Thursday, December 20, 2012

Giftware News Speaks With Newly Appointed SAFI Managing Director, Paris, Philippe Brocart

Thursday, December 6, Giftware News & Home Fashion had the opportunity to meet with Philippe Brocart. Joining the discussion were Frederic Bougeard SAFI, Director International Sales & Business Development Organizer of Maison et Objet, Paris and Maison Et Object, Philippe Bazin, Promo Salon USA located in NYC. 
 
The group discussed Paris as the gateway to Europe. It is a market of 500 million consumers, 10 million visitors each year visit Paris, and 2 million are trade visitors. The relationship for Paris and New York is an important link. Paris is legendary for fashion, the energy that grabs you — whereas NYC is young, fresh and is always renewing itself.
Creation is not a word, ones needs inspiration, to have a real experience. Brocart urged buyers to come to Paris, the history, the inspiration, the lifestyle ideals. The unique products that are only at the Maison et Objet show. This is a real experience. It is the Art of living, the art of Creation, it is a certain style of living. The show is not about categories but about lifestyle experiences. 

Later that evening, PREDA: Paris Region Economic Development Agency hosted a unique presentation by the Trend Forecasting Agency NellyRodi followed by a panel discussion between Paris-based trade shows and American experts at the Consulate General of France on 5th Avenue. Five major attitudes that are emerging this season were presented.
Covered in the presentation were story telling, the story behind ideas and creating new stories. The senses were discussed as a reflection of life, the expression of all lifestyle facets. Fun! Used as bringing lightness into the world. The New Cool is definitely coming from the street cultural. Cool is the Chic; self-expression through technology. 

Connectivity - the world is moving faster: what associations are there, who to trust, and being generous with others worldwide in sharing new ideas and giving opportunities for exploration and enjoyment. 

Thursday, December 13, 2012

Plenty of Prize Ideas For Increasing Retail Sales at IAAPA Expo

A special report from Giftware News' columnist Marilyn Nason

Having a Participatory Family Fun area in your gift store year-round may sound far-fetched, but the nearly 26,000 buyers attending the annual International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions in Orlando, FL, recently would beg to differ.
Why? Think prizes, especially oversized colorful plush figures, and what they have long meant to everyone of every age visiting an amusement park, fair or carnival or other event where you are challenged to compete for a prize. 

For gift retailers constantly seeking profitable ways to create inventory that will appeal to core customers, displays among the more than 1100 booths at IAAPA Expo underscored the consumer impact quality plush, toys and challenging games have as the "prize" element in the continuing success of amusement parks and attractions for every age-group.

Whether a gift retailer calls its plush and/general toys/games section Participatory Family Fun or not as the IAAPA industry does, the point is the same. Since amusement parks appeal to every age, the need for an assortment of plush, toys, games for their diverse customers is similar to the diverse core customer base each gift retailer focuses on with every purchase order from infant to senior.

Several exhibitors displayed extensive, very elaborate 15-feet or more high, packed displays of plush figures, many boasting t-shirts and caps for specific college and professional teams, as well as licensed characters from comic books, cartoons and movies favorite licensed figures.

For gift retailers struggling with the perennial problem of gifts for boys and men, many of these plush items were perfect to appeal to fans of all sports, as well as NASCAR, Also included were team mascots, Star Trek and even Jason of "Friday the 13th." Many are also available in inflatable versions.

Several exhibitors indicated camouflage shirts will soon be introduced for a variety of plush toys, certain to appeal to boys and men in war games and military styles. Also shown were mini-golf and portable putting greens, the latter small enough to accommodate the tiniest backyard, deck, porch or office, as well as meant to rollup for a vacation trip or a visit to Grandma's backyard.