Market Report — Atlanta

By Staff -- Gifts and Dec, 1/15/2008 12:17:00 PM

Atlanta — If anyone was thinking that Atlanta’s International Gift & Home Furnishings Market might become a regional market — as so many others have over the years — well Fuget-aboudit, as we say here in New York. As we hurried from appointment to appointment in AmericasMart’s three buildings, we spotted buyers from locations as far from Atlanta as WashingtonState and Wisconsin. We also met buyers from Ohio, Virginia and Texas. The way-out-of-towners told us they tried to come to Atlanta at least once a year because the market had a “national feel” to it, and gave them a good idea of what products, categories and colors were trending — the very same reasons Gifts & Dec starts its year by heading straight to Atlanta.  

The Temp Crowds

Compared to the positive reports about sales from permanent showroom exhibitors earlier in the week, temp exhibitors reported more mixed results, despite crowds seen pouring in on Saturday morning. Joe Kim at Design Ideas told us he was having great success exhibiting in the temp area (in Building 1) for the first time."Retailers are always walking the temps looking for something new. And I want to find new customers. Ninety-five percent are new customers," he says.

Ballmania

One booth with a large crowd was Ballmania lip balm in Body and Soul. Whether it was because of the unusual round designer container or the Oprah appearance, the booth staff could barely keep up with retailers ready to write an order at first sight.

And while it’s hard to do something new in a crowded category like home fragrance, several companies offered updates on diffusers, ranging from Illume’s vase with a ceramic flower to Pearlessence’s dried florals taking the place of reeds. Yankee Candle offered a flameless fragrance fan, and Agraria went in a new direction with TasselAire perfumed tassels. Meanwhile, Midwest offered Fragrance Express. In candles, metal embellishments appeared on lines from Lava to Zodax, and unusual — as well as higher end — ceramic containers appeared at Illume (hinged porcelain boxes), Mor (limited edition teacups), and Northern Lights (Red River Luminaries).

Agraria

 

Trends for Christmas

The trend toward “more-is-more” for Christmas continues as well, with as diverse as they are innovative. The balance between red and green tipped decidedly over to the green side this market. While red is still plentiful, more products now sport a preponderance of green, or even dispense with red altogether, such as Crazy Mountain’s Sweater Weather snowman collection.

 

Grassland Road by Amscan and Silvestri by Demdaco both featured examples of the trend toward a greener Christmas product combined with another trend: affordable, functional art glass. Once largely the province of vases and bowls with three figure retail price tags, art glass is now showing up at lower price points and in a wider variety of products. Another notable example is Woodwick from Virginia Candle’s new Fusion collection. Root also offers a filled art glass candle container.

 

The ornament category saw some familiar faces in new places this market. Glitterville, once part of Department 56, formed a new company called One Hundred80°, exhibiting for the first time in Atlanta. Several veterans of Christopher Radko and other holiday brands are now at David Strand Designs, a company specializing in hot air balloons, windmills and other unusual ornaments.

 

In other holiday colorways, some exhibitors on the holiday floors, including A&B Florals and California FloralImports, offered hot pink, green and blue variations, for a look reminiscent of candy. Several exhibitors showcased brown holiday decor, particularly paired with green. However, one retailer in the hallway was overheard to say “I like to never got rid of that brown.” (Hm.)

 

Williamsburg had been looking to expand into Christmas product, and found a partner with Aldik. The new line features two collections: a citrus story which includes fruit ornaments, as well as accessories such as candleholders, textiles, angel and Santa figures, tree toppers and more all in shades of orange, lime and rust; the more traditional red and green story features ornaments and other Christmas decor. The company is also offering lighted Christmas trees in 5, 7, 9 and 12 feet. Williamsburg's other new licensees include Reed & Barton and SPI Home.

 

Outside the Box

At every market, some unusual products stand out not as examples of the trends, but as unique finds. Some of Atlanta’s more unusual offerings included chalkboard candles from minedesign; Shakespeare-quoting intimate apparel from Nakespeare and a literally one-of-a-kind bling-covered skull and crown from Eric Cortina Collection, retailing for $2,900 and $1,900 respectively.

 

In the “Why didn’t I think of that?” category, the Memory Clothes Planner from the company of the same name helps consumers track when and where they’ve worn an outfit, and when it was dry cleaned. Chickin Feed helps parents and kids track children’s nutrition. In response to customer's desire for a daddy's diaper bag, Lillian Rose introduced Daddy's Little Project, as well as Hog Wild About my Baby, that takes on a Harley Davidson look.

Momiji

An Australian company making its American debut was Momiji, with a line based around a collection of Message Dolls. These dolls are small figures that look a little retro (’50s/60s) and a little Japanese at the same time. Hidden on the bottom of each doll is a tiny folded card for the purchaser to write a secret message. These are collectible greeting gifts aimed primarily at women ages 20–30 years.

 

Out of the U.K. comes the Pink Toolbox Co. offering practical yet feminine tool kits. There’s a basic home repair tool kit, a car emergency kit, a garden kit, a travel kit, a PC kit, and a gym kit. All kits are pink, of course, and include a range of basic necessities bundled in an appropriate carrying case. Ten percent of the proceeds go to breast cancer charities.

