*Originally Published in the November 2008 Print issue of Gifts & Decorative Accessories* If one had to describe the state of the gift industry in 2008 in one word, that word would be ‘challenged.’ This has been a difficult year for business overall and especially for the gift and decorative accessories industry. Independent retailers are struggling against competition from big box stores, chains and the Internet for a shrinking portion of the consumer’s discretionary spending. They are challenged to hold onto their niche by providing a merchandise mix and service to attract customers and stand up profitably against their larger competition. *13 Pages* Please Note: This report is available for immediate electronic download in PDF format. When you order this report, you will come to an order confirmation page which will show your report, with a blue "Download" button. |
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