The new Man Pants program had a smashing market debut! Customers loved the comfort, the quality, and price of the Man Pants! This is a must have for the all-important men’s section that retailers need in their stores. Crafted from 100% cotton, these essential sleep and lounge pants are packaged in a matching cotton drawstring bag, ensuring e ortless and attractive merchandising. Display options ensure a great presence to make waves in stores!
Budget-friendly, trendy jewelry that has consistently proven to be a hit among retailers. The long-time industry leader introduced over 500 new styles at market! Among the many standouts was the enchanting Bright Blessings necklace program, successor to the equally popular Beach Blessings. The new Artisan catalog is also packed with noteworthy additions! Periwinkle is a staple among retailers and there is no shortage of great new o erings to keep sales strong for spring.
An impressive 90 new designs were released during market season! Responding to demand, the industry leader in fun fashion reintroduced their beloved Comfort Collection. These designs were a hit, alongside the debut of the all-new Premium Collection. Stealing the accessories spotlight in the showrooms were their oversized blankets, boasting ten signature patterns that made an undeniable splash. Fun and fashionable trends continue with this great supplier and stores love featuring this brand!
Cherished by customers as the go-to destination for specialty home decor and gifts! This show season they unveiled three captivating new scent options, Cozy Cottage, Birthday Cake, and Caramel Latte, in their best-selling giftable candles. Tremendous market sales reinforce retailers expressing their adoration for the impeccable quality and value of these American-made products. Made in the U.S.A. has never been bigger, and this is a great supplier of a wide variety of products, including custom!
Their dreamiest collections yet! Customers were blown away by the tremendous selections for spring/summer and placed a record number of orders in the pre-order program for fall ‘24. There were many highlights at market! It will be imperative for retailers to work with their local territory manager to get orders placed quickly to ensure prompt delivery. The Heavenly Lux Collection was a huge hit with buyers loving the incredibly soft spun yarn knits that felt… heavenly. While the apparel was an obvious draw, Coco + Carmen continues to be a major source for jewelry and accessories and the o erings had an amazing showing.
Leading the industry as the premier supplier of fun plush and wellness gifts catering to all ages! Retailers loved the introduction of numerous adorable characters for 2024, accompanied by the addition of coordinating children’s socks to complement their best-selling children’s pajamas. Notably, the axolotl remains a favorite, with both the full-size and junior Warmies emerging as the season’s undeniable favorites! Retailers will need to be stocked as these favorites are sure to sell quickly.
Like walking on clouds! And, made in America too! World’s Softest Weekend Collection continues to capture the hearts of consumers. New options were introduced to expand this already beloved collection! Buyers were also pre-booking their limited-supply Holiday Cozy Collections to ensure the first delivery for their customers. Store owners know that this brand delivers sales like no other sock brand in the world!
Maya J experienced incredible growth in 2023 and the momentum continued at market with record breaking sales. After tremendous retail sellthrough during the holiday season, the birthstone collections are a sure favorite among retailers. Also, their beautiful display programs make a serious impact in stores! The addition of mini birthstone charms delivers an adorable mommy-andme necklace duo, ideal for springtime gifting. Explore new stackable birthstone rings— an impeccable choice for a personalized and thoughtful gift idea!
Every now and then a product comes along that becomes iconic in the home + housewares industry. An innovation in functionality or design that captures the hearts and minds of consumers and becomes ubiquitous in households of all shapes and sizes.
But before it was in every consumer’s home, it was at The Inspired Home Show.
Over the years, the most renowned home + housewares products have made their mark in Chicago in March. It was an idea—maybe a prototype—maybe from a company or inventor no one had ever heard of. But the buyers who recognized its potential early brought competitive differentiation and consumer loyalty back to their stores with them.
Somewhere on our Show floor is the next industry icon. You can find it, or your competition will.
MARCH 17-19, 2024
SUNDAY • MONDAY • TUESDAY
GDA had boots on the ground in Dallas, Atlanta, Las Vegas and New York. Here are the five biggest trends the team identified for 2024, from faith-based gifts to fan apparel for women.
Consumers have come a long way from their pandemic-fueled baking craze. Now, foodies are looking for functional ingredients that uplift their mood, help them relax and aid in overall health.
DELICIOUS AND NUTRITIOUS 85 SUITED FOR FATHER'S DAY 31 TOP TRENDS FROM MARKET
Research shows that consumers are increasingly spending more on Dad each year, and with more clever and upscale gifts for men than ever before, this Father's Day is sure to urge some sales.
93 SUPPORTING BIPOC BUSINESSES
GDA continues its mission to uncover more minority-run businesses with its special highlight of gift companies that are owned by BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) entrepreneurs.
96
EDITOR-TESTED SELF-CARE
Minimalist living and loud budgeting have consumers searching for a scaled-down, but high-quality skincare routine. These products were tested by the GDA team and deemed “must-haves.”
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Searching for Nutrients
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36 Gifts Perfect for Father's Day
Page 31
5 Trends From Winter Markets
On the Cover: Little Chefs in the Kitchen Grocery Store Scavenger Hunt Book. C.R. Gibson Signature. onecoast.com.
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EDITOR
Lenise Willis 336.605.3817 | lwillis@giftsanddec.com
MANAGING EDITOR Amanda Erd | 773.570.4187 | aerd@bridgetowermedia.com
ASSOCIATE EDITOR Adelaide Elliott | 336.605.1145 | aelliott@giftsanddec.com
CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Pamela Brill, Alyson Hunter, Warren Shoulberg
RESEARCH EDITOR Joanne Friedrick
SENIOR GROUP PUBLISHER, EVP CREATIVE SERVICES Liz Irwin
SENIOR DIRECTOR OF SALES Donna Bischoff | dbischoff@furnituretoday.com
ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER, MIDWEST AND CANADA Garry P. Grenier | 224.558.9996 | ggrenier@giftsanddec.com
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE, WEST COAST AND EAST COAST Betsy Malito | 925.998.6706 | bmalito@giftsanddec.com HONG KONG, INDONESIA, KOREA, MALAYASIA Quentin Chan | 852.2366.1106
PHILIPPINES, SINGAPORE, TAIWAN, THAILAND fax 852.2366.1107 | quentinchan@leadingm.com INDIA Kaushal Shah | +91 22 2305 9305 | kaushal@kaushals.com
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
Bill McLoughlin
PRODUCTION SPECIALIST John Reno | jreno@bridgetowermedia.com
DIGITAL MEDIA SPECIALIST Ariel Perez
SENIOR DIRECTOR OF DIGITAL OPERATIONS Chris Schultz
DIRECTOR OF AD OPERATIONS Dan Sage
DIGITAL OPERATIONS MANAGER Randy Melton DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND CREATIVE SERVICES Melanie Bingham
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
John Coughlan
This year is already off to a rocking start with an energetic market season — and best of all — positive economic reports by analysts who are trying to back-out of their recession predictions. It seems this year might not be as dismal as some had feared.
In fact, the February issue of National Retail Federation’s Monthly Economic Review reported that the economy “has been more resilient than expected” and shows “no sign of a recession,” citing the 3.3 percent annual growth in gross domestic product for the fourth quarter and 2.5 percent for the year.
The report also mentioned that although January 2024 retail sales hadn’t yet been reported, consumer sentiment was at its highest level in nearly three years as shoppers appeared to be more upbeat about the economy, income levels and employment.
This is great news for the gift industry and is cause for a positive outlook for 2024. There’s actually a lot to be excited about this year. For starters, the winter market season, according to market centers and select vendors and buyers, was a hit. From my perspective, there were a lot of new and exciting products, as well as new vendors on the scene, which added to the enthusiasm and my perception of the health of 2024. If manufacturers are once again investing in a plethora of new product designs and new businesses are entering the market, the economy can’t be that bad off.
You can view some of the biggest market trends I noticed in my special section: “Trending at Market.” From fun and functional fashion accessories to everything pet related, I relay the five biggest trends our team identified at market. For more burgeoning trends, you can also check us out at giftsanddec.com/live-from-market.
Secondly, our 73rd Retailer Excellence Awards are open for nominations and entries, which will show the strength of the retail community. All of our retail readers have a chance to enter themselves into one or more of our seven retail award categories and get national recognition for their store. The deadline to enter is March 31, so make sure you carve out some time to enter. Finalists will be announced in early May and invited to an in-person award gala June 19 in Dallas, in conjunction with the Dallas Total Home & Gift Market. Visit us at giftsanddec.com/REAs for more information.
“It seems this year might not be as dismal as some had feared.”
Finally, though social media has likely caused many small businesses a few headaches over the years, these sharing platforms are providing more valuable feedback and insight into target consumers than we’ve ever had before, and those glimpses into your customer base’s everyday life should not be taken lightly. Here at GDA, we keep an eye on what’s trending on TikTok and Instagram, particularly which communities are growing like #BookTok and #WaterTok, in order to keep a finger on the pulse of buyers. In Adelaide Elliott’s feature, “Functional Foodies,” for example, she touches on how social media has influenced consumers’ eating habits and what we can learn from social media about which ingredients and food trends are most popular.
Keep your eye on TikTok this year, even if you don’t intend to create content on it. It can give you valuable insights into who your target customer is and what they’re looking for, and that means big opportunities for 2024.
Lenise Willis Editor in Chief
products, like these recycled
The winter market season at home and abroad is wrapping up, providing a glimpse of business conditions for the year ahead. Editors at Home Accents Today, a sister publication of Gifts & Decorative Accessories, had boots on the ground in Germany, covering the co-located Ambiente and Christmasworld shows, which ran Jan. 26-30. From sustainability to how sellers feel about the state of the economy, here’s what we learned.
Unlike American markets, you couldn’t walk five steps in Frankfurt's exhibition center without getting the green message: Sustainable practices are essential for the planet and for business. Companies across every product category hailed — in large signs and displays — innovative efforts to recycle production waste products into new goods, responsibly source raw materials, substitute more innovative and earth friendly products for oil-based ones, use less energy, or employ other eco-friendly practices. A Messe Frankfurt juried program flagged with a bright green tag, the booths of ecologically and socially responsible producing exhibitors. Putting aside the legitimate debates over what is truly sustainable and what is not, the overall message was uplifting and energizing.
The same uncertain economic and geopolitical conditions exist in Europe as the United States. Despite two wars, rising costs
and high interest rates, a cheery optimism characterized the American shows in Dallas, Atlanta and Las Vegas. In Frankfurt, Detlef Braun, a member of the executive board of show organizer Messe Frankfurt, said that after a 27-month “ban” on activities (Ambiente did not take place in either 2021 or 2022), “vital signs are good.” Roughly 5,000 vendors — a 10 percent increase — participated in the fair, he said, which was co-located with Christmasworld and Creativeworld and sprawled across a distance of 53 soccer fields.
Sales were down roughly 10 percent last year — it was unclear if figures referred to just Germany or all of Europe — but Braun said he expected the tide to turn in 2024. Vendors were a little more circumspect: At least two European manufacturers disputed Braun’s sales claim, saying business last year was down by closer to 20 or 30 percent. And the coming U.S. election is leaving many with a wait-and-see approach.
Messe Frankfurt is embracing the interior design trade; for the first-time, it hosted a Designer Day that included designerled tours of the interiors hall and a series of lectures on topics such as color and the consideration of healthy materials in design (given by the co-founders of the Healthy Materials Lab at Parsons School of Design in New York). And the show’s Designer of the Year, Elena Salmistraro, created a lounge area of the fair inspired by her love of gaming.
The Petra reader, a proven bestselling shape, is now offered in stunning spring colors. Available in both blue and purple in quarter powers from +0.75-+3.00, +3.50 and +4.00. See our new releases along with our full line of current readers, blue light, sunglasses, sun readers, sun bifocals, accessories and more.
Las Vegas Market welcomed buyers from all 50 states and nearly 60 countries during its five-day winter edition at the end of January. Taking over World Market Center Las Vegas from Jan. 28-Feb. 1, brands delivered a magnitude of sourcing opportunities that, to some, signal “a fruitful business year ahead.”
“Las Vegas Market continues to be a major force in shaping west coast sourcing across the furniture, gift and home landscapes,” said Bob Maricich, Andmore CEO. “Buyers left the Winter 2024 Market with state-of-art sourcing, unrivaled networking and seminar- and trend-driven inspiration, signaling a fruitful business year ahead.”
The winter edition featured more than 1,300 gift resources across seven floors, including seven new and expanded showrooms. Stephen Brown, creator of Glitterville and firsttime attendee of Las Vegas Market, was excited after a successful first showing.
“Las Vegas Market is unique. The Glitterville brand is all about that ‘wow’ factor, and it fits perfectly into the fabric of this market,” said Brown. “We’ve experienced a wonderful reception for our first Las Vegas Market and we’re definitely optimistic for the future.”
Transpac Brands, which brought all four of its brands together in one expansive showroom, gained a lot of positive attention,
Dallas Market Center earlier this winter experienced a hefty increase in first-time attendance for its Total Home & Gift Market in January.
“We are seeing an acceleration of buyers choosing Dallas especially from the western U.S. This expansion of our buyer base began during the pandemic and quickened in January 2024.”
— Cindy Morris, president/CEO of Dallas Market Center
According to a release from DMC, the number of buyers attending the market for the first time was at its second-highest level in five years.
While buyers traveled from all across the country, the market saw a particularly large increase in new buyers from the western U.S. Attendance for buyers traveling to market from California, Nevada, Oregon and Washington was up 27 percent compared to January 2023; buyers from southwest
according to President and CEO Laurie Gilner.
“The combination of bringing a new brand to life in this showroom and our prime location on the atrium has made the reaction from buyers exceptional this winter,” said Gilner. “We’ve gotten so many new customers and the opportunities that have sprouted as a result are abundant.”
