Gift Shop Plus Winter 2023

Delightful Debuts By Carly McFadden

Shop owners and merchandisers have likely bid adieu to to their holiday décor and displays as the Gift Shop® Plus Winter 2023 issue went to print, but we’re ringing in the new year with merriment and optimism for a busy remainder of the winter season.

2023 kicked off on a high note with the Dallas Total Home & Gift Market in the first week of January. The Dallas Market Center estimated the Temps at Total Home & Gift Market to present more exhibitors in the last decade-plus.

“The January Dallas Temps are bigger, better and reimagined, but most important, we are delivering quality companies to the marketplace,” said Jo Ann Miller Marshall, senior vice president of leasing at the Dallas Market Center. “We will have hundreds of top brands and artisans, plus exciting promotions and events supporting the show experience. We are thrilled to present great companies across every neighborhood of the Temps.”

Also taking place in the first month of the year are Atlanta Market, LA Mart, Las Vegas Market and the Toronto Home + Gift Market.

Atlanta Market updated 23 showrooms — 13 new showrooms, nine expansions and one relocation — and received “significant” renewals from top brands, according to International Market Centers (IMC). There have been 12 updates to the general gift category, including six new showrooms, five expansions and one relocation.

“The Winter Atlanta Market … is the jumpstart of the 2023 retail year,” said Scott Eckman, executive vice president and chief revenue officer of IMC. “With significant new resources and investment from existing exhibitors, it also leads in innovation with the promise of unmatched fresh and new ideas and merchandise.”

Similarly, the Las Vegas Market will debut a new design-driven lifestyle floor and feature 15 showroom updates and recommitments amid its 300-plus showrooms.

“With its unmatched cross-category discovery opportunities, West Coast gift buyers are increasingly choosing Las Vegas Market as their preferred buying destination,” Eckman said. “Las Vegas Market is accelerating that trajectory as it brings more and more top brands to the market with the launch of the C11 lifestyle floor in January.”

There is no shortage of events in February, either. NY NOW, the Philadelphia Gift Show, ToyFest and Atlanta Spring Market are all upcoming.

ToyFest returns to the World Market Center in Las Vegas Feb. 27-March 3. According to the Western Toy & Hobby Representatives Association, ToyFest 2022 was the most well-attended ToyFest in 20 years. Scheduled events during the show include the ToyFest Gala, Game Night and Morning Masterpieces, offering buyers arts and crafts activities during breakfast one morning of the show.

With so many events to look forward to, it’s time to think about the next products you’d like to source for your shop. Here is a curated collection of fresh finds to inspire as you embark on a busy buying season.