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Hot Scots and bold-faced names from New York City and around the globe take over Manhattan and get “Dressed to Kilt” at the highly-anticipated annual event, again hosted by Sir Sean and Lady Connery, taking place Monday, April 5, 2010.

It will be held at M2 Ultra Lounge (530 West 28th Street, between 10th and 11th Avenues), tiffany accessories with a cocktail reception at 7:30 p.m., followed by the runway fashion show presentation at 9:00 p.m. The theme of this year’s show is Mad for Scotland, celebrating eccentric style and individuality. Participating designers embrace an “anything goes” spirit, ensuring an evening of unconventional elegance, surreal ensembles, stunning fabrics and “mad hatters.”

“I am told that this year’s Dressed to Kilt (which is themed ‘Mad for Scotland’) is looking to be the largest and most successful Dressed to Kilt ever,” says event host Sir Sean Connery.

Dressed to Kilt has established itself as the highest-profile Scottish event outside of the U.K. and the most prestigious Scottish fashion show in the world. This unique show celebrates all aspects of Caledonian culture from fabric and fashion to art, music and whisky. The Dressed to Kilt fashion show showcases a range of fashions from traditional Highland kilts to designer haute couture fit for royalty, to cutting-edge fashion from Scotland’s finest young talent as well as some of the world’s top designers who have embraced and incorporated “Scottishness” into tiffany bangles trademark styles.

This year’s show features looks from top fashion houses from both sides of the Atlantic, including a special tribute to Alexander McQueen and designs from Vivienne Westwood, 21st Century Kilts, Calzeat & Co Ltd, Holland & Sherry, Johnstons of Elgin, Joey D, Spencer Railton, Lochcharron of Scotland, Michael Kaye Couture, Sandra Murray, Gwen Russell and many more.

Dressed to Kilt is renowned for attracting A-list celebrities and bold-faced names and this year’s show is no exception, with celebrity participants including Sir Sean & Lady Connery, Scottish actors Gerard Butler and Alan Cumming, actor Mike Myers, country music singer Kellie Pickler, award-winning actor Sam Waterston, rock icon Joan Jett, renowned journalist Charlie Rose, Miss Scotland Katharine Brown, Scottish rugby team captain Chris Cusiter, Scottish captain of British Olympic curling team Eve Muirhead, Canadian musical group Bowfire, model and tiffany rings Marcus Schenkenberg, New York Yankees legend Bernie Williams, Broadway actor Matthew Modine, among many, many more.

For the first time in the history of Dressed to Kilt, The Friends of Scotland charity will be opening a “Pop-Up Shop” in New York to share with the public some of Scotland’s finest textiles and designs, from March 22–April 13. Located at 13 East 69th Street, on the corner of Madison Avenue, select designs featured on the runway will be available for sale from Tuesday, April 6 until Sunday, April 11.

Glenfiddich(R) is the title sponsor of this year’s event. The show is being presented together with the Scottish textiles industry.

Through Friends of Scotland (www.friendsofscotland.org), a non-profit organization founded by Sir Sean Connery and dedicated to advancing contemporary Scottish interests in the United States, proceeds from Dressed to Kilt will benefit the Paralyzed Veterans of America and its Scottish equivalent, the Erskine Hospital of Scotland. Additionally, proceeds this year will benefit the Wounded Warrior Project, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing programs and services for injured service members. To further honor these veterans and their great tiffany bracelets, three highly decorated wounded warriors will walk the runway at the show. For tickets and more information on Dressed to Kilt, visit www.dressedtokilt.com.

5W Public Relations (http://www.5wpr.com/) , one of the 25 largest PR firms (http://www.5wpr.net/) in the U.S., Tiffany Key Rings the addition of Philip Stein (http://www.philipstein.com/) watches to its versatile roster of fashion and lifestyle clients. Launched in 2002, the luxury watch company has quickly grown to be a leader in watches and other lifestyle products using proprietary natural frequency technology (see also <http://www.newsrx.com/library/topics/5W-Public-Relations.html> 5W Public Relations).

