Gift and Craft Retailers Find Unique Way to Combat E-Commerce in 2015 2015 has been another interesting year in the gift/craft wholesale market, seeing E-Commerce continue to grow in popularity. Despite the amount of customers utilizing the Internet to do their shopping continuing to increase, brick and mortar stores are continuing to succeed. This can in part be attributed to one-of-a-kind pieces that can’t be sold effectively online. I am fortunate enough to share an office with Lancaster County’s Wholesale Mall, and was able to gain some insight into this trend. Their manager Craig...

A New Take on Storage Sheds Drives the Industry In New Direction Over the past 10 years innovations in the shed industry have been minimal. The change from wood to vinyl, and other small innovations regarding insulation, siding, and roofing are among a few. Over the course of 2015, however, consumers have taken the storage shed in an interesting new direction. What many are dubbing “Shedquarters” (Pro.Com), adding a room to the backyard is the biggest trend of 2015. Rather than struggle with the hassle and expense of a home addition, homeowners are opting to turn a storage shed into a spare...