Largest NYIGF Since 2009 Exceeds Expectations

Defying conservative industry expectations, strong retailer attendance at the New York International Gift Fair (NYIGF) — the largest since 2009 — resulted in robust booth traffic and sales activity at the 163rd semi-annual NYIGF, August 18-22, at New York City's Jacob K. Javits Convention Center and Passenger Ship Terminal's Piers 92 & 94.

"Expectations for the summer market not only have been met, but also have been exceeded," said Christian Falkenberg, NYIGF director and GLM vice president. "Exhibitors are reporting solid and consistent order writing through the entire show." 

Giftware News was there and here's just a sample of what we saw. 

Susan Gravely, chairman & CEO of Vietri shows some introductions

Annie Morhauser, founder and owner of Annieglass

Julia Knight

Lunares

Best New Product Awards Presented at EX-TRACTS; Dulce Caramelo Collection by Votivo Named "Best of Show"

Six companies were presented with EX•TRACTS "Best New Product Awards" Tuesday, with Votivo receiving "Best of Show" honors for its Dulce Caramelo Holiday Collection. EX•TRACTS, one of 10 divisions of the New York International Gift Fair (NYIGF), which ran through yesterday at New York City's Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.

Five additional EX•TRACTS awards were presented in the categories of Bath & Body, Beauty Accessory, Cosmetic & Fragrance, Natural/Organic and Packaging. A panel of editors selected the Winners and finalists in each category based on several criteria, including innovative design, creative use of materials/construction and use of new materials/technology. 

The summer 2012 EX•TRACTS Best New Product Award winners selected from 133 products, are:

BEST OF SHOW: Votivo (Spartanburg, NC) for Dulce Caramelo Holiday Collection, a new buttery caramel fragrance designed to warm the senses, available as a holiday candle, holiday tin and holiday sample tin. 

BATH & BODY: Napa Soap Company (St. Helena, CA) for Tuscan Citrus Zest, Blood Orange and Syrah all-natural lotions, made with fresh grape seed oil and wine.

BEAUTY ACCESSORY: Metropolis Soap Company (Brooklyn, NY) for Vegan Lip Creams, a 100 percent vegan product made with essential oils, sunflower wax and sunflower oil.

COSMETIC & FRAGRANCE: RICA bath & body (Brooklyn, NY) for Bourbon Cavendish Body Tonic, a warm, woodsy blend of leather and tobacco with notes of patchouli, cedar and lavandin.

NATURAL/ORGANIC: European Soaps LLC (Seattle, WA) for The Queen's Honey Collection, a bath and body collection harvested from organic honey and royal jelly combined with shea butter.

PACKAGING: AQUIESSE (Moorpark, CA) for Decorative Tin Candle, an 11-ounce stackable tin candle with "perfect match" matchbook compartment. 

The judges noticed these particular products for their unique and innovative approach to personal care products," said Melissa Engongoro, EX•TRACTS sales manager. "These awards further extend EX•TRACTS positioning as a showcase for the industry's best new products." 

The Best New Product Award judges were: Tina Benitez-Eves, Gifts & Decorative Accessories; Rona Berg, Organic Spa Magazine; Nancy Jeffries, contributing editor; Patricia Norins, GIFT SHOP; Candice Sabatini, Beautynews NYC; Barb Wujcik, Giftware News; Jean Warshaw, Beauty Store Business; and Victoria Wurdinger, Salon Today. 

EX•TRACTS features 100 exhibitors of cosmetics, perfumes, skincare, bath & body care, beauty accessories, haircare, natural and organic products and well-being lines. The winter 2013 edition will take place January 27-31. Information is available at extractsny.com.

California Gift Show Concludes With Strong Performance and High-Volume Order Writing

Idyllic weather and robust optimism provided the perfect backdrop for an impressive and energized summer Market for California Gift Show. Sustained attendance of new and returning buyers, highly-trafficked showrooms busy taking orders and exceptional merchandising presentations from distinctive, in-demand lines continue to prove Los Angeles is a must-shop destination for today's modern retailer. 

As consumers become ever-more informed and discriminating in their purchasing habits, retailers seeking unique products with greater intelligence look to L.A. Mart and Los Angeles as their entrée to manufacturers known worldwide and to the innovations for which California is renowned. More than 40 states were represented. 

California's mystique was also top-of-mind on the international front spanning North America, as Canadian and Mexican merchants shopped alongside Pacific Rim buyers from Hawaii, Tokyo, Hong Kong and Seoul, as well as Middle East retailers from Dubai and Kuwait. 

