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Date: June 1, 2009
Vol. XII, No. 11

Printer Version

TABLE OF CONTENTS

bulletCommentary: Who's Wrong About Wal-Mart?
bulletNew Columns This Issue
bulletThe CLN Poll: Your Marketing Budget
bulletTake the CLN Poll: Your Chamber of Commerce
bulletJo-Ann Profits More Than Double
bulletJo-Ann's Conference Call Highlights
bulletWal-Mart To Reduce its Craft Department?
bulletWal-Mart and Crafts: A History Lesson
bulletSewing Is Growing
bulletNew Scrapbook Trade Show for Las Vegas
bulletCYCA: New Leader, New Program
bulletAn Independent's View of Sales
bulletMaking Sense of CHA Market Research, Pt. II
bulletMaking Sense of CHA Market Research, Pt. III
bulletCPSIA News & Comment
bulletRandom Notes, Random Thoughts
bulletMiscellaneous News: Chain Stores
bulletMiscellaneous News: Shows
bulletMiscellaneous News
bulletThe Creative Network: Job Openings
bulletThe Husband and Wife Stores
bulletReminders

COMMENTARY: WHO'S WRONG ABOUT WAL-MART? 

A credible reporter and magazine, Lutz Muller and TD Monthly, claim Wal-Mart's cutting back on space and the number of vendors in its craft and toy departments. A Wal-Mart spokesperson flatly denies it. Is someone lying?

I don't think so. CLN's research indicates some sort of reduction is in the works, or at the very least is being strongly considered. Yet I believe the spokesperson thought she was telling the truth. There may be a parallel here with the press secretaries of our presidents. At times they were left out of the loop, either because there was no final decision to tell them or their bosses didn't want the decision announced just yet.

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NEW COLUMNS THIS ISSUE

"Vinny Da Vendor". CHA board member Rob Bostick of Judikins explains the rationale and the science behind CHA's updated Attitude & Usage Survey. If you understand what it does – and does not – say, it will give you a better understanding of your business and the industry's direction.

Scene & Heard. Ellie Joos reports on the fabric, color, and product trends at the recent International Quilt Market.

Business-Wise. Tourists who visit your store will spend more, thanks to these simple suggestions.

Kizer & Bender. How a walk through Disney World can improve your store's profits. Attention to the atmosphere, great customer service, the list goes on....

Note: If a column seems to be "old," click the Reload or Refresh button on your browser.

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CLN POLL: YOUR MARKETING BUDGET

Many industry businesses are reducing their marketing/ad expenditures. Almost half, 41.4%, have slightly or substantially decreased their budgets, while only 17.2% have increased their budget. The others in this unscientific poll have maintained their original budget.

Smaller budgets do not necessarily mean less visibility. Wal-Mart reported in its first-quarter conference call that it had reduced its ad costs by 20%, but increased its ad impressions because media outlets are hungry for ad dollars.

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TAKE THE CLN POLL: YOUR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

This poll is for companies rather than individuals: Is your company a member of your local chamber of commerce? If so, is it worth the dues you pay? Is it helping you weather the economic storms and other issues? To vote, click on Industry Polls in the right-hand column or click HERE.

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JO-ANN PROFITS MORE THAN DOUBLE

For the first quarter ended May 2, net income was $8.6 million ($0.33/diluted share), compared with net income of $3.0 million ($0.12) a year ago. The current quarter net income includes a $0.7 million after-tax gain ($0.03) related to the purchase of a portion of the company’s senior subordinated notes. Excluding this gain, net income was $7.9 million ($0.30); four analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected the company to report earnings of $0.11. Operating profit was $14.9 million versus $7.4 million for the prior year’s first quarter.

As reported earlier, net sales for the quarter increased 3.1% to $460.0 million and same-store sales increased 1.0%. Sales in large-format stores rose 5.8% to $244.1 million, but same-store sales decreased 0.6%. Small-format store net sales decreased 0.3% to $206.4 million, but same-store sales for small-format stores increased 3.0%. Internet sales through Joann.com rose to $9.5 from $8.2 million for the same period last year.

