In October of 2001, I walked into William-Wayne & Co. in New York City with no appointment. I asked for the owner, was introduced to the co-owner, and suggested he build a website. The two owners, William and Wayne, agreed to discuss it further with me and we scheduled a meeting. Nine months later, William-wayne.com was born.
We’ve updated the website since then, but the fundamentals have stayed the same.
It all started with William & Wayne &...
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Carol Schroeder recently shared how local shops help our communities and their environment. I liked the excerpt below from her post:
”Returns are one example of something local shopkeepers do better than Amazon and other giant web retailers. The e-commerce return rate is estimated to be two to three times that of brick & mortar stores – averaging a shocking 20%-30%. According to The Guardian, a returns platform “recently calculated that only 50% of ...
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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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We're pleased to share that renowned cutlery brand Zwilling is joining the Syncing service.
We expect Zwilling products to be ready for Syncing by April 8th, 2024. We'll keep members posted about the actual date as we progress with the brand's boarding to our platform.
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About Zwilling
Zwilling was founded in Solingen, Germany in 1731 by Peter Henckels making it one of the oldest brands in the world today. Zwilling is part of the ...
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How Shop Local helps 3 retailers rank higher than Target on page 1 of Google.
February 28, 2024
Indie stores have the best chance of ranking highly in Google when they use Shop Local. Proof: Our indie shops beat big-box stores in Google search tests.
Example: We recently conducted a Google study for wedding registry purchasing in Alabama. We Googled "wedding registry Alabama."
Search Results
Stores using Shop Local in Alabama ranked on page 1 of Google ahead of national chains and other registry services, which often have larger customer bases and bigger website
We're pleased to share that LAFCO is joining the Syncing service.
We expect LAFCO products to be ready for Syncing by April 5th, 2024. We'll keep members posted about the actual date as we progress with the brand's boarding to our platform.
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About LAFCO
LAFCO (Luxury Articles and Fragrance Company) was created in 1992 by founder and nose, Jon Bresler, and his passion for the European tradition of botanical-based fragrances and ...
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A recent study conducted by Jungle Scout reports that many consumers prefer to support small and local businesses for their holiday shopping. 20% reported they will buy holiday gifts from indie stores, up from 10% last year. The report ranks independent retailers in 4th place for in-store shopping, surpassing Costco, Walgreen's Best Buy, Sam's Club, Macy's and Home Depot.
The article shares 53% of consumers bought online from independent stores on Small Business Saturday as reported by ...
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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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It’s a 40th anniversary for the company founded by Colin Riggs (left) and Ned Voelker’s parents, Abigail and Ed Voelker. Over the last four decades, the entire family has created a curated collection of handmade tableware and giftware for the nation’s independent store retailers.
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Congratulations on a milestone 40th year in business. Are you surprised Abigails has endured? Ned Voelker: We are surprised. It’s a tribute to Ed and Abbie ...
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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.
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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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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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Babcock Gifts celebrates its 50th birthday in 2024. The bridal registry and gift shop opened in 1972 as a partnership that included interior design. In 1974, with the exit of one partner, the store focused on antiques, gifts, and bridal registry. Over the next 42 years, there would be growth into two stores before downsizing to one. In 2016, ownership changed and the store moved one block down, where it continues to be a destination for bridal registry and gift-giving. With the constant doom and...
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We are pleased to announce Anton Studio Designs' products are ready for Syncing.
Anton Studio Designs joins our network of 115+ premium brands that Sync products with 1,300+ fine indie stores.
Established in London in 2012, Anton Studio Designs aims to provide design conscious customers with stemware and glassware that reflects their own personal flair. They are a sophisticated brand whose products will transform any table setting into an unforgettable experience.&...
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We are pleased to announce Villeroy & Boch products are ready for Syncing.
Villeroy & Boch joins our network of 115+ premium brands that Sync products with 1,300+ fine indie stores.
Since its founding in 1748, Villeroy & Boch has grown into a leading, global, lifestyle brand offering dinnerware, drinkware, flatware, and home decor. They continue to leave lasting impressions all over the world with their fine products that include popular ...
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We're pleased to share that Ricci is joining the Brand Syncing service.
Ricci Argentieri, also known as Ricci Silversmiths, is famous for their flatware and giftware produced in sterling silver, silverplate, goldplate and stainless steel. Ricci is joining in order to support its independent retailers.
Since its founding in 1840, Ricci has grown to become one of the most respected and renowned silversmiths in all of Europe.
We expect Ricci products to be ready for ...
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I chuckled when I was asked to author this column, as I have been known to have the last word from time to time. As I prepare to leave the industry that has given me so much (I eagerly accepted the opportunity to work in the gift and home area in 1986), I can vividly recall the excitement I felt when I first entered the creative space that we get to live and work in every day. I have been exposed to scores of creative people; I met and worked with artists and buyers who were inspired and ...
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