Direct from Market: Atlanta

By Bessie Nestoras and Caroline Kennedy -- Gifts and Dec, July 10, 2009

The Summer 2009 Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market got off to what seemed like a slower than usual start; nevertheless a number of showrooms were packed with buyers, so some appearances may be somewhat deceiving. “We’ve been swamped today,” commented Danielson Designs’ Clay Vordenbaum on Wednesday.

Although the market officially opened on Wednesday, some retailers still held to the former schedule and were ready to start their buying on Tuesday. “We were all set up and ready on Tuesday,” noted OneCoast’s Jeremy Hirsch. “and the showroom was quite busy.” A number of other showrooms noted that, even though they may not have been completely finished with their set-up, they were more than happy to serve the customers who came to the show early.

It seems that this market, as long as you have something new and different, customers will respond positively. "When things are slow that's when you press on the gas," said Ben Johns of Bungalow, which introduced 90 new items this time around.

Tree Ornaments by Mudpie

Seeking the Affordable
Buyers are looking for design-driven product at value prices. Tag has reduced prices and more than half its line is under $15. The company has also reduced its pack sizes and the customers are very grateful.

Chris Simpson of Tervis Tumbler noted that with more focus on “Stay-cations” and people entertaining more at home, the quality and value the tumblers are being appreciated as an affordable luxury. He noted that the company’s Wednesday sales were up over last year and observed that individual orders were higher. The new Major League Baseball license is a home run and its new Margaritaville line is also being well received.

Mudpie is all about the holidays and affordable holiday gifting. The new Merci collection debuted this market. This collection is all about “personality giving” according to Mudpie’s Fred Pannek. The collection consists of cheese trays with spreaders, napkin trays with napkins, bottle toppers and cutting board sets all tied up and packaged as a gift-to-go with a ribbon and gift tag. All items are priced at $25 and under. The company also has a holiday initial collection of five items: a stocking, guest towel, cheese tray, paper coasters in an ornament box and a tree ornament. This is perfect for the retailer who wants to have something personalized to offer but not commit to a year-round program.
 
New This Market

Urban Rituelle's  line of personal care items is a fresh take on women's fragrances

Lone Elm Studios is a new collection that debuted in Dallas with a product line that retails for under $20. The selection includes tote bags, stationery items and other small gift items.
 
Mixture is a new company that came on the gift scene about 18 months ago. The collection of candles, bath accessories and personal care items are made with natural materials in the United States. The company's lip balms — which are monogrammed — are one of the biggest hits so far this market. Mixture also monograms several of the items in the line.
 

Applegirl by Gozdejewels

Gozdejewels introduced its Applegirl line of jewelry this market. The jewelry company decided to create a more gifty line and created Applegirl. The designs are delicate and feminine and are hung on rolled piece of paper, which features an inspiring message on the inside, and then placed in an organza bag. The line has been a hit this market.
 

Book Crops by Danielson Designs

Urban Rituelle's  line of personal care items is a fresh take on women's fragrances. The company offers several collections, including well-priced and nicely packaged gift sets. Of particular note is its line of personal care items for baby that come packaged in boxes that can be nested and saved for baby to play with.

Dini’s Los Angeles is dressing up Brazilian-made Havaianas for the fashionista who wants a more sophisticated flip-flop look. The straps are embellished with Swarovski crystal jewels and icons that can take the casual shoe into evening dress.

Dora Designs by Boston International

There are big doings at Danielson Designs. In response to customer requests and after several months of Beta testing, Danielson is soft launching its new Custom Décor program through select retailers. “We get the best ideas from our customers,” said Clay Vordenbaum, referencing some of Danielson’s other new releases (such as music and patriotic additions to its popular Book Crops line) but is just as applicable here. The Custom Décor program allows retailers and their customers to create customized Danielson signs through a special portal online, which are then produced by at the Danielson factory and shipped within 48 hours.

The Pink Door Paper Company is a Canadian stationery company making its U.S. debut. This is a luscious collection of notecards and note sets, writing paper, journals, notebooks and wrapped handmade soaps in beautiful graphic patterns. Some include foil stamping. All items are priced at $30 and under. The company is only 1½ years old and has already achieved award-winning recognition in Canada.

Bungalow is offering a selection of reusable gift totes

Out of the U.K., another import debuting here and being distributed by the October Hill division of Boston International is Dora Designs, a delightful line of whimsical "plush" animals that are weighted with sand to act as door stops, paperweights and draft "dodgers." 

Plenty of Gifts
Vendors are also getting more and more clever with their product offerings. For instance Bungalow is offering a selection of gift totes that the recipient can later use again themselves — no waste with these bags. And that is an important message today.
 
Fringe Studio's gift box sets are a big hit at this market. The company introduced soap box sets in decorative boxes that snap closed with a magnet. The boxes can later be used as a decorative piece or a place to hold keepsakes.
 

Peking's City Street collection

Peking Handicraft continues to expand its product line. This market the company is focusing on fall colors for the upcoming season. Velvet is used in several of its pillow collections, including new pieces in the Trina Turk collection. The company is also keeping things young and fresh with its City Street collection, which features various street names from cities around the world, including San Francisco, New York, Chicago, Paris, Los Angeles and London, as well as the new Rock, Paper, Scissor pillows, which feature the coordinating hand gestures.
 
Home Source International has signed a licensing deal to reproduce the scarf patterns of Vera Newman — whose scarves were popular in the 1950s and 1960s. The bedding collections are made from 100 percent bamboo.
 

Ballet flats from Switchflops

Lindsay Phillips Switchflops has expanded her line to include ballet flats, as well as travel bags to carry the shoes in.

Responding to the challenges of the current economy, Enesco challenged many of its artists, both licensed and in-house, to design a “piggy” bank to encourage people to save more. What they come up with is the new Artist Series, debuting this market. Each artist came up with their own inventive idea of a bank and some even indicating what to save for. There are designs ranging from high heels to a bed where the money is deposited under the mattress to mannequin heads showing the tongue-in-cheek “phrenology” of spending and the differences between men and women. Some of the banks incorporate interactive functions.

Piggy bank from Enesco's new Artist Series

At Manual Woodworkers & Weavers small manicure sets are a big seller. These sets come in their own brightly colored polka dot carrying case. The tools themselves have coordinating patterned handles that make the practical and functional, pretty and fashionable. And they are priced right to sell under $10. Manual’s new "baby," its infant brand Izzy, has also struck a chord with buyers.
 
Trends Spotted
Manufacturers are continuing to keep things eco-friendly. Several vendors are offering lunch bags, including Bungalow. Glam Noir introduced the new Glam Naturals line which includes three new collections, made with recycled and natural materials. The look is a departure from the company's more glitzy looks.
 
Also the monogram trend continues to go strong as it is seen throughout the market.
 
A trend to look out for is toile. While the style is a classic, it does tend to grow and fade in and out of popularity and it seems that it is growing again. It was spotted at Two's Company, Sadek with its Brown Bird Toile and Vera Bradley with Imperial Toile.