GDA September 2024

We Saved the Best for September

The final market of the year is the last chance for quick orders ahead of the busiest season and a head-start on the new year: discover must-have gifts, holiday décor, fashion accessories, tabletop, and more.

JOIN US FOR UPCOMING TRADE EVENTS

Dallas Total Home & Gift Market September 17 - 19

Experience the only complete lifestyle marketplace for design resources under one roof.

Dallas Design Week | September 17 - 19

Inspiring the design community through captivating experiences and educational opportunities.

ArchLIGHT Summit | September 17 - 18

A dynamic, commercial and architectural lighting event for the architectural, specification, and design communities.

Dallas Total Home & Gift Market

January 8 - 14 | TEMPS 8 -11

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TRENDS FROM SUMMER MARKETS

We perused Dallas. We hunted Atlanta. We scoped Las Vegas. We even squeezed in New York. And now we're sharing the latest trends we noticed during the busy summer market season!

PERSONABLE PURCHASES

Personalized products can help urge customers to the register. Whether celebrating hometown pride or sports fandom, these products are great for giving that extra touch.

TOP FRAGRANCE FINDS

Candles are always at the top of consumers' shopping lists, but the sheer amount of scent options can be overwhelming. Take a look at some home fragrance options in the top trending scents.

Pop the Champagne! Birthdays, weddings, graduations and everything in between — we've gathered products sure to bring joy and celebration to any occasion.

EDITOR-APPROVED PICKS

The cold months are starting to creep in across the country and our editors tested out three hot drink products to help consumers stay warm from the inside out.

On the Cover: Customizable totes, sweaters and more. Town Pride. townpride.com

EDITOR IN CHIEF 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, Linda Cahan, Andrea Lillo, Spencer Musick, Angela Schmook, 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

Summer in Review

We just wrapped up another show season and though traffic was “flat but optimistic,” according to most, it was a busy summer. We completed another Retailer Excellence Awards gala in Dallas, got stuck in Atlanta for days after the global IT outage, battled dehydration in Vegas, and hounded our New York-based sister publication editors about NY Now and Shoppe Object. It was a summer that was equal parts exhausting and reenergizing, for sure!

And now it’s time to properly assess what actually happened these last few months.

The top two questions that we get as editors covering the markets are: “What’s trending?” and “How’s traffic?”

And, honestly, if you asked me at markets, I probably avoided your question or put you off! Not because I didn’t want to answer it, but because it’s difficult to answer those questions when you’re in the middle of it. When we’re at market, we are in “absorption mode,” and it’s not until we go back home and brainstorm together that we enter “analysis mode.” So now that we’ve had time to settle back into our home offices, we’re offering you this issue as our market recap.

“Now that we’ve had time to settle back into our home offices, we’re offering you this issue as our market recap.”

To answer the first question about what’s trending, we’ve focused our main retail feature on the biggest product trends we noticed at market, from statement diffusers to vintage vibes.

And to answer the question about market traffic, it was OK. I wouldn’t say it looked like any markets broke any records, but it wasn’t insanely slow either. Some of the exhibitors I talked to mentioned it being slow, but that business was still good thanks to online orders and road reps. Other exhibitors expressed record-breaking numbers thanks to fewer, but larger orders, while some vendors said business was great thanks to pre-booked appointments.

When you consider all of this with the fact that this summer market season seemed to be cursed, after the global IT outage grounded countless flights during Atlanta Market and a semi-truck explosion blocked I-15 from California during Las Vegas Market, I’d say the season fared pretty well against the odds! Others, like my editorial director Bill McLoughlin, would say the question about traffic misses the point entirely.

As he pointed out in an online column: “Business is soft. No doubt about it. But the real issue isn’t how many attended Market A, B or C, but rather what did they find when they got there? The recovery, when it comes, will be supported by changing market conditions, but it will be driven by product — great product.”

Some of those great products are featured here, both in our market trend feature up front and our trending gifts stories near the back. Because, honestly, for us, markets are mostly all about the products! So, have fun perusing the new lines and keep a positive outlook. When the economy bounces back, you don’t want to be caught with stale goods.

Lenise Willis Editor in Chief

Las Vegas Market Shows ‘Remarkable Demonstration’ in Industry Resilience

According to Andmore, buyers and sellers at the recent Las Vegas Market expressed optimism for post-election recovery fueled by innovation and customer connections, despite current economic challenges facing the home furnishings and gift industries.

“The summer shows, including Las Vegas Market, have been a remarkable demonstration of the industry’s adaptability and resilience,” said Jon Pertchik, Andmore CEO. “As we navigate through economic headwinds, it’s clear that our shared commitment and innovative approaches will guide us towards a brighter future.”

More than 3,500 product lines in both permanent showrooms and temporary exhibits combined with robust category-specific programming delivered an immersive buying opportunity across furniture, bedding, home decor and gift.

This summer, the market drew retailers and designers from nearly all 50 states and internationally. With 30 percent of the total attendees being first-time visitors to Las Vegas Market, the market delivered on the opportunity for showrooms and exhibitors to meet new buyers and open new accounts.

A consistent topic among gift industry thought leaders was the role of markets in today’s business climate and the importance — now more than ever — of participation.

Jacob Gerson, executive vice president and chief revenue officer of The Gerson Companies, reported, “Even during challenging times, market remains our most effective marketing tool. It generates the highest number of leads compared to any other method, as nothing showcases our merchandise better than a physical setting that allows us to get in front of our

customers.”

Road Runners Vice President of Operations Angela Schmook echoed, “We had a solid summer show, and we can attribute that to the dedication that is required to thrive in this industry. The brands that invested in new product introductions and attended market to support their reps had successful shows. Now, more than ever, buyers want to touch, feel and smell what they’re buying — tradeshows are essential to this experience.”

