Blog of insight
The Ultimate Guide to Strategic Positive Reinforcement Techniques
Give Positive Reinforcement After Every Sale In the evolving landscape of retail, where customer loyalty is the heartbeat of success. Retailers have a vital role to play that goes beyond making sales. It’s building connections and relationships that lead to repeat business and long-term customer loyalty. In today’s blog post, I want to shed light…
Melrose Welcomes Carol J. Homkes as New Sales Representative for Kentucky
Melrose International is excited to announce that Carol J. Homkes of CJ’s Sales has joined our national sales team as the new representative for the Kentucky territory. Carol brings more than 20 years of experience in the gift and home décor industry, along with a reputation for dependable, hands-on support and genuine care for her customers. She began her career…
Melrose International Featured in 2025 Holiday Décor Trends Report
Our LED Deer & Trees shine in Gifts & Decorative Accessories’ latest trend forecast. We’re in the News! Melrose International is proud to be spotlighted in Gifts & Decorative Accessories’ new feature, “From Vintage to Minimalist: 2025 Holiday Décor Trends”. The article highlights this season’s most in-demand holiday aesthetics—and calls out our LED Deer &…
What Retailers Are Saying About 2025
A Look Inside the Latest Survey—Straight From the Front Lines Earlier this spring, we sent out a survey to hear how you’re doing. Not just in numbers—but in reality. What’s actually happening inside your stores, what you’re hearing from your customers, and how this year is shaping up with all the curveballs flying in—tariffs, freight,…
Trust Is Still Your Superpower—Even in a Tough Market
National Small Business Week was May 4–10, 2025—and while we might not get parades or ticker tape, we do have something more valuable: the trust of the American consumer. At a time when uncertainty is everywhere—especially with rising tariffs making headlines again—small businesses are still standing tall in the eyes of the public. According to the latest…
Exciting New Beginnings: Welcoming Licensed Brands to Melrose International
2025 is going to be an exciting year for Melrose as we celebrate 40 years and bring in some big-name licensed collections. We are thrilled to announce that we’re expanding our catalog and our showrooms to include an array of iconic licensed brands—each with their own exclusive collection—bringing your store even more unique, high-quality products…
Utilizing AI for Tradeshows and Trending
As trade show season approaches, retailers are gearing up for the excitement and opportunities that come with exploring new trends and making strategic buying decisions. Whether you’re on the hunt for the next big thing in Christmas décor or looking to refresh your product lineup. ChatGPT4o can be a powerful tool to streamline your preparation,…
Retail Renaissance: How Independent Stores are Winning with Superior Customer Service
Residing in the heart of downtown Chicago offers me a unique vantage point as the head of marketing and sales, allowing me to closely observe and interact with both big box retailers in the Loop and independent stores on the Northside. Intrigued by the burgeoning “retail renaissance” and the noticeable pivot of consumers towards independent…