 

Another fun item that caught our eye is Hoodware decor for the car grill — soft, nylon-covered, dimensional, strap-on sports balls, collegiate logos and mascots, as well as seasonal motifs such as wreaths, santas and more. (Our first thought was, “What a great idea for a men’s gift!” After all, we know how attached guys are to their vehicles.) And they’re carwash-safe. But these are not just for the guys. There are also feminine message such as “Mom’s Taxi Service” and Awareness ribbons.

 

Custom Wood Gifts

Great idea for specialty retailers: Wood replicas of a historical building or church in their community. Using a picture, Custom Wood Gifts will replicate the structure, and an explanation of the building is put on the back of the piece. Company owner James Ware said many retailers offer a percentage of sales from the unique product to local charity.

 

Seaside

Like many manufacturers, Keane turned to the sea for inspiration, introducing pieces with a shell motif, as well as a beach motif of sandals, a float and pool. Vellum expanded its booth to include a wide selection of nautical accessories; the company has broken up its accessories into lifestyle collections, including Hamptons, modern chic, rustic and Versaille Baroque.

 

Mariner Bay from Burton + Burton is a collection of sea-inspired serveware featuring fish and shells; more sea-inspired accessories were seen at Sassafras, including a selection of bags for kids featuring sea life.

 

Zodax’s Coral Beach is a more sophisticated take on sea-inspired accessories, including serving pieces lined with shell motif. The company finds that barware is a strong category, and continues to introduce new pieces in the Coral Beach collection. There’s also a strong trend towards the exotic, and Zodax found inspiration in Morocco and Thailand, introducing the Thai goddess lamp.

Kidding Around

One trend that’s not going — as in going away — any time soon is the Webkinz wave. Throughout the show, the Ganz showroom was packed with retailers looking to order the newest members of the family of critters that are “nurtured” online by loving owners ages 3 to 93. Webkinz have even inspired other lines with the same dynamic, most notably Russ Berrie’s Shining Stars line.

 

Sassafras is offered a collection of gardening tools for children; motifs include lady bugs and one that says "Gardener in Training." There are also new cake and pudding kits, including the Flower Pot pudding kit complete with pot and flower and mix and Uck! Yuck! Worms in Muck! pudding kit  — perfect for little boys!

 

Tweens and teens are the next generation of customer for the specialty retailer. To help draw them into stores and gain their repeat business, the Giftwrap Company introduced Mood Journals, a new take on the ’60s mood ring fad. The journals, part of the Pepperpot brand, are spot-glossed with a heat-sensitive “mood indicator.” The company also offers a collection of campy stationery items.

 

And how about texting? Do you know those shortcut abbreviations? The kids do, and Lady Jayne introduced a notepad set with text messages that will appeal to the younger set.

 

That’s Entertaining

Punch Studio, known for elegant bottle totes, storage boxes and stationery items featuring antique artwork and rich designs, has entered the upscale paper napkin category by translating its popular monogram stationery designs onto beverage napkins. Thirty other designs appear on luncheon and beverage napkins, as well as guest towels. Punch also has a lush foil-stamped collection that includes photo storage boxes, gift totes, note cards with a jewel embellishment and more. Photos don’t do this collection justice — it must be seen to be truly appreciated.

 

How about a glass of iced tea? Tea Forte introduced its “Tea Over Ice” iced tea brewing and serving system comprised of two stackable blown heat-resistant glass pitchers that make an elegant table presentation. The smaller pitcher takes the pyramid-shaped, silken tea infuser “bag” over which the hot water is poured to brew the tea. The bottom pitcher is filled with ice to cool the brewed tea before serving.

 

One experience that we had in Atlanta proved that you can never take a show for granted. As we rounded a corner into an aisle of the Collegiate Licensing Pavilion, we came face-to-face with the Teaposy booth. “Teaposy has a collegiate license?” we asked. No. Apparently the company signed on to the show rather late, and got the only space still available for them to exhibit. Teaposy, known for its “blooming teas,” has a new series of blends comprised of dried flowers, tea leaves and other herbal elements that come in silken infuser bags.

Color Bright

Global Views' color for the market was red. One section of the showroom was painted in red and accented with black — creating a very dramatic effect. The company also featured a selection of rustic Italian pieces, including a pair of Italian figures. One buyer fell in love with them on the spot, but commented that if they were made in China he wouldn't buy. After turning them over and discovering they were made in Italy, he seemed happy to place an order.

Pierre Belvedere

Pierre Belvedere debuted with

a beautiful showroom that had color popping everywhere. The company presents its own lines of beautiful leather desk accessories, storage items and leather-bound journals and notebooks, as well as fine writing instruments. Pierre Belvedere also imports the Semikolon line from Germany, which offers a colorful selection of document boxes and other storage boxes, photo albums, folders, binders, albums and other home office accessories.

 

Baekgaard was also popping

bright with color. Originally known for men’s gifts, the company has greatly expanded its women’s lines with a larger selection of leather handbags, totes, checkbook covers, coin purses and more. There are “tartan bright” plaid designs as well as solid colors in fine leather. Baekgaard also debuted a new logo, dropping the “Ltd.” from its corporate brand.