Earlier this summer, the gift industry launched “Reps Are Local Too,” a movement that emphasizes the value of ordering from local sales representatives and investing in shopping local, directly from the source. Schmook added, “The ‘Reps Are Local Too’ movement was born from a need for support for rep agencies, and we didn’t expect the industry — retailers, brands and Andmore — to rally behind it so strongly. We are in an active phase to find retailers and brands to help us move this forward over the coming months.”

Beyond exhibits, the summer 2024 edition was marked by excitement surrounding business, design and trend education and gatherings. Standing-room-only seminars, including keynotes by Roger Thomas, Kathy Kuo and Alaina Kaz of The Everygirl, provided valuable insights. Community-building events and engaging on-site activations allowed buyers to experience products in new ways. These elements combined to create an atmosphere of optimism and collaboration, reinforcing the industry's readiness to overcome challenges and welcome future opportunities.

The winter 2025 Las Vegas Market runs Jan.26-Jan. 30, at World Market Center Las Vegas.

Market-goers pose with the Las Vegas Market logo. (Photo courtesy of Andmore.)

Bonita

Fable

Shelby

Twyla

Cressida Havana

Amari

Miriam

Primrose

Dallas Market Center Plans to Redesign Temps Ahead of January

Dallas Market Center (DMC), following a record-setting run of markets over the summer, has a number of changes coming to the Temps at Total Home & Gift Market, set to run Jan. 8-11, 2025. The reimagined show will create “new, inspiring destinations for buyers and more space for growth categories,” per a release.

“A key reason for the increase in buyers choosing Dallas is our presentation of new products, together with our convenience, customer service and safety,” said Cindy Morris, DMC president and CEO. “Retailers want trending and unique items, and that begins with the Temps. That’s why remerchandising portions of the show and updating the presentation of exhibitors will help create even more traffic to the temps and opportunities for exhibitors to reach buyers attending our markets.”

Highlights from the changes include the following:

• The World Trade Center 11th floor will be the new destination for order writing Apparel, Jewelry and Fashion Accessories. The 11th floor will debut a curated collection of top-end fashion and accessories, called Boutique.

• The Trade Mart 1 Pavilion will expand its number of temporary booths and will exclusively offer a juried collection of exhibitors in fine gifts, home accents and tabletop. The floorplan will also be redesigned to “provide more aisleway exposure and heightened traffic flow.”

• World Trade Center 12th floor will remain as the market’s largest collection of new and emerging exhibitors, trending products, while Market Hall will remain the destination for Immediate Goods including Artisan, Gifts and Jewelry, Fine Jewelry, and Home, Vintage & Antiques resources.

Supporting the Temps for January will be marketing and events promoting the new and legacy neighborhoods together with the trends and stories behind the products.

“Our goals are simple: grow the show and support our exhibitor community with active and inspiring destinations,” said Jo Ann Miller Marshall, senior vice president of tradeshows. “The January Temps will be a leap forward in merchandising that makes sense, a show that’s easy to work, and destinations with fabulous merchandise high energy buzz and great traffic."

Record Attendance at Shoppe Object’s Summer Edition

New York-based home and gift show Shoppe Object concluded its summer 2024 edition, marking another round of recordbreaking attendance.

This season’s show saw a 13 percent increase in exhibitors and a 10 percent increase in unique buyer attendance as compared to last year, an increase that highlights “the event’s expanding influence in the design community,” per a release. Notably, 22 percent of this round’s exhibitors were international.

“Our summer shows are always fun, filled with bright colors for the season ahead, and our annual Shoppe Object Show Boat cruise around New York Harbor was the best one yet, with a joy and energy that truly reflects the spirit of our community,” said Jesse James, founder and creative director of Shoppe Object.

This year’s show featured an array of activations and initiatives across its two locations. At Skylight at Essex Crossing, the Nourish space, curated by Dr. Maria Geyman — a Vogue contributor and founder of Masha Tea — presented a curated collection of beauty and gourmet products. Additionally, the Shoppe Object Global Artisan Project, in collaboration with

ByHand Consulting, highlighted global artisan goods and the Live Collage sessions by James Gallagher further engaged attendees.

Meanwhile, Pier 36 highlighted the works of the Artist of the Season, Diane Vaquerano, whose “creativity left a lasting impression on all who visited.” The area also featured Ukraine Designs, showcased under the banner ‘TradewithUA,’ which emphasized Ukrainian craftsmanship and sustainability. Serving as a hub for emerging designers to present their groundbreaking concepts, the American Design Club Incubation Space featured a diverse range of innovative American designers, offering attendees the chance to explore a selection of ceramics, furnishings, accessories and more.

“This show was a particularly meaningful one for us as our last edition on the Lower East Side,” said James. “We’ve been working hard behind the scenes to answer the call of our customers, setting the stage for thoughtful growth ahead in 2025, while maintaining a high level of curation all under one roof. We’re beyond excited for what’s to come!"

Shoppe Object Heading to New York's West Side in 2025

Shoppe Object, the six-year-old curated gift and home tradeshow, will bring its two New York locations under one roof this February in a new location in Chelsea.

The show has operated at Pier 36 on the East side — where it has been for several years — and Essex Crossing, a new venue it debuted in February 2024.

“Our footprint is at capacity,” show organizer Jesse James told Gifts & Decorative Accessories' sister brand Designers Today at the show. He “loves the Lower East Side,” but says keeping the two venues “is not a stable way to grow the show.”

While Shoppe Object's exact new location has not been announced yet at time of print, James said it is within walking distance of the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, making it easy for attendees to visit both it and NY Now, which takes place there. The new location will have enough room for all of the exhibitors currently at Pier 36 and Essex Crossing — totaling more than 700 this show — with about 30 percent more space, he said.

James, who is also an exhibitor as the co-founder of Aesthetic

Movement, founded the show in 2018 because he wanted to “build a show from the exhibitors’ experience,” as they sometimes “felt overlooked... It’s important to us that the exhibitor experience is a positive one.” It also continues to focus more on brands not shown at other shows, he added, which included a booth of Ukraine brands debuting at this show. “That’s a very strategic focus of ours.” He has also collaborated with manufacturers to create brands as well.

