Fall is in the air

Every year when back-to-school shopping begins, we start to see touches of Halloween decorations and costumes pop up in local stores and we always ask "is it too soon?" Here at Midwest-CBK, holidays are our life, we go home at the end of every day covered in glitter - so it is never too soon. Your local gift and specialty stores will soon be setting up spooktacular displays so shop early for best the selection. Retailers: Midwest-CBK Halloween items are in-stock and ready to ship.

Go Back To School With Genuine Monkeez & Friends™

Genuine Monkeez & Friends™ - a Midwest-CBK original design - brings a smile to everyone's face, especially when we launch new Monkeez designs and introduce new friends to the family. Our favorites are Otto monkey, Doogan dog and Kooky koala - oh so cute! Also available as key clips for backpacks - the perfect gift for back-to-school. Ask your favorite specialty gift retailer about Genuine Monkeez & Friends. For our retail partners- instock now and ready to ship at www.mwcbk.com

Genuine Monkeez™ and Friends Video

Retail Display Contest Winners Show Design, Style, Sparkle!

Drum roll, please! We're excited to announce the winners of Midwest-CBK's fourth annual “Design, Style, Sparkle” in-store display contest for independent retailers, including:

• First Place: Uniquely Yours in Faulkton, South Dakota
• Second Place: New River Pottery in Wilmington, North Carolina
• Third Place: Greenhurst Nursery in Nampa, Idaho

Midwest-CBK sponsored the contest to bring attention and recognition to independent retailers who have shown creativity and excellence in retail display and merchandising, one of the key elements to driving traffic and sales.

Midwest-CBK president Rick Contino says, “We are proud to shine the spotlight on the talents of these successful independent retailers, who excel in creating original, eye-catching retail displays. The entries are becoming more creative, every year, proving the continued importance of display in driving traffic and ultimately sales for independent retail business.”

First place winner Uniquely Yours created a magical holiday room setting, complete with not only holiday décor such as Santa figures, “Believe” signs, Wonderlights, ornaments, oversized snowflakes, florals and garlands, but also seamlessly integrated everyday home décor such as lamps, trays, vases, candleholders and more for a warm, welcoming scene designed to invite customers in, become a part of – and recreate at home.

Thank you to everyone who entered the contest this year! We hope to see your beautiful creations again next year!

New Suzy Toronto Holiday Collection; Meet Suzy in Atlanta!

It's wild. It's wacky. It's all about wonderful women! We're excited to introduce the first ever Suzy Toronto Holiday collection! Toronto’s all new and giftable holiday collection includes her signature inspiring, uplifting and colorful designs with text and messages that evoke holiday humor. The new holiday line, exclusive to Midwest-CBK customers, features a broad range of items including personalizable and gift-boxed glass ornaments with humorous and uplifting text, gift-boxed Santa plate, banner, waterglobe, night shirt, travel thermos and mug. The new line will debut during the January markets in Midwest-CBK showrooms, with stock available for shipping in June 2011.

To kick off the new collection, Midwest-CBK will host an artist appearance and signing with Suzy during the Atlanta market on Friday, Jan. 14, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Midwest-CBK showroom, located in Building One, Suite 16A7.

During the January markets, Midwest-CBK will also introduce an expanded Suzy Toronto Collection of everyday gifts, including 85 exclusive designs. New gift items include gift boxed Celebration of Life birthday plates and banners; “Behind Every Successful Woman Is a Substantial Amount of Chocolate” night shirt with canvas bag, travel thermos and wood plaque; magnets; and wood hanging plaques. The expanded Suzy Toronto Collection of everyday gifts also features continued best sellers such as Pink Ribbon breast cancer awareness items, mugs, coin purses, tile ornaments, night shirts, aprons and tea towels. Each item includes an uplifting, empowering or humorous message that speaks to women such as “A Wild Wacky Wonderful Woman Lives Here,” “Why Be a Queen When You Can Be a Goddess?” “Life Is All About How You Handle Plan B,” “Trust Your Crazy Ideas” and many more. Each item is also accompanied by a story or poem.

For more information or to see our new Suzy Toronto Holiday Collection in person, please contact your local Midwest-CBK account manager, visit us online or call 800-394-4225.