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.