HPG Combines ‘Foodie’ Appeal and Hard Goods With Batch & Bodega Brand Launch

HPG this week announced the launch of Batch & Bodega, a new brand that brings the supplier into the food gift category, bundling exclusive edible products from across the country with popular hard goods from HPG’s catalog to create unique kits. Customization is a huge part of these “batches,” and customers can choose design elements like high-end retail packaging and handwritten notecards for added personal detail…

These Are the Most Effective Face Mask Types (According to New Study)

There has been little debate among public health professionals that widespread mask use is crucial to slowing the spread of the coronavirus. Where there has been some debate, though, is over the most effective face mask types outside of the approved medical-grade varieties. Which of the many available face coverings protects most against transmission of the virus? We finally have some data…

Starbucks Has a New Line of Back to School Inspired Merch (With Some Great Designs)

Back to school season is here! While it may look a lot different this school year with classes being held virtually, in-person or a mix of both, students and teachers will still be purchasing some of the usual back to school essentials. To add to the mix, Starbucks just released a line of cups and merch inspired by school supplies…

Geiger Hosts First Virtual Galleria Education Conference

Geiger, Lewiston, Maine, hosted its annual Geiger Galleria education, networking and sales conference on July 28-29 virtually for the first time. The motto for this year’s event was “Push Harder, Climb Higher, Go Farther.” Almost 300 salespeople and associates from around the country and the U.K. attended each day to learn new sales tactics, network…

FDA Dangerous Hand Sanitizer List Tops 135, Adds Another U.S. Manufacturer

The FDA’s constantly-updating list of potentially harmful hand sanitizers has now risen to more than 135 products. Another U.S.-based manufacturer has now joined the list, too, with Dallas’s Santa Cruz Biotechnology initiating a voluntary recall. Georgia-based SG24 LLC also had to recall its SkinGuard24 All-Day Hand Sanitizer after it was labeled to contain methanol…

Los Angeles Apparel Responds to LA Subpoena Over Workplace Practices

Los Angeles Apparel has responded to a subpoena from the city of Los Angeles looking to enforce compliance rules now that Los Angeles Apparel has reopened. The apparel company, founded by American Apparel founder and former CEO Dov Charney, was in the media spotlight after more than 300 workers in the company’s manufacturing facilities tested…

What’s Working in Promo Sales: Tips for Landing Orders in a Shaky Economy

With the current state of the global economy making every transaction even more crucial than usual, it’s a critical time to review what’s working and what’s changed in sales. To explore some sales tactics and advice for the new normal and beyond, we connected with a trio of distributors and a sales manager at a major supplier…