At the Expo at World Market Center Las Vegas, more than 450 brands showcased products across six categories: Design, Gift, Handmade, Home, Immediate Delivery and LUXE. Both new brands and seasoned veteran brands noted strong connections during the four days of temps.
“It’s our first time at market, and we are thrilled to meet all the buyers and fellow exhibitors,” said Rami Khalaf of Kalifano. “There is such a wonderful sense of community and general buzz to this event, and it’s truly amazing to be part of it.”
Sammi Hill, founder of Mixologie, added, “As a southern brand that primarily services the southeast, Las Vegas Market really helps us get in front of major west coast accounts. I heard great things about the temps in Las Vegas, and I’m glad I took the leap of faith — 90 percent of the orders we’ve written at this market are from brand new buyers.”
The next edition of Las Vegas Market is scheduled for July 28-Aug. 1.
states such as Arizona, Utah, Colorado and New Mexico was up 30 percent.
“We are seeing an acceleration of buyers choosing Dallas especially from the western U.S.,” said Cindy Morris, president and CEO of Dallas Market Center. “This expansion of our buyer base began during the pandemic and quickened in January 2024 as independent retailers and sales representatives determined where they wanted to conduct business. Our January post-market buyer survey shows that retailers are seeking a single marketplace that best presents a wide range of trending products inside an inspiring and efficient marketplace. They also want to attend trade events in a city that offers lower travel costs and is safe.”
Exhibitors like OneCoast — which unveiled a new flagship showroom during the Dallas market — also noted the growing audience, with OneCoast CEO John Keiser saying it was “great to see” the new representation from the west.
The data surrounding the attendance growth comes after an earlier release touted a 17 percent overall attendance increase during the first two days of the January Total Home & Gift Market compared to last year.
Marketgoers pose in front of the Atlanta Market display.
More than 6,000 brands filled AmericasMart Atlanta, bringing “unmatched buying opportunities” to buyers from all over the world as Atlanta Market opened the year with a successful winter edition.
Market attendees traveled from all 50 states and 50 countries for the seven-day market — running Jan. 16-22. They were eager to see the more than 2,400 permanent showrooms and temporary exhibits stocked with tons of new products.
“The Winter 2024 Atlanta Market delivered unmatched buying opportunities and one-of-a-kind industry events to buyers,” said Bob Maricich, Andmore CEO. “The energy and optimism in Atlanta were palpable, and buyers and sellers reported overwhelmingly positive results.”
Brands reported steady order writing throughout the market, signaling confident buying across all gift, home décor and apparel categories.
“Our company primarily does business on the road, but we have loved seeing climbing numbers here at Market,” said Melina Dellas, Atlanta showroom manager of Evergreen Enterprises. “The excitement and upbeat environment really takes you back to the glory days, and it keeps us aware that having a presence at Atlanta Market is important.”
Buying was up for the temporary exhibitors, too, with many citing big gains and record-breaking sales for January. “Our Atlanta show gets bigger for us every year, and we’re seeing
more and more of our key accounts,” said Amy Carey, national sales manager of Umbra. “We write more orders at the January Atlanta Market than any other show with our sales consistently trending upward — it’s only getting better.”
Andmore’s @Market App debuted new features at Atlanta Market’s winter edition to better serve marketgoers. Enhanced capabilities including wayfinder navigation, a brand directory and links to market resources made the overall market easier for attendees. The market planner allowed users to organize showroom and booth visits and mark favorites.
The Market Recap feature, a new addition to the app for this market, provided users with on-the-go access to onsite notes and photos, along with a post-market email summary of at-market activity.
“A picture is worth a thousand words, so the photo feature was such a helpful tool,” said retailer Elie Chiasson, Backyard Supplies Atlantic (Moncton, BC). “From being able to write notes and mark vendors we’ve visited to taking pictures of and saving business cards, we wouldn’t change a thing.”
The next edition of Atlanta Market is scheduled to run July 16-22 at AmericasMart Atlanta. More information can be found online at atlantamarket.com.
Gifts & Decorative Accessories is once again asking for entries and nominations for top retailers, vendors and sales reps for its Retailer Excellence Awards (REA). The annual award ceremony and gala recognizes excellence in seven retail categories, plus honors the top vendor of the year and top sales representatives of the year.
This year marks the 73rd consecutive year the magazine has recognized outstanding achievements in the gift industry, and the editorial team is asking for nominations and submissions for 2024.
Participants have until March 31, 2024 to submit a retailer award entry or nominate their favorite vendor or sales rep. All forms to enter each segment of the awards for 2024 are now live. Go to retailerexcellenceawards.com for award entry forms and ceremony information.
REA recognizes retail excellence in seven award categories. Retailers are encouraged to enter themselves into one or more retail award categories in which they feel they qualify. Vendors, sales reps and other industry professionals may also nominate a retailer by filling out the same form.
Make sure you provide as much detail as possible in the description area and upload images of the store and any related displays, campaigns or events. The image upload area is at the end of the page, after the “Submit” button.
The categories include: Social Media Outreach and Online Initiatives; Store Design/Redesign; Visual Merchandising; Store Events; Specialty Store; Multiple Locations; Socially Responsible.
Remember to be specific about why you feel the nominee/ you are deserving for each award category. Winning retailer submissions are usually those that provide specific details and any metrics, such as an increase in event attendance,
web-traffic boosts, etc. Images are also highly encouraged. New for 2023, REA now recognizes the best sales representatives in the country. Both manufacturers and retailers are allowed to nominate sales reps that they feel are deserving of the honor.
Five awards will be handed out, recognizing the best sales reps across five U.S. regions: Southwest, Northwest, Central/ Midwest, Northeast and Southeast. Please be specific about why you feel your nominee is deserving of an award; example scenarios of problem solving or going the extra mile are encouraged.
The best vendor in the country, as voted by our retail readers, is also recognized as part of REA. Retailers are encouraged to nominate the manufacturer/vendor that they feel is the best in the country.
Nominations are open to all manufacturers/vendors within the gift industry, including former winners. Please write any specifics on why you feel the vendor is deserving, such as clever products, unparalleled customer service, impeccable shipping reliability or overall ability to go above and beyond.
By mid-April, GDA will announce the top 10 vendors, based on both quality of nominations and number of nominations. Retail readers will then get a chance to vote for their favorite out of the 10 on giftsanddec.com.
Finalists will be announced online Wednesday, May 1, as well as in the June issue of Gifts & Decorative Accessories. Winners will be announced in person at an award ceremony June 19 at Union Station in Dallas.
The ceremony will be running in conjunction with the Dallas Total Home & Gift Market, which runs June 19-25. Special thanks to Dallas Market Center for once again being the headline sponsor of the event.
The probability of a recession continues to decline with a clear majority of panelists from the National Assn. for Business Economics (NABE) putting the likelihood of recession in the United States at less than 50 percent.
In its 2024 Business Conditions Survey, which polled 57 members of the association for applied economics, 91 percent assigned a probability of 50 percent or less to the chance of a recession this year, which was down from 79 percent holding that same view in October.
Panelists also reported rising sales in the past three months. The Net Rising Index (NRI) for sales, which is a measure of the percentage of panelists reporting rising sales minus the percentage reporting falling sales, hit 37 for January, up from just 6 in October. This marked the highest reading since April 2022.
The NRI for profit margins also moved into positive territory for the first time since April 2022, reaching 10.
“The January 2024 Business Conditions survey results suggest
broad improvement with respondents reporting rising sales, profit margins and capital spending, while supply chains are improving,” said Ellen Zentner, NABE president and chief U.S. economist for Morgan Stanley.
However, “the path forward is not clear,” said Carlos Herrera, survey chair and chief economist for Coca-Cola North America. While the panel suggest inflation is moderating, he said, “72 percent of panelists report that their firms are passing all or some of their cost increases on to customers and wages and material costs continue to rise.”
The National Retail Federation reported a similar outlook. In the February issue of NRF’s Monthly Economic Review, it was reported that the economy “has been more resilient than expected” and shows “no sign of a recession,” citing the 3.3 percent annual growth in gross domestic product for the fourth quarter and 2.5 percent for the year.
More information on these reports is at giftsanddec.com.
In an effort to give buyers and brands in the toy industry more ways to connect, the Toy Association has announced it will conduct an LA Fall Preview this September. The move comes a few months after the association said it was looking to address to large gap between the last Toy Fair in October 2023 and the next scheduled for March 2025.
“We have heard loud and clear the desire for a Toy Association-hosted market week that will bring the industry together and accommodate their needs.”
—
Aaron Muderick
The LA Fall Preview, slated for Sept. 9-13, is expected to provide toy companies in need of showrooms space with “a convenient forum to share long-lead lines during the important fall time period via a collective by-appointment marketplace,” according to a release from the Toy Association.
“We have heard loud and clear the desire for a Toy Associationhosted market week that will bring the industry together and accommodate their needs as they continue to grow and evolve,” said Aaron Muderick, chairperson of the Toy Association Board of Directors and founder and executive chairman of Crazy Aaron’s. “This solution is designed to be beneficial to those who are looking for a temporary space to conduct important presentations and meetings as well as those looking to network with industry friends and colleagues.”
The event will be promoted to buyers and industry professionals, but companies are encouraged to secure their own appointments for maximum visibility. Rental space, which will be contracted by marketplace participants, can be utilized for appointments throughout the full month of September to help accommodate meetings beyond the specified preview dates. Rental space will be available across three consecutive floors at 2250 East Imperial Highway in El Segundo, Calif., and will include both open spaces and private offices. More information is expected to be released in the coming months.
With tens of thousands of products on display, the market centers were full of a dizzying array of gifts this winter show season. SEE MORE PAGE 31
“ “Anything to do with convenience and travel were the showstoppers, and several vendors had exciting new products in the categories.”
by Adelaide Elliott
Retailer Sara Villari loves having a reason to celebrate, no matter how small. And thankfully, Villari, owner and creative director of Occasionette — an originally Philadelphia-based retailer that now boasts three locations — has plenty to celebrate.
Villari’s journey to retail began years before her first store’s opening in 2013 on the maker side of things when she learned how to screenprint. Using that screen printing knowledge and her original illustrations, Villari began creating and selling gifts and home goods — mostly tea towels — that featured her illustrations. Eventually, Villari turned that into a thriving business, Girls Can Tell Co., founded in 2006, before joining Etsy in 2007. Etsy was still in its early years and after a year, Villari left and focused on Girls Can Tell Co. Still, she found herself being drawn back to retail. After seven years owning and illustrating her line of products, Villari made the leap into brick-and-mortar retail, opening her original Occasionette location in Philadelphia’s East Passyunk neighborhood in February 2013.
“Working for Etsy is where I fell in love with retail,” said Villari in an interview about her original location’s 10th anniversary last year. “But I wanted to create a brick-and-mortar experience and take great gifting offline for a more personalized experience.”
Today, the first Occasionette location — and Villari herself — is a Philadelphia institution, and Occasionette even opened another location in September 2022 in the Chestnut Hill neighborhood of the city. The retailer’s larger flagship store, located across the Delaware River in Collingswood, N.J., opened in 2017, making it Villari’s second Occasionette location. Girls Can Tell Co. — though Villari still carries the brand in her stores — was sold in 2018 to Villari’s business partner, Adam Woods, to give her more time to focus on Occasionette.
Villari said that she enjoys retail because she loves to “connect” people with the products and experiences they have at each Occasionette location through “thoughtful gifting.” More specifically, per its mission statement, Occasionette aims to have everyone “leave [its] shops happier than they came in” and believes in “celebrating every little occasion” and “showing your friends and family that you care.”
On the product side of things, Occasionette carries an extensive range, stocking just about everything you can imagine a gift store would including cookbooks, home décor, candles, puzzles, tableware, gourmet goodies, stationery and much more from makers, artists and brands big and small. To help her find new and exciting vendors, Villari created an open-call submission process for the store ahead of the holiday season in 2019, inviting customers and followers to tag their favorite artists and makers with the hashtag #occassionetteopencall and setting up a webpage with submission guidelines and a dedicated email account just for the campaign. In that first year alone, Occasionette received more than 300 submissions and today only accepts product and vendor pitches through that process, now dubbed the Occasionette Open Call.
When it comes to community building, Occasionette is not afraid to “put its money where its mouth is,” regularly donating to local and national charitable organizations like the Food Bank of South Jersey, Southeast Asian Mutual Assistance Association Coalition, William Way and many other organizations and groups. Occasionette also hosts a number of events for its customers and works to create a positive work environment with competitive pay and benefits for full-time employees.
The 73nd annual Retailer Excellence Awards is fast approaching! Don’t miss your chance to be featured (or to help a friend get recognized) in this upcoming event.
The REAs recognize excellence in the following categories:
◉ Social Media Outreach and Online Initiatives
◉ Store Design/Redesign
◉ Visual Merchandising
◉ Store Events
◉ Specialty Store
◉ Multiple Locations
◉ Socially Responsible
Enter your store or a colleague’s store today, to be considered for a national award.
by Lenise Willis
With tens of thousands of products on display, the market centers were full of a dizzying array of gifts this winter show season. With so many choices in the spotlight, it can sometimes be hard to pull together some thoughts on over-arching themes or consumer trends. However, after an equal-parts exhausting and energetic few weeks, I spotted a few trending themes and popular product categories that rose to the surface.
First off, I’m not going to touch on the fact that insulated drinkware, tumbler accessories and items for #WaterTok abounded — that is too obvious; we’re all aware that Stanley Cups have created an absolute consumer craze for hydration gifts.
