farm-to-School “cooking workshop” for cafeteria workers from the City Schools of Decatur.
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National Restaurant Show To Remain In Chicago Through 2016
The National Restaurant Association has announced that it is keeping its annual show in Chicago’s McCormick Place through 2016.
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Gourmet Housewares Site, ChefsArsenal.com Launches
Market Warehouse Inc., an on-line retailer of computer software, consumer electronics, and gourmet cookware, has launched a new gourmet cookware website —ChefsArsenal.com.
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Chef's Gallery Owner Passes Unexpectedly
Laura Bachman, owner of The Chefs Gallery and cooking school in Stillwater, MN, passed away unexpectedly November 16.
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Free Shipping, Deep Discounts Top Gourmet Cyber Monday Deals
Stores in the gourmet channel rolled out deep discounts for Cyber Monday deals, along with free shipping offers to entice consumers to shop online.
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Cook's Warehouse Winter Class Schedule Covers Basics To Gourmet
Cooking classes on tap for Winter 2011 at The Cook’s Warehouse, in Atlanta, will cover everything from skill building to hands-on cooking classes with local chefs. There are almost 150 classes from which to choose, covering a variety of age levels and culinary interests.
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In Memoriam
celebrating the vision of Howard Lester

It was with a very sad heart that I heard the news of the passing of Howard Lester, former Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Williams-Sonoma.
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The Rolling Pin Reveals Winter 2011 Class Schedule
The Rolling Pin, in Athens, GA, has launched its class schedule for January and February 2011, which includes programs for the basics, such as weekly meal planning, to fancy holiday dinners, such as Valentines’ Dinner for Two.
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State Of Flux
study reveals industry’s shifting priorities

Welcome to Gourmet Insider’s 2011 State of the Industry report. This exclusive annual statistical survey of the gourmet housewares industry is our effort to provide readers with key benchmarks for measuring their stores’ performance.
Continued...
Kitchenware Outfitters Serves Lunch With Customer Service
Kitchenware Outfitters has come up with a great strategy for helping its customer manage the hustle and bustle of holiday shopping —feed them.
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Williams-Sonoma holiday ad.
Gourmet Stores Discount Prices For Last Holiday Shopping Days
n the last push the week before Christmas, gourmet stores are offering deep discounts and guaranteed Christmas delivery, both online and in stores.
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Chef, Author Nancy Waldeck To Make Rolling Pin Appearance
Rolling Pin is hosting a demonstration class with Chef and author Nancy Waldeck on January 11th.
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Williams-Sonoma Touts $99 Calphalon Set
Williams-Sonoma is featuring a Calphalon Unison Slide & Sear pan set for $99 on its website and in e-mails, touting the offering as a $200 savings.”
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A Cook's Wares Spotlights Chantal 'Make & Take' Sale
A Cook’s Wares is highlighting Chantal’s Pure Make & Take bakeware line at “start the year off” savings of 10% to 30%.
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Helen Chen To Make Cook's Warehouse Class Appearances
Asian cooking authority Helen Chen will be teaching a series of classes at The Cook’s Warehouse on January 12th and 13th.
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Sur La Table Goes Offline, Readies Changes
Sur La Table has taken its website down this morning for revamping.
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Sur La Table Launches Revamped Website
Sur La Table has re-launched its website with a new look. The redesigned site, which debuted earlier this afternoon, features a much larger featured product area across the entire top of the page the enables the retailer to rotate a series of special deals and featured categories, with thumbnail shots of each located directly below that allows visitors to quickly scroll through each featured product or deal.
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Southern Snows Challenge Retailers
Weather is tossing a monkey wrench into the merchandising plans of retailers across the south as snow and freezing rain are snarling flights, and tying up roadways.
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A Path To Success
master the art of being a skilled CEO

Many of us have had the opportunity to observe the effort, work and performance, not to mention some of the amenities, that go with being a successful Chief Executive Officer.
Continued...
Web Resolution
an effective website is your invitation to new customers

If there was any doubt the Internet is playing an increasingly important role in the shopping habits of American consumers, it should have been dispelled by this year’s holiday sales results.
Continued...
Web Resolution
If there was any doubt the Internet is playing an increasingly important role in the shopping habits of American consumers, it should have been dispelled by this year’s holiday sales results.
Continued...
A Path To Success master the art of being a skilled CEO
Many of us have had the opportunity to observe the effort, work and performance, not to mention some of the amenities, that go with being a successful Chief Executive Officer.
Continued...
Faraday's Sees Gains From New Web Efforts
Three months after launching an e-commerce site and complementary social media initiative, Faraday’s Kitchen Store owner Tony Curtis-Wellings says he’s already seeing the benefits.
Continued...
IHA's Specialty Retailer University Readies For March 'Session'
The International Housewares Association is once again offering its Specialty Retailer University program this year. Scheduled for Saturday, March 5, the all-day event will feature myriad presentations aimed at helping both novice and experienced store owners better operate their business.
Continued...
Dominic's Blends Cooking With Neighborhood Flavor
The word kitchen woven into the name Dominic’s Kitchen Store is apt because, as might have happened under the direction of any congenial host, the store is remarkable for the comforts it offers anyone who crosses its threshold.
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Special Flavor
When talking barbecue with gourmet insiders, sales of grillware and accessories seem to come down to just one thing: flavor. Planks, rubs, smokers and barbecue sauces stoked the category in 2010, according to store owners, along with the accessories and grillware needed to impart those flavors.
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Setting Summer
Summertime is all about outdoor entertaining, and gourmet insiders have capitalized on this theme by bringing in themed serving pieces, such as chip n’ dips and pitchers to cross-merchandise with their year-round tabletop assortment.
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King Arthur Flour Taking Bread Baking Educational Program Nationwide
King Arthur Flour is taking its free school baking program nationwide with the addition of two new instructors.
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Recipe For Success
Like bread in the oven, the bakeware category was on the rise in 2010.
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State of Flux
Welcome to Gourmet Insider’s 2011 State of the Industry report. This exclusive annual statistical survey of the gourmet housewares industry is our effort to provide readers with key benchmarks for measuring their stores’ performance.
Continued...
In Memoriam celebrating the vision of Howard Lester
It was with a very sad heart I heard the news of the passing of Howard Lester, former Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Williams-Sonoma today.
Continued...
Sell On Wheels
For most gourmet housewares stores, every square inch is precious and any time a retailer can find a way to make floor space do double duty it’s a plus.
Continued...
State of Flux
Welcome to Gourmet Insider’s 2011 State of the Industry report. This exclusive annual statistical survey of the gourmet housewares industry is our effort to provide readers with key benchmarks for measuring their stores’ performance.
Continued...
In Memoriam
It was with a very sad heart I heard the news of the passing of Howard Lester, former Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Williams-Sonoma today.
Continued...
Sell On Wheels
For most gourmet housewares stores, every square inch is precious and any time a retailer can find a way to make floor space do double duty it’s a plus.
Continued...
HTI Announces Conference Program For Upcoming Home + Housewares Show
Housewares Training & Information Group (HTI) will launch an annual One Voice Conference in March at the 2011 International Home + Housewares Show in Chicago.
Continued...
Learning From Each Other..share strategies to boost business
The economy has presented the gourmet housewares business with a number of challenges the last two years, putting increased pressure on margins, hampering expansion, and for several stores, delivering a knockout blow.
Continued...
Learning From Each Other..share strategies to boost business
The economy has presented the gourmet housewares business with a number of challenges the last two years, putting increased pressure on margins, hampering expansion, and for several stores, delivering a knockout blow.
Continued...
Lessons in Leadership..now is the time to seize opportunities
Now is the time for housewares industry leaders to step forward with big ideas to help guide our industry down new, exciting and profitable paths to tomorrow.
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Class Acts...Retailers Unveil Fall Schedules
Closing the curtain on summer, Savannah, GA’s Kitchenware Outfitters has announced two late summer cooking classes: a “Cool Labor Day Beach Party” with instructor Anna Hood and “A Comfortable Tailgate Picnic” with instructor Nathalie Dupree.
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Retailer Roundtable
The latest installment of the Gourmet Insider® Retail Roundtable Series uncovered independent retailer secrets to creating story-telling merchandise presentations that can accelerate sales velocity and increase average register rings.
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Little Things Mean A Lot
Many consumers have changed their coffee and tea habits to brewing at home. However, while high-end coffee and tea electrics may be out of reach for some consumers, they are still looking for ways to home-brew their favorite beverages.
