Direct from Market: Seattle
By Meredith Schwartz -- Gifts and Dec, 1/29/2009 11:58:00 AM
In this time of economic uncertainty and managed expectations, crowds in the aisles at the Seattle Gift Show made a refreshing change. And while the Pacific Market Center did not see quite as many bodies at once, most exhibitors reported good results where it counts, in the pocket book. “This is our best show because of the Alaska buyers,” one exhibitor explained.
Green, a big trend everywhere, is even bigger in Seattle, with the Pacific Northwest being early and enthusiastic adopters of eco friendly merchandise. This year’s twist, the stainless steel or aluminum water bottle, was visible in many booths and showrooms, including the Klean Kanteen,
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| Green Bottle |
Fangda Sports Bottle, Together Bottle Inc. and Green Bottle. For those still using disposable water bottles, Aqua Bling helps mark each water bottle with a distinct look. And fast gaining on the water bottles is their lets-do-lunch counterpart, the insulated lunch bag, many of them in high-style takes that mimic purses and allow workers to brown bag it in high style and with minimal waste. Notable vendors include Sacchi at Raftery & Associates, Picnic Time, and Lunchsense, which unsnaps to lie flat and is machine washable.
But it is not all about green:Kay Lusk of Heritage Home Accents & Floral told G&DA the two hottest trends they are seeing is jewelry and apparel. In fashion accents, standout finds included Queen B Creations handmade purses, wallets and brand new bike bags. SiShellSea Designer Jewelry offers clusters of lacquered shells, most found on the beaches of the Pacific Northwest. “Titles” are eye-catching clutch purses, handmade from the covers of old books from Kate Jones Designs. Knock on Wood wooden watches made from sandalwood are an unusual choice for the natural look or those with sensitive skin. Great for men’s gifting.
In kids’ fashion, standouts include Dabba Walla bags with bold, bright graphics in both backpack and lunch bag styles. Brand new vendor boopalina + bebe
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| boopalina + bebe |
brings “eco modern design” to an even younger crowd, with high style, environmentally friendly mini blankets, burping clothes and bibs that retail from $10–$18.
Other Seattle Gift Show finds include Faceplant, inspirational
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| Faceplant |
pillowcases made to Fair Trade standards; Beyond Jordan handcrafted porcelain modeled on real natural materials both coastal and garden; Party Art puzzles can be painted at a party to provide a lasting keepsake commemorating the occasion and Forte Artisan Chocolates offers chipotle caramels, custom chocolate sculptures and unusual lacey cupcake wrappers for that extra Martha Stewart-style touch to home-baked treats.
International Boundarylessness at PMC
Innovations at the Pacific Market Center include a test run of the China Pavilion, a collaboration between the Port of Seattle, the Chinese government and the Market Center. Designed to help factories who are not already exporting to the U.S. market through importers and distributors come to the retailers directly, the venture features a third party company which will handle consolidating small orders into cost effective shipping, returns, and other logistics. The full launch will take place at the August market, and will feature about 30 vendors. Also in August, look for the forthcoming Canadian Pavilion.
This market also saw the relocation of the International Pavilion from the fifth floor to suite 262. The Pavilion featured fair trade products from Guatemala, Indonesia, India, Rwanda and Brazil.
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| Sol Fair Trade |
The Brazilian products from Sol Fair Trade, in particular, included several bags made of advertising banners and color wall decor with a cheerful modern aesthetic that would appeal to a broad range of customers, even those without an interest in artisan crafts or the Fair Trade movement.
Also relocated at this market was RH Studio/Richard Hull Sales, moved to suite 441. Crown Pacific Fine Foods opened a new showroom in suite 438. Bayshore II opened in suite 562, Inspire Notes in suite 363 and More Turns in suite 582.
And responding to recent developments in toy safety standards, children’s product exhibitor Toysmith offered its customers a guide to the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act at a glance.
Uniquely Seattle
Unique to the Seattle marketplace is merchandise with Pacific Northwest regional appeal. While many appeal to the souvenir market, others take a more high-end approach. Particularly notable
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| Northwest Pewter Co. |
is Northwest Pewter Co., joining understated regional looks to functionality and an attractive price point.
Also unique to Seattle is the Espresso Yourself Shirt Co. Seattle Coffee Shirt, made of organic cotton and died with coffee grounds from Seattle’s many coffee shops. Proceeds go to charities in the Pacific Northwest. Slogans include “Seattle: Birthplace of the $3 cup of coffee” and “Seattle: Where ordering a triple soy, half-caf, nonfat, double-whip, caramel pumpkin spice latte is not considered to be totally annoying” among others. (Editor’s note: They’re not kidding – we’ve never been to so heavily caffeinated a city, and we’re from New York.)
Meredith,
It was a pleasure meeting you during the show. Thanks so much for taking the time to visit the boopalina + bebe booth and for including us in your market review. It was our first time exhibiting at a trade show and resulted in a number of promising retail relationships and wholesale leads.
boopalina + bebe - 2009-02-10 21:56:00 EST
It was a pleasure meeting you during the show. Thanks so much for taking the time to visit the boopalina + bebe booth and for including us in your market review. It was our first time exhibiting at a trade show and resulted in a number of promising retail relationships and wholesale leads.
Michael,
The article specifically says the crowded aisles at the "seattle Gift Show." We are leaving for the Las Vegas Show and it will be interesteing to see if those aisles are crowded and how many orders everyone writes. I agree with the previous comment that the aisles were only crowded with exhibitors (certainly NOT buyers).
Gail - 2009-02-09 14:41:00 EST
The article specifically says the crowded aisles at the "seattle Gift Show." We are leaving for the Las Vegas Show and it will be interesteing to see if those aisles are crowded and how many orders everyone writes. I agree with the previous comment that the aisles were only crowded with exhibitors (certainly NOT buyers).
I believe the article comments about crowded isles were regarding the Seattle Market Center, not the Seattle Gift Show. I did hear one buyer comment that there was space given to tenants there also, similar to the space given away to exhibitors to stretch the space at the Gift Show. Our family business has shown in Seattle since 1971, though not continuously and there were definitely fewer buyers and thus fewer orders written than the past shows. There is definitely a trend that is clearly headed away from more business being conducted. I will say the buyers who write large orders were their and not so many asking “what is your minimum”? The fact is we need them all and more of them.
Michael Anderson - 2009-02-08 08:11:00 EST
This was the worst show...what aisles were crowded? Not with buyers...crowded with exhibitors bored to tears more like it! Is it the management, economy? Who knows but what grinds my gears is the blantant BS saying the aisles were crowded. Trade Shows are not for me...will find other avenues to find buyers...will have to spend the next few years recouping the money out of pocket for summer and winter show. Sheesh!
JP - 2009-02-05 12:07:00 EST
I agree with Gail. I have attended the last 6 or 7 Winter shows in Seattle (the summer shows as well). I saw very few repeat customers and many fewer new ones than in past shows. I sent out nearly 700 personal invitations to former visitors & customers. I would guess that fewer than a dozen of those people showed up. I was giving away 50 books signed by authors who actually were at the show. Other longtime vendors in my row said they thought that attendees were fewer in number. I never saw any of the "Invited by Show" buyers.
Jim Harris - 2009-02-04 19:10:00 EST
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