While the new space is larger, it will still be a curated experience, James added. “We’re not going to be everything to everyone.”

During the pandemic, the show was more gift-oriented, as home décor brands pulled out temporarily to pivot their business models, he said. But now the show is back with a range of home and gift items, and the amount of space at the new location will allow them to add new ones, such as furniture.

For its Shoppe Object’s High Point edition this October — Andmore purchased Shoppe Object in 2022 — James said it will offer new programming, which is currently in development.

Faire Breaks Records, Facilitates 380,000 Orders During Market Event

Faire held its ninth — and its most successful — Faire Market in July, according to a new release. As of its most recent event, the online wholesale marketplace announced that it has facilitated more than 2 million brand orders for more than 100 million products, fostering approximately 730,000 new relationships between brands and retailers on the platform since its inaugural Faire Market in August 2020.

“Faire Markets have grown into the largest global wholesale buying events, empowering retailers to discover unique products from all over the world, at discounts during key seasonal moments, without having to travel or step away from their businesses,” wrote Faire in a release.

“As brands and retailers alike look for ways to streamline their costs and explore efficient channels, Faire Markets will continue to serve the demanding needs of today’s leading retail businesses.”

This summer’s Faire Market saw record-breaking participation per the marketplace. More than 65,000 retailers from around the world placed orders during the market, in

total placing more than 380,000 orders for more than 20 million products at the online trade show, an increase from Faire’s most recent January market.

Over the course of the three-day market, brands and retailers formed more than 110,000 new relationships, and more than 220,000 relationships formed just this year during Faire Markets.

After expanding internationally in 2021, Faire created the opportunity for retailers in the U.K. and Europe to participate in Faire Market events and benefit from the discovery of unique international brands with discounted pricing. Since then, Faire has facilitated nearly 100,000 new cross-border relationships between brands and retailers at Faire Market events.

“In-person trade shows will always be a great channel for building community and relationships,” wrote Faire. “But online trade shows have become an invaluable sourcing method and important addition to a retail business’s channel strategy in today’s environment.”

Introducing LittleWood, Mary Meyer’s new collection of wooden toys.

The Toy Association Takes on More Events, Programs Thanks to Merger

The Toy Association announced that People of Play and its assets will be merging into the Association and that Mary Couzin, founder of People of Play, will be joining the senior leadership team at the Association. Couzin will be responsible for guiding the future and growth of this new addition to the Association.

People of Play’s wide range of assets and events, including Chicago Toy and Game (CHITAG) Fair, The Toy & Game Innovation Excellence Awards (The TAGIEs), the Bloom Report, the People of Play Holiday Guide several others will join The Toy Association’s portfolio that already includes Toy Fair New York, LA Fall Preview and The Toy Foundation’s Toy of the Year Awards.

“Who knew that over 20 years ago, when I started Chicago Toy & Game Group, now People of Play, and hosted our first big event, the Chicago Toy & Game Fair, to promote play, we would add so many events and initiatives as well as have such an amazing, long-lasting effect on the industry," said Couzin. "By joining The Toy Association with their additional resources and new vision, we can strengthen our brands for generations to come. I’m thrilled that People of Play will continue to grow and

flourish and I want to thank everyone who has been a part of our initiatives.”

Adding People of Play allows the Association to build on its ongoing strategy of creating meaningful experiences that connect the industry and consumers. Additionally, with the Chicago Toy and Game Fair, People of Play will leverage The Toy Association resources to continue to grow consumer experiences during the all-important holiday season.

“We saw the opportunity to be a catalyst for creativity and innovation by aligning with Mary Couzin and People of Play and utilizing our assets and experiences to help People of Play and its events grow,” said Greg Ahearn, president and chief executive of The Toy Association. “Mary, a toy industry Hall of Famer, has built an amazing community with some of the most unique events, consumer engagement moments, compelling content, and industry resources and we are excited to have her and People of Play as part of The Toy Association. With People of Play and The Toy Association working together, the possibilities are endless.”

I JUST WANT TO DRINK BEER AND ANNOY MY KIDS

YOU ASSHOLES MUST BE EXHAUSTED FROM WATCHING ME DO EVERYTHING

BEFORE YOU MARRY SOMEONE, FIND OUT IF THEIR FAMILY DRINKS MIMOSAS OR RUNS 5KS ON HOLIDAY MORNINGS

IF YOU DON'T HAVE ANYTHING NICE TO SAY, COME SIT BY ME

C OCKT AIL NAPK INS

ST ONE C O ASTERS

I'M SILENTLY CORRECTING YOUR GRAMMAR

W INE GL ASSES

DINER MUGS

PINT GL ASSES

Beauty Sales Reach More Than $15 Billion in First Half of 2024

In the first half of 2024, the U.S. prestige beauty market grew by 8 percent to $15.3 billion, while sales at mass merchants held flat, according to consumer behavior and trend tracker Circana.

“An accelerated bifurcation is emerging in the beauty industry highlighted by the continued strong growth in prestige in relation to the mass market,” said Larissa Jensen, global beauty industry advisor at Circana. “Within prestige, drivers of growth point to a similar pattern, indicative of a consumer who is seeking elevated value. Optimizing these opportunities will vary as consumers’ approach to beauty spending differs by demographic — from attitudes and usage, to purchase influencers and shopping preferences.”

Fragrance is the fastest-growing prestige beauty category so far this year, with dollar sales up 12 percent in the first half versus the same period in 2023. Sales are growing at both the higher and lower ends of the price spectrum within prestige: eau de parfums and parfums continue to drive the greatest impact to growth and rising prices, while lower-priced products including mini sizes and body sprays are contributing to the

category’s success.

