The Summer 2023 edition of Shoppe Object, New York’s premier trade event for curated home and gift, wrapped another sold-out show at Manhattan’s Pier 36 last week, delivering 20 percent attendance growth and exceeding core expansion goals. Presenting close to 600 carefully selected brands from 24 countries in a maximized footprint, Shoppe Object’s new Cityside Pavilion made its summer market debut, August 13-15, 2023, at their waterside home on Manhattan’s Lower East Side.
“This show marked five years since we first launched at the old H&H Bagel factory in 2018, and it really is a joy to see what has come of those early instincts,” shared Founder and Show Director Jesse James. “We wanted to create a better space for trade in New York, with vitality and curation befitting the very best brands and merchants of home and gift from the US and around the world. We’ve been on a steady path since that first show, and the jolt in international brands this season, combined with the continued exuberance in feedback from both our buyers and exhibitors, has really sealed the deal.”
The summer edition showcased a 50 percent increase in international attendees, as well as a strategic increase in products for the home. Attendees responded positively to the invigorating growth.
Angela Torgerson, Executive Manager and Senior Buyer for McNally Robinson Booksellers with stores in both Canada and The United States, commented, “Shoppe Object is exciting! There were more vendors, more interesting products, and the show was very well organized.” Cindy Olling, owner of The Perfect Petal in Denver, said, “We bought our hearts out at Shoppe. It’s the best in presenting creative and curated lines from around the country and around the world.”
Exhibitors praised the market for its business connections and a sense of community. “We love that Shoppe makes such an effort to cultivate community and engage both vendors and buyers,” shared exhibitor Alicia Scardetta of Coral & Tusk. Mark Wallis of Wallis & Company, who partners with multiple brands at Shoppe Object, called it “The best trade show in North America.”
The Summer show welcomed a major increase in international exhibitors, which collectively represented nearly a quarter of the total market. Brands traveling from abroad showed a diverse range of product categories, and a long list of first-timers to Shoppe Object included household names like the iconic French knife maker Opinel and sleek shopping trolleys from the Spanish brand Rolser, as well as Iris Hantverk’s handmade brushes from Sweden, Kapka’s colorful enamelware from Turkey, and Muzaluci’s textiles from Colombia. The renowned Japanese distributor, SAIKAI, made its long-awaited return to the New York market and its Shoppe Object debut with close to thirty brands across categories from furniture to ceramics.
Opinel’s US Brand Manager Jessica Leitch shared, “Shoppe Object was a fun, captivating show for Opinel to be a part of. We’re thrilled with all the introductions made to our French brand — it was great to connect with our current buyers in a really engaging way while also meeting lots of new retailers! Plus, the event as a whole is so vibrant and aesthetically pleasing, filled with brands we were happy to be presented alongside.” Felix Redecker, of Redecker, a first-time exhibitor from Germany, enthused, “Great trade show! We were pleased to be among a terrific group of outstanding brands. The quality of exhibitors is important to us since it leads to quality customers, which is of great significance to us coming all the way from Europe.”
Returning international brands included award-winning lighting manufacturer, Zafferano, from Italy, joined by Germany’s Blomus (home décor), South Africa’s Mungo (textiles), Canada’s Umbra (housewares), handmade wooden goods from Guatemala with Itza Wood, and many more. And adding to the international presence at Shoppe Object was the show’s own collaboration with ByHand Consulting – now in its second season – to present the Global Artisan Project, a section featuring global goods from brands dedicated to preserving craft techniques, supporting artisan communities, and promoting the beauty of the handmade. Powered by People, a digital wholesaler of small-batch, responsibly-made goods, also showcased 24 lines from around the world, from Chile-based Chilote Shoes to Eswatini’s Quazi Design.
Also notable was the August edition’s 20 percent growth in home brands since the winter edition. Some 55% of the August exhibit floor showed home categories, from heavy hitters including Alexandra Von Fürstenberg, Chilewich, Pappelina, and Yamazaki, as well as designer favorites like KleinReid, MQuan Studio, Saved New York, Sir/Madam, and Style Union Home. Shoppe Object’s Black Lives Matter Action Initiative (BLMAI) sponsored 20 Black-owned brands in a hybrid format, offering both in-person booth space and digital exhibition through the show’s online marketplace, Shoppe Online. The program, now in its fifth season, was launched to amplify diversity in the home and gift space. Sponsoring brands across nearly every category, the Summer show’s participants included Sun & Lace’s leather baby shoes, woven lighting from Golden Editions, glassware from Cedric Mitchell Design, and more.
Shoppe Object’s NOURISH section continues to be a fan favorite, featuring the latest in small-batch beauty and gourmet. Curated by Dr. Maria Geyman, Vogue contributor and the naturopathic doctor behind Masha Tea, the section spotlighted many fresh brands including Ciao Pappy, Dear Botanics, For Sea And Oats, Nala Care, Persons of Interest, and Beeswax Candles by Alysia Mazzella.