S. HACKENSACK, N.J., Dec. 10, 2008 — Early forecasts of holiday shopping patterns offer some mixed signals as to shoppers’ willingness to spend money on gifts. The National Retail Federation (NRF), an industry trade group, said shoppers spent $41 billion over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. Shoppers spent, on average, $372.57 during the 3-day period, up 7.2% from the $347.55 spent during the same period in 2007. Despite these positive signals, however, shoppers do seem somewhat cautious.
One bright spot in the U.S. economy seems to be specialty products, including electronics and other niche items. One such niche manufacturer, Crystal World, Inc., a small New Jersey-based giftware producer, has been creating fine, handcrafted crystal figurines, collectibles and premium incentive awards since 1983.
For the past quarter century, Crystal World (http://www.crystalworld.com) has used a traditional, wholesale-retail business model, relying mostly on retail gift shops to market their products. This past spring, with a very modest marketing budget, Crystal World made its first foray into online sales, transforming its information-only website into a full-service, e-commerce enabled retail store. Online holiday sales, according to company president John Hessell, have been “surprisingly brisk,” in spite of current economic conditions.
Products include a wide range of crystal collectible figurines, including the exclusive, limited edition Peanuts(R) Collection (http://tinyurl.com/6f352g), featuring crystal replicas of classic Peanuts(R) characters, including Snoopy(R), Charlie Brown, Lucy, Joe Cool and Woodstock. Other collections include crystal lighthouse replicas, cats & dogs, sailboats & dolphins, butterflies & flowers, wildlife, whimsical teddy bears, angels, holiday collectibles and replicas of famous architectural structures, such as the World Trade Center, the White House and the Empire State Building.
According to John Hessell, “In this trying economy, people seem to be purchasing gift items that have special meaning to them and their loved ones, rather than frivolous products. Crystal, like a work of original art or fine jewelry, is something seen as a lasting value, an heirloom to pass on to future generations.”
Crystal World was founded 25 years ago by award-winning artist Rudy Nakai, a former jewelry designer. Nakai’s pioneering use of color, with the introduction of the Original Rainbow Castle Collection in 1988 resulted in an entirely new trend in colored faceted crystal. Between 1998 and 2002, Crystal World was the exclusive licensee for producing faceted crystal replicas of classic Disney(R) characters, including Mickey Mouse, Bambi, Dumbo, Winnie-the-Pooh, Tigger and Cinderella’s Castle.
One of only a handful of manufacturers to continue to assemble crystal figurines in the United States, Crystal World uses full-cut, faceted crystal prisms from sources around the world, including Swarovski.
Crystal World, Inc. – 89 Leuning Street, Unit A-2 – S. Hackensack, NJ 07606 – http://www.crystalworld.com – 201-488-0909
Press Contact:
David Burke, Appleseed Media
(610) 999-8456
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