Canada Calling: Reps Wanted!

The number of Canadian companies active in the U.S. gift and home decor markets is one of the industry's little known secrets. Most of those companies prefer it to remain so. They don't want to be perceived as "foreign" by American buyers who might worry about dollar exchange rates, import duties, payment methods, and the like. While these manufacturing, importing, and design companies are headquartered north of the border, they all have American distribution points and toll free phone access, their prices are quoted in U.S. dollars, and they operate for all intents and purposes just like any American company. About 100 Canadian gift firms exhibit semiannually at the New York International Gift Fair (NYIGF), including most of the following "brand names": Umbra, Sid Dickens, Made by Humans, Opice, Martha Sturdy, Northern Lights Candles, and Eighteen Karat.

There is also a whole range of Canadian gift companies that has only partial representation in the United States, or none at all. For the most part, they are small or medium-size outfits or companies recently started by young designers, artists, and entrepreneurs. Some manufacture all or most of their products in Canada. They include André Landry handmade wooden clocks, Charister Home Fashion bed linens, Candle Passions candles and accessories, Bean Stock handcrafted soaps, Canada Stained Glass art glass, Pietersma Tinworks Christmas ornaments, Lady Rosedale bags and totes, RK Productions stone cast home decor items, Ravish and Lavish personal care products, Seracon aromatherapy candles, and Frederick Design pewter jewelry. Products run the gamut from expensive one-of-a-kind pieces to middle market gift merchandise.

To help some of these companies get into the U.S. market, or expand their presence here, the Canadian Consulate General has published a small directory listing 32 Canada-based gift and home decor resources. Each has a page in the directory showing its product information (including photographs), areas of the U.S. where representation is being sought, and contact numbers. The directory also lists the 11 Canadian Government regional trade offices in the U.S., with contact persons and numbers. The directory was launched at a hospitality function held at the Javits Convention Center during the February 2003 NYIGF where reps were invited to drop by and meet these potential lines. The Canadians plan to update the directory annually and mail it to rep firms.

To request your 2003 edition of the directory, e-mail commerce@canapple.com.