Mar 1, 2016

NY NOW reports growth with successful winter 2016 market

Almost 25,000 attendees experienced yet another incredible edition of NY NOW, the Market for Home, Lifestyle + Gift, which took place earlier this month at the Jacob K. Javits Center. The market was filled with hundreds of new and returning exhibitors, more than 100,000 new and on-trend products throughout the HOME, LIFESTYLE, and HANDMADE Collections, and performances that can only be found in New York City. In addition to its extensive lineup of exhibitors, guests and performances, the winter 2016 market featured an array of activities, including its unrivalled educational seminars, events, and buyer promotions.

“This year’s NY NOW winter market continued its tradition of being a truly global stage for companies to share their new products with buyers and the industry,” said Randi Mohr, NY NOW co-director and vice president. “In addition to the incredible products on display, attendees were presented with a number of rich New York-exclusive programs, from seminars to performances, to enhance the NY NOW experience.”

NY NOW’s winter 2016 market experienced a six percent growth in attendance compared to last winter’s edition. That growth included a seven percent increase in the amount of unique stores that were represented by buyers in attendance.

“As an independent retailer, it’s our job to find the best of the best. We search high and low and attend major markets each season. It’s NY NOW that brings us the best…ALWAYS,” said Nathan Waldon, owner, NATHAN&CO. “If I had to choose only one market to attend – hands down NY NOW would win. NY NOW delivers the resources for keeping our stores fresh, creative and innovative. That’s why NY NOW is always our first choice for market.”

Exhibitors

Of the market’s almost 2,300 exhibitors, more than 150 companies returned to NY NOW after a hiatus, and over 400 exhibitors brand new to the market hailed from 40 U.S. states and 42 countries across the globe. Exhibitors commented:

–      “The show has been phenomenal! Every year…[NY NOW] proves to be better than the time before. We’ve had larger orders and reconnected with old accounts that we haven’t seen in some time and not only did they reorder, they reordered in a very significant way… New York is where we really bring out all the stops and have a great show.” – Janelle Shufelt- Anna New York/Rablabs, Tabletop + Gourmet Housewares exhibitor

–      “There’s more traffic here and we’re meeting a lot of new people. What’s interesting is that the buyers are here to buy.” – Lindsay Mason, French Knot, Personal Accessories exhibitor

–      “I’m new to market and I would love to exhibit [again] in August. Great buyers. Great shoppers. Great energy at this show.” – Emilie Cardinaux, The Golden Cleat, Handmade Designer Maker exhibitor

Awards

For the first time ever, NY NOW unified its popular Best New Product Awards, which recognized innovative product design, as well as the winner of the Best Exclusive Launch Award, for a product that debuted at the winter 2016 market. The combination of these awards celebrated the exceptional offerings from exhibitors across all sections of the market, and one winner was chosen from across nine of the sections within the HOME, LIFESTYLE, and HANDMADE Collections, including Home Furnishings + Textiles, Tabletop + Gourmet Housewares, Baby + Child, Gift, Personal Accessories, Personal Care + Wellness, Handmade Designer Maker, Handmade Global Design, and Artisan Resource.

Other awards presented during the market were the Accent on Design Awards, Eco Choice Awards, Best Exclusive Launch Award, as well as the Best in Market Award, which was announced in conjunction with Apartment Therapy – a digital resource that provides daily inspiration for decorating, DIY projects, renovating, de-cluttering, and massaging interior spaces. NY NOW’s Best in Market Award recognized one extraordinary product that stood out among the nine category winners of the Best New Product Awards. A complete list of awards and winning products is available online.

Seminars

To round out the market experience for exhibitors and attendees, NY NOW offered a wide variety of seminars where industry experts discussed topics that matter most to market attendees. Seminars were hosted by leading trade publications, such as Gift Shopmagazine; Gifts and Decorative Accessories; Souvenirs, Gifts and Novelties and more, plus industry associations, including the Day Spa Association, and CRAFT (Creative Retailers & Artists for Tomorrow), who spoke about topics from creating custom products and the color evolution, to utilizing Pinterest for exposure and sales, and designing successful artisan products.

Special Guests & Performers

NY NOW also welcomed a number of special guests and performers to the winter market this year, including GRAMMY award-winning artist Lionel Richie who promoted his Lionel Richie Home Collection in collaboration with Impulse! Enterprises, and Marcus Lemonis of CNBC’s “The Profit” celebrating the Biren & Co. line of candles. NY NOW attendees also received a taste of New York City with a visual art piece created by Bronx-born graffiti artist Mark Lawrence, and a break-dance performance by EBF Troupe. To further incentivize attendees, NY NOW extended after-hours beyond the market floor with a variety of unique “Only in New York” activities including its popular A Night on Broadway, featuring specially priced tickets to “ON YOUR FEET”, as well as the Gift for Life event which recognizes industry achievement.

#NYNOW

The winter market also enjoyed a spirited social media buzz, especially with the returning #NYNOW Social Media Lounge, sponsored by Apartment Therapy, which allowed attendees to participate in the action live while connecting and sharing highlights with fellow industry professionals. Apartment Therapy also provided home décor trends, which were highlighted by products throughout the lounge, and signed copies of their new book to give away as part of our Nowhere but #NYNOW social media giveaway. In this giveaway, attendees were asked share their NY NOW exclusive experiences for the chance to win one of four prize packages throughout the Market.

In addition, NY NOW’s destination: new product display highlighted exhibitors with new product introductions. A remarkable 115 companies were chosen to exhibit in theDestination: NEW display, which showcased a variety of products that have been manufactured in the USA and worldwide, as well as made by both hand and machine.

“I thought that this NY NOW show was one of the best. We found so many new and exciting items for our stores and can’t wait for them to arrive,” said Larry and Marcia Duatch, owners, Jenss Décor. “We look forward to the August show!”