Encompassing the Upper & Lower Levels of the Las Vegas Convention Center, Value & Variety is the place to go for the best VALUES on apparel, convenience items, household and outdoor goods, electronics, military & personal security merchandise and SO much more. The selection of merchandise will impress you, the prices will delight you.

Looking for incredibly priced, margin building gift, toy & novelty merchandise that allows you to wow your customers and make a profit?  Then, start at the Lower Level of the Sands Expo Center because ASD Gift & Toy has everything the savvy gift retailer needs for success!

INTERMEZZO COLLECTIONS is a juried RTW-ONLY Exhibition. All designers wishing to participate must submit
samples to be reviewed by our Screening Committee, a panel of key retailers and buying offices. This Committee
exercises stringent control over the size and product mix of the Exhibition. Moreover, the collective vote of the Screening Committee constitutes the final decision on all potential Exhibitors; the criteria used in evaluating each Company ranges from quality standards to originality of design to the demand for the particular product category within the season’s Exhibition. Companies are required to submit samples from every group that they wish to exhibit, in order to familiarize our Committee with the quality and design sense of the Collection.

The expo’s juried quilt show features hundreds of dazzling quilts. You’ll wander past contemporary and traditional quilts, wearable art, cloth dolls and more, and emerge with new ideas for your own projects. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned quilter, wouldn’t you enjoy seeing your quilts in the show? There are over $13,000 in prizes again this year!

You’ll find

* A wide range of periods (1850-1980) and price levels
* Every style imaginable, from belle epoque finery to bell bottom jeans
* European classics from Chanel, Schiaparelli, and Lanvin
* Timeless American designs by Bill Blass, Bonnie Cashin, Halston & Claire McCardell
* Wardrobe ideas and inspiration

Retail returns represent a huge aspect of retailing and all large department and discount stores have their own procedure for processing the items you and I deem returnable.  Next time you are standing in the customer service line returning that pair of pants you thought you could fit into, pay close attention to the employee behind the counter.  You will notice that each time someone returns an item it gets placed into a bin or perhaps back into shopping cart.

Items that are returned to the original store which do not display any signs of product damage or packaging distress will often make it back onto the retail shelf for the next customer.  But what about that item you are returning?  You had a tough time getting that Sham Wow package open at home and you are almost embarrassed to even ask for your money back?  Do not fear, they [the retailer] will gladly give you your $19.95 back!

Have you ever fibbed about a product in hopes of receiving a refund?  “I got it home and it is broke!”  There is no lie detector test utilized, the minimum wage clerk simply marks the item damaged and moves on to the next remorseful shopper.  Lets face it, do you really think most people step up to the counter and proclaim they made a silly impulse purchase?  There is always a story behind a customer return, and many times it is just that…a story.

Items that exhibit packaging distress or items that are somehow defective or broken are not returned to the shelf for round two.  These gems are placed in a special area where they pile up high! Items that are deemed “unfit” for re-merchandising are collected and sent to the stores’ processing center to be liquidated.

“G54.…..Bingo!” Small and mid size resellers are clamoring to purchase pallets and truckloads of customer returns…continue reading

Working from home is no different, but home office distractions are of a different flavor.  These distractions can be external or internal in nature. Let’s shed some light on five of the most common, and some tips on how to deal with them.

1. Children Under Foot

If you have little children around, it can be especially challenging (although very cute at times!).  As a friend of mine said, it’s hard to work from home with little children without help.  I started my business with a toddler around, so trust me when I say you’ve got to get creative.

Tip: If you can’t bear the thought of waiting one more second to start working on your million dollar idea, have a plan.  If you have little ones, work around their schedule by working early in the morning, during nap times or late at night after their bedtime.  Also, be realistic about how much time you can spend on your business.  If it’s not the right time, there’s no sense in banging your head against the wall.  If now is the time, get some help from a family member, education program, day care or a babysitter, if necessary.

2. Family Interruptions

“Is dinner ready?” “Are we going to the pool?” “Did you take the trash out?” “Did you check the mail?” Living in your office, aka working in your home probably means you have other people living in it.  How do you minimize the interruptions?

Tip: Set some boundaries: “a closed door means do not disturb”, “9am-4pm are office hours” or other boundary that makes sense to you and your household.  Post hours if you have to (this also helps with your mental boundaries if you are an incurable workaholic).

3. The “Shoulds” & “Want To’s”

Have you heard this annoying dialogue in your head?  “I should be doing the laundry,” “I should be cleaning out the garage,”, “I want to watch that talk show,” or “I want to take a walk”… Ever had this problem?  Working from home lends itself to the distractions of life and those pesky “shoulds” & “want to’s”.

Tip: After a little experience working at home, you’ll get the hang of it, but you have to be firm with yourself and stay on task.  You can do that by:

• Keep a running list of household projects and tasks that pop up in your head.
• Capture them somehow so you can revisit them after working hours are over.
• Resist the urge to chase something shiny and get your stuff done.
• Reward yourself with a “want to” if that helps you stay motivated.

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