Chair, President/CEO Darrell Webb stated, "During the first quarter of fiscal 2010, Jo-Ann Stores delivered solid operating results as we grew sales, expanded margins, improved earnings, and continued to reduce our debt. As the challenging economy persists, Jo-Ann’s product offering is resonating with consumers seeking affordable, family-oriented activities. I am pleased with the growth we are seeing in our core sewing and craft categories, while seasonal and high ticket product sales continue to be challenging."

"We are benefitting from our sharp focus on controlling costs and generating operating efficiencies," Webb added, "and we expect to further leverage these improvements as the economy rebounds. I am pleased with our strong start to the year, but we still have the majority of the year ahead of us and limited visibility into the timing of a sustained retail recovery."

Gross margins increased to 48.5% from 46.4% due to reduced product costs from direct importing, lower clearance levels, and reduced freight costs. Selling, general, and administrative expenses increased to $190.4 million from $184.5 million but remained at 41.4% of sales.

The cash balance at the end of the quarter was $85.0 million, from $27.1 million from a year ago. Long-term debt dropped $49.5 million to $50.5 million. During the quarter the company purchased $15.5 million of its senior subordinated notes and recorded a $1.2 million pre-tax gain including the write-off of deferred financing costs.

Execs remain cautious about the entire fiscal year, expecting same-store sales to drop 2%-4%, gross margins to improve, higher SG&A expenses as a percentage of sales, and earnings of $0.70-$0.85/diluted share.

During the first quarter Jo-Ann opened 11 large-format stores and one small-format store, closed one large-format and 12 small-format stores, and remodeled two stores. For the year it expects to open approximately 20 new stores, close approximately 30, and remodel 30. The current store count is 220 large-format and 543 small-format stores

The complete financial report is available at www.joann.com.

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JO-ANN'S CONFERENCE CALL HIGHLIGHTS

1. Execs said the Sewing segment's sales rose 2.6% and represented 52% of the volume, StreetInsider.com reported. The Non-Sewing division fell 0.8% (48% of sales).

2. Quilting, yarn, kid's crafts, and food crafting were the strong categories. Seasonal products and higher ticket items such as custom framing were weak.

3. The number of transactions rose 3.3%, the strongest increase in customer traffic in seven quarters.

4. Management thinks remodeling a store increases sales by an average of 8%.

5. Webb said new products were selling well, and cited the new spring collection and apparel fabric, and the new kids craft summer activity program.

6. "We expect to capture new customers and gain market share as result of [Wal-Mart withdrawing from fabric]," Webb said. He estimated approximately 700 revamped Wal-Mart stores will be without fabric departments by end of this year, Home Textiles Today reported.

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WAL-MART TO REDUCE ITS CRAFT DEPARTMENT?

An article in the toy trade magazine TD Monthly that claimed Wal-Mart will sharply reduce its craft and toy departments has been denied by company spokesperson Melissa Obrien. The two versions:

TD Monthly. Author Lutz Muller said the new strategy is based on the goal of attracting higher-end consumers, and the company hopes to achieve that with "fast, friendly, clean" stores with wider aisles, fewer endcaps, and more space for products with the greatest growth potential.

Crafts and toys are not among them, Muller reported. "Consequently, the company will continue its complete phase-out of fabric and they will relocate crafts to a less traffic-intensive area in the store – adjacent to Lawn + Garden – and sharply reduce vendors and overall space dedicated to this category."

Muller quoted an unnamed source who said, "'Wal-Mart is resetting the modular right now and are cutting space at the Craft Department big time. Also, they are going to give most of the business that remains to one or two suppliers only.'"

Muller told CLN the Celebrations section will be included in the new Crafts/Stationery space and "somewhere between 800 and 1,000 stores will be rolled out by this summer."

One vendor with close ties to Wal-Mart told CLN, "Management strategy is to dramatically reduce the number of craft suppliers in 2010."

To read the article, visit www.toydirectory.com/monthly/article.asp?id=3745.

Wal-Mart. Melissa Obrien, who handles press relations for Toys (Family Entertainment) and Crafts (Hardlines), told CLN, "The simple answer is that this piece is not an accurate story – we have no new plans to reduce crafts or toys companywide.

