Market Report — West Coast: San Francisco
By Nancy Wolkow -- Gifts and Dec, 2/19/2008 9:56:00 AM
February 19, 2008 — While most of the vendors at last month’s San Francisco International Gift Fair (SFIGF) were regionally-based, the variety of products offered seemed boundless. And the upbeat mood of earlier shows elsewhere in the country was apparent as well at the Moscone Center, where Saturday traffic got off to a good start, especially in the General Gift and juried areas.
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| Regal Art & Gift |
Laura Ehrilichman of Regal Art & Gift told Gifts & Dec that she felt the show was having a better start than others in the state, and she was pleased that her booth was enjoying steady traffic. ETC’s David and Linda Miller, who said they have been “doing this show for years,” noted they were already writing orders in the show’s opening hours. Mari Dearing of Jenny Hammon & Assoc., another longtime exhibitor (some 30 years, in fact) also enthused about the show’s jump start.
Healthy business was reported throughout the fair, noted Lynn White, show manager for GLM-run event. "Manufacturers presented a strong selection of interesting new resources, and quality buyers responded by placing orders," she said.
Fair highlights included special sessions devoted to museum store sales and the Green movement; a regional Wine Tasting; an Opening Night Reception at 111 Minna Gallery in the heart of the SOMA district; and a "Night in the Castro" event with Under One Roof and The City Dish.
Eco-Chic
Trends continued to be led by Green and vineyard-related product, bolstered by the market's emphasis on wine, museum and eco-friendly categories. There was an abundance of reusable totes and grocery bags in styles to suit a variety of fashion tastes, and some manufacturers put clever new design spins to messenger bags.
Among the eco-friendly items that caught our eye:
• enVbags offer shoppers the chance to be green with enV. All bags come in little pouches so several at a time can be taken to the store.
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| enVbags |
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| Mixed Bag Designs |
• MixedBag Designs collection includes grocery, trip, work, beach, storage, gift and project bags, among others.
• Loyal Army Clothing merchandise includes clothing and totes.
• O Yikes products include hip, retro messenger bags.
• Lantern Moon merchandise includes a variety of bags made in Vietnam by 500 families whose work supports the community. Also includes a "fish bag" from Cambodia, proceeds of which go to rehabilitation for the disfigured.
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| The Inconvenient Bag |
• The Inconvenient Bag is a reusable grocery bag “for eco-friendly minds."
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| CinCin |
Fun Stuff
Being in the heart of the California wine country, the SFIGF offered an array of products for both connoisseurs and occasional wine consumers; many would make unique hostess gifts as well. Among the products that especially captured our fancy was CinCin jewelry earrings for wine glasses, which help guests remember which glass is theirs. Bottoms Up featured designer glassware for designer cocktails; these double-duty glasses can be used from either end, just turn them upside-down! Collection includes red/white wine, champagne/pilsner and martini/pilsner glasses.
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| YAPWraps |
There were also plenty of cool products for little family members — pets as well as kids. YAPWraps offers over-the-top couture for dogs including carriers and dog beds in camouflage, as well as a doggie clothing line. PetTease has “plus” sizes for dogs in the company’s line of doggie tees.
Cool stuff for kids included Babygags, a line of tees for babies imprinted with a variety of fun sayings; Baby Blend Natural Tees, 100 percent cotton line of natural tees for kids; and Fun Tunes for Kids, which promises to be "the children's music that adults adore.”
In California, where folks can enjoy year-round gardening, it was no surprise to find fun stuff retailers could offer their customer gardeners. Metal garden sculptures from Regal Art & Gifts were especially fun.
Well, that’s a wrap for the winter markets — see you in the spring!
We would love your feedback!
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