Summer Atlanta International Home and Gift Market Live Report
The Atlanta International Home and Gift Market is wrapping up tomorrow. The show was a success, with some wholesalers reporting more traffic and sales on opening day than usual. Trends—both new and recycled—were seen across the market as exhibitors showcased new gift and home décor items.
1. Men's items are increasingly popular and kitchen items for men were especially prevalent. "More men are ditching the concept of upgrading their car during a midlife crisis," says Debra Gold, representative of Totally Bamboo. "Men are building these elaborate outdoor kitchen areas allowing them to showcase their culinary skills, and it's creating a new market for buyers."
Wild Hare
Totally Bamboo
2. Disney's Frozen debuted in 2013, but buyers and customers love the theme and won't "let it go." Kurt Adler created a line inspired by the movie for this market season. Arctic blues and greens were also visible across the show, perhaps indicating just how far pop cultural influences reach throughout the industry.
Kurt Adler
Inge-Glas of Germany
3. Unique textures were prevalent. Burlap continues to be popular, although it's becoming more feminine with pops of color, metallics and delicate touches. Burton + Burton, Mud Pie and Gallerie II all had several good examples of this. Wholesalers also featured items made of materials one wouldn't normally expect. Dekorasyon Gifts & Décor used sunflower stalks to create decorative Christmas trees.
Mud Pie
Gallerie II
Dekorasyon Gifts & Décor
4. Mixed metals continue to be widespread in both jewelry and décor. Connie Post introduced a new line, Celebrate, to her Essentials by Connie Post line for IMAX Worldwide. It is almost entirely compromised of gold and silver with neutral backdrops. IMAX also hosted a launch party for celebrity designer Nikki Chu's new line. Her line consisted of many bold, neutral patterns with gold and silver accents.
Designers Nikki Chu and Connie Post attended the IMAX Worldwide launch of Chu's new line
Jacqueline Kent
5. Many companies introduced new lines or new pieces for casual entertaining. Most of these pieces sell at a relatively reasonable pricepoint, and work both indoors, outdoors and are oven-, microwave- and dishwasher-safe, making entertaining and cleaning up both relaxing and easy for the host.
Abigails
G!
6. Neon isn't just for lights anymore. Soft colors with a touch of neon are growing in popularity, like Oilily's computer bags, set to launch in the U.S. next year. Incorporating subtle neon yellows and pinks aren't overwhelming, and gives products a nice pop for the eye.
7. It sounds strange that innovation would be a trend, but companies like Misogi Naturals, who developed a patented luffa and soap combination using all recycled materials, are proving innovation is in style. Creative Energy has developed a line of candles, where the hot wax is actually lotion. Light it up and soak it in, they're dual-utilizing, and virtually reinventing the candle.
Wholesalers in the Gourmet Section of Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market Bring Home the Bacon
The gourmet food section of AmericasMart this year was exceptional. Some great companies—both wildly popular and virtually unknown—were showcasing their latest and greatest products. After sampling several sweets, it was easy to spot some common themes in flavors across the board. Sea salt caramel chocolate was incorporated into nearly every sweet company's repertoire in one way or another; brownie crisps, toffee, brittle and more. A newer item tasted at multiple booths was pumpkin-flavored pretzels, just in time for fall. Whether larger companies or smaller wholesalers like Nancy's Candy, some amazing fudge recipes were on display. Gourmet du Village and Wind & Willow had their party-ready dips available and Shark Tank participant, Southern Culture's Shortstacks were (quite literally) selling like hotcakes. Bungalow 23was selling their premium cocktail mixers in three mouth-watering flavors. At such a large show that's so centrally focused on gifts, it was impressive to see the turnout of the gourmet section. After all, the best way to someone's heart, is through their stomach.
Wholesalers awarded at the 2014 ICON HONORS
The 2014 ICON HONORS were a smashing success with winners taking home awards in nine different categories. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees Heart rocked the show.
Heart
Surya (for Technology Innovations) and Leftbank Art (for Product Innovations) took home awards in the Innovation Honors section.
Up Country Gardens/Home (for Community Influence) and Mud Pie(for Industry Influence) were the winners in the 2014 Contribution Honors category.
J Banks Design Group won the Branding/Identity Honor. and Annie Selke of Pine Cone Hill won the Career Achiever award.
Catstudio took home the AmericasMart Medal of Excellence Honor. The company started out by creating embroidered pillows and has been growing ever since.
Barbara Bradley Baekgaard, co-founder of Vera Bradley, won the Lifetime Achievement Honor for 30 years of work creating unique handbags and luggage pieces.
The late Albert Maslia was honored with the Gift and Home Trade Association/Gift for Life Honor of Excellence. During his life, Maslia worked through the ranks at Rich's department store and created two successful retail chains, one of which he sold to American Greetings. Eventually, he became the Managing Director of Retail Services for AmericasMart, an instructor at Emory University and a consultant of many organizations. His wife, Lucy, accepted the award on his behalf.
Lucy Maslia
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Don't miss the latest digital Look Book Insider issue: NOW VIEWABLE ON all devices...
To start reading, please click HERE.
Make sure you sign up for your complimentary subscription of GWN's Look Book Insider, which is delivered directly into your inbox each & every month.
Did you miss an issue? Catch back up with our digital archives.
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