In fact, units sold for mini- and travel-sized product grew at double the rate compared to the overall fragrance category. Largely trending among younger consumers, body mists and sprays, with average prices under $25, more than doubled in sales revenue since the first half of 2023. Younger consumers are also fueling the dupe culture trend, which is a particular bright spot in the mass fragrance market, where private label brands grew more than 50 percent — many brands of which are touted as affordable duplicates of prestige and luxury brands.

Hair product sales in the prestige market increased by 10 percent, based on dollars, with styling and treatments the fastestgrowing areas of the category. Premiumization continues to drive growth; hair products with average prices above $30 grew at three-times the rate of lower priced items and now account for 25 percent of unit sales for the category — compared to 15 percent just three years ago. The prestige hair market also tells an interesting channel story, as the only beauty category with the majority of sales happening online.

2023

Best Giftwrap Supplier

Spring Fair Delhi Set to Show More Than 2,000 Product Lines

The Delhi, India-based home and lifestyle fair, Spring Fair Delhi, is preparing for its April 2025 event, organized by India Expo Centre and Mart.

Taking place April 16-19, the wholesale sourcing event will “offer comprehensive solutions for diverse home and lifestyle brands, blending enchantment with discovery,” per a release.

Visitors to the fair can expect to find vibrant displays on the latest trends in home décor, furnishings and lifestyle products, curated to “cater to diverse global tastes.” The event will also feature a wide range of Indian and international exhibitors, from established brands to emerging artisans, showcasing their unique styles and craftsmanship.

Spring Fair Delhi’s exhibitors are divided among 17 home and lifestyle categories, divided into more than 2,000 product lines, including the following: Kitchenware and dinnerware, home décor, lamps and lighting, outdoor and garden, home furnishing, carpets and rugs, bathroom accessories, furniture, fashion jewelry, bags and accessories, kid and baby toys and accessories, paper and eco-friendly products, aroma, spa and

lifestyle, Christmas and festive décor, gifts and more.

More than just a trade show, Spring Fair Delhi, aims to be a “celebration of creativity, innovation and India's rich cultural heritage.” In that spirit, the event will feature pavilions displaying regional crafts and traditional handlooms, highlighting local artisans' skills and artistry alongside trends and contemporary designs.

The expo's true allure lies in attracting numerous international participants, each presenting products infused with their rich cultural heritage and design aesthetics. It serves as a vibrant melting pot where custodians of traditional handicrafts and artifacts showcase their skills and stories, celebrated globally for their aesthetic appeal and artistic excellence.

As a flagbearer of Indian art, craft, and culture, India Expo Centre & Mart invites you to a world where uniqueness thrives and magic awaits at every corner. Join us to experience the extraordinary allure and charm of this exceptional event, promising an unforgettable journey of wonder, delight, and immense business opportunities.

We chatted with retailers in Dallas. We interviewed subjects with our #tinymics in Atlanta. We spoke with trend experts at our Las Vegas News Desk. And we perused countless booths and showrooms. Another show season has come and gone, and we’ve finally had time to unpack everything!

SEE MORE PAGE 26

RETAIL

“ “We’ve broken down the top product trends we picked up on while perusing summer markets. From unique spring themes for 2025 to statement fragrances … What could be more winning than that?”

Summer Market Trend Review

by Lenise Willis and Adelaide Elliott

This summer has certainly been a busy one! We chatted with retailers about bestselling goods in Dallas. We interviewed subjects with our #tinymics in Atlanta. We spoke with trend experts at our Las Vegas News Desk. And we perused countless booths and showrooms at all of the country’s major hubs, including New York City. Another show season has come and gone, and we’ve finally had time to unpack everything we heard and saw.

The biggest question we’re asked during and after market season is, “What’s trending?” And we’re happy to finally answer that question with confidence.

Here, we’ve broken down the top product trends we picked up on while perusing summer markets. From unique spring themes for 2025 to statement fragrances, and even home décor and apparel inspired by yesteryear, these products tap into pop culture trends, consumer lifestyle trends and viral social trends. What could be more winning than that?

Take a look through our favorite themes from market for inspiration to build a bestselling display, then head to our website, giftsanddec.com, or Instagram page, @gifts_and_dec, to see more of our market coverage and favorite finds.

STATEMENT DIFFUSERS

Helping to add both a delicious aroma and dramatic decoration to a home, diffusers that were either larger-than-life or highly ornamental put a new twist on the home fragrance category.

Round diffusers with ornate, artisan-inspired vessel. LAFCO. lafco.com

Decorative diffusers. Largest holds 118 ounces. House of

Ilum. houseofilum.com

Large glass diffusers with metallic accents. Maison Berger. maison-berger.com

Understated, but elegant diffusers and candles in various sizes. Cereria Molla. cereriamolla.us

Oversized diffusers about the size of a basketball. Acqua dell’Elba. acquadellelba.us

Large glass and porcelain flower diffuser. Zodax. zodax.com

VICTORIAN VIBES

The popularity of past British historical dramas like "Downton Abbey" have put ornate, Old-English vibes on the map for the last decadeplus. Now, thanks to more recent releases like Netflix's "Bridgerton" — and the rising popularity of styles like Coastal Grandma, Grandmacore and Grandmillennial — antique finishes, vintage apparel and Regency- and Victorian-era-inspired home décor and apparel are gaining even more attention from consumers.

Antique-looking ornate picture frames. Primitives by Kathy. primitivesbykathy.com

Spiral notepads with vintage-looking floral pattern. Designworks Ink. designworksink.com

Tropical Paradise Storage Ottoman. Giftcraft. giftcraft.com

sleeping gown and pajamas with vintage drawings. Mahogany. mahoganyusa.com

and 20th Anniversary Memento Art Box

Fringe Studio. fringestudio.com

Honey Mint Bath Soak Salt and Sugar Scrub. Barr-Co. Soap Shop. shop.khallstudio.com/shop-by-brand/barr-co/

Deer Family Le Café Mug, Landscape Tree Designer Sketchbook

Postcard Set.

