Holiday Retail Spending Posts Increase
It was a happy holiday for retailers, which experienced a 3.6% increase in sales during the holiday shopping season according to MasterCard Advisors' SpendingPulse. While the figure remains well below the gains posted in 2007, it does represent a noticeable uptick compared to the 2.3% decline in holiday sales one year ago. The National Retail Federation had originally predicted that retail sales this holiday season would drop 1%. "Last year the economy and consumer spending were in free fall. This year we're talking about an environment that has stabilized, that has seen a leveling off," said Kamalesh Rao, director of economic research at Spending Pulse.

Online spending was the star of the season, showing a 15.5% increase in sales (in part due to a major snowstorm on the east coast the weekend before Christmas). Consumer electronics, footwear and jewelry all posted impressive gains between 5% and 6%. Luxury items (.8% increase) and apparel (.4% decrease) both struggled, though men's apparel did post gains of almost 4%. The most discouraging sign for retailers is poor gift card redemption rates. A sampling of malls by Taubman Centers revealed a rate of 10%, compared to a normal rate of 30%-40% in good years. Retailers count on gift card sales to generate revenue the week after Christmas and throughout the month of January.

The final data for the holiday shopping season won't be revealed until January 7. Heading into 2010, retail shopping experts are predicting that discount stores especially will continue to thrive. "We're still looking at a challenging year, but any retailer offering more for less is going to be in a better position," Phil Rist, a consumer analyst for BIGresearch, said.

Incentive Survey Paints "Cautiously Optimistic" Outlook
A preview released by the Incentive Research Foundation (IRF) of its 2010 survey finds that incentive planners are expecting better times heading into next year. "Cautiously optimistic is the term I would use to describe the overall message in the data from the survey," says Mark Peterman, chairman of the IRF Research Committee. "Our sense is that companies may have been sitting on budgets for the past 10 months or so waiting to see how things were going to play out and whether there was going to be more pushback from the media and community regarding incentives."

Incentive travel planners in particular are more upbeat; a third who responded to the survey said the economy was having a positive impact on their ability to plan incentive travel programs. The total is an increase of 22% compared to a survey taken by the IRF in March. Nearly half (46%) expect travel budgets to increase or remain unchanged, though respondents noted a change from international destinations to domestic ones.

Sentiment is improving with merchandise and non-cash incentive programs as well. Only a third of survey respondents reported a negative impact due to the economy, compared to half who thought so one year ago. Meanwhile, 66% of respondents indicated that budgets would increase slightly or remain unchanged in 2010. Three out of 10 incentive planners did say there would be a decrease in the value of merchandise awards next year.

The Incentive Industry Trends 2010 survey was conducted in October and November, and included participants such as incentive travel providers, corporate incentive travel buyers, suppliers and other industry professionals. Full data from the survey will be released in January.

The Joe Show: The Best Of 2009
In this episode of The Joe Show, Counselor Managing Editor Joe Haley takes a nostalgic look back at his favorite moments and products featured on The Joe Show in 2009.

Click here to see this Best of 2009 edition of The Joe Show.

Small-Business Lending Gets A Jolt
President Obama, preaching a continued emphasis on lending to small businesses, has signed a bill which will free up $125 million to the largest loan programs of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). The SBA estimates that the money, made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, will support $4.5 billion in small business lending through the end of February. New approvals of loans will begin by Monday, December 28, a little more than a month since funds were exhausted for the SBA programs. The money will allow the SBA to guarantee 7(a) loans up to 90% and waive borrower fees on most 7(a) and 504 loans.

"This administration and Congress recognize that these key programs were successful in helping jump-start the economic recovery for America's small businesses," said SBA Administrator Karen Mills. "The increased guarantee and reduced fees on SBA loans helped put more than $16.5 billion in the hands of small business owners and brought more than 1,200 lenders back to SBA loan programs. The extension of these programs through February is important to continuing our path toward recovery and will mean thousands more small business owners have access to the credit they need."

