| With the economic downturn it should be no surprise to | | | | for a child being able to step up to the sink to brush |
| anyone that holiday shopping numbers are coming in | | | | teeth or wash hands. When these stools get |
| with limited or no growth in many of the top sectors of | | | | customized with the child's name it seems to be a |
| the business world. With the influx of product options | | | | home run. Little gift baskets and gift sets in the $50 |
| online and the mass discounting and use of coupons | | | | range are typical this year as well. Those comprising |
| the gross sales should maintain good numbers, but the | | | | an assortment or items that are fun and practical |
| net profit will be close to nothing. One of the best | | | | seem to be the best as well. Think stuffed animal, |
| categories that buck the trend is the baby gift | | | | clothing, lotions, and toy. When you find a combination |
| category. | | | | like that it covers all bases and shoppers seem the |
| It appears the old adage is true, certain things produce | | | | most in tune with it. Unique baby gifts are popular as |
| sales any time of year and in any climate. The birth of | | | | well. Cool music cd's, funky rock t shirts and tote bags |
| children and the virtual necessity of gifts being | | | | that get multiple use are solid choices. |
| purchased for this rare and important event prove | | | | It remains to be seen exactly how the final numbers |
| once again to be true in 2008. On the covers of | | | | unfold. Amazon is reporting strong sales online which is |
| magazines and in the news media there is more family | | | | optimistic news, but they play to the lowest common |
| and baby coverage than ever. It seems you can't turn | | | | profit denominator. That means you have many |
| around without seeing which star is pregnant or may | | | | retailers lowering their prices until the buyer chooses |
| be pregnant and which family is adopting children. This | | | | thus eliminating virtually all profit margin for the retail. |
| probably ads to the cache of babies and the | | | | That is the fear in this new online environment. |
| importance of not forgetting about the new parents | | | | Someone is always willing to sell for less online or in |
| and what gift may be helpful for them for their new | | | | print advertisement and it hinders the industry as a |
| arrival. | | | | whole from being able to succeed. I expect it to be |
| As far as which gifts in this category are getting the | | | | closer to February or March until the best forecast of |
| most play seem to be the following: Personalized gifts | | | | the 2008 holiday numbers come out, but the trend |
| seem to be a common thread, no pun intended, and | | | | appears to maintain that the gift giving business is |
| especially for families that already have older children. | | | | strong in the book, music, marital gift and baby gift |
| Within this category the usual blankets and such show | | | | segment. |
| strong trend and wood step stools which are perfect | | | | |