Creative Displays that

Sell! Sell! Sell!

InsideSusan Lordi's

Studio

Season's Show Stoppers

Trends that

Shape Design

V O L U M E 1 , N U M B E R 1 S P R I N G 2 0 0 8

Manual Magazine

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ContentsCOVER STORY

2 Exceptional AllureStore owners are sprucing up their display spaces for a better flow and boost their sales.

FEATURESThe Gift Market Skinny

4 Spring Show StoppersOut and about the shows, participants did a 180˚ for Manual products and stocked up on inevitable best sellers.

11 Dear IsabellaManual’s Virtual Traveler and Fictional Fashionista, “Isabella”, steers store owners back on track with trend talk and gift market advice.

13 Tap into TrendThe 2008 Spring Trend Forecast is here! Manual sheds some light on the latest product trends for home décor, fashion and accessories, children’s products and more!

20 What’s NewCheck in on Manual’s latest products in home furnishings, beach accessories, accent metals, tabletop ceramics and children’s products.

22 Gift AppealWhen sales are slow, turn to inexpensive impulse buys to get sales back up.

26 Artist at WorkWillow Tree®artist Susan Lordi invites us into her studio to share her inspirations and love of art.

28 What’s HotSpruce up spring sales and get the lowdown on Manual’s best sellers.

Vol.1, No. 1Manual Magazine

Isabella’sJ

ourney™

Children’s P

arasols

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800.542.3139 • www.manualww.comAtlanta • Chicago • Dallas • Las Vegas

Predominate Easter merchandise can be paired with other spring or nature themed decor to carry the versatility of holiday and

everyday display.

Build up! Decorative tables, urns and benches guide the

eyes up for a striking showcase.

Be color conscious and cross merchandise with

related productssuch as Tea Rose Bedding,

Isabella’s Journey™ Veranda backing dish and

lark metal bench.

The look and ambience of a store profoundly effects its sales. Countless details impact presentation, but putting it all into perspective and focusing on trends, the seasonal market, appealing to the senses, and the accessibility of products generates optimal sales results. Cross merchandising is key. Product displays influence sales because they showcase a beautiful collection with complementary items from another grouping. Customers can absorb and create their own spectacular presentation from these exhibits in their home with the products from a collection and other merchandise that coordinates. Even small additions that appeal to the senses like potpourri and florals can draw a customer into a product display and get them looking at the bigger picture. Whether there is limited space or an abundance, we want to encourage retailers to improvise and utilize spaces as efficiently as possible for the sake of the customer. Keep the flow of the store conducive to customer browsing. Utilize shelving, baker’s racks, benches, tables, cabinetry and other materials in your store to create height and depth for an overall interesting allure that won’t have customers inching around every corner. Some store owners are hesitant to create bedding displays due to space issues. Where there is a will, there is a way! Improvise and incorporate existing materials, and the doors of perception will be wide open. One store discovered a creative way to present smaller scale bedding displays with collections like Rose Hill and Tea Rose. Using crates or boxes, a makeshift frame and box spring is created and hidden beautifully by a bedskirt. Cushions and quilts tucked under the bedding fabricate a “puffy” mattress look, but make sure to post signs that read “For Display Only, Do not sit on the bed.” This downsized display needs a headboard to complete the allure. Take a valet bench or cabinet and place it up against the head of the bed. The top can be used to display a coordinating valance or other items in the collection while the actual bench part can be used for housing the collection’s packaged products. Many customers derive their décor ideas from what they view in stores and suggestions from associates. Be color conscious and understand the inspiration behind product designs and trends. Having this knowledge manifests innovative and stunning displays that speak to consumers. People are proud of what they want because it expresses their interests and reflects their personalities. Spend time with customers to explain the artistry behind products and their visual display. This leaves the floor open to spark customer brainstorming and can lead to additional sales.

Exceptional AllureCREATE<>

A downsized display of the Rose Hill Bedding

Display or storage, make the most of merchandise.Click to View more Displays4 5

SpringShow Stoppers

Parasols

Participants were stocking up for spring with the

Isabella’s Journey™ adult and child

parasol starter kits. Adult parasols are

quintessentially feminine and flirty with a darling ruffle

trim. Gorgeous girly designs flourish upon

these charming parasols with a fresh carnation

pink and vintage imagery, a bounty

of butterflies, smart stripes and dramatic dots in vibrant colors.

Child parasols, like their adult-sized counterparts, are specially designed to be lightweight and compact for portability with a

stylish carrying case.

