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Michael Barefoot dropped the only business course he's ever taken just before the pass/fail deadline after realizing he'd slept through most of the class. Barefoot never thought of himself as a conventional businessman as it's an image too contrary to the philosophies that molded him in the 60's. In fact, he's prided himself on operating Chapel Hill, N.C.-based A Southern Season with unconventional rules. No 10-year plans. No mission statements. No department heads. No corporate-suited structure. That is until the overwhelming success of his gourmet food and kitchenware store necessitated a bit more structure.  »

When managers at Minneapolis, Minn.-based kitchenware store Kitchen Window began thinking about moving the office on their sales floor to an upstairs area, they realized an additional 400 square feet of sales space would open up. Determining what to stock there was the next step in evaluating the move's cost effectiveness. And that's where the category of niche products came into play. »

I recently visited the world-renowned gourmet floor of Berlin's KaDeWe, or Kaufhaus des Westens, twice within a three-month period. Each trip was like a pilgrimage to Mecca for a die-hard foodie. Anyone in our industry who wants to see specialty gourmet retailing at its best should make the trip to see this incredible operation. »

The art and science of merchandising -- and indeed, it does involve both art and science -- can be an elusive concept. For some people, it's as natural as making a bed or setting a table. For others, it is an agonizing process for which they end up either leaving it to whomever has the time, or avoiding it altogether. »

Sometimes it seems as though the whole world is on a diet, or at least planning to start one. A very good reason exists for all this dieting, however, as the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that over 1 billion people worldwide are considered overweight, with a hefty 300 million of those considered to be obese. »

Echo Boomer & Bridal Registry The bridal couple of the new millennium is better educated, more brand aware, and more technologically advanced than that of any previous generation. The Echo Boom Generation -- those now 25 years old -- is a generation of cross shoppers who know what they want and where they want to buy it. »

No longer is Mom left alone in the kitchen to make dinner. Today, she's joined by husbands, children, and friends who actively participate in food preparation. New home designs that focus on the kitchen as a centerpiece offer open floor plans that allow the home chef to prepare foods in the kitchen, while others choose to join in and help or relax nearby and simply enjoy the camaraderie.  »

The great outdoors is essential to the replenishment of the American soul. The wide-open landscape of the United States gives us much of our identity, regardless of whether we live in a 900-square-foot apartment in Boston or on a 10-acre country spread. »

In its fourth year, the gia awards program has gained momentum as retailers from around the world compete to become one of the chosen few who are named national or global honorees.  »

Trying to get your staff to learn about your store's myriad categories can be a difficult task. This year's Personnel Trainer takes all that into account, packaging all those housewares and food factoids into a fun format.  »