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

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May 18, 2024 Health is Wealth: Healthy Websites 🍎
Do website service providers need a digital health label?
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Health is Wealth: Healthy Websites 🍎
Do website service providers need a digital health label?
May 18, 2024
When you pick up a package of Oreos or yogurt at the grocery store, you can see the nutrition (or lack of it!) on the nutrition label on the back. Health advocates are encouraging the FDA to make warnings more obvious on packages—such as by placing information on the front of the package, shares The Wall St. Journal. Advocates have looked abroad for inspiration. In Mexico, you’ll find labels with a black octagon, resembling a stop sign, on the front of Doritos and Nature Valley ...
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May 7, 2024 Check Your Plates 🚗
How online trends in the used car market parallel those in the wedding registry market. Online gift giving predicted to increase at the expense of in-store giving by 40% by 2030.
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Check Your Plates 🚗
How online trends in the used car market parallel those in the wedding registry market. Online gift giving predicted to increase at the expense of in-store giving by 40% by 2030.
May 7, 2024
Jinjoo Lee in The Wall St. Journal shares how the used car market has improved in the last 20 years because much of it is now conducted online.  When car buyers use the web, they are more likely to save money (saving about 2%), and dealers can, in theory, make more with dynamic pricing (about 2%)—thereby giving each party a win. Unlike 20 years ago, when we didn't have smartphones, today 95% of used car purchases start online. While 31% of used car purchases were completely in-person,...
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April 3, 2024 Loss > Gain
What your business can learn from the celebrated economist Daniel Kahneman
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Loss > Gain
What your business can learn from the celebrated economist Daniel Kahneman
April 3, 2024
Daniel Kahneman, the celebrated economist, passed away last month. The Nobel Prize and Presidential Medal of Freedom winner gave us insights into the economics of the mind, such as people fearing loss more than gain, making short sighted decisions, and overly relying on feelings. 

We can often use Mr. Kahneman's insights in our business's daily operations.

Risk Assessment
Jason Zweig’s The Wall St. Journal profile on him shares an insight about calculating risk.  ...
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March 27, 2024 RETAIL RELATIONSHIPS by MICHELLE HSIAO
RETAIL RELATIONSHIPS by MICHELLE HSIAO
March 27, 2024
Many years ago, as a new assistant at Lord & Taylor, the buyer cautioned me to not get too attached to people or merchandise. His wisdom was not cold-hearted, but a cautionary tale to keep emotional attachments in check. I was there to deliver strong financial results and if something wasn’t selling, I shouldn’t harp on it, but mark it down and move on. And, as far as work relationships were concerned, I should be a good coworker but not get attached to colleagues.

All these ...
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March 27, 2024 Tableware Today Interview - Jim Shreve, Tim DeVine, Mark Brashear, & Sally Burnside
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Tableware Today Interview - Jim Shreve, Tim DeVine, Mark Brashear, & Sally Burnside
March 27, 2024
Jim Shreve made Baccarat hip. Now, he and his longtime partner, Mark Brashear, along with Sally Burnside, the former Baccarat sales V.P., intend to do the same for DeVine Corp., the 32-year-old distributor of elite European brands. You're invited to the opening!
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Congrats to you all. This is very exciting. Tim, we’ve known each other since before you started DeVine Corp., 32 years ago. You’ve been looking for the right opportunity to retire.
TIM ...
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January 29, 2024 Spotlight Pattern: Mepra Fantasia
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Spotlight Pattern: Mepra Fantasia
January 29, 2024
It’s hard to believe that MEPRA’s sophisticated technicolor collection FANTASIA is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year because its incandescent chromatic complexion is as fresh today as its 1989 debut.
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The brilliantly-hued fantasia comes from the Italian silversmiths Mepra, post-war business founded in 1947 by the Prandelli family, four generations fashioning flatware in the industrial Lumezzane Valley, about 90 minutes east of Milan. ...
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January 29, 2024 AN ANNUS POSSIBILIS
AN ANNUS POSSIBILIS
January 29, 2024
As the new year is underway, there’s reason to be bullish (or, at least, not bearish) about what 2024 may have in store. Holiday retail sales increased 3.1% despite lingering inflation, thanks to robust job growth and strong wage gains, which came as a big relief for retailers. Price-conscious consumers are still spending, suggesting the economy is strong. “What we’re seeing this holiday season is very consistent with how we’re thinking about the economy, which is that it...
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January 15, 2024 Christofle Is Ready to Sync
Christofle's 691 products are now ready to Sync. Christofle is a luxury brand that offers flatware, tableware, barware, gifts, and home decor.
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Christofle Is Ready to Sync
Christofle's 691 products are now ready to Sync. Christofle is a luxury brand that offers flatware, tableware, barware, gifts, and home decor.
January 15, 2024
We're pleased to share that Christofle products are ready for Syncing.

