Market Report — Las Vegas
By Bessie Nestoras -- Gifts and Dec, 2/1/2008 12:25:00 PM
February 1, 2008 — The Las Vegas Market still has a way to go when it comes to serving the gift sector of the retail market — but it’s getting there. In fact, according to Andrea Sadek, there are more gift buyers at this winter’s show (January 28–February 1) than six months ago. And with the completion of Building C of the World Market Center (WMC) scheduled for this summer, it won’t be surprising if we see even more gift buyers in July.
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| Yessicas |
Overall, the mood was upbeat, and many vendors said they were happy with their order writing. And while others felt the show was a little slow, they weren’t complaining by any means. All were pleased with show management, and found the location of the market to be ideal.
“You can always find a hotel room,” said one attendee. “Whereas in New York, if you don’t book at least six months in advance you’ll end up in Brooklyn. Plus, there’s the entertainment side of it, too.”
Another point we heard made during the market is that this show is very friendly to international buyers. Las Vegas is a popular destination, after all, so attendees are already familiar with the city. The only negative we heard from was that buyers are a little late getting to the show in the morning. It seems that everyone is out enjoying the Vegas nightlife, so even though the show opens at 8:00 a.m., buyers don’t get around to market until 11. But once there, they do get down to business.
And while the energy level at this show high, the pace at the World Market Center always seems relaxed, more akin to the European trade shows. It’s pleasant to walk through the buildings, and easy to get from one place to another. You don’t get the feeling that you have to rush to see everything. Of course, that could change once the new buildings are up.
Natural Products in the Desert
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| Firefly |
Still, there was plenty of product to be found in Vegas. Botanics and Beyond celebrates plant life, and incorporates pods and vines in the collection. “Anything that has to do with the earth, people are responding to,” said Mary Mayo, vice president of product development. So the company is starting to focus on eco-friendly products and has introduced Environmentology, a collection of recycled glass.
At Art Dreams Home it’s also all about nature. The company introduced wall decor with images taken straight from the outdoors, including trees and birds. The pieces are made from bronze and copper with gold highlights throughout. Also new at Art Dreams Home was a selection of jewelry created by Shannon Koszyk, the daughter of company president Kathleen Koszyk. The pieces feature antique medallions and semi-precious stones.
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| Eastern Breeze |
Eastern Breeze introduced many new items at this market, including hand-hammered, wrought iron sconces, one-of-a-kind stringed instruments from India (that are 60–80 years old), and a Serpentine chest covered with homespun linen that is first lightly painted then covered with a coat of beeswax.
The totuma fruit is turned into a decorative accessory at Q&M. The fruit, which has fallen from the tree, is first emptied of its seeds, then cleaned, sanded and glazed with resin. A pewter stem is then added. These pieces are handmade in Colombia, and come in a variety of colors and sizes. The company also offers decorative plates and wall accessories.
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| Evans Greenfield |
Evans Greenfield finds inspiration in French design, and offers a variety of accessories for the home, including pillows, petticoat slipcovers made of burlap featuring a silk trim, and new wallpaper in a trompe l’oeil design.
Other products on display included:
• Hippy Haute has an art school chic vibe or a music festival vibe.
• Zeneration was introduced six months ago and has an Asian minimalist look, but with a twist, making it fun and funky.
• The Eco Collection turns to nature and finds inspiration in animals and precious found items.
• The Library is a more sophisticated British look, using a lot of book imagery. The collection is updated with the addition of white ceramic accessories
• Three Hands presented six new collections
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| Three Hands |
Connecting to Colors
Also at the 2008 Las Vegas Winter Market, Pantone Inc. Executive Director Leatrice Eiseman presented a forecast of this year’s color trends, which did not include one hot color, but a number of different designs, colors and styles based on dramatically different consumer lifestyles. “In real estate it’s all about location, location,” said Eiseman. “In color it’s context, context.”
Among this year’s color directions: Musician Bono’s social action campaign took the color red beyond trend and influenced Pantone’s chili pepper red; environmental issues area spurring green beyond a color trend; blue is the most popular color with consumers and crosses over into many home decorating areas in shades of pinks and purples; forecasters are saying that yellow is the new orange, but orange won’t go away for the next couple of years; brown is hot, changing from dirty to rich and robust, in what Eiseman calls the Starbucks phenomenon; metallics are hanging on longer than many in the industry would have expected.
Eiseman also reviewed the color trends of the year in the PANTONE 2008 color forecast.
• ReCollections — New color mixes that provide a link to the past while at the same time beckoning to the collectibles of the future.
• High Profile — A sexy, contemporary palette inspired by the stylish icons that have managed to survive the fads and foibles of the past.
•Ethnic Chic — A new level of sophistication in rich hues of deep purple paired with misted yellow and stone grays, while burnt orange is juxtaposed against vibrant blue and brown.
• Chinoiserie — Graceful shapes and charming motifs; a style of ornate art or decoration suggesting the Chinese tradition.
• Agrestic — Rural in origin, this palette reflects the culture of individually crafted materials that are going more in the direction of upscale than down-home.
• Wellspring — A water-inspired palette representing the cleansing and clarifying properties of the earth’s most precious commodity.
• Savories — Tasty blends of decadent chocolate and daiquiri green, with dollops of appetizing brights embellishing the mix
• Nuances — Classic, nature-inspired neutral hues that can always be depended upon as background (or foreground).
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| Oriental Accent |
According to Eiseman, consumers and clients are looking beyond a simple matching process to colors they can instantly “connect” with, that suit their personal comfort level and that excite the imagination. At the same time, there is the practical need to connect to products or settings they already own. As always, it is the introduction of new or renewed themes and colors or unique combinations that will create these essential connections.
Coming Soon: Building D
As Building C, the third phase of the World Market Center, prepares for its grand opening at the Summer 2008 Las Vegas Market, WMC officials have received approval to begin construction on the complex’s fourth building. The 1.1 million-square-foot Building D will feature 17 floors and will connect to Building C. Construction is scheduled to begin this year, with completion slated for early 2010.
The first two levels of Building D will feature state-of-the-art flex space, allowing for up to 150,000 square feet of temporary exhibits to co-locate with permanent showrooms during future Las Vegas Markets. This presents an opportunity to attract new gift resources and meet increasing demand in Building D.
“World Market Center is already by all accounts a strong gift marketplace,” said Babs Blair, vice president of leasing for the WMC. “By expanding the category into future phases of the complex, we will be able to offer a critical mass of companies. By 2010. Las Vegas will emerge as a significant national venue for gift buyers.”
That’s all from Vegas. Next week: The New York International Gift Fair.
— Matthew Kalash also contributed to this report.
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