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Finding the Sweet Spot
For all the talk of consumers eating and drinking more at home, the economy is not without its challenges for gourmet housewares, and the coffee and espresso maker business is no exception.
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Your Serve
Coffee and tea continue to be growing trends for the gourmet channel, with many consumers looking for the hardware and serveware that will enhance the brewing and drinking experience at home, whether pouring a cup for one or entertaining a party of friends, said vendors.
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A Bright Spot
According to Gourmet Insider’s 2010 “State of the Industry” Survey, the kitchen tool and gadget segment accounted for more than $53 million in sales for gourmet housewares stores, a number that has continually risen in past years— no small feat considering the economic constraints retailers have faced in recent years.
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Redefining Value
The critical fourth-quarter season is approaching rapidly and there are growing signs of economic uncertainty.
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Managing Risk
Partnering with your best suppliers and involving them in your business can really help you grow in good times and bad. Your suppliers, after all, get you the products, innovation and marketing support to keep customers coming in to your store every day.
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Mary Moore
Cook's Warehouse Founder Mary Moore On CNN
Mary Moore, founder and owner of The Cook’s Warehouse was featured on CNN’s Small Business Success series.
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Defining Your Store
create a memorable retail shopping experience to not just survive, but to thrive

Some believe independent specialty retailers are at an inherent disadvantage when larger competitors come to town. This is not true. Your store is special and has many important points of differentiation.
Continued...
A Cause Worth Marketing
Cookies For Kids’ Cancer Needs You

There are many things in life that are beyond our control to change. This need not be one of them.
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Rösle officials (left) present Big Ladle Award to Great News owners (right).
Rösle Presents Great News With Big Ladle Award
Rösle awarded Great News Discount Cookware & Cooking School with its first- ever Big Ladle Award at the International Home + Housewares Show in Chicago. The nearly 3-foot long ladle, manufactured and engraved in Germany, was presented to Great News owners in recognition of their success. Great News, which was founded in 1977, in San Diego, CA, was ranked the number one specialty store for Rösle in 2010. The Rösle Big Ladle Award will be given annually at the Housewares show.
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The Fante's Pasta Machine.
HIC Introduces Fante's Italian Kitchenware Collection
Harold Import has introduced the Fante’s brand with a new collection of Italian cooking products. The new line is based on the more than 100-year history of the Fante family’s connection with Philadelphia’s historic Italian Market.
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Gourmet Catalog Announces Vendor Awards
Gourmet Catalog & Buying Group today announce its fourth annual Best Vendor Award winners.
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Sur La Table Touts Shoppers Favorites
Sur La Table recently touted its 5-Star Favorites in its newsletter, letting its customers know which of its products were their favorites.
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Easter Promotions In Full Swing At Gourmet Housewares Stores
The Easter selling season is in full swing with gourmet housewares retailers rolling out a wide array of new product and promotional offerings aimed at bringing seasonal shoppers to their stores.
Continued...
Web Resolution an effective website is your invitation to new customers
If there was any doubt the Internet is playing an increasingly important role in the shopping habits of American consumers, it should have been dispelled by this year’s holiday sales results.
Continued...
A Path To Success master the art of being a skilled CEO
Many of us have had the opportunity to observe the effort, work and performance, not to mention some of the amenities, that go with being a successful Chief Executive Officer.
Continued...
Faraday's Sees Gains From New Web Efforts
Three months after launching an e-commerce site and complementary social media initiative, Faraday’s Kitchen Store owner Tony Curtis-Wellings says he’s already seeing the benefits.
Continued...
IHA's Specialty Retailer University Readies For March 'Session
The International Housewares Association is once again offering its Specialty Retailer University program this year. Scheduled for Saturday, March 5, the all-day event will feature myriad presentations aimed at helping both novice and experienced store owners better operate their business.
Continued...
King Arthur Flour Names Tecca To New Business Development Role
King Arthur Flour has announced the appointment of Mark Tecca to the newly created position of Director of New Business Development.
Continued...
Gourmet Catalog: Record Attendance At Annual Retail 'Boot Camp'
A record number of Gourmet Catalog Store Member buyers were in attendance for the annual Boot Camp for Retailers meeting held on Saturday, March 5, 2011 at the International Home and Housewares Show in Chicago, Gourmet Catalog announced today.
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Mary Moore, The Cook's Warehouse
The Cook's Warehouse To Open Fourth Store
The Cook’s Warehouse announced plans today for a fourth store in the Atlanta suburb of East Cobb County. The 4,800-square foot store, to include a cooking school as well as merchandising space is slated for a late-summer opening. “For years, our customer base has driven into the city to shop for cookware, kitchen accessories and appliances and especially to learn in our cooking school," said Mary Moore, owner and founder of The Cooks Warehouse. "This new store will serve devoted customers of The Cook’s Warehouse as well as open our ‘Every Excuse to Cook’ concept to many more gourmet enthusiasts who live anywhere from 15 to 50 miles outside downtown Atlanta.”
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Gourmet Catalog Releases Spring Catalog
Gourmet Catalog & Buying Group has announced the release of its 2011 Spring/Summer Catalog, featuring the essentials for gift giving, spring cleaning, and outdoor entertaining.
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King Arthur Flour Announces Major Facilities Expansion
King Arthur Flour today announced it will break ground next month on a major expansion of its bakery, store, and school in Norwich, VT. The new energy-efficient facility will accommodate the company’s ongoing growth by consolidating two existing buildings into one new/renovated space.
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Entrepreneurs Wanted Desperately
(to create new businesses)

We as an industry need the business, sales and creativity that entrepreneurs make happen.
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Return Reactions
where do you stand on product returns?

The debate that emerged from a conference roundtable made it clear that product returns are a substantive issue for gourmet housewares stores.
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Bridge Kitchenware In Search Of New Location
Bridge Kitchenware is closing its doors pending a move to an as yet undetermined location. The venerable kitchenware retailer, which closed its New York City store in 2008 and has since had two locations in New Jersey, announced on its website that due to the sale of its current building, the retailer would once again change locations.
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Rolling Pin Owners Receive Entrepreneurial Award
Chef Dave and Karen West, owners of Rolling Pin Kitchen Emporium, were named Entrepreneurs of the year at the 2011 Cordon d’Or Gold Ribbon Culinary Academy Awards, held at The Don CeSar Beach Resort and Spa. They Culinary Academy Awards recognize chefs, cookbook authors and culinary teachers internationally and in Florida. Noreen Kinney, founder of the Cordon d’Or—Gold Ribbon, developed the awards to elevate interest in good food and raise interest in food to the level of recognition as a ‘Culinary Art’.
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Entrepreneurs Wanted Desperately
America has been and is a country of opportunity and promise. It is the best place to be born, to raise a family, to live your life and pursue a career.
Continued...
All-Clad Springs Into Season
Some might have thought it an April Fool’s joke as gourmet housewares stores across the country advertised discount sales on All-Clad cookware.
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The Cook's Warehouse To Open Fourth Store
The Cook’s Warehouse will open its fourth store later this summer, extending its reach beyond the downtown Atlanta area to give a greater number of suburban shoppers the chance to experience the store’s energetic culinary merchandising.
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Back To School
Housewares Training & Information Group (HTI) held its first ever One Voice Conference at this spring’s International Home + Housewares Show. The full-day educational event, held the day before the show opened, offered attendees a range of hands-on workshops as well as a keynote speech from educational speaker and entrepreneur Harold Lloyd.
Continued...
Asian Cutlery, Hybrid Styles Gain Ground
Cutlery sales have rebounded, even becoming robust again, in the last year, according to gourmet insiders.
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Asian Cutlery, Hybrid Styles Gain Ground
Gourmet insiders agree that Asian style knives are gaining ground in their cutlery assortments, in some cases even taking share from the more standard European styles in the last couple of years.
Continued...
Ceramic Edge Insiders Embrace hot Knife Material
Tony Curtis-Wellings, owner of Faraday’s in Lakeway, TX, calls it a “printing money kind of product.” In Pleasanton, CA, Linda Wyner, owner of Pans on Fire, refers to it as STS— Stuff That Sells.
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Money Makers
With consumers still carefully watching what they spend, sometimes the smallest items can turn into the biggest sellers.
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Special Destination
If you need convincing of the sales-driving potential of demonstrating an upscale countertop kitchen appliance, just ask Jason Politowicz.
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Atlanta Market Builds Up Housewares Resources
The summer edition of the Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market, to be held July 13 to 20 at AmericasMart, will offer gourmet insiders and independent gift store buyers increased housewares resources, with over 250 lines.