Last week, Obama met with a dozen community bankers to examine the state of small-business lending. He promised to streamline regulations to encourage more local lenders to take advantage of federal funding programs. According to Treasury data, only 49 of the nation's 7,408 community banks have taken money from the Obama Administration to jump-start small-business lending plans. "There remain enormous opportunities as we come out of this recession for businesses to start growing again and to start hiring again," Obama said.

Tuesday Morning Radio Show Live On The Air
Every Tuesday morning from 10:30 a.m. eastern time to 11:00 a.m., a team of ASI editors debate the most important topics facing the industry. We also, of course, offer our own off-beat look at the market. In our year-end show this morning, we looked at the best-performing industries, shared how technology can damage your personal life, and offered three marketing resolutions for the New Year. Plus, we even took calls from audience members looking to share their own business resolutions for 2010.

If you missed the show, don't worry. A recording is now available at www.asicentral.com/radio. And, don't forget to join us next Monday and Tuesday, January 4 and 5, for our live broadcasts from The ASI Show in Orlando. Go to www.asicentral.com/radio at 9:00 a.m. eastern time both days to listen to the show. We'll be live outside of the trade show floor immediately before the exhibit booths open. Join us live for the first trade show of 2010.

Call For Entries: Counselor Product Design Awards
Counselor magazine is looking for innovative products for its Product Design Awards competition. Suppliers are invited to nominate their favorite eye-catching products in the following categories:

In order to enter, please submit the following three items: 1. A sample of the product. (We recommend that the product be exclusive to the supplier that is submitting it, although this is not a requirement.); 2. A quick description of the product, including any special features; 3. The category that the product should be considered for. There is a limit of one submission per category, per company. All submissions will be judged on the following areas: design appeal, functionality and the ability to attractively feature a logo (when appropriate). Winners will be featured in the June issue of Counselor.

Please send all entries to: Karen Akers, Awards Editor, Counselor Magazine, 4800 Street Road, Trevose, PA 19053. Questions? E-mail Karen Akers at kakers@asicentral.com. Please note that only products from North American suppliers will be considered and that submissions will not be returned unless specifically requested.

Introducing ASI Show Live
The ASI Show Live is making its debut at The ASI Orlando Show – if you're not going to be at the show this year, you can watch select New Distributor Success courses and the 2010 Fashion Show LIVE at www.asicentral.com/asishowlive.

Be part of the action, even if you're not able to attend the show. Watch these courses and events live at www.asicentral.com/asishowlive:

New Distributor Success Track
Sunday, January 3

Ad Specialty Sales Overview: The Nuts and Bolts of Success
David Blaise, Top Secrets of Promotional Product Sales
8:30-9:30 a.m. EST

10 Proven Ways to Get Your First Customers
Rosalie Marcus, PromoBizCoach.com
9:45-10:45 a.m. EST

Inside the Mind of the Advertising Specialties Client
David Blaise, Top Secrets of Promotional Product Sales
11 a.m.-Noon EST

ASI's 2010 Fashion Show
Monday, January 4, 5-6 p.m. EST

New Course Available on ASI Education's OnlineLearning Center 
Be sure to register at http://www.asicentral.com/asionlinelearning for some exciting new courses available exclusively to ASI members. Brought to you by ASI Education, Online Learning is the newest and most convenient way for distributors to get educated. Here are some of the courses from our New Distributor Success Track available now:

NEW
Building Profitable Client Relationships. In the advertising specialty industry, 75% of the average distributor's revenue comes from repeat clients. That's probably because it costs anywhere from five to eight times more to gain a new customer as opposed to retaining the ones you have. In this course, we'll explore ways to build profitable client relationships. This includes: tactics to turn one order into repeat business by building a positive relationship with your client; how to creatively reach out to clients; and how to patch things up when you've made a mistake.