In my eyes, anything to do with convenience and travel were the showstoppers, and several vendors had exciting new products in the categories. In addition to these wanderlust goods and functional fashion items, gifts that appealed to pet parents, as well as those seeking to express their faith in God were top of mind for buyers. Lastly, with Taylor Swift’s relationship with NFL star Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs in the spotlight, there are now more sports enthusiasts — and sports-themed fashion and goods — than ever.
Peruse the next few pages for my top five themes found while wandering the markets at Dallas, Atlanta and Vegas.
Jenna LeBlanc of Winton & Waits mentioned in Dallas that we’re living in our “effortless era,” which is the perfect way to explain the latest trend in functional fashion: phone crossbody straps, which keep your phone effortlessly at the ready.
Crossbody phone straps. Oventure. oventure.com
Lightweight crossbody phone straps. The Darling Effect. thedarlingeffect.com
Black corded crossbody phone strap. Ellie Rose. shopellierose.com
Beaded crossbody phone straps. Zenzii. zenzii.com
Handcrafted crossbody phone purses made from cotton rope. Mia Melange. miamelange.com
Leanin’ Tree is excited to observe its 75th anniversary in 2024. We would like nothing better than to celebrate your sales growth in the year ahead. Enjoy a new level of sales with top-ranked Leanin’ Tree cards…
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Whether they’re headed to Alaska for glimpses of the Northern Lights — a term coined “astrotourism,” — “homeswapping” to a new exciting city or escaping to a quiet, tropical getaway, consumers will be looking for ways to broaden their horizons and explore new lands in 2024. The continued wave of travel plans has led to even more travel gifts and products that erect wanderlust.
Compressed travel towel. Bonblissity. bonblissity.com
Cosmetic bags made from recycled water bottles. Stephanie Johnson. ricardobeverlyhills.com
Travel-themed mugs with ceramic markers for personalization. Trouvaille. trouvailleglobal.com
Destination-inspired perfumes from the Wanderlust Collection. Zodica. zodicaperfumery.com
Tech Kit. Bellroy. bellroy.com
Sanitizing wipes for phone screens and travel. Well Kept. staywellkept.com
Highway-scented soy candle. Kobo. kobocandles.com
The new pet craze has led to new professions, like pet nutritionists and psychologists, new pet insurance plans and, of course, more elaborate pet gifts and helpful pet products. According to a report by Bloomberg Intelligence, the global pet industry should reach $500 billion by 2030, which is why retailers should take notice of these luxe pet gifts and petparent goods.
Advent calendar with pet-friendly macarons and truffles made with natural ingredients. Bonne et Filou. bonneetfilou.com
Collar charms. Mud Pie. wholesale.mudpie.com
Pet kits with essentials needed for each activity. Kikkerland. kikkerland.com
Dog towel with special drying pockets. Dock & Bay. us.dockandbay.com
Cat Acrylic Blocks. Chelsea McShane Art. chelseamcshane.com
Grief cards for mourning pet parents. Wolfie's Wish. wolfieswish.com
“In remembrance” picture frames. Mud Pie. wholesale.mudpie.com
Pet Stockings for Santa Paws. Danica Jubilee. danicabrands.com
Happy Howlidays glow lantern. Roman. roman.com
Realistic chew toys. Pavilion Gift. paviliongift.com/retailers
Tea towels. Primitives by Kathy. primitivesbykathy.com
Alcohol-free gourmet dog treats. Made in Virginia by people with mental disabilities. Thousand Oaks Barrel Co. 1000oaksbarrel.com
American football and the annual Big Game have been drawing massive amounts of attention for decades. But now that Taylor Swift is on board, rooting for her boyfriend Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs, “Swifties” and other formerly non-fans are suddenly paying attention and the proof is in the up-tick of sports-themed accessories for women.
Sports team headbands and stadium bag. Capri Designs. capridesigns.com
Team-themed shower sponge with soap. Caren. carenproducts.com
Beaded team-themed clutches. LA Chic. lachicdesigns.com
Team-themed tumblers and accessories. Mary Square. marysquare.com
Sequined football attire. Mary Square. marysquare.com
Headbands with football icon charms. Michelle McDowell. michellemcdowelldesigns.com
Sports apparel. Pearls and Camo. gamedaygirl.shop
Sports-fan bracelets. Studio S Designs. studiosdesignsllc.com
Though faith-based gifts haven’t gone anywhere, we definitely saw a shift in popularity from religious gifts to more general spiritual gifts over the last seven or eight years. But now, based on the amount of God-centered gifts we found at winter markets, we’re thinking the shift is reversing.
Plates with church and cross designs. Mud Pie. wholesale.mudpie.com
“Double the Divinity” Saint bracelets. &Livy. andlivy.com
Prayer cards for girls, part of new Littles collection. Anne Nielson Home. anneneilsonhome.com
Baby Believer Books. Harvest House. harvesthousepublishers.com
Sterling silver, adjustable faith necklaces. T. Jazelle. tjazelle.com
Cross wall art. P. Graham Dunn. wholesale.pgrahamdunn.com
Noah’s ark collection. Demdaco. demdacoretailers.com
Religious accent lights for baby. Roman. roman.com
Las Vegas Market brought back its “handmade tour” during its winter edition. Here's a quick recap of the tour in the Expo, led by Gifts & Decorative Accessories, including what participants were hoping to find.
During Las Vegas Market’s most recent winter edition, Gifts & Decorative Accessories’ Associate Editor Adelaide Elliott had the chance to lead her first walking market tour. Dubbed the “Meet the Makers Tour,” Elliott guided a group of 15 retailers, designers and other buyers through a selection of handmade makers in The Expo at World Market Center Las Vegas, giving them a chance to experience their craft and process in person. During the tour, each maker — Elliott and the group visited seven in total — demonstrated how some of their products are made and gave tour participants a chance to ask questions, learn more and even make some purchases!
And while Elliott and the Gifts & Decorative Accessories team loved learning more about the exhibitors who took part in the tour, we really loved having the chance to meet new retailers and find out what they were on the hunt for at market! From gardening supplies and gourmet goodies to home décor and inspirational gifts, here’s what those buyers were most interested in sourcing during this year’s winter market season.
“We are at market looking for new inspirational gifts and new artists and artwork.”
—Melissa Pledger Church History Museum Store Salt Lake City, Utah
“This is my first time at the market; I’m here shopping for the store. Usually my boss, the owner, is here, so I am really learning a lot. I know I will be visiting some brands we already carry, but I’m looking for new, too, and just learning more with tours like this.”
—Julie Tafoya Main Street Gifts Stockton, Calif.
“This is my first market ever — it is so exciting. I’m not sure that I am looking for anything specific at this moment, just doing a lot of looking. There is so much to see, and I am really here to start learning before my business really gets started … I do think I am most interested in the home décor, though.”
—Kimberly Turner Perspective Retailer Boulder, Colo.
“Searching for new home accents and décor … I really want to find some unique art pieces.”
—Jenn Simpson Wallflowers Design Center Inc. Spokane, Wash.
Seems odd that February came and there was no Toy Fair, doesn’t it? Not that we haven’t seen this play before during the pandemic. Besides, after the crazy about-face the organizers made in moving the show out of New York and then just as suddenly bringing it back, one never knows exactly what’s next for this show.
SEE MORE PAGE 46
“
“It does bring up the dirty little secret about the entire kids market — especially the baby subset: it’s much smaller than most people realize.”
Seems odd that February came and there was no Toy Fair, doesn’t it? Not that we haven’t seen this play before, during the pandemic when the show was cancelled. Besides, after the crazy about-face the organizers made in moving the show out of New York and then just as suddenly bringing it back, one never knows exactly what’s next for this show.
Some of us go back to the days when the Toy Building — which was actually two buildings joined by a bridge overlooking Madison Square Park — was toy central. Now it’s Eataly on the ground floor and offices and condos above and it seems all just so far in the past.
Less in the past is the way the toy business played out this past Christmas. Final results are not in as of this writing and some we’ll never know but it looks like it was a pretty weak season, at least according to Hasbro and Mattel, the doppelgänger giants who sit atop the toy pyramid. Hard to believe when you think about the craze around the Barbie movie last year, but guess it takes a lot more than an out-of-proportion doll and her surrounding pinkness to make a successful selling season.
But it does bring up the dirty little secret about the entire kids market — especially the baby subset: it’s much smaller than most people realize. Every time I hear about a company that makes adult products — apparel, home goods, whatever — announce they are going into the kids business I smile to myself ... trying not to be too apparent.
It's because if you’re making a product for grown-ups, you have a potential market size of tens of millions — sometimes
hundreds of millions — of people who could buy your product. But make a baby product or even a toy and you’re talking about something much, much smaller in what you could sell.
Think about it: about four million babies are born in this country every year for the past decade or two, give or take a couple of bassinets. That’s it and there’s no way you can broaden the potential size of your market through advertising, marketing, expanded distribution or any of the other tricks used to sell more.
That’s it.
So, that’s the bad news. But there is some good news too when it comes to this demographic. Through two very controversial and politically charged factors, the number of births every year may be flat but the characteristics of those new babies are very different than they used to be. Despite the Supreme Court, the number of abortions remains pretty constant. And with stricter immigration policies we’re not seeing as many people coming into the country, legally or illegally.
Taken together, it means that a larger percentage of the babies being born are coming to older, more financially well-off parents able to spend more on them. So, if you think of these babies as consumers (and isn’t that the way a business would see them, c’mon?), they are better customers for your products and stores.
It may not be all this-little-piggy-went-to-market cuteness, but the baby business is pretty complex and knowing the more subtle nuances can help you position your company correctly.
It is most certainly not child’s play.
Warren Shoulberg has reported on the gift and home industry for most of his career. He is often quoted in national media like the New York Times and CNN, and contributes to several trade publications, Forbes.com and the Robin Report.
It all began October 2022 in Springfield, Mass., where specialty toy makers gathered to teach toy buyers how to play their latest games. Now, more than a year later, that successful event has paved the way for a three-day-long affair, boasting over 150 exhibitors and filling a gap in the regional trade show calendar. The first-ever North East Toy Show (NETS), which ran Feb. 11-13 in the Mass Mutual Center — the same venue as the previous event — has garnered nice attention from toy makers and retailers alike.
Under the direction of Lea Culliton, former HABA USA president and ABC Kids Expo chairman, along with Christine and Alan Blumberg of RBG Sales, NETS was created in direct response to retailers requesting a buying event close to home. Culliton’s 20-plus years in the toy industry, coupled by the Blumbergs’ solid base of New England sales connections, enabled them to create a niche show in the absence of a traditional 2024 Toy Fair.
“The concentration of specialty stores in the Northeast (both New England and Mid-Atlantic) and the volume of sales is the highest region in the nation,” said Christine Blumberg. “This very important segment has to travel to either Atlanta, Dallas or Vegas … NETS gives this segment of the market a place to buy that is geographically close and incredibly inexpensive.”
While some may question the decision to introduce a new show at a time when recent toy retail sales have fallen, Blumberg says she believes that the independents are having a moment. “As mass market struggles, consumers still want to support local stores,” she noted. In turn, Blumberg believes NETS will provide the ideal platform for vendors and buyers to interface.
“Networking is the number one return on investment at a trade show; it’s all about making connections,” she added, just
before the show. “In this cohesive venue, it will be much easier for brands and retailers to exchange ideas, discuss the state of the market, provide feedback on product development and packaging and so much more.”
Retailers striving to grow their businesses were in good company at NETS. At the time of this column’s deadline, which was before the show ran, Blumberg was expecting more than 1,000 attendees hailing from a variety of industries, including toy, game, book, pharmacy and garden, and from as far away as Kansas. The sold-out venue was promoted via email blasts and social media, and Blumberg mailed out 5,000 postcards to RBG Sales’ retail account base.
To further entice prospective attendees, NETS had a dedicated hall for board game exhibitors and hosted a game night for training sales staff. “More product knowledge means higher retail sales on the floor — bring your staff,” urged Blumberg. For showgoers who were football fans, opening night included a viewing party for the NFL’s big game at the Basketball Hall of Fame.
Vendor enthusiasm for NETS was already palpable at the time of this column’s publishing. “We look forward to any opportunity we can showcase our product, especially in person,” said Natasha Scheingold-Reen, national sales manager for Kids Preferred, before the show. “We expect a great turnout and are eager to show all our exciting new items that will be available next year.”
Added Chris Wycoff, managing director for Bababoo and friends, “We were initially drawn to NETS since it was created by well-respected executives in the toy industry, and supported by acclaimed brands and our trusted sales reps. It has all the right ingredients to create a lasting presence in the northeast market.”
For further details, visit https://netoyshow.com.
Pamela Brill has covered the toy industry for 20-plus years. The former senior/managing editor of Playthings magazine, she serves as an ambassador for the Toy Association’s Genius of Play and writes for numerous national business and lifestyle publications.
Editorial director of The Trend Curve Michelle Lamb offers her thoughts on what’s trending for 2024, plus how to read and utilize trends for your store.
Q: What will be the hottest colors for home in 2024?
A: The answer depends on whether the topic is the hottest core color or the hottest trend color. On the core side, you can’t beat blues — ever. This is especially true of middle-value blues. On the trend side, keep your eyes open for lavender, which is emerging in high-end fashion apparel. A handful of home-furnishings designers are taking notice, too. They say they are drawn to its sense of calm.
Q: What do "trending colors" mean for retailers? Should they be paying attention to them?
A: Retailers should definitely pay attention to trending colors, considering them within the context of what their customer expects from them. For example, if your customer comes to you for the newest, cutting-edge items, they will expect to see trending colors right away. If they look to you for more mainstream possibilities, you should track color trends as they emerge, so you know when to jump in. Having time to plan how much of your open-to-buy you’ll devote to it, how you will display the color and so on will help you maximize your sales, once the color trend is right for your customer.
Q: How can retailers use these "colors of the year" to their advantage?
