WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.–Renewed buyer optimism and positive economic indicators directly resulted in a double-digit increase in attendance and robust order-writing at the winter 2010 edition of the New York International Gift Fair, according to show organizer GLM.
This surge to some 35,000 buyers from around the world significantly exceeded pre-market attendance projections and led many exhibitors to liken the market—and its business activity—to levels not seen since early 2008, GLM said.
“This was a well-attended show, with significant stores writing significant orders,” said At Home exhibitor Catherine Stemmler of SDH. “We’ve likely tripled our January 2009 sales, and might even be ahead of 2008.”
Overall, the Fair’s 2,700 exhibitors reported a positive environment conducive to healthy sales.
“This seemed to be a new show, with a new vibe,” said Accent on Design exhibitor Eric Davis with Property of … Cara Fratto with Vietri, an anchor Tabletop & Housewares exhibitor, echoed, “People are happy and in the mood to buy. We’ve surpassed sales from our best year, and continue to see amazing traffic.”.”
Significant out-of-region attendance was reflected among winter 2010 marketgoers, with strong international attendance from Canada, as well as Europe, South America, Australia and Asia. Domestically, NYIGF drew retailers from all 50 U.S. states, with the largest gains from the immediate surrounding states (New York, New Jersey and Connecticut), as well as New England and mid-Atlantic states.
“NYIGF has weathered the economy’s ebbs and flows, and is more exuberant than ever,” said Dorothy Belshaw, NYIGF director and GLM senior vice president. “This winter’s success is the perfect springboard for introduction of the first phase of “Focus Forward NYIGF 2013,” a strategic reorganization of NYIGF into broad market collections of Home, Craft, Lifestyle and New products.” As announced during NYIGF, these changes will begin in summer 2010, with the introduction of a new Baby+Child category; recategorization of NYIGF’s Handmade division into distinct Handmade Designer Maker and Handmade Global Resources classifications; and the reintroduction of New York’s Newest at Pier 92. The phased changes, which will synchronize with construction and renovation of the Javits Center, are scheduled to complete in summer 2013.
