Erica Kirkland, Editor Retail News, and Barbara Crowhurst,  founder of Retailmakeover, present the Best Gift Awards at the CGTA August Show , 2011

Here is the awards unveiling and what was said:

Best Gift for Body & Soul:

Erica:Reed diffusers have come a long way from simple sticks in glass jars. Fruits & Passion’s Ambiance Decorative Diffuser Sets were designed to emit fragrance (from the birch flower) for up to eight weeks, but the combination of the sleek ceramic vase and the modern bloom means this item straddles the fragrance and home décor categories as a beautiful accent piece and functional fragrance item.Barbara:Great product, great price point. Do not cherry pick this collection . Buy all the colours . If this item is a test product never before in your store buy wide so again all the collection, all colours but stay shallow on the inventory or repeats. You can display this in many ways. New products should be placed in feature areas in your store in mass with signage announcing – both trend product connection and that’s it’s new . This is a great near the counter product as well. Love this technique – “product of the day”. Pick an item from this collection . Again signage and teach your staff to show and talk about the item.

Best Canadian-made Gift:

Erica:Canadian-made cuffs from Hides in Hand look need to be worn to be appreciated. Wrap one of these soft, supple Deerskin Floral Bracelets around your wrist and you’ll be sold – as will your customers. Available in five fashion-forward colours, the very affordable bracelets make for an unexpected addition to a display of Canadian-made wares or an array of fashion accessories.Barbara:Love this product. I agree it must come off it’s displayer to be truly shown off. Demos are a key way to showcase products in your store . You know it, customers love what you love . This will both be a great addition to your Canadian Made Category or for those of you who carry fashion accessory (a big growth category for retailers) a good choice. Again make sure your display of this product is in a feature spot with signage that tells the trend story. Talk it up to your staff.

Best Eco-Friendly Gift:

Erica:No water, no trees, no bleach and less energy (compared to traditional paper manufacturing) is involved in the production of Made By Human’s Rock Paper Notebooks. Better than recycled paper, more durable than regular paper, these nifty notebooks are filled with pages made from . . . limestone. Dressed up with contemporary graphics and bearing a retail price comparative to “regular” notebooks, what’s not to like?Barbara:This whole idea of supporting ECO friendly product seems to be a hit or miss with retail specialty stores. If my retail clients are passionate about being a leader for everything ECO in there market place then they support more of this type of product. If you are looking to set yourself apart from your competition. Here is your start; invest in this product. Make sure you display it prominently in your store. Again the right signage - on message. Product knowledge training for your staff. If I’m pushing your button on the ECO message , may be you become the force in your community , use your monthly newsletter to talk up your commitment and product selection.

Best Gourmet Food Gift:

Erica:Tishbi Wine & Fruit Preserves are made from products grown in the award-winning Tishbi Estate Winery in Israel and cooked in small batches– a process that delivers a natural, fruity flavour and a less sugary preserve. With tantalizing combinations like Strawberry Champagne and Cabernet Wine Jelly and shelf-friendly packaging, this line could likely sell itself, but we recommend taste testing.Barbara:This product sells itself once you taste it. Looking to create some excitement around this product. Do tastings . Great add on item. Let me take you thru how you achieve your sales goals thru add on sales. You build your business one client at a time, one interaction at a time. Let’s say your average sale is $40 and you want a 20% increase year on year. Show each customer an add on item at $8. Add on sales are part of a thriving sales culture. Start training add on sales . Role play with your staff.

Best Gift for the Home:

Erica:Battery-operated candles are not new, but Reallite candles from Abbott have managed to do what no other has yet achieved. A patent-pending technology results in a life-like flame that dances and flickers. No dripping, no smoke, no mess, no heat, no worries. Reusable, and therefore ECO-friendly, flame-free candles also allow us to keep our elderly, children and pets safe from the pitfalls of fire. Available in other colours and sizes.Barbara:Put this product into your buying budget for the Fall. You should budget 4% of your buying budget for New Trends each buying Show. This product wowed me and it will wow your customers. The look is outstanding , make sure you have multiples working in a mass feature display. Set a goal with your sales staff to show this item off to every one that comes into the store. Signage, staff product knowledge sessions and effective feature displays will do the trick with this product.

Best Kid’s Gift:

Erica:Stylish and sustainable, the Bynto from Lakapooki is the littler brother to the popular Goodbyn. The smaller version is perfect for snacks, kid’s lunches and for those concerned with portion control. The bright colours, simple yet arresting design, and affordable price point make this a winning new introduction in the highly competitive baby and children’s product category. Available in six colours.Barbara:I add my support to this great product. Let’s give this product the works, let’s have a look at the Best Launch Strategies.Buy enough to make a statement in your store, add this item to your promotional calendar (test it with an introductory price off at 10% or gift with purchase of this item) newsletter, website, instore displays, flyers, Twitter, Facebook, staff training.

Best Gift for the Kitchen & Table:

Erica:The Emile Henry Pizza Stone from Browne & Co. offers significant enhances for those who enjoy home-cooked pizza. Pizza lovers can cook, serve and cut delicious homemade pizza on these multifunctional stones. Place it directly on heat – barbeque, gas stove top, broiler - to cook, bring to the table and cut individual slices without scratching the surface.Barbara:In-store what will sell this product and it won’t be to hard! I promise you. Is feature displays and product knowledge. Using this as a contest item and give away to collect more customer names and contact info for your data base. Now that’s a good idea.

Best Novelty Gift:

Erica:Strap it to your shopping cart, treadmill and stroller to keep your smartphone close by at all times. The Texthook by Kidcentral Supply is the ultimate holder for your iPhone or Blackberry. A simple sliding motion makes inserting and removing a phone easy, so you can listen to tunes, check emails and take phone calls while on the move.Barbara:Since being on the panel that selected the trend products for this year. I have seen so many practical uses of this product. For instants a gal came on the elevator the other day with her bike. She had all the attachments her bike really geared up . In her hand her phone. I said to her: wouldn’t you love to have some were safe to put your phone. She said yes, were do I get that devise? To sell this it’s about feature and benefits. I was thinking you bring a stroller or bike into your feature display for this product. The larger props will draw attention and be the needed focal