A: Typically, consumers introduce a new color into their environment in small amounts. They want to try it out, to see how living with it feels, to find out how it looks with palettes already in their homes. To take advantage of any Color of the Year, make sure you are stocked with items that will allow your customers to do all that. Dinnerware, table linens, toss pillows, throws, candles and small accent items are a few good options. If the color is successful, move toward larger items.
Q: What else do you see trending for 2024?
A: I see the appreciation for craft building steadily. Craft items are not only decorative, but also [unique and] distinctive. Each one has a story, and most have a [special] meaning. Because craft pieces double as art, they have more status than other kinds of décor. Craft can be had at myriad price points, so consumers at every level will have an opportunity to embrace it as the trend gathers momentum.
The bath and body industry is flooded with products — from lotio ns to body scrubs to bath salts to serums and so many more. It can be difficult to keep up with knowing the best products to stock for your customers. According to Premium Beauty News, the most popular trend at the 2023 Cosmoprof Asia trade show was the focus on active ingredients, which makes sense as consumers are paying more attention to the components of products. In fact, 69 percent of women in the report, “Skincare Statistics and Trends in 2023” by Drive Research, indicate the ingredients in their skincare products are very important to them.
Source: Skincare Statistics and Trends in 2023 study, Drive Research
The U.S. PERFUME market size exceeded $42 BILLION in 2022.
Source: Global Market Insight, Perfume Market & Forecast 2023-2032
74% of consumers have both a MORNING AND EVENING skincare routine.
Source: Skincare Statistics and Trends in 2023 study, Drive Research
Source: Strategic
How non-top 100 retailer regional receivables in the U.S. compare year over year: December
GAIN AR Statistics show the December 2023 overall receivables of non-top 100 retailers are down 14.7 percent compared to receivables of non-top 100 retailers in December 2022. Additionally, December 2023 current receivables of non-top 100 retailers are also down 15.7 percent from December 2022.
However, the December 2023 receivables of top 100 retailers, are up 21.4 percent compared to December 2022. Combined, both the non-top 100 and top 100 retailer overall AR receivables for the full year of 2023 are down 18.3 percent compared to 2022. This chart is created from data provided by the Gift Associates Interchange Network (GAIN).
December 2022
December 2023
Source: GAIN
We’re thrilled to introduce the latest offerings from Wind River® — our gorgeous new meditation chimes (available in 2 convenient sizes), a striking new black version of our popular Festival® chimes, and of course, the lively new color from our best selling Corinthian Bells®, Sky Blue. All are in stock and ready to ship. Order yours today to bring them to your store.
Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month is celebrated in March and it’s a great time to review your website and make sure it’s as inclusive as your stores, teams and customer service. When designing a website, people often focus on how it looks and works. But there's one important thing that's easy to forget: making sure everyone can use your site. SEE MORE PAGE 54
““Accessibility is never done. You should always be evaluating your site to evolve with customers’ changing preferences and users’ needs.”
Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month is celebrated in March each year. It’s a great time to review your website and make sure it’s as inclusive as your stores, teams and customer service.
When designing a website, people often focus on how it looks and works, like the branding, layouts, visuals and interactivity. But there's one important thing that's easy to forget: making sure everyone can use your site.
More than 61 million Americans have disabilities. If your website isn’t built and designed with their unique circumstances in mind, you are excluding a big part of the population from engaging with your business.
Reach more customers. An accessible site opens your business to a wider audience. If a customer tries to browse your website, but they can’t clearly see the products, click the buttons or read the messaging, or if they’re overwhelmed by pop-ups and other jarring features, they will simply leave and take their business elsewhere.
Improve SEO and positive brand experiences. Search engines like Google favor websites that are accessible. Accessible practices, like reducing jumpiness on your website or ensuring you have adequate color contrasts, are also key principles of a good website in general. Improving your site’s accessibility can also boost Google’s impression of your website and therefore, your search engine rankings.
Avoid legal trouble. Have I mentioned, your inaccessible website could get you sued? There are laws in place that require websites to be accessible. If your site doesn’t meet these standards, you could face legal action. Accessibility.com reported
58 percent of consumer goods, services and retail industry websites faced the most accessibility lawsuits.
Accessibility is never done. You should always be evaluating your site to evolve with customers’ changing preferences and users’ needs.
Here are some questions to ask yourself on whether your website is working for everyone. Is it easy to browse and take action (e.g., buy, fill out contact forms)?
• Can people use it on their phones as effectively as a desktop computer?
• Can they use it in both portrait or landscape modes?
• Is the text easy to read? Is the design cluttered or confusing?
• Can people use just their keyboard arrows to move around the site?
• Do you have enough color contrast to read copy and see visuals against background colors?
• Can you add captioning to videos, alt text on images, or transcriptions for audio content?
• Can people still interact with the website if it’s zoomed in or out?
• Can you remove flashing animations or auto play content? Based on what you find, make a list of what needs to be better. Focus on the most important parts of your site first. This might mean changing the design, making text clearer, improving visual cues or making sure it works well on mobile devices. Re-evaluate your website regularly to ensure it stays ahead of customers’ preferences and accessibility expectations. After all, an accessible website is a user-friendly website, and a userfriendly website is good for business.
As the director of internal marketing for digital experience agency Whereoware, Alyson Hunter creates go-to market strategies to increase brand awareness, drive pipeline and achieve customer acquisition goals. She specializes in strategic content marketing, thought leadership, demand generation campaigns, event management, and other tactics to grow Whereoware’s visibility in the marketplace.
Our digital content keeps retailers up to date on the latest industry news, retail tips and awesome products.
Gifts & Decorative Accessories is calling all independent retailers to enter its 73rd annual 2024 Retailer Excellence Awards, plus nominate their favorite vendor and sales rep! Head to our website to learn more and submit nominations by March 31, 2024.
giftsanddec.com
Our editors continued our #GDAgifttags program, marking their favorite market finds by snapping a photo of their picks for social media and leaving a physical tag card beside each find. Look back at all their #GDAgifttags from winter markets on our Facebook!
@giftsanddecmag
“Consumers were in decent shape heading into the holiday season, but the labor markets, while unlikely to unravel, do look likely to cool, which would impact consumer expectations and, in turn, affect spending decisions [in 2024].”
— Jack Kleinhenz, National Retail Federation chief economist
@gifts_and_dec
Missing winter market season? Head to our Instagram and check out our Highlights to look back on the Stories our editors shared live during market and see everything they saw, learned and did while traveling across the country.
@gifts_and_dec
See a few of the top social posts in our network.
During a presentation at last year’s edition of winter Atlanta Market, marketing experts Austin Cornelius and Frances Weathington of Atlanta-based social media and marketing agency SHARE Social Concepts encouraged attendees to post about the market “now,” calling markets like Atlanta a great opportunity for making behind-the-scenes content.
In honor of that advice, and all the great market content we saw you all posting during this winter market season, take a look at how six retailers across the country documented their time at markets from Dallas and Las Vegas all the way to New York and Atlanta.
ARCHED CANDLE WARMER LAMP
The Black and Wood Arched Candle Warmer Lamp brings the warmth and beauty of a candle safely into your home.
# circle #355
An elevated, repurposed feel is applied to the traditional mason jar.
# circle #357
Our wax and candle warmers are home décor-inspired products you can safely use with confidence and peace of mind.
www.candlewarmers.com 801-771-8650
WEATHERED WHITE CANDLE WARMER LANTERN
Real wood and metal are combined to create a modern farmhouse look that is versatile and stunning.
# circle #358
AURORA CANDLE WARMER LAMP
A traditional black lamp with a semi-matte finish featuring our top-down warming technology.
# circle #356
Glazed in white, Pussy Willows beautifully reach up the sides of this curved ceramic warmer.
# circle #359
APPLE PUMPKIN STRUDEL WAX MELT
A delectable melt with notes of baked pumpkin, apples, fall spices, creamy caramel and vanilla.
# circle #360
LEMON BLUEBERRY TART WAX MELT
A sugary and sweet scent of ripe blueberries and buttery pastry topped with fresh-squeezed lemon.
# circle #362
Poured in the USA, our creamy and smooth classic wax melts are formulated with a soy wax blend that releases fine home fragrance for hours.
www.candlewarmers.com 801-771-8650
BALSAM FIR WAX MELT
Enjoy the crips smell of fresh cut balsam fir, gentle musk and caramelized sugar.
# circle #361
WARM CINNAMON BUNS WAX MELT
Fresh-from-the-oven cinnamon buns smothered with sweet buttercream frosting.
# circle #363
WATERMELON LEMONADE WAX MELT
A refreshing citrus fragrance with notes of tart lemonade, juicy watermelon and fresh spearmint.
# circle #364
C&F HOME HOLIDAY TREE WAFFLE WEAVE KITCHEN TOWEL
A festive holiday tree embroidered on 100% cotton waffle weave.
# circle #365
GALLERIE II’S GATHERED TRADITIONS HEYWARD SCARECROW ART DOLL
C&F Enterprises, a family of home and gift brands, has been committed to providing superior holiday and everyday products for over 45 years.
www.cnfei.com 888-889-9868
C&F HOME FRIENDS ARE THE BEST PRESENTS WAFFLE WEAVE KITCHEN TOWEL
Waffle weave cotton towel, embroidered with festive stacks and script.
# circle #366
Joe Spencer’s Gathered Traditions reimagines the classic scarecrow with rustic harvest vibes.
# circle #367
GALLERIE II EMBELLISHED JOY SHELF SITTER Festive wreath shelf sitter or wall décor with beaded accents.
# circle #368
GALLERIE II’S ZOMBINALAND CLEOPATRA FIGURAL PILLOW Cleopatra’s a hand-crafted Zombinaland pillow character by artist Tracy Scheff.
# circle #369
GUARDIAN ANGEL FIGURINE
This heavenly Angel Figurine will watch over the home and help share peace within. Display as a Christmas accent, or on a prayer table
# circle #370
This Santa nutcraker is a unique take on a cherished holiday tradition. Its rustic, worn elements create a warmth for any Christmas decor.
# circle #372
CTW has been serving retailers for more than 40 years, and we want to continue our tradition of quality products and customer service in the wholesale home decor industry.
800-433-5054 ctwhomecollection.com
HYDRANGEA BUNDLE
Create stunning floral arrangements with this timeless and hassle-free classic. Each Hydrangea petal is made with realtouch material, and 6 Hydrangea stems come in each bundle.
# circle #373
CHAMBER CANDLESTICK HOLDER AND SNUFFER
Step back in time with this taper candle holder, inspired by oldworld charm. Made from cast iron, this holder and snuffer combo will last for years.
# circle #371
FIVE-TIER ROUND DISPLAY
This floor display will showcase your products in style! Elevate your merchandise with this charming and space-efficient display that maximizes visibility.
# circle #374
Featuring original writing and watercolors from popular author and artist Emily Lex, Build is a sweet story that celebrates the specialness of boys and encourages them to become who God created them to be.
# circle #375
THE HOMESTEAD SOURDOUGH COOKBOOK BY GEORGIA
VAROZZA
Enjoy over 100 mouthwatering recipes as you learn how to create a sustainable starter, find out what supplies you need and where to get them, and gain the know-how to bake delicious sourdough breads, biscuits, bagels, buns and more.
# circle #377
Harvest House Publishers’ Gift & Specialty Books is a trusted source for innovative and inspirational books that celebrate the best of friends, family and faith.
Faire.com/direct/harvesthousepublishers OrderToday@harvesthousepublishers.com 888-501-0160
BRICK’S ‘N BLOOMS GUIDE TO A BEAUTIFUL & EASY-CARE FLOWER GARDEN
Master gardener Stay Ling helps aspiring green thumbs achieve success with her easy-to-grow, easy-care, and low-maintenance approach to growing beautiful flowers.
# circle #378
THE GRACE-FILLED HOMESTEAD COOKBOOK
Veteran homesteader Lana Stenner helps you rediscover the joy of cooking with delicious and unique recipes featuring highquality, seasonal ingredients.
# circle #376
This colorful book illustrated by Mary Eakin and written by Rebecca Lutzer uses basic numbers (1-10) to help tell engaging stories from the life of Jesus, each containing an important lesson for little ones about who He is and how they can follow Him.
# circle #379
Another record-setting show season for the #1 brand in heatable plush toys and wellness gifts. Warmies continue to be one of the hottest-selling brands in the gift industry.
www.warmies.com sales@warmies.com 1-844-WARMIES (927-6437)
BE CAPY
Don’t worry be caby all day in our Capybara socks. # circle #385
It all started with the love of design and the experience and knowledge of socks and slippers. We believe in putting art and comfort into every step you take. From fun lifestyles to pop culture and emerging trends, we bring together the finest materials to tell stories with our products. We take pride in the fact that we are an all women-led team, from our owner to our design director to our sales team. Our experience, dedication, and hard work have created a unique, committed team and a quality product that we can proudly call our own.
909-378-5703 www.ooohyeah.com
MORE FISHING
Make it a reel good day in our fishing socks.
# circle #387
BERRY GOOD
You’ll be feeling berry good in these berry special socks. # circle #386
CESAR CHAVEZ
“Together, all things are possible.” – Cesar Chavez # circle #388
SILLY GOOSE
Why not be a silly goose. # circle #389
DRAX DRAGON
Drax is the perfect companion for adventure and play! Crafted with a combination of sparkly details and super-soft fabrics, making him incredibly cuddly and huggable.
# circle #390
BAMBOO SAFARI PUZZLE
Food-grade silicone in subtle colors featuring a lion, rhino, and elephant shapes with a bamboo tray.
# circle #393
LIZZY & FIZZY AXOLOTLS
These on-trend Axolotls rattles are irresistibly cute with a rattle and TAGGIES ribbons.
