The summer 2023 Atlanta Market energized the gift and home industry with a series of new offerings — an elevated arrival experience, the addition of casual and outdoor resources and an enhanced @Market app to facilitate discovery and follow up — all presented against the backdrop of dynamic new ANDMORE branding, July 11-17, 2023, at AmericasMart Atlanta.
“This week, ANDMORE reintroduced itself as a tastemaker for modern marketplace buying and selling,” said Bob Maricich, ANDMORE CEO. “New and exciting product 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.”
Buyer Attendance Boosts Market Opportunities
Buyers from all 50 states and nearly 50 countries attended with an increase in northeastern, western and international representation at this summer’s Atlanta Market. Motivated by product line introductions, new market branding and digital tools to enhance and extend the at-market experience, buyers enjoyed a robust reinvention of what it means to shop at Atlanta Market.
“Atlanta Market was phenomenal – the best show we have had yet in terms of volume of orders and the new contacts we made,” said Rachel Walker, artist and founder of lifestyle brand Happy By Rachel, who reported seeing about 60 percent new accounts. “Overall, the buyers felt happy. We focus on art-based products that are fun, colorful, cheerful and celebratory, so we attracted those buyers.”
Some 14 industry buying groups and member-based organizations added to the overall buying power at the summer 2023 Atlanta Market.
“The sheer variety of products and innovations showcased at Atlanta Market is, in itself, a testament to its importance. It provides a magnificent opportunity to discover new product lines,” said Jennifer Morton, Association of Golf Merchandisers (Phoenix, AZ), CEO.
“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.”
At-Market Connections Promote Commerce and Community
With 6,000 brands, 1,000 showrooms and 1,100 temporaries across the gift and home categories, buyers benefitted from an abundance of buying options.
“Out of all of the markets I attend throughout the year, Atlanta is my favorite!” said Sarah Martens, Nebraska Furniture Mart (Omaha, NE) Division Merchandising Manager of Furniture. “I accompany a team of our buyers to Atlanta twice a year for all of our accessory needs, and to be inspired by trends and incredible visual displays. From seasonal to everyday decor and wall art to tabletop, everything is in one easy-to-navigate location.
Long-time market participants also enjoyed refreshed selling potential through new, expanded and relocated showroom and new temporary exhibitors as well as overall excitement connected with the new ANDMORE brand identity as a market backdrop.
“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.”
Beyond exhibits, market events and education complemented the business of market.
The “Market Kickoff Party” invited buyers to celebrate the industry with live music and hallmark ANDMORE amenities. Other highlights of the market’s 14 event offerings included appearances by three local Atlanta chefs in the JURA Demonstration Kitchen and a standing-room-only trend forecasting session presented by internationally acclaimed interior designer, Timothy Corrigan.
@Market App Enhances Buyer Experience
Designed to create ease and omnichannel integration for buyers, ANDMORE’s new @Market app officially launched at summer Atlanta Market.
With Scan & Go QR code technology to speed arrival, new tools to save and organize favorite products and notes, step-by-step navigational tools to make way-finding easier and a new post-market recap equipped with images, notes and buying capabilities, the @Market app served as a vital digital contribution to and extension of a physical marketplace.
“I love this app! The photo feature and in-app navigation kept me extremely organized throughout the week,” said retailer Jennifer Ledford of Initial Inspiration (Waynesboro, VA).
Cross-Category Markets Foster Business Opportunity
For the first time ever, Casual Market Atlanta and Atlanta Market were held concurrently at AmericasMart, extending cross-category business opportunities for buyers and sellers from both industries. Some 150+ casual furniture and outdoor accessories showrooms and temporary exhibitors debuted, 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, an outdoor furnishings company based in Georgia. “A few buyers expressed interest in diversifying their product lines, so we’ve definitely seen the benefits of this crossover.
Following the conclusion of the inaugural market, members of the International Casual Furniture Association (ICFA) voted overwhelmingly to continue to hold 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,” said Bob Maricich, ANDMORE CEO. “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 returns to AmericasMart Atlanta on Tuesday, January 16 – Monday, January 22, 2024.