Lacey

GINGERBREAD FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Nothing says holidays like sugary confections, which might be why we saw so many gingerbread-themed holiday decorations and gifts at market. A traditional symbol of family and home, the warm and inviting treat sets a comforting, but celebratory tone for Christmas décor, apparel and more.

Gingerbread-themed salt-and-pepper shakers, trays and textiles. Design Imports. designimports.com

PJ set featuring cocktailholding gingerbread men. 8 Oak Lane. 8oaklane.com

Paper placemats. Hester & Cook. hesterandcook.com

Ginger Cream Cookie Goat Milk Soap and Lipbalm. Beekman 1802. beekman1802.com

gingerbread collection. Mon Ami. wholesale.monami-designs.com

Slippers and socks with gingerbread-cookie designs. Simply Southern. simplysouthernwholesale.com

Gingerbread man pillow. Glory Haus. gloryhaus.com

Festive Incense House. Gift Republic. giftrepublic.com

Plush

UNIQUE FOR SPRING

Floral-laden pillows and tea towels will always be hot for spring, but these five fresh design themes break through the monotony. Frogs, caterpillars, wild strawberries, sophisticated-looking rabbits and products that give Farmers Market vibes will spice up your spring 2025 displays.

Berry-patch themed tabletop. Ganz. ganz.com

Frog figurine. Transpac. transpacbrands.com

Caterpillar pillow. Raz Imports. razimports.com

Rabbit bookends. HomArt. homart.com.

Gold bunny planters. Transpac. transpacbrands.com

Grocery Tote. CapaBunga. capabunga.com

Stuffed frog. Creative Co-op. creativecoop.com

SERENE GREEN (For Home and Halloween)

We spied more than a little bit of green at summer markets! In a variety of calm, natural shades — ranging from celadon tones to deeper, darker forest greens — the color was a welcome neutral, especially in seasonal products. The shades seemed to be especially popular in fall and Halloween products, perfect for breaking up the traditional autumnal palette of red, orange and yellow.

yourheartsdelight.com

Biscuit Green tabletop collection. Quiet Form. quietform.com.ua

Ceramics in green. Jill Rosenwald. jillrosenwald.com

and white pumpkins and Pile of Elegant Pumpkins. The Round Top Collection. thertc.com

Thankful Large Tote. Jane Marie. janemarie.com

wholesale.mudpie.com

Pumpkin Bar Soap Sets. Mud Pie.

Green

Green Tumblers with raised sunflower design. Audreys — Your Hearts Delight.

EUROPEAN SUMMER

Bring the look and feel of Italian villas and beachside Greek villages home with the euro summer trend. This casually elegant take on summer fashions and coastal products ooze with Mediterranean influence and include light beach wear, linens, soft colors, simple stripes, coastal scents and summer-ready cocktails like the Aperol Spritz.

St. Tropez candle and matches. Zodax. zodax.com

Frutti Tutti Lemon Collection. Carla Dinnage. carladinnage.com

Sapphire and Amber Candlesticks. Etúhome. etuhome.com

Water bottle, notebook, cell phone wallet and soap. Studio Oh. studiooh.com

Ciao Message on a Soap. Murphy & Daughters. murphyanddaughters.com

Vintage Olive Serving Sets. Le Cadeaux. lecadeaux.com

Seaweed and Mediterranean Bath Salts. Archivist Gallery. archivistgallery.com

Pizza Party Kit. Bella Cucina. bellacucina.com

Looking into the store from the front door, the back wall of Marley’s Monsters combined with the chipboard “houses” caught my attention. Their tagline — #thinkreusable — resonates with me and I went in for a longer look.

A MONSTER LEADS TO SUCCESS

by Linda Cahan

Eugene, Ore., is home to the track and field Olympic tryouts, the University of Oregon, a foodie heaven, and some terrific retailers.

I found Marley’s Monsters in the Fifth Street Public Market, which is an urban mall unlike any mall I’ve visited. It was built and is owned by a Eugene firm and all the retailers, restaurants and services are locally or regionally owned and operated. This gives it a unique flavor and the joy of finding unexpected treasures.

As I walked around one section of the mall, I was attracted to Marley’s Monsters because of their strong and well-lit focal area at the rear of the store. I was intrigued by a mass of colors and shapes of some material behind a huge, clear Plexi wall. I had to walk in and see what was filling the space. The overall architecture and design of the shop interested me as the walls are built out into little “houses” each containing a specific category of merchandise. The entire shop concept is to offer sustainable goods for home and work.

The owner of Marley’s Monsters is Sarah Dooley. She had a goal of working on her own while taking a few months off from

her interior design career just before her daughter was born. For fun and to make the time go by, Dooley made stuffed monsters. When her daughter was born, she put some of the monsters on Etsy, but they weren’t selling well. With all the soft flannel fabric she had left, she started sewing cloth wipes for the house and kitchen that were multi-functional and could be used for anything you’d use a paper towel for — but instead of being thrown into the trash, they get thrown into the washing machine to be used again and again. She called them “Unpaper Towels” and they’ve been her top seller ever since. She sells them at her store, online and wholesale.

Dooley hired a co-worker to help design the space. She plans to rebrand Marley’s Monsters to possibly “Marley’s.” The monsters are the past and recycled products are the present and future. Consider carrying sustainable products in your shop. They work well and attract people who want to do their part in helping our environment.

I bought a 12-pack of the Unpaper Towels as a Christmas present for my niece Danielle Landy in Philadelphia. She is in her 30’s and very eco-conscious. She uses them daily.

This densely packed wall protects the shop from the cold generated by the concrete wall that leads to the outside of the mall, plus is visually interesting. The natural wood fixtures were custom built to hold a display of each category in the shop.