# circle #391
BAMBOO 6-PIECE SORTER
Six food-grade silicone shapes in subtle colors with a bamboo tray.
# circle #392
SILICONE SHAPIES
Nine food-grade silicone shapes featuring a branded bag for storage.
# circle #394
ON A VOYAGE
Bon voyage! A passenger sails above a quaint neighborhood by a hot air balloon.
# circle #395
A Bodega cat snoozes on the storefront counter.
# circle #397
# circle #398
FAINTING IN THE BOTANICAL GARDEN Amidst the bustling botanical garden, a set of legs protrudes from behind a tree.
# circle #396
TREE W/ORNAMENT INFINITY LIGHT
47"H. Acrylic. UL plug. # circle #400
Melrose International: Your holiday decor wholesaler, committed to superior service, quality, expert design, and value for your success.
Introducing our latest addition, the EKKOLIGHT infinity lights! These are currently among the hottest and most sought-after items this season. Take a glimpse at our top-selling products!
www.melroseintl.com 800-282-2144
SNOWMAN INFINITY LIGHT
70"H. Acrylic. UL plug. # circle #403
JOY INFINITY LIGHT
24"H. Acrylic. UL plug. # circle #402
PACKAGE STACK AND CANDY CANE INFINITY LIGHT
47"H. Acrylic. UL plug. # circle #401
SANTA INFINITY LIGHT
70"H. Acrylic. UL plug. # circle #404
The premier collection of exclusive blown-glass, hand-painted ornaments. Call us to become a dealer in your area. www.oldworldchristmas.com 800-962-7669
PP-0124-SWTR-SQNSET-BEACH
Make a statement in our sequin sets showcasing a variety of fun and vibrant themes. Included in the set is a super soft crewneck pullover and matching shorts adorned with a beach-themed design.
# circle #410
0124-JWL-TRACKBRAC
Scan the QR code and meet your turtle. Explore the journey of your sea turtle with our latest tracking bracelet and t-shirt collection.
# circle #412
Simply Southern is an apparel and gift brand that celebrates the preppy lifestyle. Founded in Greensboro, NC in 2005, Simply Southern has been creating vibrant, catchy t-shirts, clothing, gifts, and more for over a decade.
336-274-7889
www.simplysouthernwholesale.com
0124-COOLER
Ensure your beverages and snacks stay chilled using this 13- and 21-quart cooler. Comes with a fun strap that can be effortlessly swapped with various strap designs.
# circle #413
0124-BAG-ROLLTOTE-PINK
Ideal for transporting additional clothes, accessories, or any essentials while on the move, this rolling tote is equipped with five wheels for effortless maneuvering. The front pocket adds convenience, allowing easy access to your phone or keys.
# circle #411
0124-TUMBLER40-STICKER
Keep your favorite drink hot or cold in our 40 oz. stylish tumblers. Features a side handle, stainless steel straw and plastic lid.
# circle #414
Next stop…snoozies!®
From travel to comfort, snoozies!® has the foot coverings you need for Spring 2024!
Available in 4 prints. MSRP $15.99. # circle #415
Available in 4 polka dot colors. MSRP $15.99.
# circle #417
Over 100 Pairables® to choose from. MSRP $14.99.
# circle #418
WOMEN’S DOTS AND BUTTERFLIES SKINNIES®
SKINNIES® and SKINNIES® with Pouch available in over 30 patterns. MSRP $9.99-$14.99.
# circle #416
GIRLS DAY AT THE SPA WOMEN’S COLLECTION
Available in 4 fun prints. MSRP $19.99.
# circle #419
TODDLER HOODED SWEATER – FLAG
Pullover hooded with rolled cuff. Lightweight soft jersey knit.
# circle #425
At Town Pride we focus on making custom easy! We curate quality goods made or finished in the USA and do all of the creative and design work for you. No set up fees, low minimums and always on-trend.
www.townpride.com 207-466-4004
SMALL TRAY
Wood composite tray with matte melamine coating. Food safe.
# circle #428
EMBOSSED JACQUARD HOODED SWEATER
Pullover hooded with split high low hem. Detailed cuff, hood and hem. Relaxed fit with jacquard embossed uppercase lettering on front and sun icon on back.
# circle #427
INTARSIA JERSEY WOMEN’S V-NECK SWEATER – FLAG
Pullover soft v-neck with rolled cuff and hem. Intarsia flag, lightweight soft jersey knit.
# circle #426
CLASSIC CREWNECK – SCRIPT LETTERING
Pullover with ribbed cuff and hem. Standard dropped shoulder and year-round weight with script lettering across the chest.
# circle #429
Item
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Audrey’s has evolved into a premier supplier that offers a tremendous variety of products for a wide range of retail types. We offer everyday home décor, spring, garden, fall, Christmas, winter and seasonal products. The line includes fabrications ranging from textiles, wrought iron, wood, glass, ceramic, resin, cement, metal, as well as a great offering in floral products.
www.yourheartsdelight.com 717-865-6524
info@yourheartsdelight.com
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MATCH THE FAMILY IN STYLE
The perfect Mother’s Day & Father’s Day gift idea for the whole family, including grandparents! Our products are handmade with love in Peru, of the softest, highquality cotton you must feel to believe. We’re size inclusive carrying 3-6M up to 4X.
| 713-254-4036
@ www.tonybytoni.com @ faire.com/direct/tonybytoni # circle #435
MEXICALI DIP MIX
Our #1 new product takes dips to the next level with an expertly balanced blend of zippy peppers and a blend of cheeses.
| 800-457-3477
@ chcdips.com
# circle #436
NEW SCENTED CANDLES –CDL1327, CDL1299, CDL1291
Make every day feel like a celebration with Sincere Surroundings top-selling 2-wick 11 oz. soy-based candles in three new scents, Birthday Cake, Caramel Latte and Cozy Cottage!
| 712-472-2290
@ sinceresurroundings.com # circle #438
EVERYTHING’S GOING TO POT!
Brand new selection of ceramic pots! Choose from Sea Life to Forests to Humans and more! Register now for your wholesale account!
| 800-996-7531
@ Chat Live on site! www.worldbuyers.com # circle #437
The Naked Bee
NEW! MAXSTRENGTH INFUSED TOPICAL CREAM
New 2300mg broad spectrum CBD MAXStrength Infused Topical Cream boosted with cooling menthol and natural hydrators like matcha green tea and hemp seed oil!
| 888-760-7190
@ www.nakedbee.bz # circle #439
CRAFT BOWL
Crafted from solid wood, its intricate detailing and rich finish showcase natural beauty. Elevate your table settings and serving experiences with this timeless and versatile piece.
# circle #440
BROOKLYN WHITE DINNERWARE COLLECTION
Brooklyn White Dinnerware
Collection features 5 pieces of stoneware: Dinner plate, salad plate, bowl, pasta bowl, and mug. Also available in Black.
# circle #442
Beautiful stoneware, flatware, and linens for the perfect dining experience. Discover beverageware, entertaining solutions, and home accents with classic and trendy designs, creating a warm and delightful atmosphere for every occasion.
tableauhome.us 616-279-2310
Our new Kita linens add a touch of effortless charm to your dining experience. Available in a table runner, placemat and napkin (shown).
# circle #443
VENUS FLATWARE
Venus Flatware is our new 5-piece matte black flatware. We also have a serving spoon and serving fork that accommodate the flatware.
# circle #441
BROOKLYN WHITE SERVEWARE COLLECTION
Brooklyn White Serveware Collection features 4 pieces of stoneware: Round Serving Platter, Oval Serving Platter, Serving Bowl, and Dip Bowl (not shown). Also available in Black.
# circle #444
ACCENT FURNITURE
Revelation
AREA RUGS
Jaipur Living
HOME ACCENTS
Uttermost
HOME TEXTILES
Ann Gish & the Art of Home
LAMPS
Regina Andrew
LIGHTING FIXTURES
Currey & Company
OUTDOOR LIVING
Bernhardt Furniture
TABLETOP
Vietri
WALL DECOR
Wendover Art Group
FURNITURE STORE MULTIPLE LOCATIONS
Clive Daniel Home Naples, FL
FURNITURE STORE SINGLE LOCATION
Kathy Adams Interiors Plano, TX
HOME ACCENT STORE EAST/ ATLANTIC
Domain by Laura Hodges Studio Catonsville, MD
HOME ACCENTS STORE MIDWEST/SOUTHWEST
Leon & Lulu Clawson, MI
HOME ACCENTS STORE WEST The Fox Shop Holladay, UT
DESIGN STUDIO
Christopher Todd Designs Henderson, NV
GREEN MANUFACTURER
Bernhardt Furniture
ACADEMY OF ACHIEVEMENT
Maria Mullen
HEARTS AWARD
Amir Loloi
PRESENTED BY
LIGHTING SHOWROOM EAST/ ATLANTIC
Dominion Lighting Arlington, VA
LIGHTING SHOWROOM MIDWEST/SOUTHWEST
Lightology
Chicago, IL
LIGHTING SHOWROOM WEST
Lightopia
Costa Mesa, CA
SALES REPRESENTATIVE
SALES REP. EAST/ATLANTIC
Russ Jones - Ivystone
SALES REP. MIDWEST/SOUTHWEST
Mindy Lowack - In-Detail
SALES REP. WEST
Mari Mack - Norwalk Furniture
PRODUCT DESIGNER
Dann Foley
Jill Seale
INTERIOR DESIGNER
Lisa McDennon
LEGENDARY LEADERSHIP
Karen McNeill Pond
Available in 14-inch, 12-inch and 10-inch heights
Can be used for food or décor
Consumers have long been drawn to items that can serve a dual purpose. It’s another way to perceive value — if it can be used for more than one occasion, they’re more likely to want to buy it. It’s not a new concept but in the last couple of years it has become more of a desired feature in the realm of everyday home décor and housewares.
These square serving pedestals from The Park Hill Collection are the perfect example. Made from durable mango wood, these pedestals give consumers multiple ways to incorporate them into their décor without slacking on style. They can be placed on a large dining table holding trinkets or flowers and be a statement centerpiece. Or — since they are food-safe — they can
by Amanda Erd
be housed in the kitchen to dress up a counter and display fruits, baked treats or other goodies.
The Heirloom serving pedestals are available to purchase in three different heights — 14 inches, 12 inches and 10 inches. They can stand on their own as singular pieces or be combined to make a multifaceted display.
The pointed edges and natural grain of the wood add to the overall style, keeping it modern yet minimal and fitting to the brutalist design trends.
Square Heirloom serving pedestals.
The Park Hill Collection. parkhillcollection.com
Consumers are mixing things up in the kitchen and focusing on values like health and the environment when making new gourmet purchases. Read on to find out which ingredients, flavors, recipes and even health trends are impacting people’s plates in 2024 with the help of a few gourmet gurus.
by Adelaide Elliott
People’s palates are changing in big ways in 2024, making a major impact on the gourmet category. But how do you tackle such big changes? To start, you need to understand consumers’ motivations.
In 2024, gourmet shoppers are being most influenced by value stories. For consumers, though, value has layers, “not only in the form of low prices but also value in the form of solutions that help them recreate high-quality meals at home,” wrote Sally Lyons Watt, Circana’s global executive vice president and chief advisor for consumer goods and foodservice insights, following a trend forecast podcast hosted by the Specialty Food Association (SFA). Value is also being found “in the form of convenience and time savings, such as one-pot meal recipes and fully prepared meals.”
"Brands that will successfully engage them will show shoppers what their products bring to the table,” added Melanie Bartelme, an SFA trendspotter and associate director of Mintel Food & Drink. “This may be versatile uses, low-stress flavor building or longer shelf life.”
New York Times food writer Kim Severson described that shift in values in the New York Times’ nine “How We’ll Eat in 2024” predictions as an alteration of the definition of “luxury,” noting that luxury will “be found less in the cost or rarity of an ingredient but rather in the quality of a product that makes life easier, interesting and more fun.”
One of the most obvious “solutions” gourmet items offer for value-seeking consumers is the contribution it can make to one’s health. The saying “you are what you eat” is being taken more seriously than ever as consumers increase their focus on improving health, a trend that really picked up following COVID-19 and the larger global health reckoning the pandemic brought on.
In research conducted by marketing company MiQ in partnership with Sapio Research in 2020, consumers were asked if they spent more money, time and effort on wellbeing and health in 2020, and nearly half of all Americans polled — 49 percent — indicated that they did. Many were fueled by free time during COVID-19 lockdowns, new concerns over the state of their health, and increased discussion of clean eating, living and problems with Western medicine. Today, while much of that COVID-19 fear and pandemic-era free time have waned, the wellness industry and consumer focus on the concept has continued to grow thanks to the concepts popularized during that time.
In gourmet, the search for the next great “super food” and the perfect “functional ingredient” continues to fuel much of the health conversation in gourmet.
Functional foods were first defined by the Japanese
government in the 1980s as foods with “health benefits beyond those covered by basic nutrition,” according to research from the Michigan State University Product Center. They have been of particular importance in recent years as people look to boost their immune systems, improve their moods and improve gut health with foods.
Ingredients to be on the lookout for in the functional foods space includes hemp, bee pollen, cannabidiol or CBD, turmeric, aloe vera, green tea, and even pre and probiotics. Botanical extracts — which include elderberry, cranberry, lavender, basil extracts and more — are also growing in popularity for their concentrated formulas and high antioxidant and antiinflammatory benefits and, according to the New York Times, their flavor profiles. Per the newspaper's nine predictions for 2024, delicate and floral flavors like cherry blossom and violet will rise in popularity, for example, as 2024 is all about “lightness, femininity and new metrics that include kindness, altruism and cooperation” and will be complemented by similar fruit flavors like peach.