Children’s Umbrella Starter Kit Display

ChildParasols

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Behold an enchanting garden of baroque design. Bold black and white botanicals unfold their entrancing beauty edged with a smart stripe design and a touch of red trim for upscale allure.8 9

Baroque Enchantment

Botanical design, another hot ticket at the spring shows, proved its preeminence with Manual’s Baroque

Enchantment collection. In this collection, florid design

unfolds to reveal the grandeur of a hypnotic, illustrious motif in black and white

with red trim that produces a bold, eye-catching glamour.

Botanical and Baroque themes continue to blossom on trend

in 2008 and take shape as tapestry home décor products,

handbags and apparel.

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Mayfair The ethereal elegance of shabby chic took a firm hold on show participants with the Mayfair collection. Vintage vignettes coupled with an airy color palette produced sensational home interior accents and fashion accessories. Mayfair demonstrates a successful renewal of classic design elements.

Offer women what they really want, effortless

elegance on the go. Shabby

chic travels to delightful and

darling luggage.

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Veranda collectionWith so many admirers of the Biltmore Estate legacy, the Biltmore™ For Your Home Veranda collection was a guaranteed success. This collection features a wide selection of metal accents like wall art, basket sets, plant stands, candle holders and nested tables for the veranda or any outdoor living space. Most of the pieces display classic fleur de lis motifs, enchanting scroll work and exquisite patinas.

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DEAR ISABELLA: While I was straightening shelves after a toddler tornado, I overheard Mrs. Mom-to-be discussing the lack of unisex and gender neutral baby products with her friend. They continued perusing only one isle of my store baffled and criticizing. Many of my cus-tomers are very content with the selection of products available in my store. I can’t decide if I’m over reacting about this eavesdropping or if this is like my little head’s up on the latest trend in baby products and accessories.Although it was eye-opening, I’m determined to dodge another situation like this. I normally play it safe with products that have been best sellers, that I admit may be fringing on old-fashioned. How can I get my store back on track and meet my customers needs? Can you suggest some products for a trial?-- CLUELESS IN CONNECTICUT

DEAR CLUELESS: Fashion and trends are hard enough to keep up with for adults, but with babies and toddlers, it can be anything goes. Some parents and parents-to-be seek traditional colors and styles for toys and fur-nishings while modern mommies and daddies desire a more contemporary or trendy look and feel to their child’s surroundings.I’ve got just the thing! The Isabella’s Journey™ Children’s Collection features a new line, Precious Treasures. This includes two designs of fleece throw and pillow sets and six different “piggy” banks with inspirational phrases.Although the tried and true may pay the bills, the clock is ticking and sales will wane without keeping up on trends and doing a regular rota-tion of product to provide your customer with the latest in baby and children’s products.Testing out new products in your store is the key to discovering what your target audience desires. Check out the “On Trend” section of our website for tips. Soon, customers will seek you as their children’s trend and décor guru!

Gender Neutral Colors to consider...

Dear Isabella,���������������������������™

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DEAR ISABELLA: I have a lot of customers come in looking for vintage décor. They want to recapture the good times and feel-ings from when they were chil-dren visiting their grandparents. These particular customers aren’t looking for “countrypolitan”, but something that resurrects those warm fuzzy feelings and remains true to current trends. I’m always open to new ideas to increase sales. Is there anything you would recommend?--OPEN TO OPTIONS IN VA

DEAR OPEN: Many people love to reminisce on better, simpler times of childhood. This often conjures fond memo-ries of helping grandma in the kitchen or picking berries on a hot summer morning. The Berry Sweet Collection may be just what you are looking for. This collection combines classic vintage elements of darling dots and scalloped embellishment with the latest trend colorways upon ceramic and woven decorative pieces.

DEAR ISABELLA: Spring is here, and love is in the air! Bride after bride steps into my boutique looking for something exceptional for their wedding. I’ve always prided myself on offering wedding acces-sories that enhance the ambience of a wedding, and make guests feel special. I hate to admit it, but I’m running out of originality with so many weddings. It’s like the secret society of brides have all compared notes and know exactly what’s been done. Each one wants something dis-tinct and unique from that last. This isn’t really anything new, but it’s getting harder and harder to make the sale. How else can I appeal to these finicky females? -- PERSEVERING IN PARIS,TX

DEAR PERSEVERING: Brides will be brides! Everything must be perfect for their special day. You need a burst of brilliance with a fresh color palette. Simple, but elegant. Check out some accessories from the Stately Floral Collection. There’s a ro-mantic, sweep you off your feet, plate holder that makes a lovely and unique display upon reception tables.Don’t forget about the bridesmaids. The Isabella’s Journey™ Mayfair collection features a charming and delightful jewelry case, a perfect and practical bridesmaid gift with a touch of shabby chic.