 

New and Notable

Michael Aram debuted a new showroom and a new collection of enamelware — a new venture for the designer, available in floral motifs in serveware and accessories. Every year Aram designs a special edition serving set, and this year he has created the sun and moon. Also new is the Hydrangea collection of frames, plates, coasters and

more.

 

Reed & Barton introduced a dinnerware pattern featuring fruits in orange tones that match Aldik’s citrus story called Winter's Garden. The company has also created stemware and flatware to coordinate with the dinnerware. The fruits featured were inspired by fruit brought overseas in the 18th century to recultivate in Colonial Williamsburg. SPI Home added 40 SKUs in its Williamsburg line, including rain gauges, bird baths, bird feeders and more. Each piece comes from the archives of Williamsburg, or from one of SPI Home's designers. The lines have all been well-recieved.

 

Artist Susan Lordi signs Willow Tree pieces at Demdaco

Demdaco introduced a number

of new collections, as well as many line extensions. Indian Summer and Four Seasons are new dinnerware patterns; Tracings and Pyrus, new giftware lines; and a bridal collection is new in Willow Tree line. The company has always offered bridal-related themes in this line, but customer demand prompted Demdaco to present a bridal

selection of gifts.

 

Burton + Burton's new Provence Rooster dinnerware collection features a rooster motif with a rustic look. The company also introduced garden totes in various colors that come with the tools.

 

Notre Monde expanded its lighting line with new hanging lights in pod, diamond and drum shapes with a mirrored effect. Also new are new mirrored accent furniture pieces.

 

A lot is happening at Andrews McMeel for 2009 calendars. The company picked up the Thomas Kinkade license for calendars, and will also offer the humorous cartoons of Edward Monkton on calendars. Gift books include a line of puzzle books aimed at women. The Posh Puzzle series of Sudoku and word search books have an upscale look; they are presented under beautiful covers that make the book appear like a journal, and some of the covers are gold foil-stamped or flocked with elegant designs. Other puzzle books are combined with Dilbert and Peanuts catoons. The Towel Origami bookhas led to a Towel Origami gift pack kit with towel, towel folding instruction/project book and embellishments for the finished creations.

 

The Mary Carol Home Collection introduced American Pastoral, which includes dinnerware and a variety of accessories featuring animal, estate farm house and garden tool motifs. The company's new Fern collection features simple designs on dinnerware, serveware, table linens, sconces, wall decor and more. Retailer, author and designer Mary Carol Garrity was on-hand at the show to introduce her new collections, as well as to give a seminar on “How to Make Your Store a Destination,” moderated by Gifts & Dec’s Trend/Features Editor Bessie Nestoras. Approximately 200 people attended, with many lining up 45 minutes ahead of time to hear Garrity speak.

 

At Department 56, even men are responding to Susan Handley’s Beijo line of handbags. Marketing director Karen Delzell attributes this to the “car factor” that the bags impart through the rich depth of color of the pearlescent patent finish. She related a story of a customer who had been looking at the line along with her husband the previous day. The woman left the showroom without placing an order, but came back in the next day and told how her husband had awaken her in the middle of the night saying, “I’ve been thinking about those bags. We have to go back and buy them!”

 

Celebrations

About Face Designs is celebrating its 10th anniversary, and rather than tooting their own horns, president Robert Ricciardi and executive v.p. Steve Ulrich used the opportunity to recognized the company’s hard-working salespeople. “We attribute our success to our salespeople and to our customers,” stated Ricciardi. 

Bob Ricciardi presents an award to Tim Weikel

He first presented awards to three sales organizations that have repped the company’s inspirational lines for all 10 years: Awfully Good Gifts, Mike McGarvey & Associates and The Weikels. Other recognitions were presented for to individual salespeople for sales achievement and most outstanding newcomers. Closing out the brief recognition ceremony, Shannon Consultants was honored as top sales organization.

 

Pimpernal is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year. The company, known for its hard board place mats and coasters, considers itself one of the original recyclers, since founder Will George developed the first coasters from another company’s manufacturing waste. Pimpernal is celebrating its anniversary with the launch of a new licensed collection in with the Historic Charleston Foundation, which features table accessories features designs and sites for which Charleston is famous: gardens, architecture and wrought iron.

 

Roman Inc. is having its 45th anniversary celebration this year. Ron Jedlinski, founder of Roman, admitted that when he started the company he just took in one day, one year at a time, not necessarily thinking that the company would ever reach such a milestone. “I always looked for unique, exclusive products to bring in for our customers,” he noted. One such product line that has contributed to the success of the company is the Fontanini family’s nativities and other beautiful inspirational and religious figurines and gifts. Fontanini, still a family business, is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. Emanuele Fontanini was on hand to help Jedlinski, company president Daniel Loughman and the rest of Roman mark their joint anniversaries.

 

Also celebrating 75 years this year is plush company Mary Meyer.

— Maria Weiskott, Caroline Kennedy, Meredith Schwartz, Bessie Nestoras