Colorful palette of product intros excites buyers at Atlanta market
By Lindsey Hughes -- Furniture Today, February 22, 2010
Despite a record-setting cold snap and icy weather conditions, vendors and retailers proved ready for an optimistic start to not only a new year, but a new decade at last month's Atlanta market. Vendors had a colorful palette of product introductions to dazzle marketgoers and many showrooms buzzed with retailers ready to write orders.
“I think the buyers are finally ready to buy, and we are welcoming them with open arms,” said Amy Kimmich of Mariachi Imports. This was a key sentiment expressed by many vendors at market and an upbeat way to kick off 2010.
“It's definitely been busier than last year,” said Rebecca Price, sales and marketing manager of Uwharrie Chair Co. “I just hope it continues. We've done really well with the Westport collection sectional, which we tested at the last show. It is a larger-ticket item for us. We were pleasantly surprised when we wrote three orders for it in one day, which is a really good sign. Maybe people are ready to buy larger-ticket items going into the new year.”
“We have been slammed,” said Elaine Smith of Elaine Smith Pillows. “We try not to leave our booth so we don't miss anyone. Our new location on the temporaries is great and so is the traffic. We are seeing a lot of our repeat customers, but we are getting new customers as well. Buyers really seem to be drawn toward color this market. Our turquoise and green pillow collection has been received well.” Texture is also important along with mixed media and embellishments, she said.
“Color is really coming back,” said Dirk Burghouts, key accounts manager of Esschert Design. Esschert Design introduced a whimsical Butterflies collection and a Russian Flowers collection, which features vivid, eye-popping hues and flirty floral motifs. “Another trend we are noticing is kitchen gardening,” said Burghouts. “The herb garden and mojito set have been getting a lot of attention.”
Many vendors opted for cheerfully bright color palettes to draw in buyers, while others selected uplifting motifs or a combination of both. Oversized botanical prints made statements on everything from outdoor rugs to upholstered cushions. Chubby birds flocked in as a must-have motif going forward. Whether perched on the side of fountains, etched in glass or adorning garden pots, birds exude uplifting energy and are here to stay.
Other motifs generating buzz were insects of all sorts. Bees, butterflies and ladybugs topped the worthy-of-note style chart.
Across all permanent product centers and temporary categories, robust January buying affirms the confidence of retailers and designers and signals the promise and potential of 2010 consumer demand for new value and selection, according to an AmericasMart press release. With many exhibitors reporting record sales — some breaking 20-year-old totals — the January market gives strong evidence to the power and reach of the collective and collaborative efforts linking AmericasMart and its exhibitors in common mission to set a solid business foundation for 2010 and beyond, it added.
-
High Point feels good
May 10, 2012 -
High Point Market leaves exhibitors optimistic
May 8, 2012 -
Premarket draws more dealers
Mar 29, 2012 -
Best Vegas show in years
Feb 22, 2012 -
Best Vegas show in years
Feb 17, 2012
VIEW ALL GALLERIES