"In some of our smaller format stores, our assortment in toys, crafts, and other areas may be reduced, but the opposite is true for our larger stores – square footage, of course, making a difference in the number of SKUs in any store. We know our customers look to us for providing affordable solutions in crafts and a good quality assortment at the best price in toys, and we intend on continuing to be their destination for both.

"We've already reached out to the writer – who never contacted us, and obviously spoke to someone NOT in management or who didn't know what they were speaking of."

Meanwhile, the Arizona Star reported, "Wal-Mart is renovating 80% of existing stores, and all new stores will have the new styling. The new designs are based on customer feedback and will include wider aisles without product displays, lower shelves, and a bright interior paint scheme. Every store department will be remodeled to have all new shelving, signing, flooring and product assortment."

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WAL-MART AND CRAFTS: A HISTORY LESSON

Wal-Mart founder Sam Walton was a huge fan of sewing products from his days as a Ben Franklin retailer, believing a sewing department attracted the kind of consumer he wanted. When Ben Franklin execs rejected his proposal for an all-discount store (one of the great mistakes in the history of American business), he started Wal-Mart on his own – with a sewing department – and soon realized a craft department attracted a similar demographic.

A former Wal-Mart craft buyer once told CLN that the departments always scored well on destination studies, hence the reason for locating craft and sewing in the back of the store, like milk in a grocery store.

In the 1980s Wal-Mart opened a three-store chain of stores, Helen's Creative Crafts, named after Sam's wife, an avid crafter, and created NADCO, a distributor specifically designed to supply the Helen's stores and the Wal-Mart craft and fabric departments. While the Helen's stores were reportedly profitable, the return on investment wasn't as great as the other company's new effort, the superstore. The three stores were quietly sold to Michaels.

When Sam retired and then died, the internal company support for crafts and sewing began to wane. Fabric, which requires a clerk to cut the cloth, was the first to go as the company remodeled stores and built new ones. About two years ago, needlework vendors received an email that the company was dropping needlework. Then the Celebrations department, which combined party goods and scrapbooking, was created, and the remnants of the craft department were moved into the interior of the store, away from the back corners. It appeared that part of the change was to make room for an expanded electronics department.

Are more changes in the works? The company has a history of testing and tweaking with every department. Crafts are no exception. Stay tuned.

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SEWING IS GROWING

The strong earnings/sales numbers posted by Jo-Ann is due in part to Wal-Mart's gradual withdrawal from fabric, but other factors include the economy and the tv series, Project Runway.

Courtney Talkington, manager of education and inspiration for Jo-Ann told the Memphis Commercial Appeal that interest in beginner sewing classes has taken off. "We've actually been seeing (an increase in interest) since last June." She says interest in basic classes has shown double-digit positive growth each month for almost the last year.

Mary Bugg, a sewing instructor at Jo-Ann store in Jackson Township (OH) told CantonRep.com, "My students fall into three categories – the biggest is young girls and teens. They are hooked on Project Runway."

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NEW SCRAPBOOK TRADE SHOW FOR LAS VEGAS

Scrapbook Business magazine and the Independent Creative Entrepreneurs have announced the creation of a new conference/trade show, Creative Retailing '09, at the Paris hotel Oct. 7-9.

The show will offer some unique features, including a guarantee: If after the first day an attendee does not think the event is worth the $225 fee, it will be refunded and the attendee will be given a free ride to the airport. There will also be a program, "Lightning Rounds," in which 20 suppliers will deliver three-minute, "humorous-but-educational sketches showing how their products will improve retailers' sales." The press release also said, "Organizers promise that at least half of the presentations require no investment on the part of the retailer to make a profit."

More info is available at www.creativeretailer.org and www.scrapbookbusinessmagazine.com.

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CYCA: NEW LEADER, NEW PROGRAM

1. Caron Int. VP of Sales and Marketing Jan Kahn was unanimously elected chair of the Craft Yarn Council of America. Kahn said, "CYCA continues to work closely with our retail partners to ensure a healthy future for the yarn category. To this end, the Council is about to embark on a new campaign to engage children in knitting and to expand its presence on social networking sites to reach out to current knitters and crocheters to keep the excitement about yarn going and growing."