To hop on this functional food trend, add dips, soup mixes and more with those ingredients to your offerings, but also consider stocking things like Savannah Bee Co.’s Bee Pollen, Sweet's Elderberry Unsweetened Elderberry Extract and Blncd’s consumable CBD Oil as supplements to be added both for flavor and health to the other gourmet items you carry. Globally inspired foods and ingredients continue to take centerstage in gourmet, too, and trendspotters with the SFA have tapped Calabrian chili peppers, ube, black sesame and tahini as just a few of the global ingredients and flavors that will grow in popularity in 2024.
Meat substitutes are also key to the healthy foods conversation, according to experts with the SFA and other industry members. Consumers are increasingly open to trying plant-based options regardless of their meat-eating status, helped in large part by advancements made in the textures and flavors of these substitutes. Looking forward, cell-based meat alternative options will gain popularity in 2024, per Patsy Ramirez-Arroyo, an SFA trendspotter and food and sustainability consultant, because of their sustainable and ethical production
methods that address environmental and animal welfare concerns without sacrificing familiar tastes.
Mushrooms have been huge in décor and gifts for the last two years, and it seems that trend is really catching up in gourmet as people begin to appreciate the taste, texture and — maybe most importantly — the health benefits of mushrooms.
"People will discover mushrooms in every food and beverage category and product developers will find ways to weave in ancient wisdom into new craveable food formats," said Shelke about the rising 2024 trend.
Fungi-filled beverages will be of particular importance as its functional food properties — which include immune support, stress relief, memory support and more — are embraced.
“Previous priorities have been caffeination, but now it's more about relaxation, mood and brain health,” said Jenn de la Vega, SFA trendspotter, cookbook author, chef and food stylist. “Drinks to wind down when the world is moving too fast. Less of a focus on gut flora but more on skincare and the mind."
In addition to searching for their own perfect bites, consumers are also seeking satisfying sips, as de la Vega mentioned, looking to appeal to both their taste buds and their continuing focus on health and hydration. Though beverages make up a smaller segment than food in the gourmet industry, in recent years the category’s sales have grown at a faster pace, according to the SFA's latest State of the Specialty Food Industry research, fueled primarily by innovation within the category.
Mocktails — or mixed drinks that forgo alcoholic ingredients — have played a huge part in that growth. Rising to real prominence in 2022 and 2023, experts say the trend is nowhere near its end in 2024 as it morphs thanks to new products and trending flavors.
"The coming year will boom with sophisticated-tasting singleserve, non-alcoholic fizzy and non-fizzy drinks; and coffees, teas and broths with functional ingredients for an additional boost
Think Ground Coffee: Lion's Mane Mushroom Blend. Four Sigmatic. foursigmatic.com
of energy, clarity, focus or calming effect," explained Kantha Shelke, an SFA trendspotter and a principal at Corvus Blue LLC, a contract food science and nutrition research and regulatory affairs firm.
Online, influencers explain the expanding trend more simply, noting that “everyone likes a fun drink,” regardless of if they are below the legal drinking age, sober, tackling a dry January challenge or just interested in cutting back on their alcohol consumption.
For the woman behind the TikTok account @mocktailgirlie, who is known online only as the Mocktail Girlie, her journey with mocktail mixing started in 2022 after her husband had a health scare that caused them both to reprioritize their health. After starting her own journey living alcohol free, she realized what she really missed most about drinking was having a special, tasty drink to enjoy during meals or while out to eat at restaurants and parties. So, Mocktail Girlie started experimenting with mocktail recipes, pre-mixes, non-alcoholic beers and wines, and boozefree liquor alternatives. Today, she boasts more than 600,000 followers across TikTok, Instagram and Facebook and has even hosted mocktail making classes with retailers like online gift retailer Uncommon Goods to help promote alcohol-free drinks for sober and “sober curious” people.
Adding liquor, wine and beer alternatives — like Better Than Booze’s ready to drink canned mocktails that come made with alcohol alternatives and/or infused with CBD and Ritual Zero Proof’s Whiskey and Tequila Alternatives — to your displays is an easy way to get in on the trend. Multipurpose products, like barware and cocktail mixes from brands like Noble Mick’s, a single-serve craft cocktail mix maker, and Camp Craft Cocktails, an infusion cocktail making kit company, are easy adds, too, as they work for both mocktail and cocktail making.
And while mocktails are definitely trending, these so called “fun drinks” are way more than just alternatives to alcohol and can be served any time of the day and can translate into
investments in elaborate DIY barista setups and coffee prep routines for java lovers and traditional matcha sets — complete with a matcha whisk, bowl and whisk stand — for tea lovers in the morning. On TikTok, one specialty evening mocktail dubbed the “sleepy girl mocktail” has taken the social media site by storm. The mocktails are made to be consumed before bed as part of a nighttime relaxation routine and include ingredients like tart cherry juice, sparkling waters, melatonin supplements, CBD and magnesium glycinate, all of which are said to promote drowsiness and restful sleep by these online at-home nighttime mixologists. During the daytime, “adrenal mocktails,” made with things like coconut water, fresh orange and lemon juice, coconut milk, sea salt and aloe vera juice, are promoted for their ability to help balance hormones, promote energy throughout the day and lower cortisol levels.
Other health-focused mixed drinks like “gut health mocktails” address things like digestion with kombucha and other prebiotic-filled drinks, ginger, turmeric and fiber supplements.
Water — as strange as it sounds — also got a trendy glow-up in 2023, and once again, the internet is helping it to grow in 2024. On TikTok, #WaterTok has given rise to a number of creators and influencers that create detailed water recipes and “waters of the day” as a way to encourage themselves and others to stay hydrated and drink more water. Making use of everything from powdered flavor packets and sugar-free syrups to edible glitter and more, these water mixologists have gone viral, resulting in significantly increased sales for several brands. As an example, gourmet maker Jordan’s Skinny Mixes has sold out of its sugar-free Mermaid syrup numerous times following the initial rise of #WaterTok in March of 2023, and other mix and syrup makers have faced similar demands. The popularity of extra-large tumblers, like Stanley’s 40oz. Quencher Tumbler,
has both benefitted and been benefitted by #WaterTok, as well, as people look for the perfect cups to keep their waters in all day long.
And while mixes and syrups are key to many consumers looking to mix up the perfect water for #WaterTok, a hashtag that has racked up more than 508 million views on TikTok, there are tons of other accoutrements that makers use and stock in their “water bars” — think supplements, straws, cups, syrup pumps, shaped ice cubes, cleaning kits and more.
Looking ahead, the New York Times and its food and lifestyle team suggested in its nine “How We’ll Eat in 2024” predictions that consumers will be looking to expand into “premium hydration” which might include things like wearable hydration sensors and even new kinds of water that make use of waste products — combining both health and eco-conscious gourmet trends — will also be popular. In its article, the New York Times points to cacao water, or water that is left after cocoa beans are harvested, as being an example of such a product.
Looking to the youngest of consumers and their eating habits, school food services provider Chartwells K12 released its fourth annual food trends reports for the year 2024, compiled by its culinary experts and registered dietitians using both its experts’ experience and hard data from serving school districts in nearly 40 states.
Chief among the trends per Chartwells K12 — in a continuation of trends from 2023 — is culinary exploration. Kids are increasingly interested in discovering diverse cultures and cuisines with authenticity, according to the food service provider, much like their adult counterparts. This interest in exploration, according to kids gourmet makers and experts, is a perfect outlet for teaching kids more about food and healthy eating and cooking early.
Yvette Garfield, CEO and founder of kids cooking, baking and
Stocking lots of gourmet items for kids and their grownups? Get ahead of potential gourmet buying trends for your youngest — and often pickiest — customers by taking a look at Chartwells K12’s top 10 2024 kid food trends.
1. Double dipping: Jazz up snacks and meals with extra flavor and texture, and even get kids eating more veggies with lots of dip and sauce options.
2. As seen on: TikTok has spread to school-aged kids, and they love seeing trending recipes, products and flavors from their favorite videos on shelves and on their plates.
3. Mini madness: Who says bigger is always better? Now it’s all about maximizing the miniature as kids flock to mini-sized favorites of their favorite foods and recipes.
4. Destination dining: Gen Alpha is continuing to seek out meals that provide unique ingredients, authentic flavors and traditional recipes from around the globe, with a strong interest in Latin American and Asian cuisines.
5. Drink up: Between the exciting variety of flavor combinations and creative presentations, specialty drinks are a top trend for kids and adults alike.
6. Spice up your life: Spices enhance taste while keeping the sodium low, making them a perfect addition to any kid-friendly dish, especially for youngsters seeking global flavors.
7. Teens need protein: Alternative proteins are here to stay for younger consumers. Kids see protein replacements and vegetarian selections as rising culinary stars because of their health and environmental benefits.
8. Everything noodles: Kids love trying new foods, but there is no denying the popularity of beloved classics made with pasta and noodles, which remain a top pick across all age groups.
9. Staying fresh: Eating local and in season is becoming a bigger deal to kids as they learn more about where their food comes from, in school and at home.
10. A little bit of everything: Snacks, especially graband-go options for busy students, are big for kids who prefer variety and smaller servings to full meals.
craft brand Handstand Kitchen, believes connecting kids with real, accessible ingredients one can purchase from a grocery store and real food preparation is key to nurturing that interest and exploration. At Handstand Kitchen, that translates into creating real, usable tool sets and kits for kids to learn and practice multiple dishes and food projects. From baking sets and sandwich cutters to trendier hot cocoa bomb makers and charcuterie boards, Garfield said her goal has been to meld high-end housewares with the fun and whimsy of the toy space.
“It needs to involve the child’s interests, but we also want to teach them real skills and have them working and getting exposed to whole, real foods,” she said about the brand she founded in 2007 in an interview with Gifts & Decorative Accessories last year.
C.R. Gibson’s Little Chefs in the Kitchen collection, which launched last year, has recognized similar potential for kid chefs. Initially launching with a series of starter recipes and how-to books full of colorful, fun illustrations and kid-sized and kid-safe tools, the collection has expanded to include things like a Food Pyramid Card and Grocery Store Book to encourage kids to learn more about food, healthy eating and ingredients.
“Teaching kids healthy eating habits is like giving them a superpower toolkit for life,” said Joni Nickrent, director of product development and design for C.R. Gibson’s parent company IG Design Group Americas, Inc. “It helps them grow into strong superheroes, keeps sneaky villains like obesity and health issues at bay, ensures their brains are powered up for epic adventures, and sets the stage for a lifetime of tasty and nutritious choices.”
by Amanda Erd
Consumers face new dilemmas every day. But sometimes they face the same dilemma over and over again without realizing there’s a product out there that could help. Mundane situations sometimes call for creative, outside-the-box solutions.
To help you uncover some possible fixes for your customers, we’ve gathered a handful of products that can help solve everyday problems they may not even realize they’re facing. From a giftable that helps decide where to eat to a towel that holds all the answers, these creative gifts are useful with a dash of cheeky fun.
Takeaway Dice. Gift Republic. giftrepublic.com
Dog Park Pet Bed Cover. Primitives by Kathy. primitivesbykathy.com
100 Ways to Speak Dog card set. Gift Republic. giftrepublic.com
Kitchen Accidents tea towel. The Unemployed Philosophers Guild. philosophersguild.com
Packing List Note Pad. Peter Pauper Press. peterpauper.com
Bunch of Bananas Recipe Book. C.R. Gibson. onecoast.com
Pocket Monkey utility tool. Zootility. wholesale.zootility.com
by Lenise Willis
According to the National Retail Federation, consumers spent a record-high $22.9 billion last year for Father’s Day, with the average person spending just under $200 on each father figure in their life. With the number steadily increasing since 2014, there’s no reason to believe consumers won’t be showing up for Dad in 2024. Retailers can benefit from displaying a section of men’s gifts year-round for birthdays and everyday gifting, as well as a seasonal display for Father’s Day.
What counts as a Father’s Day gift, of course, depends on the type of man the consumer is shopping for. You can’t go wrong with any giftable that focuses on the specialness of Dad or that taps into his specific hobbies and interests, like grilling, golfing and fishing. Here, we’ve gathered a wide variety of gifts, from men’s luxury skincare to laugh-out-loud boxer briefs, that are sure to urge customers to the register. Be sure to stock up and design your displays well before Sunday, June 16.
Hand soap, bar soap and candles in masculine scents. Michel Design Works. stonewallkitchen.com
Men’s bath-and-body collection. European Soaps. europeansoaps.com
Rainforest Rapids soap and deodorant. Dr. Squatch. wholesale.drsquatch.com
Men’s bracelets. Cape Diablo. capediablo.com
Men’s skincare. Jack Black. getjackblack.com
Let’s Go men’s collection. Caren. carenproducts.com
Men’s travel bag made from upcycled leather. Vaan & Co. vaanandco.com
Bourbon Barrel Aged Hot Sauce. Bourbon Barrel Foods. bourbonbarrelfoods.com
Bacon Press and tea towel. Mud Pie. wholesale.mudpie.com
Saucy notebook. Denik. denik.com
BBQ hand towels. Harman. harmaninc.com
My Grilling Hat. Primitives by Kathy. primitivesbykathy.com
Craft Beer Grow Kit. Gift Republic. giftrepublic.com
Whiskey-themed books. Cider Mill Press. cidermillpress.com
Old Fashioned cocktail mix. Noble Mick’s. noblemicks.com
Infused Cubes Cocktail Kit. Herb & Lou’s. herbandlous.com
Foghat Cocktail Smoker with torch and mixes. Thousand Oaks Barrel Co. foghatsmoker.com
Golf Club Jeweled Glassware. The Queens’ Jewels. thequeensjewels.net
Dad coasters. CoasterStone. coasterstonepromo.com
Funny boxers. Little Blue House. littlebluehouse.com
Awesome Dad socks. Primitives by Kathy. primitivesbykathy.com
Pass the Remote socks. DM Merchandising. 247dm.com
Throwback hats and T-shirt. Totalee Gift. totaleegift.com
Best Dad pewter plaque. Basic Spirit. basicspirit.com
100 Things to Do with Dad poster. Gift Republic. giftrepublic.com
Rad Dad Father’s Day card. Ruff House Print Shop. ruffhouseprintshop.com
Father’s Day gift bag. Jillson & Roberts. jillsonroberts.com
Dad Jokes Told Here Tea Towel. Salty by Papersalt. papersalt.com
Star Trek Transporter Mug. The Unemployed Philosophers Guild. philosophersguild.com
The Men’s Room book for guys. Peter Pauper Press. peterpauper.com
Golf towel. Primitives by Kathy. primitivesbykathy.com
On the Green puzzle. New York Puzzle Company. newyorkpuzzlecompany.com
Men’s HydroSport Fitkicks in Teal. DM Merchandising. 247dm.com
Golf socks. Main and Local. mainandlocal.com
Fishing Guide Mug. Gift Republic. giftrepublic.com
Hole in One Golfer’s Gift Set. Gift Republic. giftrepublic.com
by Amanda Erd
In a time when consumers are looking to come together rather than create more separation and division, the desire to seek out and support minority-owned businesses has greatly increased.
