The second annual Summer Casual Market Atlanta surpassed expectations, offering an expanded presentation of resources, educational programming and networking opportunities. The market, which ran July 15-18, 2024, at AmericasMart Atlanta attracted furniture and outdoor/patio buyers, as well as interior designers and gift/home retailers seeking diverse sourcing opportunities.
“We are thrilled by the industry’s embrace of its new home at AmericasMart Atlanta,” said Dorothy Belshaw, ANDMORE President. “In just one year, we have expanded resources for buyers with nearly 15% growth in showrooms and temporary exhibits. Our thesis of the value of the cross-over traffic between casual and our gift and home market has delivered not only the Market’s core base of specialty outdoor retailers but also buyers from complementary channels like mass merchants, general retailers and interior designers. The commerce and connections happening this July signal a strong Fall Casual Market ahead in September.”
Jackie Hirschhaut, Executive Director of the International Casual Furnishings Association, echoed Belshaw’s positive assessment of last week’s show. “Some 38 outdoor furnishings producers joined ICFA since the inaugural market in July 2023, bringing an expanded array of resources for buyers,” she said.
Buying Opportunities Expand at Second Casual Market Atlanta
Casual and outdoor furnishings buyers traveled to AmericasMart Atlanta from 45 states and Puerto Rico, and four international countries – Canada, Mexico, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. Nearly half of market attendees hailed from the Southeast, followed by the Midwest, Northeast and West.
Custom Outdoor Furniture, outdoor furniture store from Myrtle Beach, SC, took to Instagram to note their accolades from the Summer Market.
“What a wonderful start we had at Casual Market Atlanta! It’s always a blast to reconnect with industry trends, learn about the latest trends, and see what’s new at market,” said Custom Outdoor Furniture.
The second annual Summer Casual Market Atlanta expanded to showcase more than 70 permanent showrooms across five floors in AmericasMart’s Building 1.
Exhibitor Phillip Crowe, Marketing Director for Jensen Outdoor, noted the value in having such a large, dedicated space.
“This market was extremely positive,” said Crowe. “We were so busy that I had to be involved in many of the showroom walkthroughs because we didn’t have enough sales reps. On top of that, our new showroom in Atlanta is so spacious that we can fit a wider range of products, allowing us to sell to more buyers than ever before.”
More than 100 temporary exhibitors showcased their products on one and a half connected, specially designed tradeshow floors in Building 1, on Floors 7 and 8. Highlights of the casual category offerings included outdoor sectionals, patio umbrellas, backyard firepits, and more.
“The Casual Market went well for Universal. We were able to meet a lot of new people and expand our presence in the casual and outdoor space,” said Sean O’Conner, President of Universal Furniture. “We were excited to attend, and very pleased with the traffic, and the reaction we had to our space and product. Now that we have attended our first show, we look forward to exploring how we can stand out more at future shows and continue to grow our business.”
Summer Casual Market Atlanta was presented concurrently with the semi-annual Atlanta Market. The co-location provided buyers and sellers across the casual and home furnishings categories access to more than 350 home and décor showrooms and 200+ temporary exhibitors with lighting, accent furniture, casual furnishings, rugs, wall décor, linens, textiles and more in AmericasMart Buildings 1, 2 and 3.
In addition to market-time visibility, 40 of the casual market showrooms also are part of AmericasMart’s Open Year Round collection, creating daily opportunities for regional buyers and designers to source and shop resources in the popular outdoor category.
ICFA and Casual Market Atlanta Events Buzz with Energy
ICFA kicked the week off on Sunday afternoon with its popular Retailer Roundtables and Think Tank, a forum for dealers to discuss business challenges and successes with peers.
Eli Hymer, General Manager/Buyer/Designer, of Gasper Exterior Furnishings Studio in Furlong, PA., remarked, “The highlight of the market for me, hands down, was the Retail Roundtables. Any retailer that does not partake in that event is doing a disservice to their own business. I took away honest recommendations for products that do well in other parts of the country and ideas for overcoming the same challenges that we have.”
Among programming and event highlights, the ICFA Awards Gala, held on the field at Mercedes Benz Stadium, provided a spectacular venue for industry professionals to gather and celebrate outstanding performance and contributions with a variety of awards. Celebrity designer Carson Kressley served as host of the evening event and the next day presented the Casual Market Atlanta panel, Trends in Outdoor Living, moderated by Patti Carpenter, with a standing-room-only crowd. Additionally, the ICFA-sponsored 66th Birthday Bash offered opportunities for networking and connection. The ICFA’s expanded two-day "Pink Out Atlanta" event showcased community spirit, with a vibrant display of pink-clad attendees raising awareness and raising funds for City of Hope.
“I cannot believe we were able to get onto the field at Mercedes Benz Stadium for the Gala. Not only was it incredibly cool, but it was also an experience that is so uniquely Atlanta,” added Crowe.
"The overall market was bustling with activity from both buyers and brands," said Jackie Hirschhaut, executive director of ICFA. "Our at-market events were well attended, with strong industry collaboration, and the showroom presentations were perfectly tailored to meet the diverse needs of buyers and designers. We’re thrilled to highlight the outside space as the new centerpiece of American living, showcasing this vital category in an expanded and cohesive display. With this success, we're poised for an incredibly successful September edition."
September Offers Full Casual Market Atlanta Experience
This September, Fall Casual Market Atlanta will provide retailers and designers with access to 70+ showrooms and 50+ temporary exhibits. The four-day Market will be augmented by hallmark ICFA and Casual Market Atlanta events, September 16 – 19, 2024, at AmericasMart Atlanta. Again, buyers and designers are invited to arrive early to participate in ICFA Retailer Roundtables and Think Tank on Sunday afternoon, September 15. For information about other scheduled activities, visit CasualMarketAtlanta.com.