2. CYCA also announced it is targeting teens through a Scholastic Inc. initiative that will reach 10,000 classrooms, grades 8-12, to distribute more than 40,000 free knitting kits. The initial Scholastic mailing to schools, planned for late fall, includes a 16-panel, full-color poster from which teachers can order the free knitting kits. The kits include a ball of yarn and needles, projects, and special offers. The kits will be shipped to classrooms in early 2010.

"There are multiple lesson plans, how-to-knit instructions, a project, history of knitting, and facts about Warm Up America!," newly elected CYCA Chair Jan Kahn said. "Each student is asked to complete at least one afghan section and to teach a younger student to knit."

3. CYCA also announced that, rather than hold another Knit-Out & Crochet event at Mall of America in 2011, it will support CHA's SuperShow by creating a mini Knit-Out in Orlando, its first in the Southeast.

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AN INDEPENDENT'S VIEW OF SALES

(Note: CLN had wondered about the state of scrapbooking, in light of the imminent closure of Making Memories magazine, and asked a number of retailers. Bob Ferguson of the Ben Franklin store in Redmond, WA, responded, then later sent an additional report.)

To the question of "is the interest [in scrapbooking] still there?" I say yes, absolutely! Not only for scrapping but for all crafts. Our average sale per customer has declined by as much as 12% in some months this year. That said, we seemed to have reversed a long-time trend of fewer customers each month, which is real good news. Our customer counts have been up every month this year, but with that 12% decline in average transaction, sales are down slightly for the year.

We do not track average ticket by departments, but my gut says the average is down because the higher ticket products are not selling well. This is reflected primarily across the board in anything to do with home décor. Floral continues to be extremely weak, framing is off, particularly in custom framing, and home décor accessories like vases, decorative pieces, and anything gift related are all down significantly. These items are the high-ticket lines for most stores, so the average ticket is going to go down even if sales are way up in the craft divisions.

We just finished the Mothers Day sales efforts and once again, as has been the case with every season since last Halloween, sales on seasonal goods and gifts were extremely weak. Some of this comes from a weak economy, but some comes just because people do not feel good spending money even if they have it. I know I have wanted to buy a new vehicle for about six months now, but with two neighbors being laid off from their high salaried jobs, I don’t feel very good about the idea of having a new car show up in my driveway. I believe millions of others are holding back purchases of much smaller and less costly goods because of that same attitude.

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MAKING SENSE OF CHA MARKET RESEARCH, PT. II

(Note: The 5/18 edition of CLN tried to help readers analyze what CHA's updated Attitude & Usage Study did – and did not – mean. The 5/18 issue is still available online. Click on CLN Archives in the right-hand column.)

The overall size of the industry, $27 billion, is much higher than the sales of our chain and independent stores. Apart from the 11% margin of error, how can that be? Remember, the market research company Ipsos asks consumers, not retailers, how much they spent, and there's a substantial amount of business being done outside our brick-and-mortar stores.

1. There are more than 100 consumer shows just in beading. The Bead&Button show in Milwaukee traditionally attracts 14,000-16,000 consumers, virtually all of whom spend money, often lots of it. Then you add the consumer shows in others categories such as scrapbooking....

2. E-commerce. The latest Study indicates e-commerce now comprises 7% of all sales.

3. How many home parties are there in scrapbooking, jewelry-making, stamping, etc.? Thousands? Tens of thousands?

4. The consumer's definitions are different than ours. An indie craft website had a project where the crafter made a lampshade out of duct tape. If the crafter who made that project was asked by Ipsos if she spent money on crafts, she'd say yes, although she probably didn't spend it in our stores.

5. The Study includes categories such as woodworking which are clearly a "craft" or a "hobby," but don't have much to do with our stores. A woodworker buys a table saw, some sandpaper, and a can of Minwax at Home Depot, responds to Ipsos, and the size of our "industry" becomes larger.