Christofle joins our network of 115 premium brands that Sync products with 1,370+ fine retailers.

Example
The Ivy House, a gift and tableware shop in Dallas, TX, is Syncing with Christofle.

View The Ivy House's Christofle page:
https://TheIvyHouse.com/collections.cfm/Christofle

The Ivy House benefitted from Syncing:  
  • The Ivy House is showing 691 Christofle products online and didn't pay any labor
...
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December 8, 2023 THANKS FOR 50 YEARS by MARSHA DAUTCH
THANKS FOR 50 YEARS by MARSHA DAUTCH
December 8, 2023
I recently saw a car with the license plate: WHYWRK. I had a sad feeling for the driver, who perhaps wasn’t as lucky as I to have the best job in the world – getting paid to shop for the most beautiful goods in the world – which I am now retiring from. After 40+ years as a buyer of tabletop and gifts in Buffalo, I have the opportunity to put the dishes away, polish the flatware, and store the stemware. As a small specialty store, we’ve been through our share of ups and ...
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December 7, 2023 THE BLUES OF THE GRAYS
THE BLUES OF THE GRAYS
December 7, 2023
I have a friend who recently took a job with a respected women’s clothing retailer after 13 years of retirement. My friend, Leslie, a former school teacher, wanted to be of use and knew that retail was a great opportunity for seniors. She was all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed her first week. She loved that the manager asked her to try on clothes she liked and then suggested outfits that would look good on her. Leslie even purchased a few of those suggestions, couture she never would have ...
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December 4, 2023 RetailDive Reports Online and Mobile Sales are the Winner for Black Friday 2023
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RetailDive Reports Online and Mobile Sales are the Winner for Black Friday 2023
December 4, 2023
According to a recent RetailDive report, online and mobile purchases for Black Friday sales were the strongest, with smartphone sales leading at 54% of online sales. The article states consumers spent a record $9.8 billion online on Black Friday, according to data from Adobe Analytics. That’s up 7.5% from last year.

Industry experts forecast that consumer spending will be up 2-3% year over year. The National Retail Federation projects 3-4% year over year. Consumers are cautious about ...
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November 7, 2023 Christofle Joins Our Brand Syncing Service
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Christofle Joins Our Brand Syncing Service
November 7, 2023
We're pleased to share that Christofle is joining the Brand Syncing service.

We expect Christofle products to be ready for Syncing by December 14th, 2023.  We'll keep members posted about the actual date as we progress with the brand's boarding to our platform. 

…………

About Christofle
Christofle believes The Art of Living is indeed an Art. Taking pleasure in decorating a house, setting a table, sharing the good and the beautiful, and cultivating the...
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October 27, 2023 MultiPet
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MultiPet
October 27, 2023
For more than 20 years, MultiPet has been providing quality pet products that are paired with unique designs and durable materials that are made to last! Since our establishment in 1995, we have been recognized as the leading supplier of pet products within the pet industry. Whether you are in the market for cat toys, dog toys, or grooming products, our brand continues to grow exponentially as we welcome new and regular consumers into our industry. Call us at (201) 438-6600 if you require any ...
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October 11, 2023 Loyalty Programs
How restaurants, hotels, and tableware brands are using loyalty programs--and what indie stores can learn from this.
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Loyalty Programs
How restaurants, hotels, and tableware brands are using loyalty programs--and what indie stores can learn from this.
October 11, 2023
Perk-y
I recently read about a new loyalty program and wondered what we could learn from it. The founder of Eater and Resy, Ben Leventhal, has started Blackbird, a loyalty program service designed for indie restaurants, reports The New York Times (Read the article). Using the Blackbird app, a diner receives a perk for eating at a restaurant. The retailer sets tiers for which the user qualifies for the perk. For example, a restaurant, Nat’s on Bank in New York City, gives tier 1 customers ...
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October 4, 2023 A Date With Calendars 📆
How online calendars can help retailers manage and save time.
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A Date With Calendars 📆
How online calendars can help retailers manage and save time.
October 4, 2023
One of the main problems that businesses have is efficient use of time. A retailer (or brand or sales rep) seeks on a daily basis to manage their time and optimize results. (I was reminded of this while reading a The Wall St. Journal article about time management for the family.) Businesses use a variety of tools to manage and save time, including email, texting, and Zoom. 

