Direct from Market: Atlanta
By Staff -- Gifts and Dec, 7/11/2008 9:44:00 AM
July 11, 2008 — It’s summertime and the weather is sultry. At the Atlanta International Home Furnishings Market, normally the buyers are jumpin’ and the sales are high. But this summer, the traditional crush at the elevators in the morning and the traffic in the halls of AmericasMart was perceptibly down. Even the busiest showrooms didn’t feature the impenetrable crowds of past markets, and many hallways were easily passable for someone in a rush to get to their next appointment. But looks didn’t necessarily reflect performance. While traffic seemed off, most vendors were not complaining; in fact nearly every exhibitor Gifts & Decorative Accessories spoke to reported that sales in the early days of the market were good, particularly given the economic climate.
Vicki Darrah, president of rep group Darrah & Company stated that her “Tuesday opening was great. We were very busy, and sales were up over last year.” Her organization reps primarily mid-range gift lines, and she noted that gift sales continue to be strong.
“Traffic isn’t heavy, but people are buying. And today has been good. I thought it might be more regional, but we're seeing people from all over the country,” said Tamara Long from Slant.
Sign of the Times
As in Dallas, the bodies to dollars ratio seems to have shifted and the rising cost of gas for travel may be partly responsible for fueling this change. “The retailers who have come to market, came to buy,” remarked Michael Mayben of Lampe Avenue, That’s how it was in Dallas for us, and it’s the same here. And those who didn’t come [or aren’t coming], probably can’t afford to.”
Regardless of the cost, not coming to market is a mistake, according to Vicki Darrah. By not coming to market, buyers can’t take advantage of show specials and the savings that they offer. Nor can they see for themselves what’s new.
But one of the more obvious signs of the importance of gas prices was a sign outside the showroom of Fox Premier Sales promoting a gas card giveaway buyer incentive.
Nevertheless, the rising cost of gas isn’t having a negative impact in all corners. Retailers Philip and Sally Scordino of Scordino’s Main Street Market, Moss Point, MS, said that high gas prices were helping to keep customers shopping in their downtown area rather than venturing further afield.
International Presence
Another sign of the current economic climate? The increased presence of international buyers. Walking the show floors, we spotted badges from all over the world, including Brazil, Nicaragua, The Cayman Islands, The Netherlands and Chile. The weak dollar is an incentive to source products in America and foreign buyers have come to Atlanta to do just that.
Jean Schroeder of tabletop and giftware company Sadek commented on the unusual number of foreign buyers that they had seen in the showroom and the number of orders they had placed.
New at Market
ICA Home Decor made its debut into the gift market here in Atlanta. The company, which was founded in 1976, began with framed art and has since evolved into home decor. The company is now offering an entire collection geared to the independent retailer. “It’s part of our growth strategy,” said Kristoff Honeymann, CEO. ICA was met with a positive response. On Wednesday, Honeymann said that the company’s first foray into the gift industry was quite successful.
Rockflowerpaper, a new art-driven line of home décor, also made its debut at this summer market. The company offers a selection of wall decor, mirrors, boxes, coasters and more featuring the artwork of co-owner Nicholas Wilton. The designs are done in soft and warm palettes, some with nature themes. The company also has a line of tote and cosmetic bags featuring fabric patterns designed by Wilton.
Too Good Gourmet made its Atlanta showroom debut at OneCoast. Its teas, snacks and other goodies in attractive holiday packaging are a draw. This is the first food line for OneCoast in Atlanta.
That’s Entertaining
Mud Pie continues to expand its lines and enter new categories. This market the company introduced a collection of glassware, including platters and glasses. Its new Liquid Therapy line featured fun sayings like “May your glass always be half full.”
Entertaining is the focus at America Retold. The company added many new pieces to its collections and according to Pam Campbell, vice president sales and marketing, anything that has to do with cheese or wine is selling well. Statement pieces also do well for the company that the customer can display in a large kitchen or bathroom. The new oversized decanters can hold wine, but fill them with oil and vinegar and they can be a great addition in the kitchen.
The I’s, S’s, etc. Have It
Monogrammed products have long been a draw here in Atlanta, but this market there seems to be an explosion of personalized/monogrammed lines. Mud Pie’s Initial program of monogrammed accessories is one of its top sellers, with nearly one-quarter of the business coming from this line. Mud Pie added new pieces this market, including a gift boxed set of glasses.
Keane Collection’s monogram line continues to be a good seller. Also doing well are the company’s napkin weights. Keane is now doing them in sculptural form for added appeal. Some of the figures include a frog, dog and turtle.
The Mainstreet Collection, left, known for its collections of monogram initials and bright preppy colors, was doing brisk business in the Appelman & Schauben showroom where it has a large presence.
The Isabella’s Journey line at Manual Woodworkers & Weavers offers a line of inital pillows, floor mats and other accessories done in a damask pattern on a natural tan background.
Made in the USA
If you’re looking for American-made products, Eloquent Ink offers a selection of serveware that is handmade right here. Each piece is accented with 24-karat gold or platinum and is food- and dishwasher-safe. The designs are classic with each one having an artistic quality. Patterns are taken from nature and include florals and sea life.
Clareo Designs offers a striking selection of dichroic glass jewelry and gifts that is crafted in the U.S.A. The company’s “Mass Crafting” process allows it to produce quantity at an affordable price, yet the pieces retain the artist’s touch and one-of-a-kind quality.
Happy Holidays and Beyond
This market, Zodax is focusing on holiday products that can easily go beyond Christmas, hoping to relieve retailers from getting stuck with a selection of holiday product that they have to sell at 75 percent off.