(Note: "Vinny Da Vendor" includes an article by CHA board member Rob Bostick of Judikins with a further explanation of the rationale and the science behind the Study. There will be a seminar to explain and discuss the updated results at the CHA Summer Show. The seminar is Tues., July 28, 2:00-3:00 pm – Business Seminar S109 – and is free to all CHA members. Visit www.chashow.org for details.)

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MAKING SENSE OF CHA MARKET RESEARCH, PT. III

Ok, so what can you take from the Study?

1. The general, overall data in the Study is conducted with the same methodology each time, so its flaws, in effect, cancel each other and allow you to see trends. If the last few studies, conducted the same way each time, indicate if a large category is growing, it probably is.

2. Remember, these results are for 2008 and are a view through the rearview mirror. This is where we have been, not necessarily where we are going. At the speed of trends today, many opportunities will be missed by only looking at this data.

3. The recent Study clearly indicates that the enthusiasts, those who do the most projects and spend the most money, are not buying as much because they are using up their stash. There's probably a parallel here: many economists think business spending will pick up because inventories are so depleted. When our enthusiasts' stashes are depleted, their spending should pick up. In other words, better times are ahead.

4. Over the years studies have been conducted using different methodologies that produced widely different monetary figures, but there are certain elements that score so consistently high that you can assume they are true: Magazines are the leading source of ideas and inspiration. ... Consumers who take classes spend far more money on supplies than those who don't. ... Recent studies show scrapbooking continues as the leading category. ... Consumers who label themselves "heavy" crafters spend much more money than "light" or "moderate" crafters. ... E-commerce sales continue to grow.

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CPSIA NEWS & COMMENT

1. The Consumer Product Safety Commission's Acting Chair Nancy Nord has resigned, and fellow commissioner Thomas Moore will take over as acting head until a new chairman is confirmed by the Senate, the Associated Press reported. CLN reported in the previous issue that Moore voted against an emergency stay of enforcement of CPSIA's tracking label requirements, which means they will go into effect as scheduled in August.

2. President Barack Obama nominated Inez Moore Tenebaum, former South Carolina Education Superintendent, as Chair, and Robert Adler, a former lawyer and adviser to the agency, as a new commissioner. Obama will increase the number of commissioners from three to five.

3. A vendor told CLN, "We had our product tested in Hong Kong, and then here in the U.S. Same product, same testing company, but the results were different! Now what do I do?"

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RANDOM NOTES, RANDOM THOUGHTS

1. Sometimes I hate computers. Mine has apparently decided I have too many Facebook friends and Linkedin and Plaxo associations. This infernal machine won't let me sign in to accept any more. So if you've tried to connect with me and not received an answer, I apologize.

2. If you have a number of employees who are registered for CLN, be sure your IT person cancels their email when they leave your company. I am surprised by the number of times the email isn't cancelled, and so my blast email announcing a new issue being online does not bounce back to me. It's no problem for me, but your ex-employee might have some valuable emails going unanswered. You'd hate to have a customer email your now ex-employee and never receive a response.

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MISCELLANEOUS NEWS: CHAIN STORES

QUOTATION: In a May 15 letter to vendors, Michaels' new CEO John Menzer ended by saying, "I would like to partner with our vendors to learn more about the customer and her desires. I know that almost all of the good ideas come from our vendors and our associates. In our business, perhaps more than most, we have the unique ability to touch the heart of our shopper. When we base our strategies on what is best for the customer, we will all win. I am looking forward to developing a strong partnership with you, our vendor community."

STOCK. A.C. Moore completed a $10.0 million private placement of stock to be used for general working capital purposes. The buyer, Glenhill Special Opportunities Master Fund, an affiliate of Glenhill Capital Management, paid $2.50/share for 4 million shares.

THE JOYS OF RETAIL. A woman suffering from a diabetic episode lost control of her vehicle and slammed into a Hobby Lobby store in Chattanooga. The woman suffered minor injuries but her car caused extensive damage to the store, The Chattanoogan reported.

RUMOR. If you heard that Hobby Lobby was sold, it was, but it's not our Hobby Lobby. Hobby-Lobby Int., a producer of radio-control toys, was acquired by Family Time Hobbies.