“Philip Stein is at the forefront of bringing fashion to the health and wellness sphere and we are thrilled to have been selected as their PR agency of record. These watches make people look, and feel good and we look forward to continuing to build the brand,” said Ronn Torossian (http://www.ronntorossian.com/), President and CEO of 5W Public Relations (http://5wpr.net/).

The brand’s natural frequency technology is duly noted to help an overwhelming amount of consumers sleep Frank Gehry, focus better due to less stress and maintain a general healthier well-being by coordinating with their body’s natural energy flow. This technology has caught the eye of celebrities and executives across the board, with Oprah saying it is “one of her favorite things” twice, Madonna, Rupert Murdoch, Jessica Alba, Samuel L. Jackson, Jason Alexander and a variety of others following suit.

ABOUT 5W PUBLIC RELATIONS (http://www.5wpr.com/)

5W Public Relations (www.5wpr.com) is a full-service public relations firm (http://www.5wpr.com/) known for implementing cutting-edge, customized media programs designed to impact our clients’ specific business goals and objectives. 5WPR’s energetic, fast-paced, and focused culture earned the firm a spot on the INC. 500 list and the Elsa Peretti of “fastest-growing PR agency” three years in a row. One of the 25 largest PR firms (http://5wpr.net/) in the U.S., the agency maintains practice areas in consumer, technology, health and wellness, entertainment, lifestyle, fashion, and corporate communications. Our growth and recognition stem from a focused, smart, and creative staff that expertly communicates client messages to impact ROI. Our committed team has the understanding and ability to harness the newest tools in a rapidly changing media landscape. This 24/7 approach to the media led the industry’s foremost trade magazine to describe 5WPR as “aggressive in a way that clearly resonates with clients looking for a PR firm staffed with type A-plus personalities, a BS-free approach, and results from Day One.”

Keywords: 5W Public Relations, Advertising, Entertainment, Marketing, Technology, Wellness.

This article was prepared by Fitness & Wellness Business Week editors from staff and other Paloma Picasso. Copyright 2010, Fitness & Wellness Business Week via <http://www.newsrx.com> NewsRx.com.

A big change is coming to local television’s noon news lineup.

WSLS (Channel 10) announced this week that the station will replace its news Paloma Picasso at noon with a half-hour show focusing on entertainment and lifestyle topics such as travel, dining, gardening, fashion and interior design.

“Our Blue Ridge” debuts March 1. The co-hosts include a familiar face and a familiar voice. Natalie Faunce, once the anchor of the Fox 21/27 10 p.m. news show, has joined WSLS full-time. Her co-host will be Jay Prater, formerly a radio DJ with WROV.

Faunce described the show as akin to “a local ‘Regis and Kelly.’ ” She said she’s looking forward to the new show, which will be quite different from her stint with Fox. “It’s not news. It’s all entertainment.”

WSLS Vice President Warren Fiihr said the change is permanent. The change frees reporters up to pursue stories through the day for the afternoon and evening broadcasts, he said.

“The noon news is a product that’s really born more out of the early days of TV,” he Return To Tiffany. During the day, most people are getting news instantly from other sources, such as the Internet.

The new show is intended to better serve a daytime television audience, Fiihr said. “TV is changing really quickly and we’re changing with it.” The half-hour show’s format will allow for a lot of flexibility in its content, he said.

“Our main demographic is going to be women,” Faunce added.

Nielsen ratings from November 2009 show the WSLS noon news program trailing those produced by WSET (Channel 13) and WDBJ (Channel 7), which has long been the ratings leader in the region.

Fiihr said ratings weren’t behind the decision to change programming. All noon news shows have relatively small audiences, he said.

Amy Morris, WDBJ news director, said her station has no interest in pursuing a similar Tiffany 1837. “I do think people still want news on television.

