Maker’s Spotlight: Cose Nuove

{Sponsored} The Scandinavian aesthetic’s clean lines and natural materials are a winner with consumers year after year. It’s no surprise why that is: with the trends toward reducing clutter and consumers seeking products that are both art and function, the products that artisans in the region create fit that bill.

Cose Nuove has been in the business of creating and sourcing Scandinavian designs for over 20 years, and each year they release around 100 new products. Some of these are created by founder Mark Bretheim and others are made by Swedish, Danish and Norwegian artisans and designers. Cose Nuove shows off their product lines at both Las Vegas Market and AmericasMart, and while the line is successful at both shows, Bretheim especially loves working with the smaller gift retailers in Las Vegas.

One of Cose Nuove’s goals is to create nimble designs that don’t require substantial retooling in manufacturing, such as a Swedish dishcloths — an eco-friendly product made of cellulose fiber and cotton. They are biodegradable, reusable and an excellent replacement for sponges. As their best-selling product, these dishcloths are available in a variety of patterns and Breitheim is able to change the designs several times a year, giving buyers and consumers many options for this product with a high sell-through rate.

Along with the popular Swedish dishcloths, buyers can find other consumer-favorite products. These include the bright, sturdy bags from Hinza Totes, merino wool socks in traditional and modern designs from Bengt & Lotte, and geometric kitchen and garden essentials from Born in Sweden, all designed with function at the center.

Holiday products in the Cose Nuove showrooms are more eclectic and colorful. Buyers will find traditional wooden ornaments with knitted accents; laser-cut wooden snowflakes and critters, Tomten figures bundled in winter garb for table tops, hand-dipped candles and much more.

For those seeking stone, the Hukka-Finland line of functional soapstone drink coolers, candle holders and salt bowls will add a unique look to any kitchen. Woven fiber products from several makers add softness to any Scandinavian aesthetic with throws, blankets in soft shades and cheerful kitchen textiles.

In terms of hues, buyer favorites include all shades of blues and aquas and turquoises. Blue with yellow accents are also popular along with the “Swedish Gustavian” white mixed with pale gray.

Buyers will see more than just the latest Scandinavian aesthetic in the Cose Nuove showroom, setting it apart from the cookie-cutter idea many Americans have of Scandinavian designs; “It’s not necessarily ultra-modern or contemporary but a lighter, cleaner look rather than a lot of more traditional designs,” Bretheim said.

For those new to the gift industry or who are looking to focus on fewer shows this year, Bretheim especially recommends Las Vegas Market for its travel accessibility, easy in-show navigation and local amenities. He prefers to give buyers personal attention, working directly with independent retail owners instead of just sending catalogs.

You can find Cose Nuove in the Las Vegas Market Temporaries at E-1406. To see more of their designs and products before the show, take a look at their website: https://www.cosenuove.com/index.htm.

Join us in Las Vegas this month!

August 22-26, 2021

Gift & Home Temporaries: August 22-25, 2021

Register here!

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