Jul 20, 2023

New offerings drive Summer 2023 Atlanta Market

Summer 2023 Atlanta Market introduced the gift and home industry to a series of new offerings, presented against the backdrop of new ANDMORE branding, July 11-17 at AmericasMart Atlanta.

“This week, ANDMORE reintroduced itself as a tastemaker for modern marketplace buying and selling,” said Bob Maricich, CEO of ANDMORE. “New and exciting product across existing and new buying categories, engaging market events, professional and personal connections and the introduction of a new digital tool — all of these signaled a new era for Atlanta Market.”

Buyer attendance

Buyers from all 50 states and nearly 50 countries attended with an increase in northeastern, western and international representation at this summer’s Atlanta Market. According to ANDMORE, buyers were motivated by product line introductions, new market branding and digital tools to enhance and extend the at-market experience.

“Atlanta Market was phenomenal — the best show we have had yet in terms of volume of orders and the new contacts we made,” said Rachel Walker, artist and founder of lifestyle brand Happy By Rachel, who reported seeing about 60% new accounts. “Overall, the buyers felt happy. We focus on art-based products that are fun, colorful, cheerful and celebratory, so we attracted those buyers.”

Fourteen industry buying groups and member-based organizations were also in attendance at Atlanta Market.

At-Market connections

With 6,000 brands, 1,000 showrooms and 1,100 temporaries across the gift and home categories, buyers were presented an abundance of buying options.

Longtime market participants also enjoyed refreshed selling potential through new, expanded and relocated showrooms and new temporary exhibitors.

“We love our new showroom location on the first floor of Building 1, and we’ve seen a significant boost from the co-location with Casual Market Atlanta,” said John Thompson, Loloi Rugs Vice President of Sales, Southeast Region. “I’ve been at this market for 27 years, and the revamping of the presentations this year is making people feel good. The buyers are connecting with all of the work the market has done to present a fresh show environment.”

Beyond exhibits, the summer 2023 Atlanta Market featured events and education programs.

The “Market Kickoff Party” invited buyers to celebrate the industry with live music and hallmark ANDMORE amenities. Other highlights of the market’s 14 event offerings included appearances by three local Atlanta chefs in the JURA Demonstration Kitchen and a standing-room-only trend forecasting session presented by interior designer Timothy Corrigan.

@Market App

Designed to create ease and omnichannel integration for buyers, ANDMORE’s new @Market app officially launched at summer Atlanta Market.

With Scan & Go QR code technology to speed arrival, new tools to save and organize favorite products and notes, step-by-step navigational tools to make way-finding easier and a new post-market recap equipped with images, notes and buying capabilities, the @Market app was designed to contribute to and extend the physical marketplace.

Cross-category markets

For the first time, Casual Market Atlanta and Atlanta Market were held concurrently at AmericasMart, aimed to extend cross-category business opportunities for buyers and sellers from both industries. More than 150 casual furniture and outdoor accessories showrooms and temporary exhibitors debuted, drawing an influx of new furniture and casual/outdoor buyers to the summer markets, according to ANDMORE.

“We’ve been able to interact with people who don’t typically shop casual,” said Robert Pruitt, CEO of SoPoly, an outdoor furnishings company based in Georgia. “A few buyers expressed interest in diversifying their product lines, so we’ve definitely seen the benefits of this crossover.”

Following the conclusion of the inaugural market, members of the International Casual Furniture Association (ICFA) voted to continue to hold the Casual Market concurrently with summer Atlanta Market through 2025.

“ANDMORE has delivered on its promise to provide more product, more brands and more categories,” Maricich said. “As we conclude the summer Atlanta Market on a high note, we look forward to raising the bar on our own ANDMORE promise, providing more opportunity for buying, selling and face-to-face connection for markets to come.”

Atlanta Market returns to AmericasMart Atlanta Jan. 16-22, 2024.