Guests included: Liv Tyler, Adam Lambert, Shannen Doherty, John Legend, Agyness cheap money clips, Kelly Osbourne, Mena Suvari, Jessica Lowndes, Adrienne Bailon, Estelle, Seann William Scott, Natasha Bedingfield, Nate Parker, Robert Buckley, Miss J., Peaches Geldof, Shaun Sipos, Toby Kebbell, Tyson Beckford.

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BENSALEM, Pa., Feb. 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Do you know of an elementary school that tiffany key benefit from the donation of warm, new winter coats for every child in their entire school? Keeping Kids Warm is soliciting nominations for the Fall 2010 Giving Season. Keeping Kids Warm was started in 1996 by Charming Shoppes, Inc., parent company to Lane Bryant, Fashion Bug, Catherines Plus Sizes, Lane Bryant Outlets, and Figi’s, Gifts in Good Taste. Since its inception, the program has donated more than 135,000 warm, new winter coats to children in need in over 200 elementary schools across the country.

2010 will be the fifteenth year that Charming Shoppes’ brands have sponsored the Keeping Kids Warm program as an ongoing effort to give back to local communities.

“Our family of brands is in the business of profiting from the sale of clothing, so giving back to the communities we serve by clothing those in need is a natural extension,” says Jim Fogarty, President and CEO of Charming Shoppes, Inc. “In 2009, we provided nearly 20,000 winter coats to the children of close to 20 schools, and look forward to giving back to more communities in 2010.”

This fall, Keeping Kids Warm will be providing winter coats to schools in Columbus, OH; Detroit, MI; tiffany necklace, IN; Minneapolis, MN; and Philadelphia, PA. Do you know of a school in one of these areas that could benefit from a visit from Keeping Kids Warm?

If yes, take action and nominate a school today by sending information about the school to KeepingKidsWarm@charming.com or by mail to 3750 State Road, Bensalem, PA 19020 Attention: Keeping Kids Warm. Nominations should be no longer than 100 words. Due to the number of nominations received we cannot accommodate or respond to all nominations. Nominations will be accepted until March 5, 2010.

Keeping Kids Warm is an endeavor of CSI Charities, Inc., a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization. Charming Shoppes operates more than 2,100 retail apparel stores in 48 states. Lane Bryant(R), Fashion Bug(R), Catherines(R), Cacique(R), Lane Bryant Outlet(R) and Figi’s(R) are owned and operated by Charming Shoppes, Inc. The Charming Shoppes family of brands offers the latest styles in apparel, intimates, accessories, and footwear for women of all sizes. For more information about Charming Shoppes and its brands, please visit www.tiffany necklaces.com, www.lanebryant.com, www.cacique.com, www.fashionbug.com, www.catherines.com, and www.figis.com.

Dallas-based Neiman Marcus Inc. reported a 0.5 percent decline in August same-tiffany earrings sales with strongest sales coming from stores in Texas and from Bergdorf Goodman in New York.

Total sales rose 0.7 percent last month to $285 million.

The luxury retailer’s Irving-based catalog and Internet division, Neiman Marcus Direct, posted a 1.1 percent comparable sales decline last month.

Top sellers in stores included precious jewelry and women’s fine apparel.

At NM Direct, shoppers focused on women’s apparel, shoes, handbags and men’s.

The company reports fiscal fourth-quarter results later this month. It has already tiffany necklaces a 1.4 percent decline in same-store sales for the quarter ended in July.

Credit: The Dallas Morning News

DGSE Companies, Inc. (Amex: DGC), which wholesales, retails and auctions fine watches, jewelry, tiffanys, precious metal and rare coin products via traditional and Internet channels, announces exceptionally strong prices realized at Superior Galleries’ September 2008 Pre-Long Beach Elite Auction Sale that concluded on September 15, 2008.

This exciting sale featured almost 900 lots of rare copper, silver, and gold coins, as well several currency, Civil War token, and world coin lots. Prices realized totaled almost $2.7 million including one lot sold after the sale for $120,000 including 15% buyers commissions. A breakdown of the total lots sold amounted to almost an even split – floor bidders to mail and web bidders.

