Direct From Market: Atlanta
by Staff -- Gifts and Dec, 1/8/2010 7:15:00 AM
January 8, 2010 — Freezing cold temperatures, impending snow and other travel travails failed to keep retailers from making their way to AmericasMart Atlanta to attend the gift market and replenish depleted inventory. Early indicators portend a more robust market, as retailers report having good-to-better than expected holidays and fourth quarters and many showrooms, especially on the upper floors of the Gift Mart have been bustling with buyers since Tuesday. With many buyers generally starting to to work the market from the top floors down, there was even a noticeable better than usual amount of activity on the lower floors on the first official day of the market.
Matt Bousquette, chairman of the board at Enesco, told us that more than 80 percent of his customers came off of fall 2009 with better than expected results, meaning they had both lower inventory levels and more cash to buy with. As a result he is seeing not only good traffic but higher tickets per buyer. Bousquette predicts that the next nine months will see a focus on everyday special occasions and on price/value.’ We believe it is going to be a good Christmas,” said Bousquette. In the long term, he emphasizes “brands versus stuff,” predicting that companies who have strong consumer brands well continue to do well, while those who sell commodity goods from China will experience consolidation. How this plays out as this new decade progresses remains to be seen.
Heard in the Hallways
For the most part, wherever we go, exhibitors are reporting good early numbers and being busy. At the ribbon-cutting of the newly relocated and expanded Torre & Tagus showroom, Tim Kroetsch was enthusiastic about the new location as well as the traffic that he was seeing. “Usually, the first days of the show are slow, but we’ve been flying!” The new showroom has a clean, white contemporary look that sets off the product line to best advantage.
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Bella's new oversized beach tote bag is a hit this market |
Barbara Knight of rep showroom Just Gotta Have It! observed that her showroom is seeing more non-traditional buyers, other types of retail establishments looking for gift items to complement their core business and to offer something more to their customers. She also noted that some major buyers were looking for new products out of their normal buying patterns and categories.
As for retail business, Mary Liz Curtin of Leon & Lulu in Clawson, MI, reports that her furniture, gift and home décor store had a good holiday season and overall were sales up significantly. She attributed a significant portion of their sales were due to gifts, compared to furniture, and noted that their very active in-store eventing helps to keep customers coming in regularly.
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Roost's expanded selection of jewelry continues its organic theme, utilizing horn, mother of pearl and wood. |
Accessories on the Rise
Fashion accessories continue to be a strong category and seem to be more prominent this market. Last fall Roost introduced a selection of jewelry. The line was so successful, that the company has expanded the line. In keeping with the company's organic theme, Roost turned to horn and mother of pearl. The company also works in sterling silver and gold vermeil and uses semi-precious stones as accents. Wood is also used. "The collection is a combination of fine jewelry but not very expensive. Also, we are focused on great value in decorative accessories," said Pamela Donnellan of Roost.
Toss Designs introduced several new collections this market, and added some new categories including a selection of bangle bracelets, hats and beaded cover-ups that can be worn to the beach or for casual evening out. There is a new python pattern, as well as a preppy pink and green collection called Steeplechase. Turquoise and green is another color combination and, according to Jennifer Hogan, turquoise will be a popular color this summer.
Bella's new oversized beach tote bag is a hit this market. Customers are also interested in the initial stickers that easily attach to any one of the company's bags.
Grassroots Creations introduced two new fun fashion accessories lines. Bounce is a collection of fashion jewelry — earrings and necklaces made of molded rubber-like plastic in six bright fashion colors and modern designs. And the retail price is appealing at $9.99. Zig Zag Bags is a collection of handbags, totes and backpacks made of basket-woven recyclable plastic. Offerings range from the sophisticated black and white Metro designs to fun brightly multicolored pieces.
And Soul of the Rose guitar-shaped purses.
For Happy Holidays 2010
Even though we have just finished with the holiday season, this market is alive with the looks for Holiday 2010. Grasslands Road, a division of Amscan primarily known for its traditional Christmas tabletop, is branching out into more contemporary, whimsical Christmas with the Text Talk collection based on text messaging, as well as adding a substantial Halloween assortment, which contains soft baby clothes and bibs as well as tabletop and décor for adults.
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Enesco is taking recently acquired Department 56 back to its Christmas roots with Arias, a new inspirational line of pure white angels accented with a different bright color on each. |
Enesco is taking recently acquired Department 56 back to its Christmas roots: new introductions include a cocktail themed holiday collection and a new inspirational line called Arias of pure white angels accented with hits of a single, different bright color on each.
In another return, Stony Creek debuted several charming holiday collections created by artists formerly affiliated with Crazy Mountain. The company has set up shop in a new showroom on the 14th floor of the Gift Mart.
And elsewhere, Enesco is showing the Jim Shore furniture and home accents line, which originated at Crazy Mountain, along with the Jim Shore gift and collectible product as part of a lifestyle statement. While the company’s reps are calling on new, more furniture-oriented accounts with the line, the company has no current plans to exhibit in High Point or Las Vegas, taking a more “grassroots” approach.
Bringing in Baby
The children’s category continues to grow. Bella Tunno is a new line in the Road Runners showroom. The line is a collection of fresh, fun children’s accessories. In addition to the usual selection of bibs, binky leashes, the line includes such inventive items as a “Designer Diner”: a wipe-clean placemat on one side and a reusable chalkboard mat on the other that comes with a box of non-toxic colored chalk and a detachable chalk pouch. For a perfect baby gift, there is the Oopsie Ditty Solution Sack, which comes with disposable bibs, placemats and multi-purpose pads; stain remover wipe, anti-bacterial wipes, adhesive bandages, wipes, crayons, a notepad and pen.
Coton Colors has added complementary papergoods to certain collections in its line, including its new children’s line of ceramic gifts and tabletop. The collection features whimsical jungle animal motifs and includes a collection of coordinating imprintable invitations. To encourage customers make everyday an occasion, there are the new Happy Everything ceramic accessories with bright polka dots and interchangeable ceramic accents that attach to the platter with Velcro; there’s a party hat for birthdays, a turkey for Thanksgiving, a football for gametime parties and more. Also new is a wedding line in a more subdued palette.
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Text Talk mugs by Grassland Road |
Other news at Enesco includes the new Veggie Tales license, which will be the first to cross-merchandise between the Enesco hard goods and the Gund plush line. And Disney is mixing it up in licensing, combining its well-known characters with other iconic brands such as Snowbabies and Thomas Kinkade. Also hot from the mouse house is Tinkerbell; Peter Pan’s sidekick is getting the princess treatment and becoming the heroine of her own story.
In kids décor, look for 3D, puffy and glittered wall stickers from Lot 26 Studio, which just opened its own showroom in order showcase its offereings to best advantage.
And Boston International’s colored animal-shaped chalkboards are drawing interest for kids rooms.
Hopefully, the winter weather threats won’t stall the momentum that is building here at market and the decade will be off and running on a high note. The attitude here in Atlanta is quietly confident with manufacturers, reps and retailers feeling more upbeat and expressing hope for the year (and decade) ahead.
| — Caroline Kennedy, Meredith Schwartz and Bessie Nestoras |
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