According to the 2022 Annual Business Survey from the U.S. Census Bureau, only 21 percent of employer firms were minority owned. Of those businesses, more than half (52.1 percent) had a staff size of just 1-4 employees, and 27.2 percent had 5-19 employees — meaning more than three quarters of minority-owned businesses fall in the small business category.
Part of celebrating diversity for some consumers goes hand in hand with supporting minorityowned businesses. In the 2023 Gifts & Decorative Accessories Study, 14 percent of respondents said it was “very important” to purchase gifts that celebrate diversity, with another 19 percent saying it was “somewhat important.” To continue the work of supporting all makers, we’ve gathered a handful of BIPOC-owned businesses for you to consider stocking in your store.
Founded in 2012, Aqualime Skincare was created when founder Tenesha Carter was looking for a solution to help ease her son’s eczema. Carter created her own oatmeal bath — and it kickstarted her passion for bath and body care. She works to source clean, botanical ingredients like floral powders, waters and herbs. Products are handmade and scented using essential oils. Aqualime now has products like body scrubs, bath soaks, clay masks, lip care and everything in between. aqualimeskincare.com
Under the artistry and leadership of Nataline Henry-Charles, Pretty Peacock Paperie started with a focus in custom wedding and event invitations before expanding further into the stationery category. Over the years, the brand has evolved by branching into custom greeting cards and gifts to help celebrate all the different moments in life — but also keeping an emphasis on diversity. Each piece of stationery is originally drawn by Henry-Charles, even the fonts. shopprettypeacock.com
Founded in 2016, Simply Sage Dog Treats got its start with simple herbal tea-infused, plant-based dog treats. Two years into business, Simply Sage expanded into pet wellness and grooming to help meet the demand for all-natural grooming supplies. Now, they specialize in natural pet care products, including dog and cat paw balms, skin salves and shampoo bars and work to help pets who deal with allergies and skin issues. Products are made with all-natural ingredients to provide relief to our furry friends and their sensitive skin. simplysagedogtreats.com
Family fashion brand Tony by Toni specializes in coordinated apparel for the family. Co-founded in 2018 by Corey and Toni Glaze, the brand focuses on bringing families together with trendy designs that match but are still unique. When Toni struggled to find trendy options for her and her son Tony to coordinate, she took it upon herself to make outfits that work for the whole family. From boy moms to girl dads and everything in between, Tony by Toni offers an array of clothing items to keep families coordinated and in style. tonybytoni.com
Melissa Scoppettone grew up in the optical business. Her father owned a company called Ron’s Optical, and when she took over business operations from him in 2006, she saw a need for more fashion-forward yet timeless eyewear. She created I Heart Eyewear, offering everyday glasses, sunglasses, readers, cases and more. Products are designed with the latest styles in mind and are priced at affordable options for the whole family. ihearteyewear.com
Kiah Smith always had a spark for DIY projects and being creative. In 2018, she discovered the artisan soap world and the process of creating your own soaps. It wasn’t long before Smithmade Essentials was born — first as a hobby and then into something bigger than imagined when the designer in her started thinking about the possibilities. Smith formulated her own recipe and created a small inventory of beautiful, colorful handmade designs. Smith now creates a candle collection, too. smithmade-essentials.com
Based in Richmond, Va., Sun & Selene was created by Brittany DeRaffele. DeRaffele designed her first jewelry collection in 2013, but it wasn’t until 2017 when she was inspired by the goddess Selene to create the first ring of the initial launch. Many designs are inspired by astrology and the planets, which DeRaffele attributes on her website to “always feeling the pull to the ocean and sun with all of its magic and inspiration.” Each piece is handmade using recycled metals and consciously sourced gemstones. sunandselene.com
People are on their feet every day, yet they don’t always put in the effort to take care of them. That’s why Dr. Quinton Yeldell, a podiatrist from the south, and his partner Krystle Ford decided to create Southern Hospitality. Yeldell worked to create a natural foot care line that focuses on preventative care. Each product is handmade in small batches with high-quality ingredients. Though originally designed for the feet, all of their products can be used over the entire body. sohofeet.com
Self-care has been a buzzword across many industries for the last several years. Initially, self-care in the bath and body space translated into elaborate skincare routines, lots of tools and tech, and carefully curated baths. But now, in line with other trends like quiet luxury and loud budgeting, buyers are looking for a few, simple high-quality products. Here are three editor-tested items that fit the trend.
Voesh New York’s Vegan Body Crème voesh.com
My hands, elbows and legs are constantly dry and in need of lotion, so I usually have several different bottles on my nightstand, in my desk drawer, in my purse and even in my car. When I travel for market, my skin gets especially dry and dull from exhaustion, dehydration and plane travel. So, I was extremely grateful to try out a new-to-me body lotion at Dallas Market Center: the Vegan Body Crème by Voesh New York. With a subtle, but pleasant, green tea scent, this lotion is a thirst-quenching moisturizer that leaves my hands feeling soft and smooth without feeling greasy. It quickly absorbs into my skin. The body moisturizer includes natural ingredients like organic olive oil, which also helps repair the skin, as well as avocado oil. I enjoyed it so much, I decided to keep it by my side for the full market season.
Jao’s LipJao Lip Butter jaobrand.com
I am not a “snob” about much, but now that I have tried Jao’s LipJao Lip Butter, I am proud to call myself a lip balm snob. Jao — a Pennsylvania-based brand — prides itself on making “unisex, multipurpose, effective” skincare products, per its website, all formulated without parabens, sulphates, phthalates, mineral oil or silicones. With its recently reformulated lip balm — which declares itself as being “for lip balm snobs” — Jao increased its butter percentage to 37 percent using a blend of four butters — shea, avocado, mango and pumpkin — to be an even more effective hydrator. In addition to its four-butter blend, the lip balm is also made with other natural ingredients like Sea Buckthorn, Jojoba, Rosehip Oil, Propolis and lightly flavored with essential oils of vanilla, anise, tea tree and palmarosa.
FarmHouse Fresh’s Chamomile Cleanser farmhousefreshgoods.com
I don't wear makeup all of the time but when I do, the process of taking it off, so that it doesn't clog my skin, is not one I look forward to. I tend to have drier skin on my face, especially during the winter months — thanks, Illinois — and general makeup cleansers don't leave me feeling moisturized.
So, when I tried the Forest Flower Chamomile Cleanser from Farmhouse Fresh, I was quite surprised. Not only does it work to remove makeup, sunscreen and dirt from your face, but it gives a sense of renewal. The chamomile, blue lotus, lemon balm extract and coconut milk help clean your skin while also replenishing it with moisture so it stays soft and smooth. My skin doesn’t feel raw or tight after washing my face and it’s safe to use twice a day, so it is a perfect addition to a skincare routine.
In 2008, Wendren Setzer quit her day job working as a textile designer for a clothing factory to pursue her dream of making her own bags. The dream shortly thereafter developed into creating products with a more challenging and unconventional process — that of using recycled paper — and Wren was born.
"We started making bags using our unique fusion of paper and fabric, trademarked as ProtectPaper, around 2012,” said Setzer, creative director and founder. “The bags and their material soften over time, worn to mold their purpose and become more loved than when new. The bag is a part of the owner's daily life. I think [the positive] feedback and the fact that we have been in business for over 10 years is a testament to the durability of this material!"
The company, based in South Africa, produces handmade wallets, backpacks, duffle bags, sling bags, clutches, plant pot covers and laptop sleeves, all made from a special material of recycled paper fused with cotton, an idea Setzer got from ballet shoes. The products also have an environmental coating for water resistance. The idea to use recycled paper came to Setzer while she was driving behind a truck carrying Pretoria Portland Cement bags, which featured an African
Elephant as part of its branding. Setzer was drawn to the design and wondered what else she could make with it. She got one of the bags, fused it with a special cotton she sourced from a shoe factory and sewed the first of many projects.
“Paper is a beautiful material: texturally, historically, and with the opportunity it offers as a canvas to artists, writers and even to us every single day as we take notes down,” she said. “It is a material we do not acknowledge for its greatness or possibility, and using it unusually brings awareness to this.
“I think it is important to challenge perceptions we have about the durability of materials that we have developed due to a consumeristic culture,” she added. “We are so used to ‘scrumpling’ paper and throwing it in the bin. If I can make a person stop and reflect on the limited ideas they have about a material or object, then I wonder what other materials we might see be developed, or what other ideas for a brighter future we might have as a greener, happier and better world?”
Solid navy crossbody bag with cotton-rope straps; Botanical laptop sleeve; Wildlife laptop sleeve. Wren. thewrendesign.com
inspired by South African wildlife and botanicals
by Lenise Willis
Knotty Pine Woodworks got its start in 2014 when JR and Samantha Davis decided to take on the task of designing and building their own log bed. That project kickstarted their passion for creating art from wood.
In 2017, the duo decided to join the Made in Montana program, a program that assists Montana businesses in developing and marketing their products in and out of state. They also went out on a limb and joined a slew of craft shows and before they knew it Knotty Pine was bringing in enough business to be a full-time job for them both.
While they add a few extra hands during busy seasons, Knotty Pine is the Davis family business. JR and Samantha work together on new designs, occasionally drawing inspiration from the work of their two kids, and then JR takes on the building while Samantha is tasked
with the finishing process. Each product is made right in shop from locally harvested and sawn pine from the southwest Montana region. The only exception is their hardwood products, but even those are at least sourced from locally owned lumber yards.
Currently Knotty Pine Woodworks is featured in more than 100 stores throughout Montana and in another 20 or so throughout the U.S. They maintain a retail presence online but their focus for 2024 is to continue growing their wholesale business and share the beauty of woodwork across the country.
by Amanda Erd
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTIONS
• Making Sense of Candles & Fragrances
MAY ANNUAL STATIONERY PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT:
• Gifts for Him Showcase new products before the summer markets
• Kids-Focused Features
• Retailer Excellence Awards Coverage
• Made in America Special Ad Section
• Summer Markets Coverage
JULY • Summer Markets Issue • Holiday Product Spotlight
NORA FLEMING
CROSSROADS ORIGINAL DESIGNS
Discover our beautiful new spring florals. They are outstanding whether arranged in our wide array of metal and ceramic containers, or paired with our selection of distinctive candles.
| 866-247-0156
@ www.crossroadsfamily.com
# circle #301
P. GRAHAM DUNN CARVED CROSSES
A candle holder featuring a modern candelabra design that can free-stand on a flat surface for a dramatic home accent.
| 866-295-2849
@ primitivesbykathy.com
# circle #300
BEATRIZ BALL FRAME SIERRA MODERN TIFFANY 4X6 (GOLD)
From Beatriz Ball’s FRAME Collection come handsome Tiffany frames. Available in three sizes, with gold or silver finishes, the brilliant metal frames never need polishing.
| 888-265-1069
@ beatrizballwholesale.markettime.com
# circle #302
Best seller at Market! Elaborate and detailed carvings create a striking and memorable image of Christ overlaid on a distressed cross. Crafted in the heart of Ohio’s Amish Country.
| 800-828-5260
@ wholesale.pgrahamdunn.com
# circle #303
Beautiful paintings inspired by words of faith. Part of a new collection from artist and illustrator, Allison Loveall. 3 styles. Includes display. 3.75"H.
| 800-729-7662
@ www.roman.com
@ www.retailers.roman.com
# circle #304
Celebrate your love for all things nora fleming with bases and interchangeable minis!
| 630-231-2500
@ www.norafleming.com
# circle #306
The NightBULB is not just a lamp; it’s a statement piece that seamlessly combines form and function. Elevate your space with the NightBULB – where elegance meets illumination.
| 888-673-5809
@ www.coolsnowglobes.com/products/nightbulb
# circle #308
Calming shades of blue with a delicate floral pattern create a placemat, napkin and table runner that effortlessly adapt to any occasion. The intricate blooms provide a serene and beautiful setting, with coordinating window and floor textiles also available.
| 800-326-3382
@ www.parkdesigns.net
# circle #305
Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, this folk-art inspired salad plate and beverage mug exemplify the timeless appeal of artisanal pottery. This durable stoneware collection with artwork by Teresa Kogut, also offers a coordinating spoon rest and hand-painted salt and pepper shakers.
| 800-326-3382
@ www.parkdesigns.net
# circle #307
Entertaining is easy with nora fleming! Add to your collection with new base pieces and minis to make every celebration memorable!
| 630-231-2500
@ www.norafleming.com
# circle #309
PRIMITIVES BY KATHY
Large, insulated travel mugs perfect for on-the-go lifestyles displaying a variety of artist-driven designs.
| 866-295-2849
@ primitivesbykathy.com
# circle #311
Stand out with sustainable seagrass! Our handwoven reindeer basket brings rustic charm and eco-conscious style to any space.
| 800-621-8350
@ www.tagltd.com
# circle #310
Elevate your space with officially licensed MLB Metal Wall Decor. Embossed like home base, featuring team logo and name—an ideal addition for sports enthusiasts.