Some highlights included:

– Lot 172 1876-CC Twenty Cent Piece MS62 PCGS $264,500

– Lot 220 1872-CC Seated Liberty Half Dollar MS62 PCGS $100,625

– Lot 793 1872 Pattern Half Dollar Judd-1200 PR65 NGC $60,375

– Lot 46 1821 Coronet Large Cent MS63 Red and Brown PCGS $58,650

– Lot 794 1872 Pattern Dollar Judd-1205 PR58 tiffany rings $57,500

– Lot 47 1824 Coronet Large Cent MS64 Red and Brown PCGS $56,350

– Lot 413 1839 Liberty $10 Large Letters MS60 PCGS $50,600

– Lot 43 1813 Classic Head Large Cent MS63 Brown PCGS $49,450

– Lot 410 1800 Capped Bust $10 MS62 PCGS $48,875

– Lot 376 1813 $5 MS64 PCGS $48,300

These prices include the buyers commission.

Many of these coins including the highlight 1876-CC twenty cent piece have not seen a public marketplace for decades and represent more fresh numismatic material being offered by Superior Galleries. Paul Song commented, “It is our goal to continue to provide the collecting public with an entirely fresh offering of U.S. coins, world coins, currency, and other numismatically related items. It is though these efforts that our Elite Auction Sales continue to grow both in size and values realized.”

Mr. Song continued, “Our focus is now shifting to our upcoming Santa Clara Elite Auction sale to be held November 13-14, 2008. The consignment deadline, October 3rd is rapidly approaching, and we already have a number of important consignments in process.”

For more information on this auction or on how to consign to one of our future Elite Auctions, please contact Paul Song, 800-545-1001 or consign@sgbh.com. Space is limited in all of our exclusive Elite Auctions, so please contact us well in advance to reserve a spot for your special numismatic treasures.

DGSE Companies, Inc. wholesales retails and auctions jewelry, diamonds, fine watches, and precious metal bullion and rare coins products to domestic and international customers through its Dallas Gold and Silver Exchange, Charleston Gold and Diamond Exchange, Superior Galleries and National Jewelry Exchange subsidiaries and well as through the Internet. DGSE also owns Fairchild International, Inc., one of the largest vintage watch wholesalers in the country. Wholesale customers can access our full vintage watch inventory through the restricted site at www.FairchildWatches.com. In addition to its retail facilities in Dallas and Euless, Texas, Charleston, South Carolina and Beverly Hills, California, the Company operates live Internet auctions which can be accessed at www.dgse.com and through Superior Galleries’ website at www.sgbh.com. Real-time price quotations and real-time order execution in precious metals are provided at www.USBullionExchange.com and through Superior precious Metals. DGSE also purchases precious metals, rare coins, watches, diamonds and jewelry through www.Americangoldandsilverexchange.com and over 900 supporting websites and through Superior Estate Buyers. The Company also makes collateralized consumer loans at two National Pawn locations in Dallas, Texas.

The Company is headquartered in Dallas, Texas and its common stock trades on The American Stock Exchange under the symbol “DGC”.

This press release includes statements which may constitute “forward-looking” statements, usually containing the words “will,” “believe,” “estimate,” “project,” “expect” or similar expressions. These statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements inherently involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. Factors that would cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, continued acceptance of DGSE’s products and services in the marketplace, competitive factors, the risks associated with business combinations, industry factors (including competition, fluctuations in interest rates and bullion values), dependence upon third-party vendors, and other risks detailed in the DGSE’s periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The actual results or performance by DGSE could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements. Accordingly, no assurances can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur, or if tiffany bracelets of them do so, what impact they will have on the results of operations or financial condition of DGSE. By making these forward-looking statements, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this release.

Sollo Rago Modern’s sale of October 25 and 26, draws from the artist’s hand to tell the whole earrings of the Studio movement — from furniture to jewelry, ceramics, and glass — in an expansive 1,000 lot sale.