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Home décor products in the new year thrive in natural themes to unite the home with the serenity of the outdoors. Consumers, recognizing and embracing the importance of the environment, reflect their awareness, passion and concern not only in their actions, but their décor as well. Americans are “going green”, and we see this mirrored in natural motifs, fresh colorways and the use of organic materials. Natural beauty takes center stage enhancing the tranquility of the home with bedding, home furnishings and veranda accents from collections like Rose Hill and April Cornell’s Splendor collection.

Tap intoTrend

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Oversized bagsHip

Handbags

From the airport to the grocery store our tapestry bags and large doctor’s bags are ultra versatile. As today’s consumer aquires more electronic gadgetry to lug around, we have taken the initiative to fashionably house these products with style and convenience. Large or small, the docor’s bag is today’s hippest handbag. We see old favorites surface with a modern twist in beautiful designs worn over the shoulder, by the handles or in the crook of the arm.

In 2008, serious shoppers are getting a handle on heftier bags and sporting more compelling constructions. Oversized bags not only show off a savvy sense of style, but they accommodate for all the essentials of a woman on the go. These big bags are more practical than precious. Isabella’s hand bags are wonderfully roomy for all the “must haves” of the modern woman.

Isabella’s Journey™Florentine CrestDoctor’s Bag

April Cornell for Isabella’s Journey™Poetry Doctor’s Bag

April Cornell for Isabella’s Journey™Sunshine Doctor’s Bag

Isabella’s Journey™Echo Doctor’s Bag

April Cornell for Isabella’s Journey™Poetry Carpet Bag

Isabella’s Journey™Maderia Carpet Bag

Isabella’s Journey™Venice Carpet Bag

Oversized handbags are all the rage as they create a slimming, delicate look for its owner.

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With a tender touch, It’s time to Rise and Shine like the smiling sun. Incredibly soft and snugly, this fleece throw and pillow set features adorable Eskimo kissing giraffes and makes the perfect addition to baby’s nursery. Parents want to present a loving and inspiring environment for kids. Neutral tones and charming animal imagery steer clear of gender defining color palettes. Children’s parasols are on trend this season in a variety of darling designs. Catering to nearly every little girl’s fancy, these parasols display butterflies, dots, stripes and flowers along with a stylish and convenient carrying case that doubles as a purse.

Blazers are heating up the fashion industry from polished to casual. The Highlander Blazer bestows vast wardrobe versatility. Wonderfully soft to the touch, this medium brown micro suede garment, shimmering beautifully in the light, features a delicate embroidered design and pewter colored buttons.

ChildParasols

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S pring and summer trends set a course for a seascape. A pinch of periwinkle, indigo and waning tints of sky blue and honeydew compose a light and inviting color palette in this collection. A gentle, sand-like texture skirts about the edges of ceramic plates, bowls, serving trays and mini plates with an eye-catching, iridescent luster.

Seashells by the

SeashoreConsumers Say Hello

to second home owning serenity!As the summer heats up, beach house

owners and coastal residents seek refuge in their seaside sanctuaries

with beautiful nautical home accents.

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Manual stays on top of the game with fresh products for spring and summer. Biltmore™ For Your Home metal accents breathe new life into upscale décor with an enchanting veranda collection that includes basket sets, serving trays, nested tables, wall art, garden stakes and more! Consumers looking to bring the outdoors in can wrap up in the artistic style of April Cornell's Splendor home accents and bedding. Imagine a cottage garden in the home. Raspberry and soft yellow flowers bloom on a field of blue sky.

Whether the objective is cottage charm in the bedroom or berrylicious beauty for the kitchen, Manual caters to all discerning tastes with collections like Rose Hill and Berry Sweet. Darling half aprons, in six different designs, bring mothers and daughters together in the kitchen for quality time with their culinary cunning. Parents also want to give their little one something they can treasure like a first “piggy” bank. Wide eyes, shiny veneers and six different inspirational messages fashion a variety of adorable, ceramic banks.

What’s New Now!

View all our What's New items atwww.manualww.com

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Gift Appeal

The increasing popularity of giftable items under $35.00 indicates the

consumer is concentrating on the small impulse buys more so than the big

ticket items. In order to assist sales reps and retailers, we ask for your

ideas and suggestions that boost sales and provide an “out of the box” sales

experience.

