Market Report: Atlanta — January 12, 2007
by Maria Weiskott, Caroline Kennedy and Bessie Nestoras -- Gifts and Dec, 1/12/2007 8:47:00 PM
Friday, January 12, 2007 — We’re off and running! First up in the winter market sked for G&DA, AmericasMart Atlanta, where early indications are for an upbeat season. This follows on reports that markets in both Billerica, MA and Philadelphia earlier this month were upbeat as well, and successful too. In fact, market attendance at Billerica's Northeast Market Center was record-breaking a vendor told us.
Meanwhile, retailers here in Atlanta are reporting good fourth quarter sales, and vendors are noting strong order-writing right out of the gate. While to the unpracticed eye, traffic may have appeared light on Tuesday and Wednesday, sales reports indicated otherwise. Those who are here, are here to buy.
In fact, some vendors reported that sales in the market’s opening days were 25 to 40 percent ahead of opening days a year ago. And for some, it’s new business. Silvestri, President and General Manager Edie Lufkin told us “about 35 to 40 percent” of her company’s business is new. And she was still brimming with elation over the purchase earlier this month of Silvestri’s brand by Demdaco — a move, she said, that has been welcomed by retailers. “Our ideals and the ideals of Demdaco are in sync,” noted Linda Simpson, vice president of production development.
Abbott’s Christina Loison also remarked about new business. "This has been a really good market. We've picked up a lot of new customers," she told us. Art Mandelbaum of Baekgaard Ltd. reported that his first day’s sales were significantly up over last year, and that although by day’s end Wednesday the totals had not been added up, he was confident that the trend was continuing. C.R. Gibson’s Dennis O’Brien said “Everyone is pleased with the early numbers. That’s always the big ‘if’ coming into market.”
"We've been busier than we were before. It's bubbling," noted Tag’s Dan Gullicksen. John Amiri of Zodax also had only good things to say about Atlanta’s January market. "It's going well. Sales are good and buyers are very upbeat and excited."
The same sentiment was reinforced from showroom to showroom and vendor to vendor, with many expressing pleasant surprise at the amount of business written on Tuesday, the market’s opening day.
New and Notable
And from the look of showrooms, buyers have reason to be excited; the new offerings are plentiful and imaginative.
Notable among Silvestri’s new offerings is a Christmas Winter White Collection from artist Deborah Rhein, as well as an Aspen Woods Collection (which Simpson calls “eco-conscious") that includes pieces made with natural materials.
Tag had a bevy of introductions focused mainly on spring and summer motifs, with bunnies, chicks and flowers accentuating most of the pieces in the collections. The Peep collection showcases dinnerware and accessories featuring a little chick. Also new: Bunnies and Charley's Garden featuring illustrations by Charley Harper.
The Fuzzy Couture collection of fashion accessories has pet-lover appeal. The company introduced a selection of handbags in the shape of dogs in fashion-forward fabrics. The collection also includes key chains, carpet bags and newsboy hats all adorned with a dog.
One of the coolest items seen so far is the Out-Durable line from Homespice Decor. The collection of rugs and placemats are stain resistant. Junior Gupta, president of Homespice Decor demonstrated by spilling red wine and coffee on both a rug and a placemat.
New Creative has a wide selection of new Christmas accessories — including a life-size snowman mailbox cover – as well as a collection featuring penguins.
In the Don Mark showroom: Perfect Petzzz, a novelty line of plush sleeping puppies and kitties that actually seem to be breathing as their bellies rise and fall (electronically!). Available in a variety of breeds, they even come with an adoption certificate.
Jewelry takes a lightweight turn with Fibrations: necklaces, earrings and bracelets handmade with silky fiber trims and ribbon-like elements. Their texture and styling give the impression of beads and other traditional jewelry media without the weight.
Ande Rooney has expanded her “Danger Women Shopping” line with large shopping totes. They’re done in patent and are reversible. (How cool is that!). Blue reverses to green; black reverses to white; red reverses to purple. There are also coordinating bucket bags with polka dot collars.
On Trend: the Med, the coast and gnomes (oh my!)
According to both John Amiri of Zodax and Two’s Company’s Donna Floyd, Mediterranean blue is the color to watch. Both manufacturers highlighted the color with white as an accent.
Something else to look out for, according to Floyd, is gnomes. Her company introduced a gnome last market, and the little fellow met with great success. The company has expanded its gnome collection this market.
Coastal accessories continue to be strong sellers; the look was seen in almost every showroom, including Zodax, Two's Company, Roost and Abbott. Burnes of Boston has also tapped into the look with its new Plantation Collection of frames, which have an “island” feel and which feature dark woods with furniture finishes and woven mattes.
Next up, a report from the Portland Gift Show, and look for another report from Atlanta next week.
We would love your feedback!
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