Course Track: New Distributor Success
* Nailing Down the Basics
* Write Your Business Plan
* Marketing Your New Business
* Steps to Selling Success
* Creative Case Studies
* Avoid These First-Year Pitfalls
* Managing Your Business
* Wearables Crash Course
Coming in 2010: 
* Green Apparel From A-Z: Grown Your Eco-Wear Business
* Social Networking Tactics That Deliver Results

In The News
Bag Makers (asi/37940) has announced that it is discontinuing the process of calculating plate costs based on the square inches of a bag's imprint design. Beginning January 1, the company will offer one flat rate for either its flexo or hot stamp plates, regardless of the size of the design.

International Merchandise Concepts (asi/62820) announced the launch of its 2010 collection, which includes more than 2,220 items. New brands to the supplier's line are Highwave, Duos by Luigi Bormioli, Rakastaka, Lexon, and Visconti.

Noteworthy (asi/74360) announced the launch of full-color bumper stickers and decals at newly low prices. The items are available with 50-piece minimums.

People On The Move
Polyconcept North America, parent company of Bullet Line (asi/42424), Journalbooks (asi/91340) and Leed's (asi/66887), has appointed David Grobisen to the newly created position of director of sales.

ASI SHOW

THE FIRST SHOW OF THE YEAR IS LESS THAN ONE WEEK AWAY
The first show of the year and biggest event on the East Coast, The ASI Show Orlando (January 3-5, 2010), is just a few days away! Featuring 700+ top suppliers, best-in-class education, around-the-clock networking and a free Keynote by General Colin L. Powell, USA (Ret.), there is no better place to kick-start 2010.

Register today at www.asishow.com for The ASI Show Orlando. ASI distributor and decorator members can receive up to $100 toward a hotel room.

FREE REGISTRATION DEADLINE FOR ASI DALLAS IS JANUARY 4
The ASI Show is bringing its innovation and fun to the Lone Star State on February 1-3, 2010. ASI distributor and decorator members can attend for free when they register by January 4. Be prepared for your strongest sales year ever by attending The ASI Dallas Show, featuring 600 leading suppliers, thousands of new items, more than 55 free education sessions, a free Keynote on social networking and daily networking.

Register today at www.asishow.com for The ASI Dallas Show. ASI distributor and decorator members can receive up to $100 toward a hotel room.

EXCITEMENT IS BUILDING FOR ASI SAN DIEGO
Both distributors and suppliers are excited about The ASI Show San Diego! Timed in the first quarter (February 24-26), ASI San Diego will deliver the products, services, ideas and strategies you need to launch 2010 with a bang. Featuring leading suppliers (most of the Top 40), cutting-edge education and non-stop networking, ASI San Diego will be a sales-building event like no other.

The three-day, action-packed schedule includes a Gala Celebration at Stingaree Nightclub and a free Keynote by motivational guru Tony Robbins.

Register for ASI San Diego at www.asishow.com. ASI distributor and decorator members enjoy free admission and can receive up to $100 toward a hotel room.

A BRAND-NEW EVENT FOR WOMEN IN THE AD SPECIALTY BUSINESS
Don't miss the ASI Women's Summit taking place May 4, 2010 at the Millennium Broadway Hotel in New York City from noon-3:30 p.m. Designed for women in the advertising specialty industry, the ASI Women's Summit will provide a lively environment to develop new relationships while discussing new business approaches with colleagues. The action-packed afternoon schedule will include a networking reception, luncheon and two Keynotes by real estate mogul Barbara Corcoran and Rosalie Marcus, The Promo Biz Coach™.

Register at www.asishow.com by March 31 and pay only $149.

Follow The ASI Show on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook today!

The following are the dates and locations for The ASI Show in 2010:
Orlando: January 3-5
Dallas: February 1-3
San Diego: February 24-26
New York: May 4-6
Chicago: July 13-15
Plus, don't miss the ASI Advantages Roadshow, the industry's #1 traveling show. Visit www.advantagesroadshow.com for the complete schedule!