Roost also offers a selection of holiday items in soft, warm tones that also can be displayed year-round. While it wasn't the company's initial intention, it certainly does play a role.
Calypso Studios is showing a collection of holiday jewelry designed by artist Lori Seibert for Calypso. The color palette and designs are subtle enough not to be so obviously screaming “holiday” that they can’t be worn beyond the holidays.
Another trend in Christmas is rustic natural, often combining woodsy browns with traditional reds or greens. Lady Primrose, Point a la Ligne candles and Demdaco all showcased new offerings along these lines.
Heather Shepardson, the new CEO of holiday décor company Rauch/Christopher Radko, appeared at a reception on Thursday afternoon. When asked about new directions for the company, she told Gifts & Dec, “What’s new is what’s old. We’re sticking with our heritage.” She also explained that the new Celebrations by Radko line for Kmart was not competing with the high-end ornaments prized by collectors, because it offers distinctly different contemporary designs at a lower price point to appeal to young women with families. Shepardson, who joined Rauch in November, is an expert multi-tasker: In addition to her responsibilities at Radko, she owns a separate company, which makes the Ever-Green watering system, and is co-chair of a family firm in a completely different industry.
Go Green
Eco and the Green Consciousness is still everywhere — the juried green showcase is one of the more popular destinations in Building 2, the Gift Mart. The trend is spreading into new categories and taking new twists. Notables include eco music at Somerset Entertainment, left, and green Christian product at Enesco’s Gregg Gift.
Two's Company offers bags made from soda can tops and tires. Roost also offers a table made from recycled bicycle tires.
And most of the products at Eastern Breeze are reclaimed or recycled. This market, the company introduced a secretary and stools that have decoupaged British tabloid clippings.
Another side to the green/eco movement is the increasing interest in organics — in personal care, food products and textiles. Saxon Chocolates’ gourmet organic chocolate barks and drinking chocolate mixes were attracting a lot of interest.
Taking Flight
Birds may be this season’s most prominent motif, having been spotted on everything from art glass tableware at Peggy Karr glass to whimsical fabric figures at Gallerie II. And there are some early signs that the trend may be taking wing – literally. Both Lunares and Three Hands featured eye-catching home décor of wings alone, a motif which should appeal to angel fans as well as bird lovers.
Grasslands Road introduced two new collections. Melody, a garden collection, features the motif of the moment — birds — and includes dinnerware, flower pots, garden stakes, birdbaths and more. Bloom, the other collection, uses flowers as its focus. The dinnerware line also includes serveware.
But of all the bird species, it’s owls who are really enjoying the spotlight. These wise old birds were spotted in many showrooms, including Roost, Zodax and Two’s Company.
Girlfriends Together
This summer women are partying like never before. Could it be the influence of the big screen release of Sex in the City? Department 56 introduced its new Witty Wisdom line by Sandra Magsamen with a launch party. The idea of meeting her retailer-customers and friends was so important to Magsamen, that she left her family vacation to come to Atlanta for the event. “Retailers are struggling. Our customers are loyal; we’re family,” she remarked. “I feel more separated from my customers compared to when I made, sold and marketed all my products myself. That’s why this party. Let’s all celebrate the good things that we have.”
Tumbleweed Pottery debuted a line of drinkware featuring the whimsical characters and quips of artist Emerson Quillin. The line consists of martini glasses and wine stems. They come gift-boxed and are generating a lot of interest from retailers.
And the Smokin’ Hot Mamas line of barware for women, which was enthusiastically received when it was introduced by Oak Patch Gifts in Dallas a few weeks ago is selling strongly here in Atlanta as well.
For the Young (at Heart)
In plush, look out for sock monkeys: In addition to the familiar classic, Midwest is making a big splash with a bright-colored version appearing on all kinds of kids’ décor and even purses and key chains, as well as stuffed companions.
Meanwhile, Little MissMatched is turning its funky signature socks into even crazier creatures called KnitWits. (And if that’s still not enough monkey business for you, Lollipop Tree offers new organic three cheese pizza monkey bread.)
Also standing out in plush are Kooties, based on positive and negative attributes such as “clever” or “trouble maker”, seen at CG Glassware Inc.
Pirates are hot for kids and grownups too: whimsical pirate alarm clocks from Streamline wake you with thematic sounds; Sarut/Pylones offered wind-up toys and Baby Cie put the scurvy dogs on children’s dinnerware.
This and That
High end tabletop and collectible companies are increasingly adding or emphasizing their jewelry offerings. Lalique and Bernadaud both displayed their new fashion accents front and center, and Goebel entered the category with pieces based on its Rosine Wachtmeister and Artis Orbis lines.
Bright colors abounded at Two’s Company. The main display featured accessories from its Palm Springs collection and included everything from tabletop to decorative accessories. There were patent leather frames in pink, orange, green or blue, as well as ceramic animals of a dog, owl, elephant and others in all white. The look is open, airy and fun.
The Wildlife Collection is the hot seller at Slant. The line includes four animal prints and is found on glassware and plates in brown tones. Cityscapes is a new line that features skylines from London, Paris, Rome and New York. The silhouetted patterns are done in black, giving them a sophisticated look. The company's laser cut collection of glassware is something new for them. The glasses have a silver coating on the inside and then they are laser cut to reveal the pattern on the outside. The end result is an antique-y look that has been spotted throughout the market. Zodax and Roost also featured antiqued glass.
— Bessie Nestoras, Meredith Schwartz and Caroline Kennedy
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