The entire back wall is filled with fabric scraps held in place by clear Plexiglas. This is called “walking the talk!” The floors are a clean poured concrete. The floor fixtures are tiered tables that allow for easy 360-degree browsing.

The store is very easy to shop as each “house” carries a product line to achieve certain goals such as “Baby & Mama” and “Kitchen & Dining.” Almost all of the fixtures are made of Oriented Strand Board (OSB), which makes use of crooked, knotty and deformed trees that would otherwise go unused. Finding eco-conscious real wood isn’t always easy — but it’s worth it as it’s a logical and ethical decision and good for the environment. A 4-by-8 sheet of construction-grade plywood costs roughly $10 a sheet versus $6 for OSB.

The little “house” for their top seller — Unpaper Towels — also has a video showing how the fabric is cut and sewn. The angled rods coming out from each side show how the towels are sold. Wood towel holders are for sale below. Drawers at the bottom provide extra storage for the merchandise above.

Since 1992, Gift for Life has united the gift and home industries for common good. Together, we have raised more than $6 million—first to fight HIV/AIDS and now to support crisis-related hunger relief via World Central Kitchen.

INDUSTRY INSIGHTS

To the long list of variations on the basic concept of retailing, we can now add yet another: Untailing. That may not be what the practitioners of this format had in mind when they created the basic precepts of it, but once in place, there’s no other way to describe it.

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“

“Whether it was petty stealing from counter displays or more serious theft of valuable merchandise, cash from the register or other serious actions, it’s something retailers large and small have considered a cost of doing business.”

The Latest in Retail? Untailing

To the long list of variations on the basic concept of retailing, we can now add yet another: Untailing.

That may not be what the practitioners of this format had in mind when they created the basic precepts of it, but once in place there’s no other way to describe it.

Looking for a simple definition?

Untailing (un � tāl)

The practice of sales prevention by retailers. Untailing’s mission is to address crime in stores, specifically shoplifting and theft. These are real problems and while they are not as real as some would have you believe — some reports and numbers seem to have been “adjusted” to advance whatever point of view the retailer (or politician) was trying to advocate — it is a legitimate issue.

Not that it hasn’t always been. If you run a store or stores you know that better than anybody. Theft by shoppers — and let’s not forget employees — has been a fact of life since the invention of the store. Whether it was petty stealing from counter displays or more serious theft of valuable merchandise, cash from the register or other serious actions, it’s something retailers large and small have considered a cost of doing business. Some people call it shrinkage: I call it a crime.

“Theft by shoppers — and let’s not forget employees — has been a fact of life since the invention of the store.”

So if it’s not anything new, some of the solutions retailers are coming up with certainly are. And they fi t neatly under the “untailing” heading. Take Saks Fifth Avenue. They announced that they would be converting their downtown San Francisco store to an appointment-only basis, meaning shop-

pers couldn’t just walk in off the street and do what many do: shop. I get it that the Union Square neighborhood in San Francisco is pretty sketchy these days. Macy’s has gone more drastic by saying it plans to close its fl agship store there and others already have.

But even if homeless, undesirables and professional criminals are all around, so too are tourists, those people shopping at other stores in the area and adding Saks to their schedule and even those who would normally just be walking by Saks and impulsively stopping in to look around, hopefully making a purchase.

I don’t know about you, but I don’t always plan out my shopping so carefully. Now, with Saks new policy I’m out of luck.

Saks isn’t the only one adopting preventive shopping measures. Target has put any number of products behind locked cabinets and displays. So too have many of the big drugstore chains. And it’s not just razor blades or condoms anymore, it’s basic health and beauty products, the very basis of a lot of impulse shopping.

These are all drastic measures but is the situation really drastic? Aren’t there better ways to deal with this crime wave? Couldn’t stores put more merchandise behind cases that don’t look like maximum security cells? Couldn’t bigger retailers employ more video monitoring and plainclothes security so their stores can remain open and inviting? Couldn’t common sense rather than all of this nonsense be used to figure out how to keep crime down while keeping business up?

Retailers are some of the most creative people around. They’ve invented amazing things to help build their businesses. Surely there are better solutions here. The current ones just are poor choices.

In the meantime, if you haven’t seen untailing in person, just wait a little bit. It’s coming to a store near you.

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.

Making the Grade

Freshly sharpened pencils, sturdy backpacks and brightly colored crayons. It’s the beginning of a new school year, and that means that retailers are swapping out bubbles, water blasters and other summertime toys to get kids ready for the first day of classes.

But parents aren’t the only ones shopping locally for school supplies. With more teachers supplementing their classrooms with workbooks, educational games and small prizes, toy stores are serving as a resource for educators and home-school parents. Here’s how some stores are getting a head start.

At the Head of the Class

In Green Bay, Wis., School House has been supporting teachers and families for nearly 50 years.

“Our inventory is split pretty much down the middle between teacher supplies and educational toys,” said store owner Jen Laurent-Putnam. Current bestsellers include classroom décor items like Better Than Paper, as well as educational toys such as Cats & Boxes from Smart Toys & Games, paint-by-sticker activity books, Kawaii Slime and Perfect Petzzz plush.

To appeal to its customer base, School House offers a 10-percent educator discount year-round and sends 15-percentoff coupons to regulars three times a year. The big rush comes in May during Teacher Appreciation Week, with double discounts, teacher raffles and giveaways. Donating to school events and fundraisers is another way the store serves the community.

“Whether it’s a gift card or a free or heavily discounted game, we do our best to help,” Laurent-Putnam said.

Loyalty programs are also popular at Tools 4 Teaching in Evansville, Ind.

“We have many incentives set up through schools to allow their teachers to shop here,” said store owner and former teacher Julie Burczyk, pointing to the store’s annual Christmas in July sale, a month-long product promotion with each day dedicated to a different letter of the alphabet. “Today, we had postcards and plush on sale.”

Tools 4 Teaching also hosts bulletin board decorating contests and end-of-summer/back-to-school gift card sales.

