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Direct from Market: Atlanta

By Caroline Kennedy, Bessie Nestoras and Meredith Schwartz -- Gifts and Dec, 1/13/2010 12:00:00 AM

UPDATE: As the market drew to a very successful close, AmericasMart reported the market was a “non-stop run of robust buying … [which] affirms the confidence of retailers and designers responding to new introductions, new lines and designs and signals the promise and potential of 2010 consumer demand for new value and selection.” Buyers flocked in from every state in the union, and there was a significant international buying presence as well. With substantial new product introductions across all categories, order-writing was aggressive and the optimism was contagious for the year ahead.

AmericasMart president and COO, Jeff Portman remarked to Gifts & Decorative Accessories:
"The 2010 edition of AmericasMart's Home, Gift and Rug shows was a great example of how important and transformational it is to work with exhibitors to promote and aggressively pursue buyers from all over the United States and all over the world. We are flattered and honored that so many retailers chose AmericasMart to spend their open-to-buy.”

January 12, 2010 — It may have been snowing in Atlanta and cars piled up on icy Georgia highways, but at the Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market, it was raining buyers who piled onto escalators and into showrooms. With vendors reporting record days, 2010 couldn’t have gotten off to a better start for the gift industry. Traffic in the buildings was brisk and buyers continued to buy. Every single vendor with whom Gifts & Decorative Accessories spoke said they were having a good show; the level of reports ranged from "pretty good" to downright record-breaking. There were even lines for the ladies rooms, a significant signal of a robust market and one that brought back memories of the boom days of the late '90s. George Kacic of Ganz noted that his business was up significantly, as did alternative metalware manufacturer Beatriz Ball.

“Saturday was the busiest day in our company history,” said Tamara Bryant of Creative Co-Op.

Stationery designer Shannon Martin, exhibiting in the temporaries, enthusiastically reported, “On the first day, we did more [business] than the entire show last year, and we had a great show last year!”

Not only did it appear that the number of buyers attending market was up, but the level of order-writing was also up, especially on lines that the retailers knew would sell through. Shannon Martin noted that her average order this market was $1,000 or higher — unusual for a relatively small stationery line. “We are having a love fest this whole show!” Martin enthused.

This is not to say that buyers weren’t being price conscious, they were. Everywhere we went, vendors commented that buyers were looking for products with a high perceived value and usefulness.

New Directions
Turquoise is the hot color for next season. The color experts Pantone have been touting the rise of this hue and

Turquoise and lime green at Elaine Smith

many vendors seemed to have gotten the word. Among those showcasing this bright hue for Spring 2010 are Vera Bradley, Elaine Smith, Peking Handicraft, Midwest-CBK, Murval, Urban Trends Collection, Andrea by Sadek and Anna Griffin. And it was often paired with a lime green. Another dominant color this market was orange and coral which was spotted in Global Views, Andrea by Sadek and Toss Designs. There were also pops of yellow throughout from Cyan Design, Baekgaard and Cinda B.

It seems that coastal/nautical motifs are still a popular choice. Several

Bali shell lamp from Arteriors Home

vendors offered coastal/shore-themed gifts and accessories this market. Mud Pie featured a seaside collection in red, white and blue that featured seahorses, seashells and crabs. The crab motif was carried over into baby that included clothes and other giftable items. Two’s Company’s Red, White and Twos, also in red, white and blue, took on a preppy look with canvas totes, flip flop fly swatters and other fun accessories. New coastal pillows from D.L. Rhein were spotted in Peking Handicraft. Again, the look is very preppy with navy and red being paired together. Bella Bags offered a collection of tote bags in red, white and blue with crab and anchor motifs. Also, throughout the showrooms, seaside motifs could be seen in the form of accessories. Arteriors Home offered the Malaya coral lamp on a zinc base, as well as the Bali shell lamp. Aidan Gray featured several pieces including the Blue Ridge coral accent. Design Legacy featured several pillows and wall hangings with nautical themes, like a pillow with an octopus illustration. Coastal dinnerware from Abbiamo Tutto. And Manual Woodworkers also introduced a seaside motifs on tapestry-woven pillows, throws and other accessories.