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NYIGF Prepares Gourmet Housewares Show Debut
The August 13 to 18 edition of the New York International Gift Fair will feature the debut of the Gourmet Housewares Show at the Jacob K. Javits Center. Over 100 exhibitor spaces have been sold in the gourmet show, with 150 expected.
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Sonoma Promotion
Williams-Sonoma recently advertised its “Lowest Price Ever” on an All-Clad Multipot, breaking the $100 pricepoint barrier in the process. The stainless steel multipot, advertised at $129 for a 12-quart model and $99 for an 8-quart, is a slight variation on conventional pasta cookers, using a mesh insert for draining pasta and other boiled foods in place of the traditional perforated stainless inserts.
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State of the Industry Report
“We’ve never worked so hard to stay in the same place,” said Steve Havlek, owner of Sign of the Bear, in Sonoma, CA, summing up the sentiment of many State of the Industry Survey respondents this year. For Sign of the Bear, Havlek added, 2010 is showing signs of economic recovery.
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Show Previews
Atlanta’s 2011 January International Gift & Home Furnishings Market will offer “more new than ever before,” for gourmet housewares store owners, according to Kristi Forbes, the show’s executive director for AmericasMart.
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Children's Museum Opens Kitchen And Garden Programs
The Greensboro Children’s Museum (GCM) recently became the first museum in the U.S. to implement a kitchen and garden program, which is not located at a school but rather open daily to children and their families, as part of the burgeoning Edible Schoolyard Program.
Continued...
The White House Launches 'Chefs Move To Schools'
Mary S. Moore, founder and CEO of The Cook’s Warehouse, in early June joined chefs from Atlanta and around the country on the South Lawn of the White House to launch the “Chefs Move to Schools” program of First Lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move!” campaign.
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Baking A Bundle
What’s the secret to building bakeware profits? Cross merchandise it with tools, appliances, mixes and other baking essentials, say Gourmet Insiders.
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Hopeful For The Holidays
Gourmet retailers have a better feeling about this holiday season than they had for the previous two.
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In The Holiday Spirit
Tabletop and decorative accessories provide gourmet insiders the perfect opportunity to capture the spirit of the holidays and add warmth to their display windows and tables, according to retailers.
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Good To Go
Tucked into 635-square-feet in Philadelphia’s Reading Terminal Market, Amy’s Place is an impulse shopper’s paradise.
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Itemizing
Several contenders for solid fourth-quarter sales have emerged for gourmet retailers in constant search of products protected from the big-box crossfire in small electrics.
Continued...
Retailers Report Sparkling SodaStream Sales
With gourmet retailers in constant search of productive new opportunities in the competitive kitchen electrics segment, one of the channel’s most promising small appliance items for the fourth quarter isn’t even electric.
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Atlanta Market Beefs Up Gourmet Housewares Education Program
Independent gift storeowners attending the July edition of The Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market, held at Atlanta’s AmericasMart, can learn about how to ride the home-cooking wave by incorporating gourmet housewares and tabletop entertaining items into their stores.
Continued...
New York Gift Fair Spotlights 'Green' With Expanded Sustainability Exhibit
Nearly 250 “green” products will be featured in the “SustainAbility: design for a better world” exhibit returning to the New York International Gift Fair (NYIGF), August 14th through 19th, at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.
Continued...
A Cause Worth Marketing
On January 24th Liam Witt, son of OXO executives Larry Witt and Gretchen Holt, lost his four-year battle with Neuroblastoma. He was six years old.
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Defining Your Store
Competition today is creeping up all around the independent specialty retailer community.
Continued...
Global Marketing To Offer Woll Cookware
CHICAGO— Global Marketing has inked a strategic partnership agreement with German cookware manufacturer Woll to bring the company’s full cookware assortment to the U.S. market, following the discontinuation of Global’s relationship with Swiss Diamond, Gourmet Insider has learned.
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Farm-T-Table Trend Inspired Le Creuset's New Fennel Green
CHICAGO— Le Creuset is officially launching its latest color— Fennel green— at the International Home + Housewares Show.
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All-Clad Celebrates 40th With Limited Editions
CHICAGO— All-Clad is celebrating its 40th Anniversary this year with the introduction of new Limited Edition pieces at the International Home + Housewares Show.
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Rolling Pin Hosts 'Top Chef' Gourmet Cooking Classes
When Tiffany Derry, Top Chef All-Stars contestant, serves as a guest instructor at the Rolling Pin Kitchen Emporium here on March 16th and 17th, she won’t be the first Top Chef alum to do so, and if co-owner Dave West has his way she won’t be the last.
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Regal Ware Celebrates Milestone
Regal Ware Celebrates Milestone
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Chicago Metallic Sponsors 'Share Our Strength'
Chicago Metallic has signed on as the official bakeware sponsor for Share Our Strength and is kicking off its participation in the organization’s 8th annual Great American Bake Sale at the International Home + Housewares Show in support of Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry initiative.
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Metro Mission
People take many different paths to operating a gourmet housewares store, few of them in a straight line, and Metro Kitchen’s Lynn Clarke is no exception.
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Pattern Power
Gourmet Insiders agree that what drives kitchen textiles sales more than anything else is the “fun” element that bright colors, diverse patterns and novelty designs bring to the kitchen.
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Designs That Work
NEW YORK— The 2011 Housewares Design Awards, presented by HomeWorld Business Magazine with the educational cooperation of the International Housewares Association, included a number of gourmet-related products that could provide retailers with an opportunity to tell creative new merchandising stories for their customers this year.
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Practical Makes Perfect
As you might expect in times of recession consumers last year were in a practical frame of mind, particularly when it came to buying cookware. Turns out that was the perfect mindset to drive the cookware business, according to Gourmet Insiders.
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Nordic Ware Brings Back Classic Bundt-lette
In celebration of its 65th anniversary this year, Nordic Ware has brought back one of its classics— the Bundt-lette Bake Pan, debuting at the International Home + Housewares Show in Chicago.
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Out Of Sight
With Spring cleaning just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to call your customers’ attention to products that help them organize and de-clutter their kitchens.
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For The Love Of Baby
What could be the newest trend in small appliances is still in its infancy, quite literally.
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Saeco Brews New Espresso Units
Philips Saeco is introducing two espresso/coffee machines— Syntia Cappuccino and Exprelia— at the International Home + Housewares Show this week, as well as a new line of automatic drip coffeemakers.
Continued...
Keep The Pedal To The Medal
The year 2009 was not a bad one. For gourmet housewares stores that is.
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A Housewares Visionary
American industry has been fortunate to have more than our share of great leaders who contributed to creating what I call the “American Business Machine.” One such leader has been Howard Lester of Williams-Sonoma Inc.
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Costal Cupboard Expansion Adds To Store's Bottom Line
The Coastal Cupboard, in Mt. Pleasant, SC, expanded its store this fall, growing by nearly 1,800 square feet and adding a demonstration kitchen as well as increased bakeware, cookware and gadget offerings.
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Milkweed Mercantile Announces Grand Opening Schedule
The Milkweed Mercantile Eco Inn, Organic Cafe & Sundries Shop, in Rutledge, MO, has announced its grand opening in March.
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LeCreuset Offers Gourmet Catalog Members Exclusive Program
Gourmet Catalog & Buying Group has joined forces with Le Creuset to create a Premier Store Program exclusive to Gourmet Catalog members.
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The Sweet Smell Of Success
Many good merchants can recognize a successful product at first sight. For Kitchen Kitchen owner Jan Boydstun, it was first smell.
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Kitchen Kaboodle's Samsa Shares Secrets Of Dominant Brand Presentation
Creating and managing dominant brand assortments is never an easy process. How many SKUs is too many? Do products sell better when merchandised by brand, product type, or material? What if there are lots of colors to choose from? How many can you select before your productivity declines or your customers walk away in confusion?
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A Taste Of Florence In Mill Valley
Mill Valley, CA, is just across the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco— a picturesque little town with a bustling main street, idyllic cobblestone sidewalks and trendy, colorful boutiques.
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Back To Barbecue Basics
According to Gourmet Insiders, barbecue can be a challenging category for independent gourmet stores.
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A Mile Away And 'Worlds' Apart
There’s six hours to the Grand Opening party and plenty to do.
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Table Talk
While tabletop may not be the largest category for some independent retailers, gourmet insiders who take advantage of seasonal and colorful table settings find that their assortment draws customers to their stores.
Continued...
Fun With Fabric
The Coastal Cupboard 
Continued...