KIDS. Michaels kicked off the summer season with a free Crayola Outdoor 3D Sidewalk Chalk Interactive Demo on Saturday. The chalk makes a design look as though it is popping up off the pavement when viewed through the provided 3D glasses. Michaels' kids program, The Knack, offers a variety of project ideas from painting, apparel craft, and card-making to model-building, puzzles, games, etc. For information and a schedule of Free Family Events, visit www.michaels.com/theknack.

IMPORTS. Li & Fung was profiled in a recent issue of Business Week. The Hong Kong based company with $14.3 billion in revenue has been connected with Jo-Ann, and CLN hears was one of the two agents selected by Michaels to increase Michaels’ direct importing. Among the other Li & Fung clients are Toys R Us, Liz Claiborne, and Talbots. "The Hong Kong company, which manages the supply chain for dozens of brands and retailers worldwide, is using the recession to take over a bigger chunk of its clients' businesses. In addition to helping them find factories or raw materials, it's taking on the manufacturing headaches, ensuring factory partners meet labor standards and delivering finished goods at a set price."

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MISCELLANEOUS NEWS: SHOWS

GIFT SHOW. While no numbers were available, Gifts & Decorative Accessories reported the National Stationery Show in New York was smaller, but exhibitors, who had low expectations, were pleasantly surprised. The show was smaller because some vendors chose not to exhibit, while some others exhibited in smaller booths.

CHA. Florida Governor Charlie Crist proclaimed July 27-August 1 as Craft and Hobby Week. A similar proclamation is expected from the mayor of Orange County, FL.

KNITTING. The winning garments in the 2009 Design Contest sponsored by The Knitting Guild of Ameria and Yarnmarket.com were displayed at the recent TKGA National Conference and Knit & Crochet Show in Portland. To view the display, follow the links at www.TKGA.com. The patterns will be published by Yarnmarket.com. Officials say the contest will be repeated. For more info email Deborah Knight at deborah@yarnmarket.com or call 614-861-7223, ext. 31.

SHOWS. Last weekend The National NeedleArts Assn. participated in Maker Faire Bay Area 2009, billed as the "World's Largest DIY Festival" an event that allows visitors to "make, create, learn, invent, craft, recycle, think, play, and be inspired by celebrating arts, crafts, engineering, food, music, science, and technology." The event took place at the San Mateo (CA) County Expo Center. TNNA hosted how-to areas throughout the weekend to teach all the needlearts to attendees, in addition to sponsoring demos and kids programs. Sponsors of the Faire included Provo Crafts, Lion Brand Yarn, Singer, and Elmer's. ... Hotel info for the TNNA Long Beach 2010 show Jan. 9-11 is now available. Visit www.tnna.org and follow the link or call 800-889-8662.

SHOWS. Tradeshow Week ’s 2008 list of 200 largest trade shows in North America ranked CHA's Winter Show 82 and the Summer Show 197.

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MISCELLANEOUS NEWS

ECONOMY. In "Benny Da Buyer" CLN asked two industry retailers with extensive background in economics what are signs of a rebounding economy. They said the Consumer Confidence Index; when consumers feel better, they spend more and the economy grows. Well, the Index for May is 54.9, up from 40.8 in April. "While confidence is still weak by historical standards, as far as consumers are concerned, the worst is now behind us," said Lynn Franco, director of The Conference Board Consumer Research Center.

CHA. The site, www.craftandhobby.org, now includes The Ultimate Craft Industry Buyers Guide. ... Martha Stewart Living Radio interviewed Dr. Rallie McAllister, MD, CHA's spokesperson on the therapeutic benefits of crafting. The 15-minute interview reached 2+ million listeners.

BRUSHES. The New York Times recently profiled the FM Brush Co., which makes about 17,000 styles of brushes, all by hand, for the craft and cosmetic markets. The brushes are made in Queens and in Thailand and distributed around the world. More than a half million brushes are shipped each month. Frederick Mink Sr. established the company in 1929, and it is still run by the Mink family.