French looks are still a popular design trends as it was a dominant look throughout the showrooms. Creative

French look at Fringe

Co-Op’s Chateaux collection has a Gallic feel and features antique reproductions. Fringe also introduced a collection featuring the most French symbol — the Eiffel Tower. And Eiffel Towers made of paper could be found in the Cody Foster & Co. booth.

Hooray for Holiday
In holiday, trends include such spill-overs from fashion as plaid, turquoise and purple, seen everywhere from The Krafts Factory to North Star, as well as soft yarn-themed ornaments from Holiday Pro and Midwest-CBK's Warm and Cozy collection. (Also check out Warm and Scary for a fuzzy take on Halloween.) For a more unusual holiday take, at One Hundred 80 Degrees the tattoo trend comes to the tree (and tabletop), as

One Hundred 80 Degrees

well as mid-century icons ranging from the "egg" chair to the VW bug.

Tag opened a new holiday showroom in Building 1 to specifically showcase its fourth quarter offerings. “It’s made a huge difference. We’ve opened up many new accounts this market,” said Garry Shermann of Tag. The company introduced 16 collections for fall and holiday this market, including Shimmer Tree, a cream-based collection featuring gold and copper trees with sequence accents and Holiday Jewels, a collection done in jewel tones.

A Techno-lution
Technology in varied forms created major buzz at this market. Snapretail debuted its services to retailers in its brand new showroom, and conducted introductory seminars. Brandwise held demonstrations of its new BWconnect service, and Ayr1 was also on hand to familiarize retailers with its online services. Synqware also held demos of its Synqcard. (For more on these technology providers, click here.)

While Snapretail, Brandwise and Ayr1 had highly visible promotions of their new services around the show, one of the most unusual tech promotions was probably that of Burton + Burton, which had a pair of walking billboards: two models walking the show floor wearing flat screen monitors that flashed a brief promotional video for the company showroom's offerings.

Walking billboards from Burton + Burton

After soft-launching it customized Studio line with key customers in the middle of 2009, Danielson Designs, officially launched the service line and held demonstration seminars in its space in the OneCoast showroom. Danielson’s sales associates walked retailers through the actual process of creating a custom item through the website that they would become affiliated with. Unbeknownst to the retailers, Danielson shipped the customizing equipment to the show, produced the sample on site, and had a mock FedEx delivery made to the retailer before the end of the demonstration — much to their surprise and delight!

Personalization Takes New Directions
In addition to the full launch of its new customized Studio line, which is truly a new direction in personalization, Danielson Designs also launched Bright Ideas, a major departure for the company, since it involves bright rather than muted colorways and acrylic as well as wood. These collections are also available in Studio, but unlike the main collection in order to turn on that option they must be sold in-store as well. Due to customer request, the line includes initials, which are still going strong as a trend.

Paparte, the gift division of custom invitation innovator Inscribe, created a lot of buzz over in the temporaries with its on-site demonstrations of its in-store customization program for creating personalized luggage tags, travel mugs and more. Retailers lined up to watch the process and were able to take away a personalized travel mug.

Also introducing initials was ChemArt, whose new Adornments monogram keepsakes line comes in pink and gree, pink and brown, or pink, black and white.

Mud Pie continues to expand its Initial collection. This market the company offered an outdoor entertaining

Outdoor Initial collection from Mud Pie

collection that includes a cooler tote, insulated tumblers, an insulated pitcher, bar towels, aprons and more.

And back by popular demand at Manual Woodworkers & Weavers are its 17" square mongram pillows with Napoleon fringe. Made entirely in the U.S.A., they come in a natural neutral beige and are only $25 at retail.