Specialty Retailer University
This year’s Specialty Retailer University, which takes place March 13, just prior to the International Home + Housewares Show, will focus on how specialty retailers can make more money.
Continued...
Specialty Retailer University
This year’s Specialty Retailer University, which takes place March 13, just prior to the International Home + Housewares Show, will focus on how specialty retailers can make more money.
Continued...
Still A Lot To Be Done
There’s no ifs, ands or buts about it, the International Home + Housewares Show last month was a hit. Continuing this year’s upbeat trade show trend, the Housewares Show aisles were bustling, and retailers weren’t just window-shopping. They were on the hunt for good new merchandise, and there was plenty to be found.
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Don't Overlook This Channel
This trade show season has been a busy one, with buyers scouring for new suppliers, products and merchandising ideas.
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Brooklyn Kitchen Grows Into New Store, New Name
Brooklyn Kitchen has moved, and changed its name and its format, and it’s grown.
Continued...
Viking Cooking School Expands University Cookery Series
Viking Cooking School has expanded its Viking University Series with VU:2, which focuses on specific types of cookery while preparing gourmet dishes with an undeniable “wow” factor, including tender, flaky fish, succulent meats and poultry, soufflés and vegetables.
Continued...
Gift of Grab
For most stores, impulse sales are one element of a total merchandising strategy; a way to encourage add-on sales and increase average register rings.
Continued...
Make A Match
According to Gourmet Insider®’s State of the Industry Report, published late last year, cookware is a leading sales generator for the majority of independent gourmet kitchenware stores, typically contributing anywhere from 11% to 20% to total gross sales.
Continued...
A Family Affair
When Patricia Mulloy opened The Wire Whisk in Appleton, WI, in 1977, she was a housewife and mother who wanted to do something to enhance her family’s income.
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IHA Outreach Pumps Up Attendance, Enthusiasm
The Specialty Retailer University Class of 2010 was the largest in the history of the program, with approximately 40 retailers in attendance for the all-day educational program, held the Saturday before the International Home + Housewares Show opened.
Continued...
Sewn Up aprons, towels and mitts prove resistant to recession
A bright pick-me-up. A memento that sparks a smile. A little splurge. According to Gourmet Insiders, in an economy that has left shoppers wary of opening their wallets, kitchen textiles, with their vibrant colors, cheerful patterns and moderate pricepoints, provide a little luxury that lift the spirits.
Continued...
It's Time To Show Up
The recent announcement that GLM will co-locate the Gourmet Housewares Show with the summer New York International Gift Fair beginning in August 2011, coupled with the pending arrival of the summer gift fair season, has brought the topic of trade shows to the fore once again.
Continued...
Return of the Customer
Every week, I hear success stories from retailers sharing thoughts about how their businesses are doing.
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Lynne's Whim Opening Permanent Atlanta Showroom
Lynne’s Whim will open a new permanent showroom at AmericasMart in Atlanta this July. The three Lynne’s Whim Collections will be on display. “We continue to create products and needed a permanent space in which to display everything properly,” said designer Lynne Rutkowski. “This allows for the retailer to get ideas for their store display. Our new Whimsy Collection was created so that everyone can be stylish in the kitchen and own a Lynne’s Whim apron.”
Continued...
It's Time To Show Up
The recent announcement that GLM will co-locate the Gourmet Housewares Show with the summer New York International Gift Fair beginning in August 2011, coupled with the pending arrival of the summer gift fair season, has brought the topic of trade shows to the fore once again.
Continued...
Return of the Customer
Every week, I hear success stories from retailers sharing thoughts about how their businesses are doing.
Continued...
Cook's Warehouse Hosts Chef Moulton
Culinary celebrity and author Sara Moulton recently stopped by The Cook’s Warehouse, here, for a series of cooking classes as part of the promotional tour for her new book Sara Moulton’s Everyday Family Dinners.
Continued...
Live And Learn
After 29 years as a hairdresser, what’s your next career move? If you’re Shari Chapman, you open a gourmet kitchen gourmet store.
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The Cutting Edge
Cutlery is a critically important category for a successful gourmet housewares store, whether the store is 1,500-square feet or 6,000. Done well, the category reinforces a store’s identity, attracts repeat customers and delivers major contributions to both top and bottom line sales.
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Prep School
Food prep appliances remain an essential cog in most gourmet housewares store strategies.
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Movin' On Up
In October 2008, Terry Nichols and her husband, Bill, officially made their collective love of kitchenware and cooking their business with the opening of Cayenne Kitchen, which gave residents of Longmont, CO, their own gourmet specialty store.
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Think Locally, Act Locally
Welcome to the third Annual Gourmet Insider State of the Industry report.
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Lessons Learned
It is amazing how many things I have learned during this recession.
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State of the Industry Report
The gourmet housewares industry had a rough year in the wake of a difficult 2008 holiday selling season.
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A Growing Sense of Community
The cover of this issue features the participants of an Exclusive Gourmet Insider Retailer Roundtable held at the recent Gourmet Housewares Show in San Francisco.
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Control What You Can
I am happy and energized to have seen the number of retailers turning out at trade shows this year.
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TURN THE PAGE
Gourmet Catalog Buying Group now offers an online catalog option that lets members reach out to customers in an entirely new way.
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Life
(the best teacher)

Real insight and knowledge comes from daily, practical experiences gained from just living life and from conducting everyday business.
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A Celebration Of Gourmet Housewares Retailing
Gourmet Insider’s first Annual All Stars issue is a celebration of the best and brightest in gourmet housewares, recognizing the outstanding work being done by some of this industry’s best merchants.
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Food Network Star Contestant Jyll Everman To Make Cook's Corner Appearance
Jylll Everman, one of seven finalists remaining on Food Network Star, will be appearing this Saturday, July 16 at Cook’s Corner in Green Bay.
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Season One Master Chef Winner Coming To Cook's Warehouse
Whitney Miller, season one winner of Gordon Ramsay’s Master Chef contest show on Fox will be appearing Friday July 22nd at The Cook’s Warehouse’ Decatur location.
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Cooks Corner Opens 8,000-square foot Outlet Center
Cooks Corner has added an 8,000-square foot Outlet Center in Ashwaubenon, WI to complement its 23,000-square foot store and recently held a ribbon cutting ceremony to commemorate the opening. The Outlet Center carries, “a unique mixture of ever-changing merchandise,” according to the company, including closeouts, overstocks, scratch-n-dents, and more, at discounts of up to 85% off.
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Atlanta Whole Foods Opens With Co-Branded Cook's Warehouse Housewares Department
The East Cobb, GA, Whole Foods held its grand opening, on Wednesday, July 27, complete with a marching band, cheerleading squads and the supermarket chain’s first co-branded kitchenware/housewares department— with The Cook’s Warehouse.
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store owners share strategies, goals
The cover of this issue features the participants of an Exclusive Gourmet Insider Retailer Roundtable held at the recent Gourmet Housewares Show in San Francisco.
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take steps to keep your life in balance
I am happy and energized to have seen the number of retailers turning out at trade shows this year. From Frankfurt to San Francisco and every regional gift show in between, retailers have mustered up the courage and conviction to search out new products, new merchandising concepts and ideas to get their customers back into their stores and shopping again.
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‘Turn The Page’
Gourmet Catalog Buying Group now offers an online catalog option that lets members reach out to customers in an entirely new way.
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Chef Dominic Brings Tailgating Demo To TV
Chef Dominic Cimilluca, owner of Dominic’s Kitchen store, in Park Ridge, IL, was featured on Chicago’s WGN morning news on Wednesday, September 10, in an “Around Town” segment, doing a cooking demo called “Training Camp for Tailgaters,” featuring quick and easy recipes for a great season of tailgating!
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Harold Import Expands Mrs. Anderson Brand To Decorations
Harold Import Company and Mrs. Anderson have expanded their baking relationship with the addition of a colorful line of sprinkles, sugars and nonpareils designed for any occasion.
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Maximizing Your Marketing Muscle
Thriving in a recessionary economy is no easy task. It takes an educated sales force, creative marketing and merchandising, and an unflagging commitment to keeping your store’s brand in front of consumers.
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Custom-Fit Merchandising
There is no one-size-fits-all key to merchandising electric coffee and espresso makers, say gourmet housewares store operators.
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Trainer’s Corner
To help retail store associates better prepare to sell today’s high-end super automatic espresso makers, Gourmet Insider asked key industry vendors for their three most important tips to sales success. Here’s what they had to say.