“We’re representing some of the best pieces ever crafted, from every period of 20th century design, American and European, in a range of materials,” says John Sollo.

The sale features a true masterwork, the architectural cabinet of Charles Sumner Greene, of master architects Greene and Greene. Many exceptional pieces of George Nakashima’s work are represented including a dining table from the Rockefeller Japanese House in Pocantico Hills, the artist’s most important commission. Work of Wharton Esherick will be offered, from furniture to woodblock prints, as will spectacular examples by Phillip Lloyd Powell and Paul Evans. The Mexican studio master Pedro Friedeberg is here represented by a fantastic throne of gilded and carved wood.

Studio jewelry figures prominently, anchored by a dazzling collection of work by Ed Wiener.

Those in search of great mid-century interior designers will not be disappointed, with elegant and original works by Tommi Parzinger and James Mont, T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings and works by French designers Jean Royere, Jaques Adnet and Italian designers Gio Ponti and Ico Parisi.

Studio glass offerings are exceptional, with works by Chihuly, Labino, Lewis, Marquis, Kuhn and international artists Vlchova, Kopecky and his daughter, Anna Matouskova. Glass includes Fulvio Bianconi for Venini, rare Con Macchie, Seguso, Scarpa and Barovier. Ceramics offered include major pieces by Lucero, Voulkos, Earl, Gilhooly and Bacerra.

Among the works of Modern and Contemporary Art are a Bertoia 40″ Sonambient and large tabletop Bush of bronze and copper; paintings by Krushenick, Music, Murch and Morris; Master prints by Kandinsky, Escher and Miro; and sculpture by Lovet-Lorski, Butler and Zajac. Also for sale: an important Pop Shop IV portfolio by Haring.

Auction Contact Information

Sollo Rago is located at 333 North Main Street with Annex Gallery at 204 North Union Street, necklaces NJ. Phone 609-397-9374 or visit http://www.sollorago.com.

Exhibition Preview

Saturday, October 18 – Friday, October 24, 2008 from 11-6 pm and by appointment. Doors open at 9 a.m. the mornings of the sale.

This call is the property of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. and intended solely for the use of Wal-Mart shareholders. It discount tiffany not be reproduced in any way. This call contains statements that Wal-Mart believes are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and are intended to enjoy the protections of the Safe Harbor for forward-looking statements provided by that act. These forward-looking statements can generally be identified by use of words or phrases such as believe, estimate, expect, forecast, anticipate, intend, plan, guidance, see, will be, will continue or other similar words or phrases. Similarly, descriptions of our objectives, strategies, plans, goals, targets or future financial or operational performance are also forward-looking statements.

These statements discuss, among other things, expected growth, future revenue, future cash flows, future capital expenditures, future performance and the anticipation and expectations of Wal-Mart and its management as to future occurrences and trends. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors domestically and internationally, including general economic conditions, unemployment levels, fuel prices, weather conditions, the cost of goods, competitive pressures, inflation, consumer credit availability, shopping Tiffany Bracelets, spending patterns and debt levels, currency exchange fluctuations, trade restrictions, changes in tariffs and freight rates, interest rate fluctuations and other capital market conditions and other risks.

We discuss certain of these matters and other risk factors more fully in our filings with the SEC, including our most recent annual report on Form 10-K. This release should be read in conjunction with that annual report on Form 10-K and together with all our other filings, including our current reports on Form 8-K made with the SEC through the date of this call.

You are urged to consider all of these risks, uncertainties and other factors carefully in evaluating these forward-looking statements and not to place undue reliance on such statements. As a result of these and other matters, including changes in facts, assumptions not being realized or other circumstances, our actual results may differ materially from historical results or anticipated results as expressed or implied in these forward-looking statements.

The forward-looking statements made in this call are made only as of the original date of this call and we undertake no obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.

