International report: design wows 'em in Paris

The spring 1997 giftware shows in Paris, France, featured new product designs that were from around the world. Exhibitors attempted to increase sales to buyers from Asia, other parts of Europe and the US because of the 13% unemployment and low consumer demand in France. Educational retail exhibits, direct mail sales outlets and Internet sales were featured at the shows.
Exciting new product design and increased internationalization were the spring Paris shows' responses to a domestic economy slowed by 13 percent unemployment and sluggish consumer demand. So, manufacturers are concentrating [...]