Market Report: San Francisco
By Caroline Kennedy -- Gifts & Decorative Accessories, 7/30/2007 12:55:00 PM
July 30, 2007 — The summer edition of the San Francisco International Gift Fair (SFIGF) got off to a slow start, with buyer attendance relatively light on opening day. Saturday, however, dawned beautiful and warm, and some wondered whether good weather was actually keeping buyers away instead of coming to the convention center to do business. Others reported that light Saturday attendance is normal, and they were confident that subsequent days would see more buyer traffic — an observation that proved accurate.
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| Buyers check out a product display before entering the SFIGF |
Nevertheless, San Francisco is a struggling market, due in part to the rise of Las Vegas, which is siphoning off buyers throughout the western region. One exhibitor observed that she was seeing fewer retailers from outside of the region. San Fran used to draw more buyers from Hawaii, Montana and other surrounding states; those people seem to be going elsewhere to shop these days. Indeed, a casual survey badges on the show floor and shuttle to the Giftcenter & Jewelrymart supported this observation.
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| Envirosax |
GOT TO BE GREEN
Not surprisingly, many companies at the SFIGF are promoting green products, eco-consciousness, sustainability and environmental responsibility. Envirosax, a company out of Australia and represented by Cameron Marks, offers a line of practical, reusable shopping bags made of a lightweight, waterproof, durable polyester fabric. They’re roomy, yet fold to a compact size that fits easily in handbag or pocket. While not a new idea by any means, the chic designs of the bags and its merchandising concepts (one of the pattern design groups comes packaged in a collection of five in zip pouch, ready to grab and go to the grocery store) make them an appealing product. And with local movements in California to ban plastic shopping bags, this is a timely introduction.
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| Kwytza Chopstick Art |
Ever wonder what happened to all those wooden chopsticks you used at the local Chinese restaurant? Wonder no more. Kwytza Chopstick Art founder Bryan Parks is turning them into practical objects such as folding baskets, lamps, trivets and even jewelry.
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| Model Metalworks |
An unusual collection of eco-friendly tabletop items and decorative accessories was presented by Model Metalworks. Among the pieces are baskets made of long-leafed pine needles harvested from the forest floor, and rimmed with brightly polished nickel rims.
SIGNS OF THE TIMES
Elephant Poo stationery
For some companies, being “green” isn’t as hard as Kermit said — and they’re proud to tout the fact. The Great Elephant Poo Poo Paper Company and Green Toys both displayed large signs in their booths to raise awareness of what they do and how their products are created. That’s a good thing for The Great Elephant Poo Poo Paper Company, especially, because there’s definitely “Ewwww” factor involved. The company gathers elephant “poo” and sanitizes and separates the undigested fibrous matter, then turns it into attractive paper products including journals, notecards, photo albums and stationery sets.
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| Green Toys |
WINE THINGS
Pouring Wine decanter
Creative Danes is a new exhibitor with an eye-catching product. The company imports Danish contemporary housewares and tabletop lines. One surprising line features bright, colorful vases that look from a distance to be made matte-finished ceramic or resin material. But they’re really made of rubber! A number of different wine accessories included the Drop Stop, a simple Mylar disk that slips into the neck of a wine bottle as a pouring spout. This simple device can be personalized for corporate sales, and comes packaged in a number of ways including in a point-of-purchase gift card tag that can be hung around a bottle neck.
Pouring Wine is a new exhibitor exhibiting The Versivino wine decanting system — a bottle top device made of sturdy, mouth-blown glass that decants and serves one glass of wine at a time. The company will be making its East Coast debut at the New York International Gift Fair in less than two weeks.
Artist Ann Rea presented a collection of art prints reproduced from her original winery landscape paintings. Her use of bright color is striking, and the images have a contemporary, impressionistic feel.
FUN STUFF
For those who like the convenience of a cell phone but the practicality of a land line handset, Yubz Talk introduced handsets for mobile phones. These classically styled handsets come in a variety of bright colors, as well as black. One style even comes with the traditional coiled cord that hooks into the mobile device; another uses wireless Bluetooth technology.
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| Stewart-Stand's collapsible cup |
Stewart-Stand, known for its high-style, flat-folding men’s cuff links and stainless steel wallets, introduced a collapsible drinking cup called Flatterware. This is a real departure for the company — not in terms of cutting edge design, but rather in terms of price point: under $10.
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| Two Simmons pillows |
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| Fred |
Pick Your Nose party cups from Fred have been getting a lot of play recently, and will appear in the New York Times Lifestyle section next week.
FWrap presented an attractive paper giftwrap alternative made of embossed fabric felt. They’re eco-friendly because they can be reused. These envelope style packaging alternatives come in different sizes and a variety of colors. The company also offers a selection of book covers.
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| f-Wraps embossed felt alternative gift wrappings and book covers |
DULY NOTED
Mike Dean of Western Exhibitors and Ron Knutson of SPI are each celebrating their 80th San Francisco show this summer. That’s 40 years each. Congratulations to both Mike and Ron.