Demdaco introduced several new collections including Embellish Your Story. The line was developed by retailer Carol Roeda. The idea is to personalize your accessory with magnetic shapes. The company offers frames and various word sculptures, such as “Believe," and the customer can pick and choose their own shapes to create their own unique piece. Shoppers can continue to buy as many as they like and customize for various occasions and holiday. Also new is The Carruth Collection. The company partnered with George Carruth, known for his whimsical stone sculptures, and is offering his designs as porcelain ornaments, figures, votives and more.

Look for a resurgence in charm bracelets for a personalized jewelry look. SilveRado made its debut in the DHR showroom with its collection of Italian gold, silver and Murano glass bead charms and starter bracelets. And Rhinestone Ruby’s rhinestone slide charms for customizing Uggs, flip flops and making personalized bracelets are big with the tween and teen crowd.

For personalizing a party, ThemeNaps introduced versions of its stand-up folded napkins that can be personalized to double as placecards. They are part of a new collection created by author, lifestyle expert and television personality Robyn Spizman.

Accessorizing for Gift Success
Mud Pie also introduced its Bag Lady accessories line. The collection features totes, hats and beach cover-ups. Two’s Company always offered a selection of fashion in its line, but this market there was a bigger push in sleepware. The company introduced several new pajamas for next season.

New jewelry from Vellum

Also, getting in on the clothing side of the fashion accessories category is Toss Designs, which introduced hats, cover ups and jewelry this market. Vellum added a collection of jewelry to its mix this season. The line features very ornate pieces from Italy and Spain. One of the highlights was a cuff bracelet that was offered in both turquoise and coral.

Another sleepwear line attracting attention in the Boutique section of the temporaries was NiteSweatz, a soft and chic collection of camisoles, tunics, chemise gowns, sleep pants and wraps made of a soft, silky moisture-wicking fabric.

In addition to doubling the size of its permanent showroom, Vera Bradley also introduced new collections: Makes Me Blush, Call Me Coral, Simply Violet and Night & Day are all new this market. The company also introduced new mesh bags for Spring 2010.

Celebrations, Celebrities and Signings
Willow Tree is celebrating its 10th anniversary and artist Susan Lordi was at the show signing pieces for customers in the Demdaco showroom. The company also celebrated the anniversary with a Friday night party. Lordi also made a signing appearance at Pumpernickel Press to launch her new licensed line of greeting cards. Pumpernickel’s cards are reknowned for their sculptural quality, which translates Lordi’s sculptures beautifully.

Another kind of reception took place at the Ivystone/Homestyle showroom, where a bridal event featured 14 registry-suitable lines such as Beatriz Ball, plus wedding cake, champagne and even a dressed up bride and groom.

There were several celebrities at market this time around. Interior designer and television personality Thom Filicia gave a seminar on his Design Philosophy and Inspirations. Chef Tyler Florence was on hand to demonstrate how to make Brilliant Simple Food to Make Anytime. Actress Meredith Baxter, best known for her work on the long-running sitcom Family Ties, was at the show to relaunch her personal care line Simple

Tony Curtis and Enesco's Matt Bousquet

Works. She spent three full days working with customers, writing orders and demonstrating her products. And movie star Tony Curtis made an appearance at Enesco. Curtis was on hand, along with his lifesized Painted Pony Shiloh, to debut Enesco’s newly signed license with the Trail of the Painted Ponies. Curtis, assisted by folk artist and licensing powerhouse Jim Shore, cut the ribbon to officially open Enesco’s new showroom in the Gift Mart. Chart-topping musician Alex Band was also on hand to promote BlackStar bracelets for Zorbitz. These beaded fashion bracelets come with a music download.

Lifeguard Press celebrated the opening of its first permanent showroom and its new licensed line by Jonathan Adler.

That’s Entertaining
New at Beatriz Ball is a collection of marble cutting boards. The bases are made of aluminum and are done in various designs and themes.

Lolita has expanded her popular martini and wine glasses and joined forces with C.R. Gibson and Avanti. C.R.

