November 30, 2023
Retail & Sales
In Memoriam: Buffett the Businessman
The late Jimmy Buffett was one of pop music's most successful entrepreneurs, building an empire that included Margaritaville-branded merchandise, restaurants and resorts that date back to 1985, drink mixes and even the 2018 Broadway musical, Escape to Margaritaville.
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Published on 11/17/2023
All Hands on Deck
Leon County officials, concerned over closings and delays of Amazon's national network of distribution centers, are now more optimistic that the e-commerce giant's $200-million Tallahassee fulfillment center is on track to open later this year.
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Published on 7/27/2023
The Art of Play
Kevin Daniels and Jimi Dennison share a love of the “flow arts” — a mix of skills and creative expression. Think of juggling meets dance. In 2010, they founded Fun in Motion Toys to bring “movement-inspired” toys to the world.
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Published on 7/25/2023
Florida's Future
We asked 13 experts in their respective fields to look into their crystal balls. Here are their thoughts on the decade ahead.
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Published on 7/18/2023
Moore Odyssey
Roger Moore last year gave a thought to his legacy as the sale of the boat retailing business he co-founded moved toward completion.
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Published on 5/31/2023
Jacksonville small-craft distillery among first in Florida to enter canned cocktail market
Manifest Distilling of Jacksonville is now selling a line of canned cocktails, making it among the first of Florida's small craft distilleries to do so.
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Published on 12/30/2022
Ybor City's Gas Worx project plans to develop homes, retail and office space on former site of Peoples Gas
For the last several years, much of downtown Tampa's redevelopment focus has been on Water Street, the $3.5-billion, 70-acre mixed-use project from Strategic Property Partners, a partnership between Tampa's Jeff Vinik and Bill Gates' Cascade Investment.
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Published on 11/23/2022
Billion-dollar brand U.S. Polo Assn. boosts sport's expansion from West Palm Beach
On a steamy summer morning in Palm Beach County, puffy white clouds float in from the Atlantic Ocean, set against a brilliant South Florida sky. They hover above newly manicured grass on a seemingly endless stretch of land — befitting the multi-billion-dollar global business that unfolds on this super-sized field of dreams.
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Published on 10/3/2022
Smartphones push consumers to prefer unique, tailored products
Personalized wine lists. Tailored clothing options. Unique experiences just for you.
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Published on 8/24/2022
Building designers create panels that resemble stone, brick or marble with a versatile lightweight concrete
INNOVATION
Versatile Concrete
In the last few years, Jacksonville-based prefabricated concrete company Gate Precast has experimented with a versatile lightweight architectural concrete layer.
Designers can create concrete panels that resemble...
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Published on 4/19/2022
Peter Warhurst is out to reinvent moving and storage again
Peter Warhurst reinvented moving and storage once. Now he's at it again.
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Published on 4/8/2022
A UF research scientist built a think tank into the world's leading center for finding ways to stop retail crime
Read Hayes built a Gainesville think tank into the world's leading center for finding ways to stop retail theft.
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Published on 4/8/2022
Tampa-based Fast introduces digital feature allowing consumers to buy directly from sellers
Sellers who use Fast's online and mobile platforms avoid logins or online shopping carts.
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Published on 11/30/2021
CEO of AmeriKooler takes aim at 'Goliath'
Several years back, Gian Carlo Alonso decided he needed a competitive benchmark against which to judge progress...
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Published on 11/30/2021
Fitnessmith moved from regional to national exercise equipment supplier during pandemic
In the pandemic, the 25-year-old supplier of exercise equipment and consulting services to the commercial gym, hotel, resort and multifamily markets, turned to the home market...
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Published on 9/28/2021
Mike Maroone has been buying dealerships again
In December, the Maroone name reappeared in the auto marketplace in South Florida.
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Published on 3/1/2021
Florida auto-industry leader Manuel Villamanan has died
Manuel “Manolo” Villamanan, who capped a four-decades long career in the auto-industry, died on October 12. He was 85 years old.
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Published on 10/14/2020
Baldwin Mayor Sean Lynch fills in a grocery gap
One of a handful of city-run grocers in the country, Baldwin Market was conceived by Baldwin Mayor Sean Lynch after trying to attract a grocer to town for a year.
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Published on 3/25/2020
Rappers help promote Miami snack company Rap Snacks
Rap Snacks uses rappers and other recording artists to promote its treats — often prominently featuring them on its packaging.
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Published on 2/26/2020
West Palm Beach-based Grain & Barrel Spirits posted $4 million in sales last year
Matti Christian Anttila, 40, founded West Palm Beach-based Grain & Barrel Spirits in 2012...
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Published on 1/27/2020
What happened to auto company Rivian?
Florida Trend discovered auto company Rivian in 2011.
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Published on 8/26/2019
Terry Taylor is the nation's largest private owner of automotive dealerships
Terry Taylor doesn't care if you don't know him. He prefers it that way.
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Published on 6/24/2019
Athletic shoes and the billion-dollar resell market
Juan Osorio was in the fifth grade in Jacksonville when he fell in love with a sneaker, the Nike Air Jordan 3...
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Published on 4/26/2019
Florida retailers use ‘dark store' argument to save on property assessments, tax bills
Businesses of all kinds routinely challenge their property assessments in hopes of shaving even small amounts from their tax bills.
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Published on 3/27/2019
Qurate Retail Group Announces Initiatives to Deliver Long-Term Growth
HSN and QVC US will come together in new "QXH" business unit, while maintaining unique brand identities and St. Petersburg, FL headquarters for HSN
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Published on 10/18/2018