Burczyk’s store, which has been in business for seven years, initially drew 90 percent of its customers from the teacher pool, but since the pandemic that sales figure has dropped to 50 percent. Inventory has been tailored strategically, with 30 percent of merchandise for the classroom, like teacher décor, nameplates and educational resources, and 50 percent of products aimed at families and/or educators, like games, puzzles, flashcards, workbooks and sensory items. Baby gifts, bath toys

Express Your Feelings Sensory Bottles. hand2mind. hand2mind.com

and active play round out the remaining items.

Among her bestsellers are Better Than Paper décor, flashcards, pencils and birthday certificates for teachers, along with summer learning workbooks, travel games, fidgets and birthday gifts for families. To further enhance the shopping experience, Tools 4 Teaching has play areas situated throughout the store.

“Teachers are happy to bring their own kids to play while they shop,” Burczyk added. “I don’t know who has more fun: the teacher or their kids!”

At Launching Success in Bellingham, Wash., teachers and parents in search of sensory and socio-emotional learning tools have plenty of resources. Store owner Jen Scheib notes popular products in this space include Cool Down Cubes from Learning Resources and Express Your Feelings Sensory Bottles from hand2mind.

“The Calming Strategies from Carson Dellosa are a good on-the-go tool for parents,” she noted.

The 21-year-old independent retailer boasts over 5,000 square feet — half of which is dedicated to educational toys, books and classroom supplies. Teachers receive a 10-percent discount for all classroom items, available year-round, and for back-toschool, they are entitled to a free desk calendar with any $50 purchase.

Aside from its retail customers, Launching Success supplies books for read-a-thons and donations to area Boys’ and Girls’ clubs.

“We support the schools all around us and really believe in supporting our local community,” said Scheib. “You can’t find that community on Amazon.”

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.

Q & A

ON THE ROAD WITH Shilpa Hill

Welcome to the first installment of this new series, highlighting trailblazers of the retail industry: sales reps. There’s only one way to kick it off: with an exclusive interview with Shilpa Hill, a 2024 REA Sales Representative of the Year. With an impressive 25-year career at SE Marketplace, Hill’s journey from her family’s Hallmark stores to becoming a top sales representative is inspiring. Let’s delve into her experiences, explore her strategies for success and uncover the passion that drives her in this dynamic industry.

by Angela Schmook

Q: What inspired you to pursue a career as a sales rep?

A: I grew up in retail, so it’s been in my blood since childhood. My parents owned Hallmark stores in North Carolina and South Carolina, and I grew up working nights and weekends while in school. I loved the flexible hours, meeting new people and helping customers with buying decisions. It just seemed natural to obtain my Bachelor of Science in Marketing to pursue other avenues within this industry.

Q: What has your journey been like?

A: In 1999, before graduating, I was hired by Southeast Marketing, now known as SE Marketplace. This is my 25th year. It has been quite a journey, full of surprises and challenges. However, I wouldn’t change one thing about it. I started my career in Charlotte, N.C., covering parts of North Carolina and South Carolina. When I met my husband, who was living in Atlanta, I knew one of us had to make the move. In 2006, I moved to Atlanta, where I now cover parts of three states with the help of a full-time assistant.

Q: Describe a typical day in your role as a sales representative. What are some of the key activities and responsibilities you manage daily?

A: A typical day is usually on the road, meeting with two to three customers. Each appointment takes about three hours. I love that I sell various products/brands that don’t pigeonhole us to a specific type of customer. Most of my customers, on average, will write 12-15 of the 20 brands we represent. It’s all about the

relationship with your retailers. That is the key to their success and mine; building loyalty and trust with every client is my primary goal.

Q: What advice would you offer your fellow sales representatives looking to grow in their careers?

A: The best advice I can give is to hire an assistant. It is well worth the time and money spent. This job is all about balance and not getting burned out and feeling like you’re overworked; let someone help you manage your territory base. Hire someone to take care of the follow-up and the overflow. The outcome is well worth it, and your customer base will grow exponentially. Secondly, maintain meaningful relationships with your customers. Make them feel important, know about their family, their pets and whatever else to help connect with them on a more personal level. Third, network with the other reps within your group and with other reps in your territory. We can help each other and our retailers be more successful.

Q: What are some of the aspects of your job that you enjoy the most? What keeps you motivated and passionate?

A: I love what I do. I love that every day is challenging and different. I love the flexibility and the fact that I determine my income. If I don’t want to work, I won’t make money. It’s all up to me to manage my daily routine, and what I put in it is what I’ll get out of it. You must love what you do, be self-motivated and goal-driven, and be your own cheerleader since you determine your worth.

BY THE NUMBERS GOURMET

According to a poll of 2,000 U.S. adults posted in the New York Post , American consumers are more than three times more likely to choose comfort food (70 percent) over gourmet meals (16 percent) if they could only choose one for the rest o f their lives. Comfort over gourmet makes a bit of sense when you consider how often consumers are staying in and cooking versus eating out. The State of Home Cooking in 2024, a report published by The Kitchn , stated this year is all about low-effort cooking. The average consumer is cooking four nights during the week and 1.5 nights on the weekends. Recipes dubbed “quick and easy” are the most popular, with 54 percent looking for “quick/ time-saving” meals and 52 percent saying “low-effort/high-reward” meals are their go-to choices.

Dollars By Region 2023 vs. 2024

How non-top 100 retailer regional receivables in the U.S. compare year over year: July

GAIN Accounts Receivable (AR) Statistics show the July 2024 overall receivables of non-top 100 retailers are down 8.1 percent compared to receivables of non-top 100 retailers in July 2023. July’s reduced receivables is further driven by a 10.2 percent decrease of July current receivable dollars on non-top 100 retailers. Year to date, 2024 overall receivables of non-top 100 retailers are down 10.5 percent from 2023. Receivables of top 100 retailers for July 2024 are also down 25 percent compared to July 2023. This chart is created from data provided by the Gift Associates Interchange Network (GAIN).

