Pens, Paper, Books.... Oh My! 7 W New York Recognizes Stationery Week, ICFF, Surtex, & C&LA

7 W showrooms will display the latest products in stationery, gift, home décor & accessories as New York prepares for Stationery Week, ICFF, Surtex, and C&LA (Creative & Lifestyle Arts) beginning May 19.

Two’s Company & Tozai Home – Suite 2, in the lobby will show off their newest collections such as Brasilia, where the stationery pens are made out of recycled wire. With this collection, you can mix and match any vibrant color with a tropical feel...

Godinger Silver – Suite 407 creates luxury in using high-end silver & crystal for a variety of home accent pieces, albums, and frames.

Red Vanilla – Suite 935 takes framing to another level with their handpicked decorative accessories such as their memo boards and gift sets, adding a little flavor to your store.

New to the market and only at 7 W, J.T. Rose & Co. – Suite 904, shows off the latest art pieces of mosaic frames, mirrors, and matching vases.

See GUND in their new location – Suite 420 displaying a unique range of children’s books such as the plush series Bear in Underwear; Harper Group – Suite 831 carries all the favorite brands including Abrams, Chronicle, Moleskin, & Punch Studio; YOTTOY Productions – Suite 1045 provides the finest in children’s literature gift packages, and most important custom design and production.

Thompson Ferrier – Suite 545, D.L. & Co. – Suite 628 and Vance Kitira International – Suite 727 have scented or unscented candles and décor in common, however, each fragrance is unique to its brand.

Complimentary coffee is always available to buyers, along with an open space accessible with internet access, and periodicals about the “happenings” in the industry. 

For more information, visit 7wnewyork.com.

7 W Reports Another Record Spring Attendance During Home Fashions Market Week

7 W reported yet another record Spring Home Fashions market with attendance up over 15% compared to what was a record market last year. Every day of market 7 W saw over 300 buyers. 

Over 1,600 of the most senior buyers in the industry from many of the most significant home and textile retailers in the world, attended 7 W during the market. 

“We continue to work to ensure that each market here at 7W is productive for our tenancy. This Spring Home Fashions market not only achieved or goals but well surpassed our expectations. It is very refreshing to see such a positive attendance trend and to see our tenants enjoying such favorable business activity. For a market that attracts primarily larger retail buyers, it is typically unprecedented to have such significant increases in attendance, which make this achievement so exciting for the building and our tenants,” states Chris Collins, VP & General Manager. 

Showrooms reported very positive activity with most enjoying their most productive market in recent history. “This market week was amazing. All of our buyers kept their appointments and were very optimistic about the business”, says Joe Lorenc of Robely Suite 423. “The market was phenomenal! 7 W’s presentation cohesively arranges the finest product from its tenant partners in a manner reminiscent of the finest days of Heimtextil" says Louis Hornick III (Tripp Hornick) of Louis Hornick & Co. Suite 813.

For more information on upcoming markets, visit 7wnewyork.com.

Industry Insider: A Conversation with Su Hilty

Giftware News catches up with industry vet Su Hilty, vice president of marketing at 7 W New York. Hilty, with more than 40 years experience in the industry, recently announced her June retirement.

Giftware News: What are your plans after retirement from 7 W? What are you looking forward to the most?
Su Hilty: I plan on spending time writing my next chapter, which will include the following subchapters:Adventurous travel: There are places still on my list: Australia/New Zealand (my last continent to visit), India and Alaska, to name just a few. I have taken a major adventure trip every year since my husband died — Amazon, Machu Picchu, Antarctica, Galapagos, Africa, China, Mongolia, Egypt, Grand Canyon white-water rafting, etc. Why stop now?Design/art industry organizations and affiliations: Giving more time to discover, learn and volunteer with Gift for Life and DIFFA: Design Industry Foundation Fighting AIDS, Alpha Workshops, FIT, Bard Graduate Center, MAD, Rubin Museum, Met Museum, etc.

Charities: Hoping to make a difference. Of special interest is the Nature Conservancy and the Global Giveback Circle. I am most looking forward to doing things on my own schedule.

GWN: What are a few of your proudest moments from your career?
SH: After five wonderful years at 225 Fifth Avenue, followed by a difficult sale of the building and then a quick transition to a new building, [one of my proudest moments was] actually being able to cut the ribbon for our opening market at 7 W.
The other moment was winning the coveted MMPI Marty Award in 2010, which is the annual Wallace Olman Award, named for the first successful general manager of MMPI, who set the standards against which all recipients are judged.

GWN: Where do you think the gift and home industry is heading? 

SH: My favorite expression is “all we can be sure of is change” and this is what is rapidly happening to the industry. Those we thought would always be major players are no more. Those who did not exist last year are becoming the poster children for the industry. I look forward to seeing what will transpire over the next year and beyond.

Technology is and will continue to change how we do business, and those who succeed will embrace new ideas and processes.

GWN: What would you advise to new buyers, retailers, etc. just entering the industry?
SH: Embrace the new technology, but don’t forget the importance of the human touch in all business relationships — common courtesy, listening and being open to new ideas and direction. 

Image courtesy 7 W New York.