Two of ANDMORE’s leading home, gift and décor markets pulled off successful summer editions in Las Vegas and Atlanta recently.

Las Vegas Market

A combination of new product introductions, expansive programming and advanced at-market technology helped to deliver a positive market experience for buyers and sellers at the summer 2023 Las Vegas Market, held July 30-Aug. 3 at World Market Center Las Vegas. Buyers from all 50 states and around the globe converged at the annual event to discover the latest trends in furniture, home décor and gifts showcased by more than 1,000 suppliers. 

“Las Vegas Market delivered on its promise as the industry’s premier West Coast destination for gift, décor and furniture sourcing,” said Bob Maricich, CEO of ANDMORE, formerly International Market Centers (IMC), an omnichannel wholesale marketmaker that owns and operates more than 20 million square feet of premium event and showroom space and hosts buying events in Atlanta, High Point, N.C., Las Vegas and New York City. 

He continued, “Exhibitors and attendees alike forged valuable connections and generated new business opportunities through cross-category resources and networking offered only at Las Vegas Market.”

According to Market officials, while the majority of attendees hailed from the West and Southwest, the summer edition also experienced a double-digit increase in Southeast buyers. In addition to interior designers and retailers of all sizes, Las Vegas Market hosted 12 nationwide buying groups that helped bring dynamic business connections and added purchasing power to the July show.

“I love coming to this market!” said Stephanie Sala, owner of Five Little Monkeys in Albany, Calif. “It’s very accessible to buyers from all over the country, and exhibitors are so easy to navigate throughout campus. I come here to see trends and get a sense of what product I need to keep my store cutting-edge within the industry.”

Featuring approximately 3,500 product lines spanning the gift, bedding, décor and furniture categories throughout the World Market Center’s four buildings, the show not only gave buyers the chance to discover a massive variety of product, but also more than 20 showroom updates brought new and expanded resources to the event.

Alongside showroom exhibits, Las Vegas Market offered more than 30 events, educational programs and activities, including seminars, webinars, tours, awards ceremonies, special events and more than 10 CEU-eligible courses across the home and design categories. 

Additionally, the Market’s ongoing reorganization and expansion of its home furnishings resources helped create a more comprehensive array of décor and furniture product in an easy-to-shop environment, while permanent showroom expansions and relocations extended the range and number of resources available to designers and retailers.  

“This market was outstanding,” said Matthew Anderson, chief commercial officer of Hollywood Bed. “We saw more major retailers than ever before and had quality meetings with all of them, resulting in product line placement commitments that exceeded our expectations. As Las Vegas is the dominant market for bedding, we plan our major product introductions around this market, and this summer did not disappoint.” 

According to ANDMORE officials, Summer 2023 also capped 10 years of Las Vegas Market gift leasing momentum, with highlights including additions and expansions as well lease extensions by industry-leading brands and sales agencies. 

The show’s nearly 400 gift and home temporary exhibitors – approximately 25% of which were first-time participants – also reported positive energy and newly-opened accounts over four days at The Expo at World Market Center Las Vegas.

Also making its Las Vegas Market debut was ANDMORE’s new @Market app, enhanced to deliver an easier, more efficient and user-friendly experience for buyers, who benefitted from its combination of scan-and-go registration for badging, in-app navigation, product and exhibitor organization and post-market summaries. 

The winter 2024 Las Vegas Market will take place Jan. 28-Feb. 1 at World Market Center Las Vegas.

Atlanta Market

Presented against the backdrop of IMC’s new ANDMORE branding, the summer 2023 Atlanta Market, held July 11-17 at AmericasMart Atlanta, served to energize the gift and home industry with new offerings, including an elevated arrival experience, casual and outdoor resource additions and the official launch of the enhanced @Market app. 

“This week, ANDMORE reintroduced itself as a tastemaker for modern marketplace buying and selling,” Maricich said. “New and exciting products across existing and new buying categories, engaging market events, professional and personal connections and the introduction of a new digital tool – all of these signaled a new era for Atlanta Market.” 

Motivated by product line introductions, new market branding and digital tools to enhance and extend the at-market experience, buyers from all 50 states and nearly 50 countries attended, with an increase in northeastern, western and international representation. Additionally, approximately 14 industry buying groups and member-based organizations contributed to the show’s overall buying power. 

“The sheer variety of products and innovations showcased at Atlanta Market is, in itself, a testament to its importance,” said Jennifer Morton, CEO of the Association of Golf Merchandisers in Phoenix, Ariz. “It provides a magnificent opportunity to discover new product lines. These discoveries, coupled with the chance to interact with some of the most influential figures in our field, ensure that attendees return with knowledge that significantly bolsters their purchasing decisions.”    

With 6,000 brands, 1,000 showrooms and 1,100 temporaries across the gift and home categories to explore, buyers experienced a plethora of buying options in one easy-to-navigate location, while long-time market participants enjoyed refreshed selling potential through new, expanded and relocated showrooms and new temporary exhibitors.

“We love our new showroom location on the first floor of Building 1, and we’ve seen a significant boost from the co-location with Casual Market Atlanta,” said John Thompson, Loloi Rugs Vice President of Sales, Southeast Region. “I’ve been at this market for 27 years, and the revamping of the presentations this year is making people feel good. The buyers are connecting with all of the work the market has done to present a fresh show environment.” 

Complementing the Market’s bustling business, market events and education offerings included the “Market Kickoff Party” with live music and hallmark ANDMORE amenities, and 14 event offerings including appearances by three local Atlanta chefs in the JURA Demonstration Kitchen and a standing-room-only trend forecasting session.

The summer Atlanta Market also marked the official launch of ANDMORE’s new @Market app, created to serve as a vital digital contribution to and extension of a physical marketplace.   

The event also marked the first time Casual Market Atlanta and Atlanta Market were held concurrently at AmericasMart, extending cross-category business opportunities for buyers and sellers from both industries. More than 150 casual furniture and outdoor accessories showrooms and temporary exhibitors made their debut, drawing an influx of new furniture and casual/outdoor buyers to the summer markets.

“We’ve been able to interact with people who don’t typically shop casual,” said Robert Pruitt, CEO of SoPoly, a Georgia-based outdoor furnishings company. “A few buyers expressed interest in diversifying their product lines, so we’ve definitely seen the benefits of this crossover. 

Following the conclusion of this inaugural market, members of the International Casual Furniture Association (ICFA) voted overwhelmingly to continue holding the Casual Market concurrently with summer Atlanta Market through 2025.

“ANDMORE has delivered on its promise to provide more product, more brands and more categories,” Maricich said. “As we conclude the summer Atlanta Market on a high note, we look forward to raising the bar on our own ANDMORE promise, providing more opportunity for buying, selling and face-to-face connection for markets to come.” 

Atlanta Market will return to AmericasMart Atlanta Jan. 16-Jan. 22, 2024.

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