Tabletop CeramicsCeramic products have proven their popularity due to their versatility in style, design and function. Manual’s tabletop ceramics display a captivating shine, detailed beauty, variety and are affordable to the average consumer. These products peak for seasonal gift giving, co-worker gift exchanges and work wonderfully for coordinating with party accessories. Our ceramic gifts have proven success with credit due to the value of selling as a set of two. Mini plates offer a creative way to display an abundance of special interests that include botanical, seasonal, avian, nautical and outdoor themes. They are fabulous, collectible gifts that are specially designed for wall or tabletop display.

CandleholdersManual offers a wide selection of candleholder styles to rekindle love of light and gift giving. Most of our candleholders come in a set of three which is a great value for the consumer. When grouped with varying heights, color and design, candleholders create more visual impact and warmth, a concept highly utilized for wedding receptions, spa accents, reastaurant and hotel dining accessories as well as everyday atmosphere in the home.Submit sales ideas to vickyg@manualww.com

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Our popular Stately Floral collection includes elegantly

embellished tabletop ceramics such as 8" plates, charger, mini plates,

plate racks, cups and serving trays.

View our video of giftable items at the Rep's Corner at www.manualww.com 25

Hand TowelsSome gifts are handier than others. Each set of hand towels displays beautiful embroidery with vibrant and delightful imagery. Our hand towels make charming hostess and housewarming gifts that are widely sought after in kitchen and bath specialty stores. Cotton hand towels add an extra element of interest and convenience to any kitchen or bath style. They not only add a special touch to décor, but they also come in “handy” as the perfect, stylish travel accessory for pesky spills when you are on the go.

Word PillowsAt Manual, we take into consideration every gift giving opportunity. This allows our word pillows to reach ultimate sales versatility in the gift industry. Whether its holiday, birthday, family, friends, military, pet, sports or inspirational, we have word pillows that convey a variety of heartfelt and humorous phrases. These pillows sell well in specialty shops like florists, hospital gift shops, pet stores, and military stores, but they also hold firm ground in décor departments of larger shopping centers.

Skynets (shown on previous page)Skynets, in all their gossamer glory, achieve a whimsical appeal in children’s bedrooms and create an enchanting display for baby and wedding showers. When utilized in the bedroom, the skynet generates a romantic and elegant allure. Consumers crave classy and affordable high-end looks that our skynets achieve effortlessly.Gift Appeal

WovensAs a savvy domestic manufacturer, Manual recognizes the fact that consumers feel comfortable spending their money on inexpensive, quality woven products that express pride and honor, special interests and personal meaning. Our products grant consumers the chance to share significant sentiments with our woven gifts, made in America, as well as augment the look and feel of the home with beautiful items like tapestry bannerettes, stylish decorative pillows, inspirational lap blankets and shimmering artist sketch pedigree pet pillows.

Wood AccentsConsumers seeking refuge in their “second homes” look for novelty items that create interesting and inviting environments. Our charming wood signs make perfect additions to lodges, cabins, beach and lake front homes. Whether the goal is rustic appeal or an airy ambiance, these wood signs are beneficial to the impression or repose desired by second homeowners at irresistible price points. Gift Appeal

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Susan Lordi’s art reflects our relationships with people and the world around us. Her keen observation of the human form is further inspired by ballet, modern dance, nature, and her personal experiences with family and friends. These influences are revealed in her Willow Tree® sculptures, from which emotion is communicated through gesture only.

Besides her work in sculpture, Susan has always loved making art with cloth. She has a Master of Fine Arts in Textile Design and her fiber art has been exhibited internationally.

Images of Willow Tree sculptures are integrated with complex pattern, color, texture, and woven to create products of warmth and beauty.

The Willow Tree® collection for Manual combines Susan's love of working with the human form with her interest in the rich surface

quality of weave structures.

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With a chuckle in the kitchen or a heartfelt sentiment in hand, Manual is making waves in the market with a miscellany of best selling products. Culinary connoisseurs are beefing up on kitchen accessories. Hosts are harboring a dash of drollery in the kitchen with a variety of styles and phrases on adjustable word aprons that keep clothing stain free. Hand towels continue to prove their handiness like those in our Woodland Sanctuary collection. For decoration or clean-up, hand towels remain great sellers as items for housewarming gifts and travel accessories. Following today's movement to natural décor, consumers find delight in the details. The nest with three eggs accents avian and nature

themed décor indoors and out on the veranda. Self expression and sweet sentiments holds strong in today's trends. Consumers can speak their hearts and inspire the world around them with precious sentiment totes, inspirational parasols, child sentiment totes and the ever popular Willow Tree© products.

What’s Hot!Sprinkle some laughter and a bit of inspiration with products that nurture the market like the promise of spring showers!

View all our What's Hot items at

www.manualww.com30 31