I am grateful for the opportunity to visit the Atlanta gift fair this year. It was my fourth year at the event and the most enjoyable so far. In addition to the trade show I was able to sit in on some terrific gift related product and strategy workshops.
There was plenty of new product to see and new initiatives to consider.
This is the major trade show for gift and homewares for the year. It is held in a three tower location with each tower similar in size two the one on the photo.
Many companies have year-long booths for sales people to use. Many of these booths show products as a shopper would see them in retail.
I use the show as an opportunity its to draw inspiration in terms of product range, in-store merchandise rising and retail management practices from way beyond the opportunities for inspiration we see in Australia.
As often the case, there was talk at the trade show about the mood of small business owners. The mood is considered to be optimistic. People were open to buy. This is an advance on the same rate show a year earlier.
I have come away with several new product opportunities as well as what I think will be some good in-store initiatives. Retail competition in the US is considerably greater than in Australia. This challenges small business retailers to do better. That is where I have found good learning opportunities by being at trade shows like this.
The importance of gift retailers is growing in our channel. It is exciting as what constitutes gift continues to evolve.
Went to Birmingham gift fair a few years back, was well worth the trip. Atlanta certainly on our wish list.
Colin, comparing the two, there are very sufficient, each valuable in their own way. For right now, tough, my preference is Atlanta.