CAROL SCHUMACHER, IR, WAL-MART STORES, INC.: Hi and thanks for calling Wal-Mart for the December 2008 sales release. The sales reporting period included the five weeks ended Friday, January 2 and compares with the five weeks ended Friday, January 4 last year.

For this year’s five-week period, comparable store sales were up 1.9% in the Wal-Mart US Tiffany Rings and up 0.1% in the Sam’s Club segment without fuel. Total US comp store sales increased 1.7% without fuel for the five-week period. Our nonfuel comp excludes all fuel sales, not just the impact of inflation on fuel sales.

The overall net sales results were total company, $46.5 billion, down 0.1%; Wal-Mart US, $30.9 billion, up 4.3%; Sam’s Club, $4.9 billion, down 2.1%; and Wal-Mart International, $10.7 billion, down 10.4%.

We should note that for the third month in a row currency exchange rate fluctuations had a significant impact on international sales in US dollar terms. The higher value of the US dollar against most currencies in the December period reduced Wal-Mart International sales as reported in US dollar terms by 18.7 percentage points. On a constant currency basis, meaning using the same exchange rates as the December period last year, total international sales increased 8.3% over the December period last year.

In Wal-Mart US, comp store sales were influenced by the difficult economy and severe winter weather in some regions. Grocery and health and wellness were the primary drivers for the period with comp increases in the mid single digits. Electronic sales were solid, particularly in flat-panel TVs, laptops, video games, MP3 players and GPS units. Toys also were positive. Apparel and jewelry were soft.

Wal-Mart US had positive traffic for the third straight month and we believe we continue to gain marketshare due to our price leadership and improvements in customer experience. At the same time, severe winter weather slowed sales, especially in the week before Christmas, forcing the closure of 40 stores for periods of a few hours to nine days.

At Wal-Mart.com, sales were significantly ahead of last year, led by sales of entertainment and home products, particularly furniture, as well as the site-to-store program. Bicycles and ride-on toys also did well.

During the period, sales were stronger in the West and Northeast regions and softer in the Southeast and Central. On Wednesday, Wal-Mart US announced a new round of rollbacks following the holiday season. The first round, which was launched in early November and dubbed Operation Main Street, gave customers more than $400 million since its launch. These latest rollbacks will build upon that, emphasizing products that help people live healthier lives, including exercise equipment.

Sales at Sam’s Club were below expectations, though sales were stronger in the last two weeks of the period. Winter weather also negatively affected traffic and sales in some markets. Fresh food, dry grocery and consumables drove Club sales, while jewelry and home-related products were softer. Toys also did well at Sam’s. Members were clearly more selective in their purchases and small businesses were spending more cautiously.

Fuel prices were lower when compared to the same period last year and had a negative effect on Tiffany Bangles comps for the second month in a row. Deflation in fuel prices lowered Sam’s comp sales results by 3.3 percentage points.

In International, comp store sales increased in the UK, Mexico, Canada, Brazil, Japan and China. Despite this, International sales did not meet our expectations as customers around the world continue to feel pressure from the economy. In addition, foreign exchange rates reduced International’s reported results in dollar terms as we noted earlier.

Wal-Mart expects comp store sales in the United States for the January four-week period to be between flat and 2%. The January period runs from Saturday, January 3, 2009 through Friday, January 30, 2009.

We have updated our fourth-quarter guidance for earnings per share from continuing operations. There are a number of considerations which CFO, Tom Schoewe, noted in the press release. First, the negative impact of $0.06 per share from the currency effect we announced November 13; second, an additional $0.06 stemming from the after-tax charge for the settlement of lawsuits we announced on December 23; third, fourth-quarter sales are trending below expectations for Wal-Mart International and Sam’s; and last, higher expenses are expected in the fourth quarter.

We now expect earnings from continuing operations for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009 to be tiffany bracelet $0.91 and $0.94 per share. Considering the impact of the currency and litigation charges, we continue to expect our underlying operating performance for the quarter to be at or above the same quarter last year. The usual comp updates are posted on our website at www.walmart stores.com/investors. Thanks for your interest in our Company and have a great day.

