Jan 19, 2022

Atlanta Market reports strong sales

Brands and sales agencies reported record sales at the close of the winter 2022 edition, Jan. 11-18, at AmericasMart Atlanta, according to an Atlanta Market press release.

“Buyers meant business in Atlanta this week – they came ready to source with the confidence that Atlanta Market would deliver the must-have product needed for the new year,” said Bob Maricich, CEO for International Market Centers. “Based on the reports of record-breaking sales and growth in order size, it appears that buyers found what they were looking for – and more!”

Market attendance at the Winter 2022 edition outpaced Winter 2021 by nearly 70%, despite wintery weather conditions and lingering pandemic-related issues. As industry recovery continued in Atlanta, all market verticals – Gift, Home and Apparel – recorded growth, with especially strong attendance in Gift. Ultimately, buyers attended from all 50 states and 39 countries.

Buyers Ready to Do Business

Excitement was palpable with buyers ready to place orders and eager to discover new brands, products and trends.

“Atlanta Market did not disappoint, the energy is back,” said Renae Bender, director of retail at Peppermill Resort Spa Casino in Reno, Nevada. “The market is back to ‘normal’ as far as the energy and being the ‘it’ place to source what’s new and exciting and those rare finds.”

Buying Power

Across Atlanta Market’s 2,000+ permanent showrooms and temporary exhibits – including 200+ that were new or expanded this January – sellers reported healthy orders from enthusiastic buyers sourcing from 8,000+ lines.

“The energy at Atlanta Market was electric,” said Fred Pannek, president of Mud Pie. “We saw buyers from the gift, décor and apparel industries flood in from all over the country to see, touch and feel the new product. Mud Pie achieved record-breaking days in Atlanta, where buyers spent roughly 30% more per order than last year.”

“This was the busiest January Atlanta Market I have seen in several years,” said Dan Loughman, president and CEO of Roman. “Our show sales were the highest in 17 or 18 years with average order sizes significantly larger than in the past and we opened dozens of new accounts. It was great to see Roman customers at market again – for some it was the first time in two years.”

Key Accounts and Buying Groups

Augmenting strong order writing from independent stores were key accounts and buying groups that returned to the market in force.

Key accounts confirmed at Atlanta Market included Aarons, Amazon, Anthropologie, Arhaus Furniture, Ballard Designs, Bassett Furniture, Big Sandy Superstore, Chair King Backyard Store, City Furniture, HSN, QVC, RC Willey, Rue Gilt Groupe, Slumberland Furniture, The Roomplace, Walter E. Smithe Furniture, Weekends Only, Weirs Furniture Village and more. Many of these high-volume buyers were using the market to discover new brands.

Buyers Engage with Market Programming

Atlanta Market attendees participated with in-person programming presented over four days of market. The eight seminars and cooking demonstrations featured standing-room-only crowds with buyers actively engaging in the sessions.

Juniper celebrated the launch of JuniperMarket, IMC’s new B2B ecommerce marketplace, with a packed Market Kickoff Party. Buyers who signed-up for JuniperMarket while onsite in Atlanta received a $10 lunch voucher, a JuniperMarket swag bag, and qualified to win one of five daily $5,000 cash back give-aways. To further bridge IMC’s physical and digital markets, JuniperMarket is offering all winter 2022 Atlanta Market retailer and designer attendees a Better Together Atlanta Market Special, with $100 back for spending $1000 on the platform before February 1. 

The next Atlanta Market is July 12-18, 2022, at AmericasMart Atlanta. For more information, visit AtlantaMarket.com.