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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