Atlanta January 2014 Market Reaches New Highs

Grumpy Cat meets Giftware News Associate Editor Claire Johnson

When the January 2014 Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market closing bell sounded at 6 p.m. Tuesday, the show had posted huge gains across all measures, with national and international attendance and first-to-market buyer totals leading a litany of advances.

On-site actual registrations for the eight-day market showed healthy year-over-year gains with increases as high as 53 percent posted on key attendance days. Preliminary hotel occupancy results reports indicated an increase in the average length of stay per attendee to 42 days, the highest recorded since 2006.

Growth posted in all national regions beyond the show’s principal Southeast base-including the Midwest and Far West-plus international beyond the Americas delivered global buying power to exhibitors across all product categories in showrooms and trade show booths.

The Market’s first-time buyer total-a measure of new buyers having not attended any previous Atlanta market-saw high double-digit increases. Meanwhile, reports from exhibitors throughout the Market, across showrooms and trade show booths, echoed strong sales-more orders, larger orders, from new and returning accounts.

Powering momentum throughout the Market was the new AmericasMart App, which made its debut to rave reviews and, according to iTunes, was among the 10 most popular apps in all business-to-business categories.

Ganz Acquires Midwest-CBK Gift, Holiday, Home and Outdoor Decor Business

Midwest-CBK, a leading holiday, gift and home décor designer and manufacturer, has announced it has been purchased from MVP Group International, Inc. by Toronto-based gift company, Ganz. The acquisition includes the Midwest-CBK brand name and popular holiday, gift, and home and outdoor décor business. MVP Group will retain the Colonial Candle, Everybody's Ayurveda, Genuine Monkeez & Friends, Monkeez Makes a Difference and Goofballz brands, and Union City, TN. distribution facility and staff. 

The Midwest-CBK product line and the MVP Group International brands of Colonial Candle, Everybody's Ayurveda, Genuine Monkeez, Monkeez Makes a Difference and Goofballz, will continue to be available through the Midwest-CBK sales team. 

"Midwest-CBK is a perfect addition to the Ganz family of brands, a company with a similar heritage, strong values, experience, vision and focus," says Scott Wehrs, president of Midwest-CBK. "By combining forces, both Midwest-CBK and Ganz will continue to grow and provide the industry with exceptional new product design and development, and outstanding service." 

"This acquisition unites two renowned and highly respected market leaders, combining the strengths of both companies with best-in-class people, products, service and support for independent retailers," says Howard Ganz, president of Ganz. Midwest's and Ganz's product development and sales teams will continue to operate independently thereby allowing each to focus on their strengths. "This strategy brings many benefits and opportunities to retailers through an unmatched selection of holiday, gift and home décor products, innovation in products and programs, depth of design and outstanding sales and support teams, backed by a company with the combined resources of Midwest-CBK and Ganz." 

For more information, contact your Midwest-CBK account manager, visit mwcbk.com or call 800/394-4225.