Avanti's new Lolita collection

Gibson offered a selection of gift bags, party plates, acrylic wine glasses, napkin, boxed recipe cards, a bridal party game and more this market featuring Lolita artwork and of course, cocktail recipes on the bottom of the glasses. The line proved to be a huge hit this market. Avanti’s collection includes a selection of textile accessories, including pajamas, robes, towels and more. And the artist was on hand to debut her new lines.

Design Design launched a Girls Night Out collection of entertaining accessories and partyware including fun cork-backed coasters that can be purchased by the consumer as singles so that they can pick and choose what they want. The company has also expanded its cupcake themed accessories with napkins, an apron and tableware.

Soft Lights and Scents
Simon Pearce has also expanded into a new category: candles. The company will now include a candle with all its lighting pieces and all existing customers will be sent free candles with their inventory to add to the merchandise mix.

Candles are seeing glow-through designs, whether they're carved luminaries at Colonial Candle or frosted

La-Tee-Da

holiday "Dancing Glass" designs at WoodWick/Virginia Candle. Also hot in home fragrance are hybrids of occasion greeting cards and candles or diffusers: we saw notable examples at Northern Lights, La-Tee-Da and Bluebird Bath Products. La-Tee-Da's Scent Notes was perhaps the most literal combination, since it uses cardboard as the diffuser surface area. A rectangular version called Scentuaries Decor Diffusers features art on four-sided cardboard diffusers and comes with a larger bottle of scent. Elegant covered container designs debuted at Illume with the Boho Jar and Votivo with the Dalian collection.

In personal care, one product that combines green and clean is Kaia bamboo facial cleasing cloths which remove makeup and clean skin without irritating sensitive skin. The line made its debut to the gift market in Atlanta (it was previously sold in the natural products marketplace). Using essential citrus oils, organix honey and sunflower seed oil, the cloths are designed to replace makeup remover, toner, cleanser and beauty pads.

Bamboo facial cleansing cloths from Kaia

Fringe is expanding its personal care line with a selection of paper wrapped soaps in a variety of scents like cassis and currant, and vanilla orange. The soaps are all made and packaged in the U.S.A. with American-made paper. Candles are also a popular item with buyers. The company is offering two sizes of candles in tins, a porcelain candle with a paper cover tied with an accent. Fringe also introduced a line of coasters boxed in sets of four in a gift box in a variety of themes, including Paris, Eiffel Tower and butterflies.

Noteworthies and New
Following in the hoofprints of the Trail of Painted Ponies, which recently switched its license to Enesco, Cow Parade, the original public art project turned collectible line, is going out on its own. Unlike the Ponies, Cow Parade will become its own manufacturer/wholesaler for the first time.

Trophy heads were also seen from Cyan Designs, Tozai Home and Cody Foster & Co.

Compendium Inc. offers a 5-year life planner sure to be a big hit for graduation gifts, as well as a self-purchase for everyone from empty nesters to recent layoffs to those who simply feel stuck in a rut. The companion volume, “1”, offers ways for a single person to make a difference in the world.

Revol France

M. Middleton has branched out from imprintables and invitations and introduced a collection of bright trendy stationery giftables including pursepads, organizers, sticky note folios and notepads.

Other notable introductions include slate-look food safe trays from Revol France and paper sleeves for adjustable height candlesticks and candle-shaped light fixtures from kaaeskoker.

Green gifts include the new Ecosystem line of 100 percent post-consumer recycled content notebooks and Project from mine design candles, soy candles with attention-getting packaging made of corrugated cardboard. Suburban Silk and ReFashioned each introduced bag collections created from recycled magazines and newspapers. ReFashioned also has an interesting selection of cuff bracelets woven from recycled aluminum cans.

And Coca-Cola seems to be making a big licensing push. Showing new Coke licensed products are the Ande Rooney Companies, Russ and Vandor.

That's all for now. In the upcoming weeks we will bring you more news and intorudctions from the markets across the country.

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