Double Take: Winter Markets 2009
By Bessie Nestoras, Caroline Kennedy and Meredith Schwartz -- Gifts & Decorative Accessories, 2/27/2009 5:34:00 AM
The 2009 Winter market season is over. We’ve traveled the country and found a number of trends and interesting products despite the down economy. One retailer told Gifts & Decorative Accessories that they were at the shows to find new products to get their shoppers excited again. Another said they were going to “buy smart.” It was clear that some vendors kept things safe and offered fewer introductions, while others took a chance and introduced entire new collections and innovative products that most certainly caught our eye.
With the summer season fast approaching, vendors tried to keep things upbeat with seaside looks and particularly found inspiration in Palm Beach. Also popular, were palm trees and flamingos. Caning is a trend to keep your eye on, as are frogs. The green critters made their way onto accessories for inside the home, as well as the garden. Natural elements are still important in home decor, and leaf motifs topped the list this season, with palms and ferns featured most prominently throughout. Another trend this winter was birthday accessories. Whether for gifting or parties, birthday accessories were prominent. This special occasion is celebrated everyday by someone and is an obvious addition to any specialty gift store.
Read on for more of the latest trends from markets in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York and Seattle.
 |
 |
| Beachy Keen! The economy may have cast a dark cloud over us, but the gift industry is fighting back with rays of sunshine. A number of vendors turned to the beach for inspiration — Palm Beach in particular. Bright colors and graphic motifs were spotted in all areas from jewelry to tabletop to wall decor. View the Gallery Here |
Leaf Motif Natural elements are still an important part of decorating. Leaf motifs, including palms and ferns, are on the top of the list this market. View the Gallery Here |
 |
 |
| Everything Old Is New Again Caning dates back hundreds of years. While it’s never really gone away, watch for it as an up and coming trend for summer. It was mainly seen in fashion accessories, but could also be found in tabletop collections. View the Gallery Here |
It’s Easy Being Green Get a jump on the competition. Frogs have made their way inside our homes and in our gardens. Our green little friends make for fun whimsical accents in the living room, bedroom, bathroom or yard. View the Gallery Here |
 |
 |
| Bon Anniversaire! Every day is someone’s birthday. This market, vendors turned to birthday celebrations and offered a variety of gifts and accessories for this happy occasion. From birthday cake scented candles to tabletop accessories there are a number of items fit for a birthday prince or princess. View the Gallery Here |
A Cup of Cute Cupcakes are hot, combining the comfort food craze, the increasing emphasis on birthdays and other occasion gifting, and the continuing trend toward kid’s products. In an age where shoppers are scaling back from big expenditures, cupcakes conjure up the ultimate small, affordable indulgence. View the Gallery Here |
 |
 |
| Cool Stuff The economy may have put a damper on things lately, but the best thing to do in a situation like this is to move ahead and not look back. Many vendors went that extra mile this market offering buyers new and exciting products to fill their store shelves with. View the Gallery Here |
H20 2 Go As thinking green and keeping spending lean both grow in popularity, buying water in disposable bottles is so last year. And concerns about phthalates have turned many consumers off of plastic. This year, reusable stainless steel or aluminum water bottles are the cool new thing. Eco motifs are popular, but they’re far from the only game in town; look for exercise, inspirational, funky and feminine themes as well. View the Gallery Here |
 |
 |
| Metallic Candles Silver and gold add a touch of cool to this year’s hottest candle designs, whether as the main color or an elegant accompaniment, in gilt paint or solid, three-dimensional metal accents. View the Gallery Here |
Flamingos & Palm Trees In a subset of the Palm Beach Trend, we see a resurgence of flamingo and palm tree motifs that are reminiscent of the ’80s Miami Vice craze, but updated for today’s lifestyle sensibilities. View the Gallery Here |
 |
|
| The Writings on the Wall Quotes and inspirational messages are a fun alternative to traditional wall decor. Many vendors are also offering multiples, as well as coordinating artwork that consumers can combine to create a personalized wall display. View the Gallery Here |
Talkback
Related Content
Related Content
