It’s hard to believe summer market season is just around the corner, with Atlanta Market kicking the buying season off earlier than ever before. Buyers may already have their travel plans solidified and must-see appointments arranged, but they’ll definitely want to find time in their schedule for some exciting market events this month.
Atlanta Market Tips and Treats
In addition to showcasing several new permanent showrooms, including Cheap Carl’s, Dottie Hart, Ice World Manufacturing, Magnetic Me (at Lemonade Stand), Mark Garland, Native to Nowhere Agency, Road Trips + Friends, Teddy Lessner, Vane & Hart and Wild Republic, Atlanta Market will also host several exciting events for buyers.
To kick off the week, showrooms on the 18th floor of Building 2 are hosting a coordinated celebration with a playful “cherry on top” theme on Tuesday, June 9. Participating showrooms, which include Darrah & Company, Demdaco, OneCoast and Transpac Brands, will serve cherry-inspired bites and beverages, and team members will be dressed in red.
Starting at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, June 10, Mud Pie‘s lead showroom designer, Jill Schlung, will give buyers a tour through Mud Pie’s new showroom in Building 2, Suite 1821, as she presents 12 essential visual merchandising tips that will teach retailers how they can “sleigh their holiday displays” all season long.
Guests can expect Schlung to speak on topics such as cross-merchandising, display styling, minimizing dead space, and occasion-matching, using a number of Mud Pie’s best-selling holiday collections. Guests are encouraged to be curious and ask questions throughout the tour, and can enjoy delicious holiday sweet treats at the conclusion of the event.
On Thursday, June 11, showrooms in Building 2, Floor 17 will host a festive “Sparkle on 17” shopping experience. For the full day, participating showrooms across the 17th floor of Building 2 will shine in sparkly attire and décor. They will also offer breakfast bites in the morning and refreshing popsicles in the afternoon by a roving King of Pops cart. Throughout the day, many showrooms will also offer a selection of beverages, including wine, beer and soda. Participants include:
- Anne McGilvray & Co. and Blake Road Collection
- Briarwood Lane
- Designworks Collective
- Harman
- Harper Group
- Just Got 2 Have It
- The Royal Standard
- Two’s Company
Buyers will also enjoy searching for new vendors in the refreshed temporary exhibits, unified under the “First Finds” moniker to spotlight emerging, trend-forward and limited-distribution brands. This streamlined lineup simplifies discovery for buyers seeking fresh inventory and unique resources.
Dallas To-Dos
Total Home & Gift Market in Dallas is also sporting a reimagined version of its Temps neighborhoods in two buildings, including a new fashion destination on the 13th floor of the World Trade Center. In addition to a focus on temporary exhibitors, the market also has several companies that will unveil fresh expansions and new showrooms, including NextGen Dallas’ expansion to a three-showroom footprint totaling 27,000 square feet, now located in TM 1028, 1418 and 2040.
Toy and gift buyers looking for more guidance will enjoy exploring the market during the Boutique Hub’s one-hour Trend Tour, scheduled for Wednesday, June 24. Beginning at 1 p.m. at WTC 8 – KidsWorld Studio, Samantha Conner of The Boutique Hub will showcase the season’s most anticipated trends and show retailers how to shop the 8th floor. Discover new collections firsthand and gain valuable insights into what’s next in children’s apparel, accessories, footwear, toys and gifts.
After a long market day, go out for an evening of drinks, fun and networking at Gifts & Decorative Accessories‘ Retailer Excellence Awards dinner and ceremony. On Wednesday, June 24, from 6-10 p.m., the magazine will host a networking cocktail hour and award ceremony that honors the country’s top independent retailers, sales reps and manufacturers. Tickets must be purchased from retailerexcellenceawards.com.
Thursday, June 25, be one of the first 50 buyers to hit the 11th floor and load up on free swag from your favorite temp booths. Only one registered buyer per store will receive a swag bag.
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