Giftware
Shoppe Object Summer Show Doubles Attendance
Six months after its acquisition by International Market Centers, Shoppe Object’s summer home and gift market celebrated its biggest show yet with doubled attendance from the previous year – and an increase of 20 percent over the February edition.
Shoppe Object presented an expanded hybrid market of more than 500 brands to top retailers from around the country and abroad, and as the market wrapped, Shoppe Object passed the 50 percent mark in presales for even greater expansion planned for the February 2023 market.
Show founder and creative director Jesse James summed up the growth as a testament to the show’s spirit of community.
“At Shoppe Object, we talk a lot about building community,” James said, “and it’s not just lip service. We have worked tirelessly over the last six months, with the help of our new partners at IMC, to double down on our commitment to quality, discovery and curation, bringing more great brands and retailers together at this summer’s market than ever before.”
A global audience traveled to Shoppe Object’s waterside home at Pier 36 along Manhattan’s East River in mid-August to explore an impressive roster of design-driven brands in diverse categories, including tabletop, home textiles, beauty and wellness, books, stationery, housewares, kids, apparel and accessories.
Attendees from all 50 states and five continents visited Shoppe Object, including larger retailers such as Anthropologie, Arhaus, Barnes & Noble, Bergdorf Goodman, Bed Bath & Beyond, Bloomingdale’s, Crate&Barrel, Design Within Reach, Food52, Garnet Hill, J. Crew, Kohls, Liberty of London, Lord & Taylor, Magnolia Market, Nordstrom, Pottery Barn, Saks Fifth Avenue, Urban Outfitters, Wayfair, West Elm and World Market, as well as premier independent retailers from throughout North America.
“Shoppe Object is the can’t-miss show of the season,” said Aja Aktay, senior designer for tabletop, seasonal & functional accessories at Crate&Barrel. “The Crate&Barrel design team attends every year to take in the trends and colors of the season, and scout for up-and-coming makers and illustrators. We are always looking for opportunities to collaborate and connect within the artisan community.”
“It’s the best place to find the most interesting designers right now,” said Christiane Celle, founder of Calypso St. Barth and owner of CLIC with 10 locations in New York and California. “It’s very colorful and happy. I came for the whole three days. I have to say that, honestly, it’s the best show.”
Sales on Shoppe Object’s first-to-market hybrid model includes digital integration on the show floor with Shoppe Online – the show’s year-round B2B e-commerce platform – where sales during the market days were equally robust. During the three-day market, sales on Shoppe Online increased by 35 percent over last season, and the platform’s QR-code technology saw a 30 percent increase over the previous market in activity from the show floor, allowing buyers to easily follow up on favorite brands and products post-market.
Celle, who is a frequent Shoppe Online visitor, is a big fan.
“I love the platform. The way it’s curated – it’s amazing. You can buy Kids, you can buy Library, you can buy Fashion – you can book the sale, close the sale, put in your credit card and it’s done.”
The show has continued to attract new brands each season, targeting an increase of at least 25 percent. First-time exhibitor Felicia Ferrone founded her international company of fine glassware, fferrone, in 2010, which she primarily exhibits at shows in Europe.
“From a commercial perspective,” she said, “this was the best show I have ever done due to the sheer number of highly qualified, high-end retailers who were ready to do business and who really understand and appreciate good design.
“From a design perspective, Shoppe Object truly is curated in its brand selection, which yielded only great products from great companies. As the design director for my own brand, the show gave me so much energy because of the many wonderful designers and makers who inspired me through the great work they exhibited.”
Heading into 2023, Shoppe Object is poised for continued growth at its familiar Pier 36 location, with plans to annex new space that will expand the footprint of their show floor by another 30 percent. The list of brands already contracted to exhibit at the Winter 2023 show includes Areaware, Assouline, Blomus, Caskata, Fog Linen, Mohinders, Phaidon, Saved New York, Studio Carta, and more than 60 brands represented by Aesthetic Movement and Karen Alweil Studio.
As contracts from current exhibitors continue to flow in, the Shoppe Object sales team is preparing to begin the process of contracting new brands beginning Aug. 22.
