Giftware News' Gift, Gourmet & Decor February Digital Issue

Online Reader Service: You are one-click away for more information on the advertisers in this month's issue! Click HERE to view the February Reader service.

An Aromatic Sense: With aesthetically inspired buyers in mind, these new-to-market candles and accessories are engaging from the first touch to the last whiff.

Top Shelf Beauty: There's no gift wrap needed here. These bath, body and spa items look as beautiful on the shelf as they do in the home.

Shine On!: Dazzle customers this spring with an unmatched jewelry selection.

Plus Much More!

Forty One Madison Expecting Strong Showing for 2015 Winter Market

More than 40 brands with permanent showrooms at Forty One Madison – Hermès, L'Objet, Puiforcat, Ralph Lauren Home, Richard Ginori, Riedel, Rosenthal, Saint Louis and Wedgwood, among them – will be meeting with leading gift retailers and buyers Saturday, January 31 through Wednesday, February 4 when the NYNOW gift market is held. Mottahedeh, another whose doors will be open during that period, will tease up the occasion with a special display in the Lobby. Forty One Madison will be helping show-goers make the cross-town trek by offering complimentary mini-coach shuttle service between its Madison and Street location and Javits Convention Center. The schedule of operation is daily 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, and until 2 p.m. Wednesday. And, with free high speed Wi-Fi now fully accessible throughout the building, guests can avail themselves of the Buyers' Lounge on Level A knowing that it is a convenient meeting or touchdown spot between appointments.

Denver Gift, Home, Jewelry & Resort Show has new name

New name, same great show. The Denver Gift, Home, Jewelry & Resort Show has changed its name to the Rocky Mountain Gift Show. For more than 40 years this event has been recognized as the regional leader in lodge, resort and souvenirs. It has become the top destination for museum, Native American, rustic, high end furniture and western products, while also offering the largest showing of imprinted sportswear in the country. Buyers from the 11 surrounding states and beyond, will be in attendance including: National Parks, ski resorts, mountain shops, museums, hotels, souvenir shops, airports, zoos, spas, boutiques and "mom & pop shops." The show features more than 400 permanent showrooms in addition to hundreds of temporary exhibitors representing 2,500 lines of merchandise.

Attendees can look forward to sourcing and shopping our fantastic brands, which showcase a large assortment of gift, home, lodge, decor, resort, apparel, and jewelry products. In addition, the show will offer a Friday night Happy Hour where Buyers and Exhibitors can enjoy cocktails during extended shopping hours. Once again we will hold our biannual Buyer appreciation party on Saturday night. Those attending will enjoy live music, dancing, complimentary dinner, and featured fashion presentations. During this event we will hold our Gift Show Silent Auction, benefiting the Wounded Warrior Project. Last year more than $3,500 was raised for the Colorado Flood Relief Project.
All participants will have the opportunity to engage in our seven educational seminars offered throughout the show. Seminars are chosen to highlight different areas of the industry. This year topics include: employee training, financial management, visual merchandising, adding the floral touch to your retail store, e-commerce, as well as buying tips.

The Rocky Mountain Gift Show will return Feb. 25 – March 2, 2015. Pre-Show will begin on Feb. 25 – 26 in the Main Mart Building. The Expo Building and Main Mart Building will be open Feb. 27 – March 2. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to stay up to date about events happening at the show. Join the Denver Mart in celebrating 50 years by experiencing the Rocky Mountain Region's best Gift Show.

FÜRSTENBERG News

FÜRSTENBERG goes on world tour with the design exhibition "Handmade in Germany" of the Direktorenhaus Berlin. The world tour starts in St. Petersburg on 19 September before heading off to its next 15 stations such as Moscow, Hong Kong, Taipei, Abu Dhabi, New York, Los Angeles and Toronto. With its unique craftsmanship and the entire Fürstenberg production site on the banks of the Weser River, FÜRSTENBERG perfectly represents the international seal of quality "Made in Germany"

"Handmade in Germany" is an exhibition of German manufacturers that will tour the world for several years. The collection will exhibit high-quality design objects and manufactured products from across all disciplines, all handcrafted in Germany.

With a great deal of passion and skilled craftsmanship, FÜRSTENBERG has reinterpreted the more than 1,000-year-old technique of crystal glass, thus transforming every object in the SOLITAIRE series into fascinating one-of-a-kind items

Don't Miss out on a Wealth of Information by two Industry veterans at NYNOW next week - Sponsored By Giftware News and Baby & Kids Magazines!

Saturday, August 16, 1:00 – 2:00PM, Pier 94; Sunday, August 17, 8:30 - 9:30AM, Javits Center Whether jump-starting a new business or revitalizing an existing one, preparation is the key to success! Join two industry veterans – Helen Overly, NY NOW's buyer services representative, and Susan Tucker of Giftware News and Baby & Kids – for a lively discussion that will help improve your retail business expertise and increase your profitability, while also creating an inviting atmosphere for your clientele. As an added benefit, participants will receive a free tote bag, free magazine subscriptions and other materials to help you shop the show! 

Tickets still available. 

Register at www.nynow.com/programs Advance pricing ends August 12, at 11:59pm (ET)

Surge of American-Made Resources Showcased in NY NOW "Made in the USA" Exhibit

Reflecting growth in the demand and availability of American-made home and lifestyle resources, a record 314 products will be showcased in the "Made in the USA" product display at NY NOW, the Market for Home+ Lifestyle (formerly NYIGF), August 16-20, 2014 at New York City's Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. 

"We experienced a surge of product applications for the 'Made in the USA' exhibit this summer – nearly double last summer's total," said Christian Falkenberg, NY NOW director and senior vice president. "American-made is a cornerstone of the craft community, and there is remarkable growth in this category, as mainstream manufacturers have begun to understand, and embrace, the advantages of domestic production." 

Products accepted for the display represent all four NY NOW collections, and nearly 20% of NY NOW's more than 2,800 exhibitors have identified themselves as suppliers of American-made products. Special "Made in USA" logos will appear on booth signs and in relevant company listings in the NY NOW Market directory.

Special Atlanta Market Report

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

Summer Markets Are in Full Swing - See the Latest in GWN's July GGD Digital Issue

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.

Giftware News' July Digital Insider Look Book is Now Available for Viewing

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.