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Come March, shoppers at Things Remembered likely will see a lot of pink, blue and paw prints alongside the traditional glass, silver and pewter items for which the 800-store gift chain is famous.
The Highland Heights-based retailer, which has specialized in personalized gifts such as pens, mugs and picture frames, is taking on a softer look by adding product lines for children and pets, two retail markets that are booming, said Suzanne Sutter, president of Things Remembered Inc.
While shoppers still will be MOM able to buy engraved shot glasses for their adult friends, they'll also be able to pick up items such as personalized sleeping bags, step stools and piggy banks for the kids, said Nelson Tejada, vice president and general merchandising manager at Things Remembered, which is a division of Cole National Corp. in Mayfield Heights.
The diversification of the merchandise mix is aimed at invigorating stagnant sales, said Susan Davidson, senior vice president of merchandise and marketing at Things Remembered. The chain posted sales of $272 million in 2001, down 1.4% from 2000 sales of $275.9 million. At $126.6 million, sales...