PRIMITIVES BY KATHY
HOMESTEAD KITCHEN SET & APRON
Fun farm and canningthemed kitchen set and apron inspired by the Homestead lifestyle.
| 866-295-2849
@ primitivesbykathy.com
# circle #312
From the Pip Vinestar Collection, this exquisite quilt is designed to transform any bedroom into a cozy and inviting retreat.
| 417-334-3099
@ wholesale.vhcbrands.com
# circle #313
| 844-533-6890
@ www.openroadbrands.com
@ sales@orbrands.com
# circle #314
DM MERCHANDISING
SEED & SPROUT™️ GARDENING GLOVES
Made with soft, protective neoprene, these waterresistant gardening gloves feature texting tips, stretch webbing and an adjustable wrist strap.
| 800-548-6784
@ www.247dm.com
# circle #316
CTW HOME COLLECTION
This magnifying glass is an ideal and stylish desk accessory for the office. It features a distinguished antique brass finish that brings a cultivated feel.
| 800-433-5054
@ ctwhomecollection.com
# circle #315
TAG
Best-selling plant watering pets! Hand-painted with un-glazed stake allowing water to seep out into plants. Handy counter display unit.
| 800-621-8350
@ www.tagltd.com
# circle #318
Ensure your beverages and snacks stay cool with our 13- or 21-quart coolers. Equipped with a stylish strap that can be effortlessly swapped with various designs, these coolers are ideal for poolside lounging, beach days, or outings with friends and family.
| 336-274-7889
@ simplysouthernwholesale.com
# circle #317
P. GRAHAM DUNN MUSHROOM STAKES
Add a touch of personality to your plants with these small, decorative mushroom signs. Great for adding to an indoor potted plant, or outdoors in a garden or landscaping.
| 800-828-5260
@ wholesale.pgrahamdunn.com
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SAWDUST CITY LLC
MORE SIGNS = MORE SALES
We keep your stock fresh with new signs every month. Free shipping for qualifying orders. Solid wood, 40+ colors, made in the USA.
| 800-528-6008
@ www.sawdustcitywholesale.com
# circle #321
CHEERFUL NOTIONS GREETINGS
Notions® is a collection of happy little cards that deliver big smiles (3.875" x 5"). Enjoy fresh new designs for all major occasions.
| 800-525-0846
@ www.tradeleanintree.com
# circle #323
Leanin’ Tree has introduced over 200 new card designs to share the spirit of spring with your customers. All cards are made in the USA
| 800-525-0846
@ www.tradeleanintree.com
# circle #320
AVANTI PRESS, INC.
AVANTI BRAND
GREETING CARDS
Avanti does funny better! With world-class greeting cards, we’re on a mission to share the power of laughter & smiles!
| 800-228-2684
@ www.avantipress.com
# circle #324
NOBLEWORKS INC.
FUNNY NEW CARDS FOR SPRING OCCASIONS!
NobleWorks is your source for the best humorous cards for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and Graduation. All cards are printed on demand in the USA.
| 800-346-6253
@ www.nobleworksinc.com
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CROSSROADS ORIGINAL DESIGNS/ BLOSSOM BUCKET
FRIENDS ARE A GIFT CHRISTMAS ANGEL
Our resin Christmas angel features classic seasonal colors and measures 5" tall. A perfect gift for that special friend.
| 866-247-0156
@ www.crossroadsfamily.com
# circle #326
LIGHTED SWIRL TREE WITH LIGHTED BULBS
From the Confetti Lites collection. 12.5"H.
| 800-729-7662
@ www.roman.com
@ www.retailers.roman.com
# circle #328
CROSSROADS ORIGINAL DESIGNS
Our charming felt Christmas mouse measures 5" tall and is adorable tucked into an arrangement or sitting on a shelf.
| 866-247-0156
@ www.crossroadsfamily.com # circle #325
KURT S. ADLER, INC. COKE/DIET COKE DECOUPAGE CAN, 2 ASSORTED
The 2 Assorted Coke/Diet Coke Decoupage Can Ornaments are lifelike and perfect for any Coca-Cola fan. The ornaments are made of decoupage material and are a sweet memento of the iconic brand.
| 212-924-0900
@ www.kurtadler.com # circle #329
KURT S. ADLER, INC. RESIN PINK/PURPLE/BLUE MERMAID ORNAMENTS
The Resin Pink/Purple/Blue Mermaid Ornaments are vibrant and fun. The assortment comes with 3 different mermaids all in the same color scheme with luscious hair and dynamic tails.
| 212-924-0900
@ www.kurtadler.com
# circle #327
WIND & WILLOW STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE CHEESEBALL & DESSERT MIX
New! With real strawberry, vanilla cookie topping, and nostalgia in every bite, you can’t get enough of this summer favorite.
| 888-427-3235
@ windandwillow.com
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CANDICE WHEELER BEES
Modgy’s abuzz with our new Candice Wheeler Bees apron and signature expandable vase! Also available in a matching tea towel and luminaries, this charming floral honeycomb pattern will brighten every living space.
| 216-382-1805
@ www.modgy.com
# circle #330
CROSSROADS ORIGINAL DESIGNS
Crossroads has introduced four new fragrances for 2024, including fresh, tart Grapefruit & Citrus, a blend of grapefruit, orange, tangerine, strawberry and vanilla sugar.
| 866-247-0156
@ www.crossroadsfamily.com
# circle #333
BBQ ACCESSORIES
Serving fresh off the grill is easy with our Grilling Trays, new highheat Grilling Gloves & Classic Plastic Baskets.
| 800-835-1195
@ www.tablecrafthome.com
# circle #332
STRAWBERRY MANGO BOWL CANDLE
Reminiscent of sweet summer days, this bright and refreshing candle is scented with sunny notes of ripe strawberry, juicy mango and golden pineapple.
| 888-326-5678
@ stonewallwholesale.com
# circle #334
Hand poured in Ohio’s Amish Country, these 16 oz. soy candles feature a wood wick, 6 unique scents, and 30 artistic designs. Mini paint can containers complete the unique and charming twist to traditional candle designs.
| 800-828-5260
@ wholesale.pgrahamdunn.com
# circle #336
CANDLE WARMERS ETC.
Enhance the high-end feel of your home décor products with soy blend wax that is artfully decorated with fragrance toppings.
| 801-771-8650
@ www.candlewarmers.com
# circle #335
CANDLE WARMERS ETC.
Canopy Illumination Fragrance Warmers quickly and safely warm wax melts from above.
| 801-771-8650
@ www.candlewarmers.com
# circle #337
Our newest fragrance collection evokes the feeling of stepping into a spa! Shipping in April.
| 407-351-5656
@ beekman1802.com
# circle #338
Our new Lilac Dream is shipping now, including this everyday gift set!
| 407-351-5656
@ beekman1802.com
# circle #339
4-IN-1
The one-handle makeup wand with four retractable brushes! Includes removable eyeshadow, foundation and powder brush heads with protective magnetic endcaps.
| 800-548-6784
@ www.247dm.com
# circle #340
MICHEL DESIGN WORKS
Our new soft and fluffy socks are just the right amount of cozy to put a smile on your day.
| 909-345-2688
@ www.ooohyeah.com
# circle #341
“On the day you were born, the Angels clapped their hands and the moon danced with the stars.” Each piece includes a gift bag. 12 styles. Set includes display.
| 800-729-7662
@ www.roman.com
@ www.retailers.roman.com
# circle #343
Triple milled and crafted with rich shea butter for a silky-smooth finish, this luxurious soap bar features notes of floral blossoms alongside musk and sandalwood.
| 888-326-5678
@ stonewallwholesale.com
# circle #342
I HEART EYEWEAR
GEORGIA - AVAILABLE AS A POLARIZED SUNGLASS OR SUN BIFOCAL
Classic shape, optical quality and reasonably priced. Available in tortoise or pink. Check out our full line of sunglasses, sun readers and sun bifocals.
| 800-247-7667
@ www.ihearteyewear.com
# circle #344
SINCLAIR - AVAILABLE IN NO CORRECTION BLUE LIGHT AND READER STRENGTHS
Put your personality on display with Sinclair. This cat-eye frame features understated patterned fronts and expressive color pops with polished metal touches on the temples.
| 219-872-4413
@ wholesale.peepers.com
# circle #346
BLUE HOUSE BY HATLEY
EVERY INCH COUNTS MEN’S BOXER BRIEF
Our hilarious boxers make the greatest men’s gifts. Different display options and 32 designs to choose from.
| 800-667-2583
@ www.littlebluehouse.com
# circle #348
LIZAS ESSENTIALS SPINNER DISPLAY – SKU 19000099
$1.95 wholesale 195 colors. The colors, sparkle and profits are amazing. Order your summer brights right away.
| 678-756-2817
@ www.lizas.com
# circle #345
snoozies! ®
HONEY BEE SKINNIES® WITH TRAVEL POUCH
SKINNIES® are lined with super thin Sherpa and have non-skid bottoms.The perfect travel foot covering! Available in a variety of prints with and without the travel pouches.
| 252-650-7000 Ext. 206 or 210
@ www.snoozies.com
# circle #349
SHE WHO SLEEPS WITH DOGS WOMEN’S SLEEPSHIRT
Our bestselling one-size jersey sleepshirts made from 100% cotton are wrapped in a matching cotton sleeve for easy merchandising.
| 800-667-2583
@ www.littlebluehouse.com
# circle #347
Warmies® are the number one selling brand of heatable stuffed animals and wellness gifts. Filled with real dried French lavender, Warmies are great stress and anxiety relievers, calming sleep aids, perfect for keeping you warm on a chilly night and are naturally weighted to provide a relaxing sensory experience. Simply warm in a microwave and enjoy hours of soothing warmth and aromatic comfort. Warmies are safe for, and loved by, all ages. PS…we now have Warmies pajamas & matching socks, too!
@ warmies.com
# circle #350
CO., INC.
HUGS (6055, 6056, 6057, 6058, 6060, 6061)
All new DOUGLAS HUGS™ are sweet baby dolls adorned in removable animal-themed swaddles. Each swaddle is constructed with a paw closure that is easy for little hands to dress and play.
| 800-992-9002
@ douglascuddletoy.com
# circle #351
Warmies® are the number one selling brand of heatable stuffed animals and wellness gifts. Filled with real dried French lavender, Warmies are great stress and anxiety relievers, calming sleep aids, perfect for keeping you warm on a chilly night and are naturally weighted to provide a relaxing sensory experience. Simply warm in a microwave and enjoy hours of soothing warmth and aromatic comfort. Warmies are safe for, and loved by, all ages. PS…we now have Warmies pajamas & matching socks, too!
@ warmies.com
# circle #353
This on-trend Dragon is super soft, exquisitely detailed, and sure to be a favorite friend.
| 800-365-4233
@ marymeyer.com
# circle #352
CO., INC.
& 6534)
Now it’s a party! New Birthday Dolls by DOUGLAS make every birthday special! At 11" tall sitting, made with premium plush, and on-trend patterns, their quality is something to celebrate.
| 800-992-9002
@ douglascuddletoy.com
# circle #354
March — April 2024
3-5 4-6 8-9 10-13 11-14 12-15 8-12
15-17 16-18
LAS VEGAS
Toy Fest
World Market Center Las Vegas toyfestus.com
ATLANTA
Spring Market
AmericasMart americasmart.com
HELENA, MONT.
Made in Montana
Lewis & Clark County Fairgrounds madeinmontanausa.com
MINNETONKA, MINN.
Minneapolis Gift, Home, Apparel & Accessory Show
Minneapolis Mart mplsmart.com
LAS VEGAS
ASD Market Week
Las Vegas Convention Center asdonline.com
LOS ANGELES
LA Market Week
California Market Center californiamarketcenter.com
LOS ANGELES
LA Kids Market
California Market Center
californiamarketcenter.com
BALTIMORE, MD.
American Craft Made Baltimore Convention Center craftcouncil.org
PORTLAND, MAINE
New England Made Giftware & Specialty Food Show
Portland Sports Complex nemadeshows.com
CHICAGO
LAS VEGAS
AmericasMart atlanta-apparel.com 17-19 20-22 7-8 9-10 8-10 9-12 18-20 19-22 19-22
The Inspired Home Show
McCormick Place theinspiredhomeshow.com
Questex’s World Tea Conference + Expo Las Vegas Convention Center worldteaexpo.com
DALLAS
Apparel & Accessories Market and Total Home & Gift Market
Dallas Market Center dallasmarketcenter.com
DALLAS
Kidsworld
Dallas Market Center dallasmarketcenter.com
ORLANDO, FLA.
Global Pet Expo
Orange County Convention Center globalpetexpo.org
LIVONIA, MICH.
Metro Michigan Show
Embassy Suites Detroit-Livonia silverliningshows.com/michigan-ww-market
GAYLORD, MICH.
Gift, Gourmet & Souvenir Show
Treetops Resort and Spa Convention Center gaylordgiftshow.com
ATLANTA
Formal Markets
AmericasMart americasmart.com
ATLANTA
Atlanta Apparel
Note: In most cases, shows are open to the trade only. Dates listed are provided by show managements. Before traveling to an event, however, please verify the particulars with the organizer by visiting the website.