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The Softer Side Of Coffee Accessories
Coffee... Almost everyone drinks it in some form or another, making this beverage part of our everyday culture. And what becomes part of our culture often translates into themes that can be found on everything from art to, well, kitchen towels.
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Beyond The Teapot
Tea and coffee serveware continue to be important categories for Gourmet Insiders, with most being pleased with the amount of product innovation on the market for both categories. The level to which coffee outrivals tea or vice versa depends on the focus of the individual store’s assortment. With all the innovative products available, even for stores without space for a breadth of categories— or for those stores not viewed as coffee or tea destinations, the basics— solid-color ceramic teapots and mugs and French presses for example— still sell well.
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Demand Boils Over
As consumers take their passion for coffee from the local barista to their kitchens, coffeemakers of all types have gained in popularity. One segment gaining market share from this trend is stovetop espresso makers.
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Location, Location, Location
The Gourmet Housewares Show is returning to its roots in San Francisco this month, reuniting the upscale housewares event with the city whose culinary culture helped give the show its distinctive flavor.
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Inside My Little Black Book
In spite of all the electronic gear we carry, from Blackberrys and iPhones to laptop computers, an unexpected phenomenon has surfaced. It seems today that everyone has a “Little Black Book” and meetings really never get started without most participants placing their book on the table.
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More On The Floor
Attendees to the upcoming New York International Gift Fair, to be held August 15th through 20th at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York, will find new resources in tabletop and housewares along with the show’s historically extensive collection of giftware, collectibles, textiles and more.
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Bridge Kitchenware Completes Second Move In A Year
Veteran professional kitchenware retailer and distributor Bridge Kitchenware in July completed the move of its New Jersey store about 3/4 of a mile from the previous store, staying on Eagle Road but crossing from East Hanover, NJ, to Roseland, NJ, jumping county lines.
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Love To Cook Hosts Fissler’s First Chef Event Featuring Vegan Chef Lorna Sass
Love to Cook, in Logan, UT, hosted Fissler’s first Chef Event featuring Lorna Sass, James Beard Award-winning chef in the healthy focus category. Sass is considered America’s leading authority on vegan and pressure cooking.
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Getting Down To Business In Atlanta
The effort by AmericasMart to build a broader gourmet housewares presence may be paying dividends, according to vendors at the recent Gift Fair here, with several reporting meetings with retailers outside the traditional gift channel, including hardware stores such as Ace and supermarket chains such as Wegmans.
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embracing change led to success for Great News! Discount Cookware
Ron Eisenberg has garnered two important lessons in the more than 30 years since he first opened Great News! Discount Cookware and Cooking School. First, you can’t be afraid to make mistakes. And second, you never stop learning.
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The Gift Of Function
There’s an old joke about never giving a woman a vacuum cleaner as a gift, reasoning that it represents just one more chore has has to accomplish. And while some might assume pots and pans would be up there on the same list, a growing number of foodies are expected to put pots, pans, baking equipment and more “functional” kitchenware items at the top of their lists this holiday season.
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Big Profits Come In Small Packages
While many retailers reported bleak sales during last year’s holiday selling time, many gourmet insiders said that they did better than anticipated, and cited last minute sales as the thing that kept the holidays bright.
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A Pattern For Success
Kitchen textiles— dish towels, placemats, aprons, especially aprons— are hot properties during the holiday season, according to gourmet store owners. Whether specifically designed for the holidays via color or pattern, or a novelty item that will make a great gift, textiles are a segment that gourmet insiders stock up on, even in a sluggish economy.
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Textile Vendors Stick To Basics
Kitchen textile suppliers are anticipating a healthy holiday season for 2009, for many of the same reasons gourmet stores are stocking up on the soft, colorful goods. Eye-catching colors and designs, attractive pricepoints and the gift aspect are just a few of the reasons textiles promise to be a hot commodity this year.
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Extending The Season
When it comes to seasonal tabletop, the 2008 fourth quarter was just about nobody’s idea of a Happy Holiday, with most stores reporting tough sledding just to match their year-earlier sales levels.
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Electrics Promise Holiday Sparkle
Independent gourmet housewares retailers often are challenged by confined selling floors and margin-stripping competition from broadline housewares retailers to come up with differentiated, compelling and productive selections of kitchen electrics.
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trend watch
The crowds at this summer’s Fancy Food Show were constant, even to the notoriously slow last day. Not being privy to the actual numbers, instinctively I could feel the buzz.
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Shun To Sponsor 'Bite of Oregon' Event
Shun Cutlery has announced that it will sponsor “The Bite of Oregon,” an annual foodie festival in Portland that benefits the Special Olympics. Shun will be the Official Knife of the event as well as sponsor the 2011 Celebrity Chef for the food festival, Bob Blumer.
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Think Locally, Act Locally
Welcome to the third Annual Gourmet Insider State of the Industry report. It has been a challenging year for retailers both large and small and that became quite evident as our staff worked to compile this year’s study. While we do not individually track store openings and closing each year, anecdotally it became clear that the current recession has resulted in a higher number of store closings than at any time in recent memory.
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Lessons Learned
It is amazing how many things I have learned during this recession. The period we are emerging from has shaken confidence in many aspects of day-to-day life and in many of the structures that have always felt strong and solid. Confidence in our banking system has been shattered. Friends, family, or maybe even you, have lost jobs that were counted on for well-being. Sales numbers have fallen for what seems like an eternity and no one knows when or if they will rebound.
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Gourmet Catalog Reports Positive Response To 'Retail Summer School'
Gourmet Catalog & Buying Group, held its Second Annual Retail Summer School at the 2011 Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market on July 15, 2011. The event, created to be an intimate setting for vendors and retailers to receive training on effective merchandising of products, ask questions about those products and place orders was attended by representatives from Victorinox, Staub, Swissmar, USA Pans, Regal Ware, Harold Import Company, Bodum, iSi, Roland/Fissler, Mastrad, Chef’n, and Browne USA Group.
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Bridge Kitchenware Relocating
Bridge Kitchenware is relocating its retail store to 17 Waverly Place in Madison, NJ, with a nearby warehouse. According to Steven Bridge, store owner, new flooring is being installed so the opening is tentatively scheduled for September 15, 2011. The company’s most recent relocation was necessitated by the leveling of the store’s Roseland location to accommodate a gas pipeline expansion. The company continues to operate its website, www.bridgekitchenware.com, as a major focal point of its retail activity.
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turn focus to goals, not obstacles
As you turn the pages of this month’s Gourmet Insider, you may notice something you haven’t seen before. It’s not the news tidbits you’ll find on The Dish, nor the insights of industry legend Frank Brady. And it’s not the in-depth cutlery report aimed at helping you improve the profitability of your cutlery department.
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Embracing The Big Idea
Summer is here and soon many of us will be participating in outdoor activities with family and friends, and enjoying great food and wine. From a business standpoint we are all coming out of a long cold winter. No matter how much “fuel” we put on the fire we just couldn’t seem to get warm.
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Gourmet Catalog plans business- building program
Gourmet Catalog will offer a full day of programming exclusively for its more than 200 Gourmet Catalog members at the upcoming Gourmet Housewares Show in San Francisco. The one-day intensive meeting, covering critical business and industry issues, is set to take place on Friday, August 7th from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM at the Moscone Center.
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HTI To Host Buying Education Program At Gourmet Show
HTI Buying Group will present a full-day seminar for retailers attending the 2009 Gourmet Housewares Show in San Francisco on Friday, August 7th. “The Philosophy, the Art, the Science of Buying that Puts Profits on the Bottom Line” will be led by industry veteran and HTI Buying Group founder, Bob Coviello.
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J.K. Adams Opens Second Vermont Location
J.K. Adams has opened its second retail location, in Waterbury, VT, near Stowe.
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cutlery’s small in-store footprint can lead to big profits at the register
Efficient and profitable, gourmet store owners agree that cutlery is a top performer in their retail channel. Vertical positioning and a generally small footprint allow the category to take up less space in store, while still providing a sizable portion of the sales at the end of the day. In fact, more than 80% of the retailers surveyed for the 2008 Gourmet Insider State of the Industry Report ranked cutlery among the top five performing categories on the sales floor.
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Fashion Savvy
With unlimited colors, patterns, and materials to choose from, kitchen textiles are proving to be an important category for the gourmet store channel. From aprons to oven mitts, functional and fashionable kitchen textiles offer a high-margin, high-turn method of dressing up a store display and appealing to a broad range of consumers.