“Our goal is to continue to show a selection of the best brands in the world, and to continue to expand on our key home and lifestyle categories,” said Renata Bokalo, director of sales. “For the summer show, we sold out more than three months in advance, and for the first time ever we are already close to 50 percent pre-sold for February.
“It’s not just about more brands and more buyers – it’s about attracting the most compelling, inspiring products that will continue to bring the best retailers to our unique and growing market. The show may have just ended, but we are already full speed ahead.”
The next Shoppe Object will take place Feb. 5-7.
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Holiday Shopping Expected to Decline
U.S. adults are expecting to reduce their spending on holiday shopping this year, as inflation has attributed to financial concerns for consumers. According to those surveyed by Opinium for Digital River, top of mind are summer vacations and the pending holidays.
- 67 percent of consumers surveyed have reduced their spending on “non-essential” items in the last six months (including vacations and holiday shopping)
- 40 percent are spending less on summer vacations, including 49 percent who are reducing travel expenses
- Over a third (38 percent) expect to spend less at Christmas this year, while another third (32 percent) are planning to spend the same as usual
Although U.S. consumers are actively looking to support their budgets through decreased spending on non-essential items such as vacations and holiday shopping, online purchasing remains high. In fact, 42 percent of U.S. adults shared that they make an online transaction at least once a week.
- 39 percent have shopped online more frequently in the past six months
- 54 percent expect to increase their online shopping tendencies due to convenience
- Despite growth in ecommerce, 45 percent note not being able to see products in-person as a major barrier of online shopping, followed up delivery price (35 percent)
Of those surveyed who were already using Buy Now Pay Later, 64 percent of U.S. online shoppers say they have used this payment method more often in the last six months when buying online. Half (51 percent) used BNPL as a convenient way of paying, followed by squeezed finances (48 percent) and increased product costs (44 percent). In comparison:
- 60 percent of credit card users are using this payment method about the same as usual
- 31 percent of credit card users are using their card more
- Among those using their card more, 44 percent say it is due to convenience, followed by tighter budgets (42 percent) and increased product costs (40 percent)
For every kind of good, whether purchased online or in-person, U.S. shoppers have noted price increases in the last six months. Seventy-one percent of consumers have noticed heightened prices in-person over the last six months, compared to 67 percent who have noticed rising online prices.
- For those who have noted pricing increases online, 47 percent have reduced their online shopping as a result, followed by 35 percent who have tried to find discount codes, and 29 percent who have used comparison sites more frequently
- Almost two-thirds (64 percent) of US online shoppers say they want more help from retailers to deal with rising prices caused by inflation
- Without this, online shopping is expected to lessen in popularity, with 49 percent of consumers agreeing that online purchases would be first to go if they needed to reduce their spending
“We’ve seen how inflation has impacted our economy: consumers told us they are decreasing their spending across the board, most notably on special occasions, including holiday shopping and vacations,” said Ted Rogers, chief revenue officer at Digital River. “However, our research has shown the pace of online spending isn’t expected to slow down despite the squeeze on finances. Brands must ensure they have optimized their digital stores to make the shopping journey as transparent and friction-free as possible, making sure consumers aren’t surprised by any extra costs.”
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Atlanta Market: Ready, Set, Buy
Atlanta Market is preparing to welcome top retailers and designers from around the world for the largest gift and home décor buying event of Summer 2022, July 12-18 at AmericasMart Atlanta. Nearly 250 new and expanded exhibitors are among 2,100+ permanent showroom and temporary exhibits, the launch of nine new categories and product showcases and a full roster of in-person events, seminars, association meetings, fundraisers and celebrations are set for the Market.
“The Market experience the industry craves is here in Atlanta,” said International Market Centers CEO Bob Maricich. “Exploration opportunities abound with new categories, showroom updates and programming filling the three AmericasMart buildings. Attendees can expect an invigorating and productive experience in Atlanta.”
New escalators will deliver attendees to a state-of-the-art registration lobby in Building 1, Floor 2. Pre-registered buyers can expedite entry via banks of self-service Scan & Go kiosks both in AmericasMart Atlanta Buildings 1, 2 and 3 registration areas as well as local hotels (Atlanta Hilton, Atlanta Marriott Marquis and Hyatt Regency Atlanta in Downtown).
