Feb 7, 2014

LA Mart GALLA Reports Strong Show with Outstanding Buyers and New Showrooms

The LA Mart welcomed some of the finest international and national buyers to its Winter GALLA market last month. In addition to more than 10,000 lines to see, buyers appreciated the unparalleled attention from complimentary concierge shuttle service to being greeted with smiles and sparkling mimosas. Showrooms were equally excited because buyers came prepared to write business and they were excited to share their latest collections.

“Not only did our loyal buyers return but more than 700 new buyers came through our doors during our Winter GALLA Market,” reports Frank Joens, senior vice president, general manager at the LA Mart.

New showrooms opened their doors including Lollia/TokyoMilk, Studio Daedre, La Maisonnette and Eloquence. Buyers also enjoyed the newly expanded Steven Young and R-Biz showrooms as well as the extensive offerings of Kurt Adler, Anne McGilvray & Company, Gifts of Nature, Sales Producers, Collective Home, Flemming Chalef, Wilco, Arteriors and PALECEK.

Veteran manufacturers and showroom representatives were thrilled with the response form buyers. Some highlights from showroom principals:

· “We had a fabulous LA Mart show,” announces Robin Weiss, district leader, Two’s Company. “The building was filled with professional buyers who were here to write business. Our average order size increased and our overall dollars were up.”

· “This was a record-breaking show,” says Stephen Young, owner, Stephen Young.

· “We had a great show with sales up 30% while transactions were up 22%,” announced Liesl Ludwig, CEO, Anne McGilvray & Co. “Many of our vendors realized an even greater percentage increase. Those who came, came to write!”

· “Our buyers were positive about their retail environment which I am sure contributed to the nice increase in our average order size,” says Joanne Rackow, owner, Joanne & Company. “We were happy to see many returning buyers that we have not seen in several years. This was a good show!”

· “We had a great show at the LA Mart,” says Adraina Mello, co-owner, Keena. “As a matter of fact this was the best show we’ve ever experienced here. It was clear that quality buyers shop the LA Mart and they are here to write orders. Buyers love the mix at Keena and are always excited to see our new offerings.”

· “We had an awesome show, the best we’ve seen in years,” shares Nellie Sarkissian, owner, J. Johnson. “Our average order size was way up and we were very pleased to see that the quality of buyer here at the LA Mart was fantastic.”

· “ Customers love the LA Mart,” admits Farida Kornbuth, owner, FEM Sales. “It is an easy building to get to and an easy building to work with. It is a great experience here at the LA Mart.”

· “We just completed a showroom relocation/expansion and our show was a wonderful success!” says Jerry Pinksi, owner, R-Biz. “We saw a huge amount of new customers which is very important to continuing to increase our business.”

· “We are looking at a 20% increase over last January, which is fantastic!” exclaims Tom Mitchell, owner of Lynn Mitchell Group. “Our average order size increased with more overall buyers in our showroom. We saw a great deal of the real serious buyer which a big number from out of town!”

· Grace By Catherine Sullivan/ Remembrance suite 330 – “I am very pleased with this show, as I had a nice increase in show numbers,” says Catherine Sullivan, owner, Grace By Catherine Sullivan/ Remembrance. “We had very high quality buyers that were here to do business! Buyers seem to love the LA Mart’s product mix.”

On the heels of its successful Winter GALLA market, the LA Mart showrooms are planning the production and marketing of its Spring Show, March 30, 31st and April 1st and its next major GALLA, its summer market to be held July 16 -21.

To learn more about the LA Mart, visit LAMart.com.

About the L.A. Mart®

LA Mart contains the West Coast’s most comprehensive collection of fine regional and national showrooms available to the trade and consumer buying communities 5 days a week. Encompassing 500,000 square feet of gift, home, furniture, and lifestyle lines, the LA Mart Gift + Home + Design Center features thousands of premium product lines, from custom manufactured to nationally branded merchandise, represented in our permanent showrooms.