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Headlines |
Des Moines Businesses Benefit from Iowa Caucuses
As the politically conscious turn their heads towards Iowa on
Thursday, the politicians themselves are bringing business to the city
of Des Moines, causing a boom in the area's economy.
Retail businesses, including Des Moines florists, are benefiting
from the upcoming Iowa caucuses, with the candidates, campaign workers,
and volunteers spending so much time in the city.
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Resolutions 2007: The Follow Through
You've made your 2008 New Year's Resolutions, but how was your
follow-through for 2007? Last year, we published readers' 2007
resolutions, so we thought we'd check in with a few to see how they did.
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Pajaro Valley Sold to Rocket Farms
After 45 years in the floral industry, which included induction into SAF's Floriculture Hall of Fame in 2001, Arne Thirup, AAF, has decided to sell the business he founded, Pajaro Valley Greenhouses, in Watsonville, Calif., to Rocket Farms, based in Salinas, Calif.
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University Horticulturist Unveils New Poinsettia
There's a new poinsettia creating a buzz on the campus of the
University of Connecticut — and, it's not of the traditional red
variety. Horticulturist Bob Shabot, of the
College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the university, has
developed a poinsettia with gold and pink tones called "Cinnamon Stick."
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Trends and Tips |
At Grocery Stores, Bigger Isn't Always Better
Sales pitches that emphasize super low prices and super big spaces may
not be as attractive to grocery customers today as they were five years
ago.
A new study profiled in the November issue of STORES Magazine
found 35 percent of consumers in 2007 prefer "an enjoyable experience"
over price and convenience, compared to 30 percent in 2002.
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Mommy Marketing
Many mothers in the U.S. are the captain's of their family's ship, and Forbes
magazine recently reported that moms are spending about $2.1 trillion a
year, which is about 15 percent of the country's entire economy. According to the Ipsos Consumer Tracking Study, 39 percent of mothers purchased fresh flowers in 2005.
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Newsmakers |
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Parker The Flower Shop Dog
When Lori Street of Ideal Florists
in Philadelphia, laid her eyes on Parker, the dog she agreed to adopt
on behalf of a pleading friend, she saw potential trouble. However, it turns out that
Parker was willing to work to earn his place at the store, and
customers love him so much Street decided to write a children's book
about it.
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Mark Your Calendar |
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Regular Features |
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Product Spotlight: ScriptSave
 We all know prescription medications can be expensive, so how about
starting off 2008 with a new benefit for you and your employees? SAF
now offers ScriptSave®, a no-cost prescription drug savings program, to SAF members, their employees, and even their employee's families!
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