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Soft Sell
In an economic environment where “thrift” is in style, opportunities open up for market segments, such as kitchen textiles, that provide fashion and value. Add eco-friendly elements— reusability, sustainable materials— and those same textiles give gourmet store owners low-cost products that appeal to a wide variety of consumers and liven up merchandising displays.
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Gourmet By The Bay
SAN FRANCISCO— The Gourmet Housewares Show returns to San Francisco this year, bringing the show back to its roots in the City by the Bay.
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Wilton Armetale Joins HTI Buying Group
Wilton Armetale has joined the Housewares Training and Information Marketing Group (HTI) as a vendor member. HTI connects vendors and independent kitchenware retailers in the U.S. and Canada.
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Le Creuset Citroën Truckette
Le Creuset Truckette Plans Stop At Cook's Warehouse
Le Creuset's Citroën truckette will be stopping in Atlanta on September 20 to visit The Cook's Warehouse's flagship Ansley Mall location.
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Steve Jobs
entrepreneur extraordinaire

Steve Jobs never sold a coffeemaker or a kitchen gadget but his commitment to excellence makes him an inspirational business leader we can learn from.
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Just Words?
Roundtable highlights importance of communication

Maintaining a regular dialogue is critical to building and maintaining healthy business relationships.
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Gourmet Catalog Announces Dates For Annual 'Start The Year' Conference
Gourmet Catalog & Buying Group will hold its 9th annual Gourmet Catalog Start the Year Member Conference, on January 13th and 14th at AmericasMart Atlanta. After celebrating 30 years of successful partnership with stores and vendors in 2011, Gourmet Catalog will launch into its fourth decade with its yearly conference.
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The new East Cobb Cook's Warehouse
Cook's Warehouse Opens Fourth Location In East Cobb
The Cook’s Warehouse opened the doors on its fourth store, located in East Cobb, GA, today. Located in the recently renovated Merchants Walk shopping center, the store is 4,800 square feet and is now Cook’s second largest store.
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Rolling Pin Announces First Annual Vendor Showcase
Rolling Pin Kitchen Emporium in Brandon, FL will hold its first Vendor Showcase, October 15, from 12pm to 5pm. The Vendor Showcase, which the company described as its “First Annual,” consists of 19 Vendor Representatives showcasing 36 product lines.
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Todd English Making Appearance At Cook's Warehouse
Celebrity chef Todd English will be appearing at the Cook’s Warehouse Ansley Mall store on Monday, October 17th from 5pm to 7pm to sign copies of his new book, Cooking in Everyday English. In the new book, English shares his formula for using readily available ingredients and translating them into simple, flavorful dishes at home. The event is free, and the Cook's Warehouse is requesting guests to register in advance for planning purposes.
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Sur La Table To Offer Cooking Series Based On Thomas Keller Cookbook
Sur La Table this fall is offering a series of cooking classes based on renowned chef Thomas Keller’s book, Ad Hoc at Home. During the three part series of cooking classes, Sur La Table’s chef instructors will show students how to prepare Keller’s reinterpreted classics from Spanish, Italian and American cuisines with restaurant flair.
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Roundtable highlights importance of communication
Welcome to the September-October issue of Gourmet Insider featuring coverage of our Retailer Roundtable Series, which most recently focused on retail buying practices. While most of the recent discussion centered on issues such as trend identification, product selection, merchandising and negotiation (see story page 14) the event also revealed an interesting aspect of the retailer-vendor relationship; one that offers illustrative insights on the value of communication.
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entrepreneur extraordinaire
Every period in history has the potential to produce exceptional people who bring forth exceptional ideas, who fundamentally change the world and have the ability to expand knowledge for generations to come. Today there are many inspirational leaders but in the world of business and technology just one comes to mind, someone who against all odds created a new paradigm against which all who come after will have to be measured. This person is Steve Jobs.
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Sur La Table Expands Joseph Joseph Presence
Sur La Table has chosen to tell a “story,” a brand story that is, with Joseph Joseph, a kitchenware manufacturer focused on innovative design and vibrant color.
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Summer Shows Heat Up Gourmet
The Atlanta Gift & Home Furnishings Market and the New York International Gift Fair turned up the heat this summer with their respective gourmet housewares offerings.
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The Cook’s Warehouse Opens Doors To East Cobb Store
Mary Moore officially went “OTP” with the grand opening for her fourth The Cook’s Warehouse on Friday, September 22, in East Cobb, GA. The new store represents a new kind of expansion for Moore as it is located outside the perimeter (OTP) of Atlanta. This store marks the first Cook’s Warehouse to venture outside the city limits.
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Kitchen Barn Expands Into New, Larger Storefront
Kitchen Barn, in Virginia Beach, VA, is moving to a new location after 36 years. Though not very far from the old location (it’s across the street), the new Kitchen Barn store, which goes live this month, will feature double the space of the previous store— from 1,600 square feet of selling space to 3,200 square feet.
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The Extra Ingredient Brews Up Coffee Event
To support the launch of its expanded coffee selection, kicked off by a tasting event, The Extra Ingredient in Greensboro, NC, recently held extended training sessions to better educate the store’s staff. The new training sessions, extensions of the company’s regular educational efforts that often include training on various machines, was intended to prepare associates for a special coffee tasting event held on Saturday, September 24 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
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Kitchen Barn enjoys cross-selling opportunities with Enclume’s pot racks
You would think that successful merchandising for pot racks would include pots and pans.
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Retail Roundtable Explores Best Purchasing Practices
“If a new product is not successful, it’s a lose for everybody. It has to be a win,” said Mary Moore, owner of The Cook’s Warehouse, in Atlanta, GA, summing up the consensus of nine retailers participating in Gourmet Insider’s most recent Retail Roundtable. The Roundtable, titled “Step-by-Step: An Insider’s Guide to Better Buying,” was held at the July Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market and explored the strategies gourmet housewares stores employ to identify, select and purchase the products that help drive their sales.
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Consumers’ brewing habits fuel coffee and espresso appliance sales
While the economy continues to dampen consumer spending, the impact is being felt less strongly in the gourmet coffee and espresso maker business. Far from keeping consumers out of stores and encouraging them to defer purchases, gourmet insiders say a substantial number of shoppers are instead reassessing their coffee habits in ways that are actually serving to spur the business.
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pre-loaded pepper, salt mills flavor merchandising efforts
Salt, pepper and spice mills come in all shapes and sizes as well as a variety of materials. Whether acrylic, wood or stainless steel, traditional or modern design, one feature remains constant for facilitating the sales of this category. Mills filled with salt, pepper or other spices sell better than empty mills, according to gourmet insiders.
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vendors pour science into wine tools
Wine is big business. And as consumers become more knowledgeable about the wines they consume and how to get the most enjoyment from each bottle, the accessories used, for everything from uncorking a bottle to preserving leftover, not to mention drinking, have grown more technical.
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Holding wine tasting events creates add-on glassware and accessory sales opportunities
Consumers are becoming more educated about different wines, particularly reds, and they are interested in enhancing the wine drinking experience as they continue to focus on home entertaining. The wine glass and accessory categories offer consumers many options to enhance the entertainment experience, and retailers see many cross-merchandising opportunities to create add-on sales. Wine tastings are also an important way for those that offer wine to sell it, but to also educate the consumer on the benefits of varietal-specific stemware, leading to sales, said gourmet insiders.
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Atlanta Gourmet Reach Grows In Summer Show
At this year’s summer Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market, gourmet store owners and exhibitors were cautiously optimistic about the show’s performance as well as fourth quarter sales.
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NYIGF Location Reinvigorates Gourmet Show
New York International Gift Fair exhibitors who migrated to the newly co-located Gourmet Housewares Show from their previous
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The Cook's Warehouse, East Cobb, GA.
Henckels Opens First U.S. Shop-In-Shop At The Cook's Warehouse
Zwilling J.A. Henckels is launching the brand’s first U.S. Shop-in-Shop concept at The Cook’s Warehouse’s newest location, in East Cobb, GA, on November 12, 2011; the new gourmet store’s grand opening of The Henckels Shop-in-Shop will feature cutlery, cookware, flatware and gadgets from Miyabi, Staub, Demeyere and Zwilling J.A. Henckels.
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Mary Moore, new president of LDEI
LDEI Names Cook's Warehouse's Moore President
Mary Moore, owner and founder of The Cook’s Warehouse, has been named president of Les Dames d’Escoffier International. Les Dames d’Escoffier International is an invitational organization of women leaders in food, beverage and hospitality who are focused on education, advocacy and philanthropy. At its annual meeting in Atlanta this past week, LDEI welcomed a new slate of officers and board members, including Moore as president. Its 28 chapters provide leadership, educational opportunities and host philanthropic events within their communities.
