Gift Shop Plus Winter 2024

From the Editor: In the Spotlight By Carly McFadden

Happy New Year! 2024 is underway as this issue lands in our readers’ mailboxes, and Gift Shop Plus is ushering in the new year with elation and optimism as we launch the Gift + Stationery Spotlight Awards.

The Spotlight Awards honor 12 individuals who are making an impact on our industry with exemplary leadership, vision and innovation. This group is composed of retailers, manufacturers, designers, sales managers and executives who were nominated by their peers and carefully selected by our editorial team.

We introduce the dozen industry movers and shakers here. In each forthcoming issue this year, Gift Shop® Plus will feature four honorees, sharing in depth their achievements, contributions and insights.

The winter 2024 trade show season offers us a natural opportunity to gather. As such, you’re invited to celebrate these dozen individuals and their contributions at Atlanta Market at 10 a.m. on Jan. 19 in Building 1, Floor 14.

The Gift Shop® Plus team is looking forward to hosting this event as well as attending this season’s trade shows. Bidding adieu to the holidays is made
sweeter knowing that we are mere days away from the markets that move our industry and businesses forward.

In the meantime, enjoy Gift Shop® Plus Winter 2024, chock full of the latest trends to guide you through buying season. View a roundup of new- to-market items (page 76), find inspiration in our holiday 2024 preview, and read the stories of four diverse makers whose businesses empower retailers and customers alike.

Please feel free to say hello if you spot our team as we peruse the trade show floors. We will be trendspotting and sharing some standout market finds on giftshopmag.com and our Instagram (@giftshop_magazine).

See any trends this market season that you’d like Gift Shop® Plus to cover? Send me your observations and suggestions at cmcfadden@greatamericanpublish.com — I’d love to hear from you.

Until next time,