Apr 9, 2012

The Merchandise Mart Announces Exciting Changes to Enhance the Gift Industry Buying Experience

Chicago — Today The Merchandise Mart, the world’s largest commercial  building  and  epicenter  of  fine  design, announced that in the coming months a thoughtful reconfiguration of the Mart’s gift industry floors will commence, offering retailers a more enjoyable, seamless experience while shopping the superb showroom offerings.

The gift showrooms, currently located throughout floors 13 and 14, will now be unified on one floor creating a collection of essential gift, home and seasonal offerings.  The concentration of showrooms on the 13th floor of The Mart will allow MMPI to provide a more comprehensive marketplace, while focusing on the very best resources in the country.  The Chicago Market offers a staggering 6,000+ product lines on a day to day basis and an additional floor of product during markets in January and July.  Industry stalwarts such as Anne McGilvray, Roman Inc., DNA, Kurt S. Adler, and others will anchor the space.

“These changes position us to grow Chicago’s gift industry,” noted Vice President of Chicago  Gift,  Toni McIntosh. “It makes sense to locate like‐focused businesses together.  It streamlines the buying process, which will only enhance showroom sales. This move highlights the incredible breadth of our offerings and our superior showrooms, and we’re excited about it.”  

In response to the changing retail marketplace, the 13th floor will also welcome new apparel and accessory tenants, creating a more complete experience for shoppers in the industry. 

It is estimated that the restructuring and construction of the gift floors will be completed by end of 2012. 

About MMPI
MMPI is the world’s leading owner and operator of showroom buildings and trade show facilities, bringing buyers and sellers together in more than 300 market events, trade and consumer shows and conferences each year. 

MMPI manages The Merchandise Mart in Chicago; the Architects & Designers Building, 7 W New York, and Piers 92/94 in New York City; the Boston Design Center in Boston; the L.A. Mart in Los Angeles; the Washington Design Center in Washington DC; and Cleveland Medical Mart & Convention Center in Cleveland.

Vornado Realty Trust, owners of MMPI, based in New York City, is a fully integrated equity real estate investment trust. Vornado’s common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange and are traded under the symbol VNO.