Trends resonating this Market included "Made in America" and "Made in California," reinforcing the gift show's California-centric positioning and the overall sentiment to support American manufacturing. Also highly evident and in-demand were multi-functional, multi-purposed products. "This Market witnessed an increase in retailers supporting a 'made-locally' position," said Jeff Sampson, vice president marketing, L.A. Mart/L.A. Mart Design Center/California Gift Show. "We are proud that nearly half of our permanent showrooms offer California designed/manufactured products year-round. Quite a few of those products fell into the multi-purpose category as consumers expect greater value which these multi-functional items deliver on." 

Nearly 20,000 square-feet of new/ expanded permanent resources debuted this July Market, including Western states rep group Keena; echo by Fine Lines, the new division of Fine Lines Company presenting boutique lifestyle brands; Design Center anchor PALECEK with an additional 6,500 square-feet of merchandise available for immediate purchase; Chow's Oriental Fine Arts and Noir Trading rounded out the new year-round buyer resources.

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Giftware News and Baby & Kids Sponsoring NYIGF Orientation

Giftware News and Baby & Kids will be sponsoring the NYIGF Orientation August 18—20. Our own Susan Tucker, NE Regional & Europe Sales Manager will be joining Moderator, Helen Overly with NYIGF's Buyer Services. In this information packed hour, they will be sharing tips on navigating the show, discuss effective resourcing and offer helpful hints from years in the gift industry. Tucker's involvement in the gift industry spans over two decades that included positions as a Nordstrom Gift and Accessories buyer, National sales manager and manufacturers' representative.

International Market Centers Announces Strategic Growth Plan for Las Vegas' Gift + Home Marketplace

International Market Centers (IMC) has unveiled plans for a strategic evolution of the Las Vegas market that will firmly position it as the most comprehensive buying platform for buyers in the western United States. The three-phase plan, which begins in 2013, includes the introduction of new product categories featuring tabletop, home textiles and lifestyle collections, growth of existing categories and re-merchandised presentations. 

"This plan re-imagines and re-aligns the presentation of gift and home décor at the Las Vegas Market. By strengthening existing resources, launching new categories and enriching the presentation of better goods, we will create an unparalleled marketplace for gift and home products in the western United States," said Dorothy Belshaw, president Gift + Home Décor. 

Beginning in winter 2013, IMC will designate thirteen floors, comprising 1.7 million square feet, in Building C as the destination for gift and home décor resources at Las Vegas Market. As part of this re-positioning, IMC will present a collection of high-end home décor resources on C3 as an extension of the fully-leased, highly-successful B3 initiative that launched this week at the Summer 2012 Las Vegas Market. Directly connected by an inter-building bridge, this adjacent "neighborhood" on C3 of sophisticated and synergistic accessories will facilitate the buying experience for better home décor merchandise at Las Vegas Market.

"This new merchandising strategy creates a clear and compelling identity for Las Vegas Market, both as an established venue for the furniture industry, as well as a dynamic, rising marketplace for the gift and home industry," said Robert J. Maricich, CEO, IMC. "This multi-dimensional platform is truly relevant for today's cross-category buyers and suppliers, and offers opportunities to explore new distribution channels, such as hospitality and design." 

Phase One strategic plans continue at the summer 2013 Las Vegas Market with the introduction of two dynamic new categories. "c-ONE" — a new, cross-category showcase of directional resources presented in a curated collection on the first floor of Building C, will include tabletop, gift, and home resources in both permanent and temporary presentations. Also debuting in summer 2013, the Lifestyle Collection on C10 will feature suppliers of on-trend resources from in-demand categories such as fashion accessories, personal care and fragrance, stationery, juvenile merchandise, and technology accessories. The addition of these category presentations will create compelling "neighborhoods" of high-end merchandise throughout the building. 

Phase Two includes the expansion of sophisticated home décor resources on C4 and C5 to include the addition of specialty home textiles resources. Also in Phase Two, Las Vegas Market will launch gourmet, kitchenware and casual tabletop categories on C11 designed to provide a viable, regional resource for the extensive specialty gourmet retail audience in the West. 

Finally in Phase Three, Las Vegas Market's tradeshow component, which has experienced steady growth over the last three years, will relocate to C12 and C13. This relocation will allow for expansion opportunities on C14 to include new merchandise categories to further enhance the overall assortment. 

In 2013, Las Vegas Market will take place January 28-February 1, 2013, and the Summer Las Vegas Market will be held July 29-August 2, 2013. In 2014, the winter show will be held January 27-31, 2014, and the Summer Market will occur July 28-August 1, 2014. Market dates have been carefully planned to optimize opportunities for gift suppliers and buyers, avoiding significant overlap with established gift and home shows. For more information, visit GiftandHomeLV.com.