Market Report: Seattle

OK … so what if it is the birthplace of Starbucks; so what if there is a Starbucks on just about every street corner (not to mention inside hotels and department stores); and so what if every second person is drinking something (most likely coffee) from a Starbucks paper cup? Caffeine had nothing to do with the buying frenzy, the excitement or the upbeat mood during Seattle Market Week.

It was about the product.

Much of it was far from ordinary, a refreshing change of pace in the midst of a crowded market schedule. In fact, several large suites in the Pacific Market Center — which houses permanent showrooms — were full of finely crafted and innovative products made by artisans living in Seattle and its surrounding area.

Market Week is a partnership launched last year by the Pacific Market Center (formerly The Seattle Gift Center), which presents both a winter and summer Gift & Home Accessories Show, and Western Exhibitors, operators of The Seattle Gift Show.

The show's temporary exhibits, which totaled some 700 vendors, were housed in the Washington State Convention & Trade Center. The Market Center, home to about 100 vendors and rep firms, provided many amenities including free wi-fi, infallible cell phone reception and social rooms that offered afternoon snacks and beverages — including beer, wine and mixed drinks — all free of charge. Each day was launched with a learning seminar between 8:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. that included a continental style breakfast, also free of charge. Talk about a bargain; free stuff and some of the best product around!

The buying was brisk and retailers at the Seattle show echoed the refrain of their colleagues in other markets throughout the United States: '06 had been a relatively good year for business. However, several of the retailers we talked to did confess to having a bit of an edge over their colleagues elsewhere. The unusually bitter weather the week before Christmas — complete with ice and snow — had virtually shut down complete neighborhoods, including electricity, which drove freezing consumers to warm malls and into the arms of retailers. Using Tiny Tim's classic description, "It was the best Christmas ever!" retailers told G&DA that, well, it was the best Christmas ever.

As for vendors, a good Christmas for retailers could mean only one thing for them: a good winter market. And that was clearly evident as we made our way through crowded showrooms where retailers were placing orders to refill empty shelves.

"Yesterday was great," Coyne's & Company's Greg Larson told us on Friday. "But today is wild!" he added. Coyne's was showing a relatively new line of women's jewelry, Passion 4 Fashion, that Larson said was proving to be a hit after being introduced in the United States during Seattle Market Week last January. He said the line, created by designer Sun Hwa Griffiths, was a big success in Europe and added he expected it would be a hit here as well.

For the complete Seattle Report, visit www.giftsanddec.com and click on "Direct From Market."