RETAILING. Kizer & Bender's blog, http://www.kizerandbender.blogspot.com, has an excellent piece on customer loyalty programs. Visit and scroll down to the May 13 entry.

TV. The acclaimed PBS series, Craft in America, will be rebroadcast this Wednesday. Check your local listings. To watch short videos of the crafters profiled, visit http://www.craftinamerica.org/video/?.

JOB OPENING. Successful Midwestern manufacturer (near Chicago) seeks New Products Manager who will be challenged to identify, develop, and commercialize new programs and products to increase sales, and to lead the development of new products from ideation through a smooth and timely introduction. Must have a 3-5 year history of successful product launches in a consumer packaged goods (mass market and specialty retail channels) environment, from concept through post-launch support. Experience in craft, gift, home decor, or kids' product channels a plus. For more info in complete confidence, email CLN at mike@clnonline.com or call 309-925-5593.

JEWELRY. The first printings of Margot Potter's Beyond the Bead, published in February, and Bead and Wire Jewelry Exposed by Margot Potter, Katie Hacker, and Fernando DaSilva, published in January, have sold out. Both are published by North Light/F+W Media.

CONDOLENCES. To the family of Harold Gager, 95, who passed away recently. He opened one of the industry's first craft stores, Gager's Handicraft in Minneapolis in 1948. He later opened a store in the late 1950s in Southdale Shopping Center, the first U.S. regional shopping center built under one roof. After opening two more stores in Minneapolis, he "retired" to Florida in 1971 where he operated, with the help of his children, Haralson Arts & Crafts stores in Sarasota, Tallahassee, and Fort Myers.

STOCKS. A.C. Moore: $3.36, up $0.91 ... Hancock: $1.08, up $0.03 ... Jo-Ann: $21.61, up $1.23 ... Wal-Mart: $49.74, up $1.59 ... Dow Jones: 8,500.33, up 2.8%. (Note: All changes in price are since 5/15 and are exclusive of dividends.)

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THE CREATIVE NETWORK: JOB OPENINGS

To see the latest listings by the only personnel recruitment firm specializing in our industry, click on Jobs in the left-hand column or click HERE.

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THE HUSBAND AND WIFE STORES

A store that sells new husbands has opened, where a woman can choose a husband. But there are instructions at the entrance: "You may visit this store ONLY ONCE! There are six floors and the value of the products increase as the shopper ascends the flights. The shopper may choose any item from a particular floor or go to the next floor, but cannot go back down except to exit."

A woman goes inside and sees a sign that reads, "Floor 1: These men have jobs." She is intrigued, but continues to the second floor, where the sign reads: "Floor 2: These men have jobs and love kids." "That's nice," she thinks, "but I want more."

She continues upward. The third floor sign reads: "Floor 3: These men have jobs, love kids, and are extremely good looking." She's impressed, but feels compelled to keep going.

The fourth floor's sign reads: "Floor 4: These men have jobs, love kids, are drop-dead good looking, and help with housework." "Oh, I can hardly stand it!" she says, but continues up to the fifth floor where the sign reads, "Floor 5: These men have jobs, love kids, are drop-dead gorgeous, help with housework, and have a strong romantic streak." She is tempted to stay, but she goes to the sixth floor where the sign reads, "Floor 6: You are visitor 31,456,012 to this floor. There are no men on this floor. This floor exists solely as proof that women are impossible to please. Thank you for shopping at the Husband Store."

Now for the rest of the story:

To avoid gender bias charges, the owner opened a New Wives store across the street. The first floor has wives who love sex. The second floor has wives who love sex and have money and like beer. The third, fourth, fifth, and sixth floors have never been visited.

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 REMINDERS

1. If you want a hard-copy of this issue, click on "Printer Friendly version."

2. If your company is a paid subscriber, everyone in the main office is welcome to register, free. Just click on "Work for a paid subscriber? Click Here to register" (center column, near the top).

3. If you ever have trouble with your password, click on "Trouble with your password" in the right-hand column of the main page. The computer will then email the correct information to you.

4. CLN is published the first and third Mondays of each month, so your next issue will be Monday, June 15.

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