Market Report: Atlanta

When there are long lines of people waiting to step on an escalator, it's usually a sign there's something big happening on the next floor. That was exactly the case in Atlanta at the International Gift and Home Furnishings Market — something big was happening on the floor above or below in every one of the three AmericasMart buildings.

The market was very active from the opening bell, according to many in the showrooms we visited. Most vendors reported double and triple sales compared with last market, which bodes well for continuation of an active summer market season.

Overall the mood on the show floor ranged from cautiously optimistic to wildly positive, with no naysayers so far. “We tripled our business over the first day of the show last year,” said Bobby Ray Cox, executive vice president of Joan Baker Designs. The show so far is “really, good. Really, really, really good,” noted Deby Fowler, who recently bought luxury bath and body vendor Lady Primrose.

As we were chatting with Barbara Rosenberg of Lady Jayne in the Southeast Marketing showroom, one sales rep came up and reported, “Great first day sales!” Another showed her a just-completed order — it was big. Both were signs that there's a renewed confidence in the line since Jayne's return to her company. Rosenberg pointed out the company's number one and two display units, which are just flying. Number one is filled with gift combinations of a cutting board, pad and pen or cheese spreader.

For the complete Atlanta gift show report, visit www.giftsanddec.com and click on “Direct From Market.”