Home Décor buyers will be greeted by The Designer Workspace – a gathering place, work and resource area – that features a new look as it reopens in a new location on Building 1, Floor 15. Attendees can celebrate its relocation at the “Designer Workspace Grand Reopening” event, on Thursday, July 14, from 4-6 p.m.
Atlanta Market’s 1,000+ gift and home décor showrooms feature nearly 50 new, expanded and relocated brands and sales agencies.
The 300+ home décor showrooms featuring furnishings, décor, lighting, rugs and textiles on eight floors in Building 1 continue to be refined with some 13 showroom updates in Summer 2022.
The 700+ gift showrooms – encompassing general gift and lifestyle lines plus specialty categories including gourmet and tabletop, juvenile, outdoor living and seasonal on 19 floors in Buildings 1 and 2 – feature 34 updates for Summer 2022.
Atlanta Market’s 1,100+ temporaries expand with 200+ new-to-Atlanta exhibitors and the launch of two new categories, three new brand showcases and four new and expanded association partnerships.
Some 30+ unique gift and home décor categories are presented in 10 exhibition halls with two new categories – Boutique LUXE and Cash & Carry LUXE – debuting this summer. Three showcases bring new brands to Atlanta Market: two Emerging Brands Showcases (located in Building 3, Floors 3 and 5) feature up-and-coming gift and personal care brands; and JuniperMarket by IMC presents RISE, a curated showcase of 11 women-owned, values-based brands making their Atlanta Market debuts in Building 3, Floor 2.
Atlanta Market’s temporary exhibits’ product mix represents a wide range of merchandise including apparel, jewelry and accessories; baby and children’s; general gifts; gourmet foods; handmade gifts; home décor and decorative items; housewares; Made in America; museum-quality gifts; personal care; seasonal and holiday; stationery; tabletop and more. The full list of exhibitors is available online.
Atlanta Market’s 20+ engaging tastemaker presentations, gourmet demonstrations, tours and events fill all three AmericasMart Atlanta buildings.
Three keynote events in the Building 3 atrium include a live floral demonstration; a discussion featuring leading interior design and design entrepreneurs presented by Architectural Digest; and tips for how to generate consumer exposure in the coveted Oprah’s Favorite Things list, “Good Morning America” and “The View.”
Three demonstrations in the Jura Gourmet Demonstration Kitchen in Building 2 feature four culinary creatives making an impact locally, nationally and internationally.
Five seminars in the Atlanta Market Seminar Space in Building 1 cover topics including unlocking new revue streams, tips from top retailers, design trends, challenges women business owners face and values-based sourcing.
Additionally, two tours and a consultation session with the IMC Buyer Services team allow buyers to learn about Atlanta Market’s vast product offerings.
Market celebrations include the Market Kickoff party featuring Fleetwood Mac tribute band Rumours and Party in the Kitchen, a special housewares and gourmet floor party in the JURA Demonstration Kitchen presented as part of the GCX: Expo & Education, both on Wednesday, July 13.
Atlanta Market also will present Instagrammable moments, a vignette of Market Snapshot finalists and other pop-up experiences throughout the market. A full list of Summer 2022 Atlanta Market events is online.
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NFT Cool Cats Get Boost to Shelves From Toikido
Cool Cats, producer of the popular Cool Cats and Cool Pets NFT collections, and Toikido, an entertainment and toy company at the cutting edge of digital design, reached a manufacturing and distribution deal for a wide range of Cool Cats merchandise – including toys such as plushies – to bring the beloved characters of the Cooltopia ecosystem into the physical world.
The new Cool Cats line debuted at NFT.NYC, the leading annual non-fungible token event in June.
“Toys, plushies and premium merch have been a continual ask from the community since early on,” said Cool Cats co-founder Evan Luza. “We’re stoked to be able to work with the right partner who can ensure we’re delivering the caliber of goodies to our community that they deserve.”