Shop Local helps businesses in their quest to save time. We offer businesses a variety of services to help ...
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October 2, 2023 Porto Brasil Tableware Is Ready for Syncing
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Porto Brasil Tableware Is Ready for Syncing
October 2, 2023
We are pleased to announce Porto Brasil Tableware's products are ready for Syncing.  

Porto Brasil Tableware joins our network of 115+ premium brands that Sync products with 1,300+ fine indie stores. 

Porto Brasil Tableware is a contemporary company passionate about design.  Founded 20 years ago in Porto Ferreira, Brazil, Porto Brasil was the first company in the world to work with digital printing on stoneware.  Their stoneware body is sustainable and is made from an ...
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September 26, 2023 Bertil Vallien FOR Kosta Boda
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Bertil Vallien FOR Kosta Boda
September 26, 2023
BERTIL VALLIEN is a gift to glass. The impressive portfolio of this prolific artist is haunting, memorable, and mesmerizing.

His 60-year career, spent advancing the craft of sand-casting, is a study of one man's existential questioning actualized on hypnotic works of art.
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BERTIL VALLIEN IS A 60-YEAR KOSTA BODA ICON, DESIGNING FOR THE BRAND SINCE 1963.

He is one of Sweden's most celebrated glass artists with numerous awards and museums exhibitions around...
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September 25, 2023 Marvelous Marble!
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Marvelous Marble!
September 25, 2023
Our brand-new Pietra Placemats and Coasters are unlike any other mats you've seen from us. Made from acrylic with marble dusting and a matching vinyl color in the back, they are pure luxury!

Available in 4 great marbly colors! View Post
September 19, 2023 Standards Matter
What the retail industry can learn from Google and Amazon teaming up on technology standards.
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Standards Matter
What the retail industry can learn from Google and Amazon teaming up on technology standards.
September 19, 2023
Google, Amazon, and an array of home appliance companies are teaming up to make it easier for you to dim your home’s lights and lock your front doors. They are adopting a standard called Matter that allows devices to communicate and work together, shares The Wall St. Journal. This allows a giant like Amazon, creator of Alexa devices and Ring doorbells, and Tuo, a small home device tech creator, to use the same platform yet keep their internal, proprietary code base. This standard is like a...
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September 14, 2023 William Yeoward Joins Our Brand Syncing Service
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William Yeoward Joins Our Brand Syncing Service
September 14, 2023
We're pleased to share that William Yeoward Crystal is joining the Brand Syncing service.

A leader in the tabletop & gift industry, William Yeoward Crystal, is joining in order to support its independent retailers.  

Since its founding in 1995, William Yeoward Crystal has grown into a leading, global, lifestyle brand offering:
  • Crystal Stemware
  • Decorative Accessories & Barware
  • Bone China Dinnerware
  • Silverplate & Sterling Silver Flatware
  • Home decor 
...
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Shop Local Helps Indie Merchants in Florida Get Google Sales Leads 🔍
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April 2024

Shop Local Helps Indie Merchants in Tennessee Get Google Sales Leads 🔍
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Shop Local Helps Indie Merchants in Louisiana Get Google Sales Leads 🔍
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Shop Local Helps Indie Merchants in Delaware Get Google Sales Leads 🔍
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Shop Local Helps Indie Merchants in Pennsylvania Get Google Sales Leads 🔍
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March 2024

Shop Local Helps Indie Merchants Get Sales Leads in Mississippi
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Shop Local Merchants Are 60% of Google Page 1 Results in South Carolina
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Shop Local Merchants Are 50% of Google Page 1 Results in Georgia
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