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Fearless Negotiating
thoughts on creating win-win scenarios

A business person skilled in negotiation becomes an invaluable player in any organization— and proper negotiation is both an art and a science that can result in a win-win outcome for all at the table.
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Leading The Recovery
gourmet stores gaining momentum

Overall, the news from the world of gourmet housewares in 2011 is quite encouraging. And those who have weathered the storm have been able to make the adjustments necessary to strengthen their businesses and deliver solid sales.
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Viking Launches New Triply Stainless Line
Viking Range Corporation has introduced a new line of 3-ply cookware in honor of its 10th anniversary in the culinary products arena, stated the company. Featuring what the company calls, “the most advanced combination of stainless steel and aluminum alloys in the world today,” Viking’s 3-ply cookware is said to offer a lighter-weight cookware alternative that conducts heat evenly and quickly.
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NYIGF’s Accent On Design To Host 13 New Companies
From nearly 150 applicants, 13 new companies have been selected to join some 200 exhibitors in the juried Accent on Design section at the winter 2012 New York International Gift Fair.
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Wendell August Forge Dogwood Tray
Wendell August Forge Debuts Wholesale Collection
Wendell August Forge, with product previously available only at its five retail locations and online, will debut a wholesale collection targeted at specialty stores, at the Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market. They will be exhibiting in the new Made in the USA section in AmericasMart's building 3.
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Tangerine Tango Pantone's 2012 Color Of The Year
Pantone LLC, announced Pantone 17-1463 Tangerine Tango, a spirited reddish orange hue, as the color of the year for 2012.
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Americasmart Announces January Atlanta Market Event Lineup
Offering opportunities for exhibitors and buyers to engage in successful partnerships, said Americasmart, will be the Kitchen Inspiration in showroom 841, which is a designer kitchen showroom that will put the spotlight on the latest kitchen trends. In addition, the Gift Sales Managers Association is returning and will be located in 803, 805 during Market hours.
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Chef'n plans expansion under the new partnership agreement.
CID Partnership Preps Chef'n For Growth
Chef’n has entered into an investment partnership with Indianapolis-based CID Capital, which will better equip the kitchenware company to expand via financial and managerial resources from CID. “Partnering with CID gives us the framework to make better decisions in new product development, as well as become process-driven as to how we want to make change in our business,” Bob Ludeman, evp/Chef’n, said.
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Philippe Trudeau
Trudeau Plans To Enter New Categories With Silvermark Acquisition
Trudeau Corporation plans to use its recent acquisition of Silvermark, a kitchenware supplier, to expand its food prep assortment into cutlery and other kitchenware areas, and become a broader-based supplier for its retail partners.
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Gourmet Catalog Veteran Karen Chandler Opens Gourmet Housewares Store
Gourmet Catalog and kitchenware industry veteran Karen Chandler recently opened a retail kitchenware store in Historic Downtown McKinney, TX, called Kitchenwares On The Square.
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Cook's Warehouse's Moore Receives Distinguished Alumni Award
Mary Moore, owner and founder of The Cook’s Warehouse, has been honored as the 2011 Woodward Academy Distinguished Alumni Award. Moore graduated from Woodward Academy in 1987.
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Zenker Just Enough Springform Pan
Frieling Rolls Out Zenker 'Just Enough' Springform Pan
Frieling's recently introduced Zenker Just Enough Springform Pan is one-quarter the size of a regular ten-inch springform pan and is sized for smaller-portioned baked goods, designed to provide smaller portions, gifts or for individual baking. To use, measure one fourth of any 10-inch springform recipe, pour batter into the Just Enough pan and bake.
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Rose Levy Beranbaum
NewMetro Design Partners With 'Diva Of Desserts' On New Baking Tool Line
NewMetro Design has announced a partnership with baking authority and cookbook author, Rose Levy Beranbaum, who is known as the “Diva of Desserts,” to develop an exclusive collection of home baking and cooking tools. The new Rose collection will be unveiled at the 2012 International Home + Housewares Show in Chicago in March 2012.
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Joseph Joseph Honored On UK’s Sunday Times Fast Track
The "Sunday Times Fast Track 100 League Table," a listing that ranks Britain's 100 fastest-growing private businesses based on sales, has included Joseph Joseph, the United Kingdom-based design company, for the third year in a row. The company, which currently markets kitchen items in 73 countries, noted that a 2009 decision to initiate operations in the United States represented a notable contribution to its success.
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Mud Pie Donates $20,000 To Toys For Tots
In the spirit of the holiday season, Atlanta-based gift company Mud Pie will donate the entire proceeds from its recent sample sale to the Toys for Tots holiday campaign. The total contribution comes to $20,000.
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Acme's new White Ghost Bamboo
Acme International Introduces White Ghost Bamboo Kitchenware
Acme International has introduced White Ghost Bamboo, a new eco-friendly line of kitchenware, made from bamboo, which is a strong and renewable resource, the company said.
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SF Gift Fair To Highlight Gourmet & Housewares
The San Francisco International Gift Fair's new Tabletop, Gourmet & Housewares section will launch with a little local boost. San Francisco chefs and authors Andrea Froncillo and Mitchell Rosenthal will make special guest appearances and sign cookbooks during the February 18-21, 2012 edition.
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Oggi To Debut Open Stock Food Storage In Atlanta
OGGI Corp. has expanded its canister and food storage assortment by adding an array of open-stock SKUs, which the company will debut at upcoming trade shows, including the Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market. The broad-based contemporary, traditional and transitional additions were created to appeal to varying consumer home décor and kitchen design trends.
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Sears Holdings To Close More Than 100 Stores
Sears Holdings Corp. plans to close between 100 and 120 Sears and Kmart stores after poor sales during the holidays, according to the company. In an internal memo Tuesday to employees, CEO and President Lou D'Ambrosio said that the retailer had not "generated the results we were seeking during the holiday."
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Williamsburg To Show Expanded Licensed Collection In Atlanta
The Williamsburg brand continues to expand with introductions from more than 10 licensees coming to the Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market, held at AmericasMart from January 11-18. Each new product fuses contemporary décor trends with entertaining and decorating traditions of the past, using Colonial Williamsburg’s rich archive as inspiration.
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Vinturi Travel
Vinturi Travel Wins Chicago Athenaeum Good Design Award
Vinturi was recently honored with the prestigious Chicago Athenaeum Good Design Award for the Vinturi Travel. This portable aerator received the award in the Tabletop category. The Chicago Athenaeum’s Good Design award recognizes the best in new and innovative product and graphic design by some of the world’s most renowned industrial design firms and manufacturers.
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Woll Diamond Plus Induction Logo
Woll Adds Induction Line To Diamond Plus Cookware Collection
Woll Cookware USA is expanding its Diamond Plus collection with a Diamond Plus Induction assortment of diamond-reinforced non-stick cookware. Fry pans and sauté pans will be available for shipping in late February to gourmet and specialty retailers. Diamond Plus Induction will be featured at the International Gift & Home Furnishings Market in Atlanta, and will also be shown in Seattle, LA Mart, and Dallas. The complete line will be introduced in Ambiente, Frankfurt and the International Home + Housewares Show, in Chicago.
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Jura Capresso Names McMahon To Newly Created Director Of Sales Post
Jura Capresso today announced the appointment of Thomas McMahon in a newly created director of sales position, with responsibility for managing sales representative groups and accounts in 19 states.
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Kuhn Rikon Introduces Ratchet Grinder
Kuhn Rikon has introduced a new Ratchet Grinder designed by award-winning Swiss designer Philipp Beyeler. It features a slim body topped with a ratchet handle, which when moved back and forth grinds salts, peppers and spices.
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Welcome Home Brands To Donate Percentage Of Atlanta Sales To Charity
Welcome Home Brands, which offers oven-safe paper bakeware, decorative ceramic bowls and more, will donate 2% of sales written at the 2012 Winter Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market to Three Square Food Bank. “Three Square is an outstanding charity that feeds the hungry. Sam and I are committed to sharing our success by giving back to the community,” said Richard Aslanian, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Welcome Home Brands.
