Fall Casual Market Atlanta Gels Need for Bi-Annual Market Cadence

The return of the fall edition of Casual Market Atlanta, which ran September 15–18 at AmericasMart Atlanta, has reestablished the twice-yearly cadence for the outdoor and casual furnishings industry buying event, according to a news release.

The fall market provided a second buying opportunity for retailers to finish writing orders from the summer market (held July 15–18), and for those retailers who could not leave stores in July to discover new products.

“The revival of the fall Casual Market marked a pivotal moment for the outdoor and casual furnishings industry and was a critical step in meeting the timing needs of all outdoor furniture furnishings retailers,” said Dorothy Belshaw, ANDMORE President. “After several years without a fall edition, the September market fills an essential gap, allowing buyers whose busy season in-store is July and August to source the new product launches in a full market experience and make strategic decisions ahead of busy spring and summer seasons.”

The fall edition of Casual Market Atlanta showcased more than 70 showrooms and nearly 50 temporary exhibits, and drew attendees from 43 states and six countries. A full slate of market events and amenities enhanced the on-site experience and built excitement.

While the fall edition is still evolving in its new Atlanta home, key exhibitors found the event invaluable for building relationships and planning future growth, company officials said.

“The September show is a necessary show to have, especially thinking about those single or two-store patio retailers who have had a long season and can finally step away in September,” said Henry Vanderminden, President of Telescope Casual Furniture. “With this being the first September edition in Atlanta, our customers, exhibitors and manufacturers are not quite in the cadence yet of two markets, but we are confident in the growth of September moving forward.”

Jackie Hirschhaut, executive director of the International Casual Furnishings Association, said the fall Casual Market was promoted as an official event, rather than a shoulder market, in 2024.

“While the sheer number of buyers attending fall Casual Market Atlanta was significantly lower than the July trade show, exhibitors reported that this market provided the opportunity for better in-depth planning of retail programs for 2025,” Hirschhaut said. “Anecdotally, exhibitors said they had plenty of time and nobody was rushed.”

She also noted that ICFA’s roster of manufacturer members has grown by 70 percent since the relocation of the trade show in 2023, making “AmericasMart the unrivaled home to the largest display of outdoor living products.” As outdoor living becomes more central to home design, having both summer and fall markets ensures that the industry can keep pace with consumer expectations, Hirschhaut said. The reintroduction of the fall market offers retailers and designers access to innovative products in a second show, an offering new to Atlanta but known by the outdoor and casual furnishings industry.

“We have been in business, fully family owned, for 45 years. We came to Casual Market Atlanta looking for new vendors and new ideas for outdoor living,” said retailer Bob Wasson of Wasson Nursery & Outdoor Living in Fishers, IN. “We have found a ton of new products and vendors, and we have talked to so many people. This is our first time in Atlanta and we will be back next year.”

Retailer Cheryl Peterson of Miller’s Furniture in Kewaskum, WI, added, “We first came to Casual Market Atlanta in July of 2023, and we couldn’t write orders then due to working on expansion construction. We came back this September because it was the best time for us to leave our store. This market was such a success for us — we shopped on day one, began our order writing on day two and wrapped it up on day three. We are looking forward to coming back next year.”

Both attendees and exhibitors alike shared positive sentiments for the networking events and education, including the pre-market International Casual Furnishings Association (ICFA) Retailer Roundtable and Think Tank, Women’s Networking Breakfast and Walk for Hope.

Educational events such as the Lighting Up the Outdoors designer panel, and social opportunities like the second-annual Braves & Brews baseball game and ICFA Awards Party and Design Excellence best-in-show announcement offered additional opportunities for the industry to connect.

Vanderminden added, “It’s events like these that are exciting to exhibitors and retailers and keep them enjoying trade shows and markets.” 

The next edition of Casual Market Atlanta adopts a new Tuesday through Friday date pattern. In 2025, summer Casual Market Atlanta will run July 15–18, and fall Casual Market Atlanta will run Sept. 16-19, both at AmericasMart Atlanta.

In advance of the summer market, casual and outdoor showrooms will be open concurrently with Atlanta Market, running Jan. 14–20, 2025, and many also are part of AmericasMart Atlanta’s Open Year Round collection. For more information, visit CasualMarketAtlanta.com.