World Bazaar

Asian-influenced home decor accents have been a mainstay in the market for several years now. But for a long time, products from around the world represented a specific niche that was only open to select retailers. Today, technology is bringing the four corners of the globe closer together. With a trip to the Amazon or the Serengeti no more than a mouse click away, consumers' interest in other cultures is growing by the day — and so is their taste in home accents.

From Africa to India and beyond, consumers now have the option of decorating their homes with product from lands once considered beyond their reach. And decorative accessories retailers have adopted the idea of the global marketplace. It's not uncommon to find a pot made in Peru, a Swaziland basket, and a box from Indonesia sharing space in the same store or on the same Web site.

One of the main reasons for the insurgence of worldly product is technology. Increased access to the "information superhighway" and advances in global transportation have bridged distances, allowing people to learn about and embrace different cultures and traditions the world over.

"There's a greater openness to international design influences, and that's because technology has made the world a much smaller place," says Nicole Marshall, co-owner of The International Design Collection in Philadelphia, which works with artisans from Burma to Indonesia to bring product to America. "The more that people are exposed to it, the more they will accept it."

Molly Hudson, marketing manager at Four Hands, in Austin, Texas, agrees. "It's a global market now. People are constantly being exposed to new styles and new cultures." And that's exactly what Four Hands does. The majority of the company's collection is made up of handmade furniture and accessories from India, with an additional selection of accessories from the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, and China.

The biggest influence is the Internet. The Web has given individuals the opportunity to learn, see, and speak to people from around the world in the comfort of their own home.

"There's no question it's a global world," says Allan Palecek, president and owner of Palecek in Richmond, California, which has been importing furniture and accessories from around the globe for the past 25 years. "But we've always imported. We look to get product with an ethnic flair."

As new technologies have shrunk the perceived size of the world, consumer fascination with exotic cultures has grown to the point that many now choose to decorate their homes and live their lives in the eclectic style of a seasoned traveler. More and more people are open to learning about different cultures and religions.

"There's an interest in spiritual accents of Far Eastern culture that helped stimulate an interest in things like Feng Shui, Buddhism, and other Eastern religions," explains Nicole Marshall. "People tend to think they represent a simpler life, and they want to bring some of that simplicity into their homes."

Even if people can't travel to faraway lands, easy access to the product helps them bring a piece of a foreign country home. "Accessories that represent foreign art forms or travels are very appealing. They remind you of where you've been or where you want to go," explains Palecek.

Yet while many are fascinated with foreign lands, some wonder if recent events will dampen the appeal of global-themed decorative accessories. Nicole Marshall doesn't think so. "I haven't seen it make a difference. I think buyers are smart enough to know that the people making these products are not the ones causing problems. Most people understand that we need to foster business in other countries. Any businessman that goes to other countries is helping that country economically."

Allan Palecek agrees. As a veteran importer, he is confident that political tensions will not make a difference in the decorative accessories market. He notes that imports are a great source of individuality in interior design, and if you took away the product made overseas "everyone's home would look the same."

The American consumer is looking for unique and interesting product that will distinguish their home from their neighbors'. As Palecek says, nobody wants their home to look just like everyone else's. People want to be unique. Indeed, one of the main reasons that consumers shop at specialty gift stores is because of their distinctive merchandise.

To meet the need for unique product, retailers need to take advantage of the wide variety of resources available. Take note of the worldly accessories at various gift shows. Though unusual designs can be a little intimidating to Americans accustomed only to Western styles, if displayed properly you can convince your customers that the eclectic look will work within their homes. And once they get a feel for the product, the wider selection will keep bringing shoppers back to explore new parts of the world.

"There's a nice mix out there, and it's possible to tie all the different looks together," says Molly Hudson.

So keep things interesting in your shop by mixing it up. In addition to traditional accessories, throw in pieces from Asia, Africa, South America, and the islands of the South Pacific to add some international flavor to your merchandise mix. After all, the world bazaar is at your fingertips.