Unencumbered by supply chains and warehousing, Toikido made a name for itself based on its ability to reach shelves faster than other major players. For example, Toikido was able to create, manufacture and distribute the official line of Among Us products to more than 100 global retailers in fewer than six months.
Toikido’s internal capabilities, proprietary technology, and tooling make it possible to bring products to the shelf three to six months faster than any competitor. Toikido is the master toy partner for hit brand Among Us, Netflix’s Back to the Outback and will distribute a toy line for this summer’s Skydance Animation LUCK. It is preparing to launch global merchandise for the highly successful game Gang Beasts and developing its own IP in Piñata Smashlings, which will be dropping globally soon.
Originally based on the Blue Cat character, Cool Cats launched less than a year ago. It has since amassed the equivalent of $250 million in sales, and is currently a Top 5 NFT collection worldwide in terms of both popularity and sales volume.
Cool Cats NFTs are owned by several corporate brands and artists including Reese Witherspoon, Time, Puma, Steve Aoki, Mario Bautista, Marc Benioff and Alexis Ohanian, among others.
The instant popularity of Cool Cats recently led to the creation of Cool Pets, a collection of companion NFTs. They are among the industry’s first gamified NFTs to have their formation influenced by actions their owner takes throughout their developmental stages. There are more than 178 million combinations possible across a limited number of Cool Pets that live and interact in the much larger Cooltopia ecosystem.
“NFTs are a passion of mine, and Cool Cats has been a favorite right out of the gate,” said Toikido founder and CEO Darran Garnham. “People absolutely love these characters, and I know that Toikido is the right company to inject the essence of Blue Cat into product designs that will delight the community and increase awareness of the very special creatures that are Cool Pets.
”In addition to traditional in-store and online distribution, Toikido will work with Cool Cats to create exclusive drops for the Cool Cats community, as well as for special events. CAA Brand Management, a division of Creative Artists Agency, brokered the deal with Toikido on behalf of its client Cool Cats, marking the first deal inked since Cool Cats signed with the agency.
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Dallas Market Center Sets Summer Campaign for World Central Kitchen
Dallas Market Center, in conjunction with select showrooms, will host a summer Gift for Life fundraising campaign, “This Showroom Feeds Families,” to support World Central Kitchen and its efforts to provide crisis-related hunger relief in Ukraine, the United States and other locations.
“I am inspired by the creativity and generosity of our Market Center partners,” said Cole Daugherty, Gift for Life chair and senior vice President of exhibitor marketing at Dallas Market Center. “Our goal is to raise over $30,000 for World Central Kitchen this June. Between our Retailer Excellence Awards fundraiser and Summer Market fundraiser, we already are well under way to surpass that target.”
Each participating showroom will have a custom program for fundraising during the June Total Home & Gift Market, June 22-28. Showrooms and participating brands will contribute via direct donations or $1 per-order donations. Buyers will participate via rounding-up per order, adding $1 per order, and/or direct donations via QR codes in the showrooms. Each showroom will have details available on how to help clearly posted within their showroom.
Participating showrooms include Cliff Price & Co. (TM 1800), Goetz Inc. (TM 2000), Ivystone (WTC 236), J Brandes (TM 1610), KBD Sales (TM 2038), NextGen Dallas (TM 1028), Nora Fleming (TM 2050), Park Hill (WTC 321), Patrick & Co. (TM 2927), Portico Collection (WTC 631) and Road Runners (TM 1743).
Generous direct donation support already has come from Creative CoOp (TM 2454) and OneCoast (WTC 265).
Gift for Life also is fundraising for World Kitchen in connection with the 71st annual Retailer Excellence Awards, on June 22, at the Dallas Tower Club. During the event, Gift for Life will present its 2022 Industry Achievement Award to Warren Shoulberg, long time industry editor and retail reporter, in recognition of his overall excellence and contribution to the gift and home industry as a thought leader, standard-bearer and overall industry influencer.
Hosted by Gifts & Decorative Accessories, the Retailer Excellence Awards recognize excellence in seven retail awards categories, as well as the vendor and manufacturer’s rep of the year distinctions. Register at www.retailerexcellenceawards.com, and donate to World Central Kitchen in support of Warren at https://donate.wck.org/REA2022.
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