Don’t be surprised if that shirt, skirt, TV or tire costs a little more today.

That’s when North Carolina’s state sales tax goes up, by 1 percentage point, to 5.5 tiffany earring from 4.5 percent. Combined with the local sales tax of 2.25 percent — the same as the rest of the state, except eight counties — you’ll pay a total of 7.75 percent.

That amounts to a 15 percent jump in the tax rate.

So, the tax on that $1,000 42-inch television you’ve been eyeing as football season starts rises to $77.50 from $67.50.

The sales tax increase — and other tax hikes — comes courtesy of the new state budget, signed into law Aug. 7 by Gov. Beverly Perdue.

It’s an increase that may have smokers huffing and puffing the most. The Heart tag charm Toggle bracelet tax on a pack of cigarettes goes up a dime per pack from 35 cents to 45 cents.

A sign next to the gas pumps at the GoGas, 1976 S. 17th St., warns customers of that fact.

If you like to tip a few, the excise tax on beer goes up to 61.71 cents per gallon from 53.17 cents and unfortified wine to 26.34 cents per liter from 21 cents. The excise tax on liquor bought at ABC stores rises to 30 percent of the purchase.

Bar owners are faced with swallowing the increased tax or passing it on to customers.

“I haven’t really sat down and addressed (the tax increase) yet,” said Barbara Weetman, partner in the Blue Post, 15 S. Water St., and Level 5, 21 N. Front St.

“I hate to raise prices but at the same time…” she paused. “We’re getting taxed every way. Tax on every bottle of liquor I buy, a tax on each drink that I sell and a tax on what I earn.”

The tax increases “will make an impact,” said Fran E. Preston, president of the N.C. Merchant Retailers Association in Raleigh.

Owners of two Wilmington businesses, however, predicted little if any impact on their sales.

Nequan Lbelle, owner of the two-year-old Shoe Diva at 114A Princess St., said the tax increase would not really affect sales.

Neither did she see a problem for bookkeeping at the store, which sells shoes, handbags,Tiffany 1837 cuff and dresses.

“I think everyone will spend the same but they will be less happy about it,” said Michael Paul, owner of Hot Wax Surf Shop, 4510 Hoggard Drive.

Paul, who said last week that he was not aware of the sales tax increase, decried raising taxes in a recession. “I’m not happy to collect for the state more money that is wasted,” he said.

The retail merchants’ Preston worried about forces that could cut into in-store shopping.

“The thing that’s important about (the tax increase) is the frequency of your shopping,” Preston said. “Would it drive you to the Internet or across state borders?”

She also pointed out that 40 of the state’s 100 counties border other states.

Locally, however, border hopping may be less of a factor. The general retail sales tax in Myrtle Beach is 9 percent, 8 percent in the rest of Horry County, said Kimberly Miles, public relations director for the Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce.

“The great threat is remote,” Preston said — “Internet or catalog sales. Book stores hate the fact that Amazon is out there.”

There may be a big shift to Internet shopping, said Patrick Fleenor, chief economist for the Washington-based Tax Foundation, which describes itself as a non-profit, non-partisan tax research organization.

But digital will not go untouched.

Some digital downloads of items such as songs and movies may be subject to sales tax effective Jan. 1, the N.C. Department of Revenue says. “The department will provide a more detailed interpretation of this change soon,” according to the agency’s Web site.

On the business side, online retailers who have more than $10,000 worth of sales through online frank gehry from Web sites owned by North Carolina residents may need to charge sales tax on all sales to state residents, according to the Web site.

In the end, Preston said, “There’s a smaller amount of the pie. The more that goes to the government the less (consumers) have to spend in your store. It’s a very unpopular tax.”

For a summary of tax changes, go to the N.C. Department of Revenue at www.dor.state.nc.us and click on 2009 tax changes on the lefthand side of the page under “headlines.”

Wayne Faulkner: 343-2329