Retail Merchandiser Volume 63, Issue 4 | Page 61

_________________________________________________________________________________________ Trends International

Overall , the integration has been highly successful and well-received by the industry , and although it is an ongoing process , the business is running smoothly and we are pleased with the progress thus far ,” he adds .

The year 2023 has brought about significant milestones for the company . Alongside the acquisition , Trends is now striving to make select DateWorks calendar products entirely plastic-free . Matt Elliott , VP of Marketing , Design and E-Commerce , tells us more about the company ’ s plasticfree initiative . “ Over the past year , we have removed unnecessary plastic from sticker and decal items , as it served no purpose beyond becoming waste once the consumer received it . That initiative naturally led us to explore our other product lines , and we found that a few calendar formats really lend themselves to plastic-free packaging . There have been no complaints from our

customers and in fact , our retailers really appreciated this change . The same process was followed for many of our calendar formats we sell . In some cases , like with spiral wall calendars , by reinforcing the cover and adding

a few wafer seals , we can provide the same experience without the need for a plastic bag . By 2025 , our goal is for the calendar line to be 100 percent plastic-free . However , there are still some items that pose challenges in terms of plastic reduction . Nonetheless , we are actively working on making improvements in this specific area to minimize plastic content ,” Elliott says .

By strategically expanding its ecommerce footprint , while reducing its environmental impact , Trends has established a strong foundation to build on for years to come . ■

www . trendsinternational . com

Forest City Graphics is thrilled to extend our heartfelt congratulations to Trends International on this remarkable achievement ! Your dedication , hard work , and vision have truly paid off , and we couldn ’ t be happier for you .

Your success is a testament to your unwavering commitment and the outstanding qualities that set you apart . It ’ s been an absolute pleasure working with you for over 35 years and witnessing your growth and accomplishments .

Once again , congratulations on this well-deserved accomplishment . Here ’ s to a bright and prosperous future !

Forest City Graphics is committed to making a positive impact on our environment . Together , we can take small steps that lead to significant change .

www . forestcitygraphics . com

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