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CDN Adds BioCote Antimicrobial To NSF-Certified Food Thermometers
CDN has announced that many of its NSF-certified thermometers will now be manufactured with BioCote, a technology that offers antimicrobial protection for the expected lifetime of the product. BioCote is an antimicrobial agent that contains silver, a known antimicrobial. It is shown to be a safe antimicrobial that helps prevent surface cross-contamination by inhibiting growth in a broad spectrum of microbes such as bacteria, mold and fungi on a product’s surface, the company said.
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Welcome Home's New AmericasMart Showroom Showcases 'Dressy Casual' Tableware
Welcome Home LLC, a new company, will open its first showroom in time for AmericasMart's Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market, held January 11 to 18.
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NYIGF Honors Product With Highest Sustainability Status
Seven of the 250 products chosen to be featured in the SustainAbility: design for a better world display at the winter 2012 New York International Gift Fair have been designated as “SustainAbility3,” the fair’s highest level of sustainability for products, production processes and business practices.
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AmericasMart To Launch 'Kitchen Inspiration Gallery' At January Market
AmericasMart will introduce a Kitchen Inspiration Gallery at The Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market January 11-18. The Kitchen Inspiration Gallery will feature five, “high-style, inspirational kitchen vignettes that serve as the backdrop to the latest and greatest Kitchen & Housewares and Living & Entertaining: Gifts, Tabletop & Accessories products,” according to AmericasMart.
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Browne & Co. To Open Atlanta Market Showoom
Browne & Co., manufacturer and distributor of Cuisipro, KitchenGrips and Berard France kitchenware products, will expand its presence at the Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market with a new dedicated showroom space located in Building 2 West, Showroom 874B.
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AmericasMart Adds 'Made In America' Category For January Market
AmericasMart will unveil a Made In America category at the upcoming Atlanta International Gift and Home Furnishings Market, January 11-18.
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Bodum Opens Shop-In-Shop At Bed Bath & Beyond
Bodum has opened a Shop-In-Shop at Bed, Bath & Beyond in Denver. Designed to offer consumers the complete Bodum lifestyle experience, the company said, the Shop-In-Shop carries a wide range of product lines from the Bodum assortment, such as the newest kitchen electrics in the e-bodum collection; storage, cutlery and tools from the Bistro line; Bodum drinkware; Bodum signature French Press coffeemakers and tea presses.
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‘Plan’ To Create Your Own Opportunity
It is time for each of us to look to the future with a new fresh plan for a new exciting business cycle that will move big ideas forward again.
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Opening Bell
get ready to hit the show floor running

It is my hope that when the Housewares Show opens on Saturday afternoon the aisles will be packed with independent gourmet housewares retailers.
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GLM Names Sikalis VP Business Development
GLM has named Penny Sikalis vp/business development. In this role, Sikalis will be responsible for researching and evaluating new show launches and potential show acquisitions.
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De'Longhi America Names Prager President
De’Longhi America, Inc. today announced the appointment of Mike Prager as president and CEO effective January 16. Before joining De’Longhi, Prager served as president of Oregon Scientific, a personal electronics company based in Portland, OR.
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NRF: Retail's Growth Pace To Slow In 2012
The National Retail Federation expects stores to sell more in 2012 but not as much as they did in 2011. Retail industry sales will rise 3.4% to $2.53 trillion in 2012, according to an NRF forecast, a pace that is slower than the 4.7% experienced in 2011.
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Housewares Charity Foundation Announces 2012 Honorees
The Housewares Charity Foundation has announced its honorees for 2012. John Tighe, senior vp/home for J.C. Penney, will receive the Lifetime Humanitarian Award, Vincent Naccarato, chairman, Molto Capital LLC, will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award, and Jane and Neil Golub, owners of Price Chopper supermarkets, will receive the Lifetime Philanthropy Award.
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The Cookware Company Gets Fiesta License For Cookware
The Homer Laughlin China Co., the maker of Fiesta Dinnerware, has announced that it has inked a licensing agreement with The Cookware Co. to expand the Fiesta brand into the cookware category. The Cookware Co. Ltd, which also sells Greenpan cookware, will feature the new Fiesta collection at the International Home + Housewares Show this March.
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Chef'n Names Graebner Executive Chairman
Chef’n Corp. has named Linda Graebner the company's executive chairman as part of an effort to significantly grow awareness and sales in the company’s core brands, Chef’n and Vibe. Graebner’s appointment was effective January 1.
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Casati, Twohill Join Williams-Sonoma Board
Williams-Sonoma, Inc. has announced the election of Mary Ann Casati and Lorraine Twohill to the company’s board of directors. Casati is a co-founding partner of Circle Financial Group LLC, a private wealth management membership, and Twohill is responsible for Google’s global marketing function.
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Innovation, Application On Display At IHA Preview Event
Innovation and application were significant themes that played out across the recent International Home + Housewares Sneak Preview . Sponsored by the International Housewares Association, the event saw innovative ideas expressed as new products but applied to existing items as well to make them more attractive aesthetically, functionally or by both measures.
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Jon Huntsman
Jon Huntsman To Speak At IHA Breakfast
Jon Huntsman Jr., former ambassador to China, governor of Utah and recent presidential candidate, will be the featured speaker during the annual Industry Breakfast at the 2012 International Home + Housewares Show. The breakfast begins at 7:15 a.m. Tuesday, March 13 in the South Building, Level 1, Room S100/Grand Ballroom.
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Jura ENA 9 Wins 'Good Design Award'
The Jura ENA 9 One Touch has won the Good Design Award from the Chicago Athenaeum, the only independent museum of architecture and design in the United States. According to the company the Jura ENA 9 One Touch won based on multiple dimensions including cutting-edge design, concept, materials, construction, utility, energy efficiency and sensitivity to the environment.
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Kuhn Rikon's Keller, Schlunt Take On New Roles
Chelsea Schlunt, managing director of Kuhn Rikon USA, will expand her leadership position at the company with full responsibility for day-to-day operations as board chairman Rudy Keller takes on a new role in 2012. Keller will focus specifically on new products and the next phase of development and growth for the company.
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2012 Housewares Design Award Winners Announced
A ceramic heater, flexible silicone beakers, and a paper bakeware line were honored as the “Best of the Best” during the 2012 Housewares Design Awards gala luncheon and ceremony, held at New York City’s Marriott Marquis overlooking Times Square. The “Best of the Best” honorees were among the 12 “Best in Category” award winners presented during the awards ceremony. The ceremony also honored the 2012 Green House Award winner for eco-responsible housewares design.
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Zoku Issued U.S. Patent For Quick Pop Maker Technology
Zoku has announced the issuance of its latest utility patent, which was granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office in mid-November last year. United States Patent Number 8,057,207 B2 provides a broad set of claims and protection for Zoku’s innovative line of Quick Pop Makers. The issuance of this patent is the latest of 18 patents that covers Zoku’s products.
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GLM Launches Artisan Production-Sourcing Event This August
GLM will launch a first-of-its kind artisan production-sourcing event for U.S. based importers, direct import retailers and wholesalers, to run concurrently with the August 2012 NYIGF, called Artisan Resource. It will offer a new market to overseas artisan enterprises offering handmade production resources and products, at export terms from each country of origin, which will include Afghanistan, Colombia, Guatemala, Haiti, India, Mexico, Nepal, Peru, Phillippines, South Africa and West Africa. The show will have a staggered time frame so that NYIGF exhibitors can take advantage of the Artisan Resource offerings, said Dorothy Belshaw, NYIGF director and svp/GLM.
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WMF Americas Posts Record Sales In 2011
WMF Americas Group Inc., a fully owned subsidiary of the leading German cookware manufacturer WMF Group, posted record business growth in 2011 thanks to operational enhancements and strong demand from its customers. Founded in 1853, the German-based company saw sales last year top 2010’s figure by 32%, with the cookware category posting an increase of 145%. Cookware is now the number one product category for WMF Americas Group.
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Steve Grutbo
KAI USA Appoints Grutbo To VP Post
Hiroshi (Jack) Igarashi, chief of North American operations and managing director of Kai Corporation, Japan, has announced the promotion of Steve Grutbo to vp/sales and marketing for the housewares division of Kai USA Ltd. Grutbo will assume leadership of the division effective February 8, 2012. He will report directly to Igarashi.
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Keurig Fuels 102% Sales Gains For Green Mountain Coffee Roasters
Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc., today announced 102% net sales gains for the first quarter of fiscal year 2012 on sales of $1.158 billion. For the quarter, ended December 24, 2011, the company reported net income $104.4 million compared to first quarter fiscal year 2011 net income of $2.4 million. The company also reported operating income of $145.8 million compared to first quarter fiscal year 2011 operating income of $23.3 million.
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