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Cranberry Pecan Cheeseball & Dessert Mix

GET TECHNICAL

With the potential for a ban on TikTok on the horizon, brands and marketers are working to understand the audience for this platform and anticipate where they might go if the popular video app bites the dust. A recent study sheds light on who the generic TikTok user is, what their habits are like and more.

SEE MORE PAGE 50

““Brands targeting younger consumers might find TikTok ads particularly effective, but they are by no means the only touchpoint for this demographic.”

Who’s Using TikTok And Where Will They Turn If It’s Banned?

by Spencer Musick

With the potential for a ban on TikTok on the horizon, brands and marketers are working to understand the audience for this platform and anticipate where they might go if the popular byte-sized video app bites the dust.

A recent study from Numerator sheds light on who the generic TikTok user is, what their consumption habits are like, as well as some of the key demographic and social currents underlying its usage on a larger scale.

The study found that while TikTok users skew younger, their habits trend toward social media consumption in general rather than a strict preference for specific apps.

According to Numerator psychographics data cited in the study, 31 percent of U.S. adults use TikTok, making it the fifth most popular social media app behind Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and Pinterest. TikTok is especially popular among Gen Z, with 76 percent using it. Usage drops with older generations: 40 percent of millennials (fourthmost-used app), 36 percent of Gen X (fifth-most-used app), and 18 percent of boomers (sixth-most-used app).

“According to Numerator psychographics data … 31 percent of U.S. adults use TikTok, making it the fifth most popular social media app.”

The study found that 53 percent of Gen Z users spend 1-2 hours daily on TikTok compared with 40 percent of all consumers. Gen Z users are also 51 percent more likely to consider social media in general as the most influential advertising touchpoint. Therefore, brands targeting younger consumers might find TikTok ads particularly effective, but they are by no means the only touchpoint for this demographic.

Influencers reign supreme on TikTok, which is no secret to

anyone who has used the app, and the study found this to be true. TikTok users are almost twice as likely to follow celebrities and influencers on social media compared with the general population. According to Numerator’s Influencer & Celebrity Impact on Shopping Behavior report, over half of Gen Z influencer brand purchasers know about a brand’s connection with an influencer, the highest of any generation.

Additionally, TikTok users spend more time on their mobile devices, with 41 percent using them for more than six hours daily, compared with 31 percent of all consumers. The most popular content on TikTok includes comedy, entertainment, recipes and life hacks, while only 26 percent of users use the app to learn about news and world events.

TikTok Ban?

The study also went into what might happen to TikTok Shop in the event of a ban. It found that TikTok Shop is filled with ads, and its shoppers are often on the lower end of the income spectrum, more likely to be Gen Z and to identify as LGBTQ.

The TikTok Shop user is spending an average of $28 on the platform three times a year and is 4x more likely to shop at Temu, 3x more likely to use DoorDash, 2.5x more likely to use UberEats, and 2x more likely to shop online at brands like Ulta, Kohl’s and Target.

The potential TikTok ban has made national news, and the study shows that U.S. consumers, especially TikTok users, are paying attention. Among all U.S. consumers, 40 percent are very familiar with the ban, while 13 percent are unaware of it. More than half (53 percent) said they would be neutral if the ban happened, 30 percent said they would be somewhat or very happy, and 17 percent would be upset.

Editor's note: Spencer Musick is an editor of sister publication Furniture Today.

Connect

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We’re constantly updating our digital content with new ways to keep retailers up to date on the latest industry news, retail tips and awesome products.

FOLLOW FRIDAY FINDS

Did you know we highlight cross-category gifts online under a new theme each Friday? From gifts that tackle upcoming holidays and the latest TikTok trends to finds perfect for gourmet makers and travel lovers, like and follow our Facebook page to be sure you do not miss our post each week.

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TALKING TRENDS

Want to learn even more about the trends and products our editors saw at markets this summer? Want to find out what trends our editors see developing further next year? Head to our Instagram now to check out a trend recap chat hosted by Editor in Chief Lenise Willis and Associate Editor Adelaide Elliott.

@gifts_and_dec

“An accelerated bifurcation is emerging in the beauty industry highlighted by the continued strong growth in prestige in relation to the mass market. Within prestige, drivers of growth point to a similar pattern, indicative of a consumer who is seeking elevated value.”

— Larissa Jensen, global beauty industry advisor for Circana.

@gifts_and_dec

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Nominations are in for the 2024 Reader Rankings! Head to our website to find out who got nominated this year and cast your vote for final winners by Sept. 30. Voting officially opens Sept. 3! giftsanddec.com

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Did you know that dogs are the most popular pet to own in the United States? According to the American Pet Products Association, 65.1 million U.S. households own a dog, followed by cats at 46.5 million households and freshwater fish at 11.1 million households. Given their popularity at home, it’s no surprise to find that pooches can be found shopping and even “working” at many stores across the country.

Check out a few stores that are posting about their furry four-legged customers and store mascots to promote new products, entice customers to visit in-person and much more.

TRENDING GIFTS

CANDLES | BATH & BODY | FASHION | HOME | GIFTABLES | GOURMET | HOLIDAY | STATIONERY | KIDS

16.5-inch by 7.5-inch with honeycomb polymer center

Extra-long handle for added grip space

Carbon fiber and graphite blended surface for durability

PRETTY IN PICKLEBALL

by Amanda Erd

Pickleball is — and has been — one of the fastestgrowing sports in the U.S. recently. Over the last few years, there has been a dramatic rise in consumers partaking in the sport. According to a 2022 report from Sports & Fitness Industry Association, there were 4.8 million pickleball players in the United States that year, a number that has grown nearly 39.3 percent between 2019 and 2021.

Pickleball is a sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton and ping-pong for a slower paced, easier to learn game. Players — dubbed “picklers” — can participate indoors or outdoors, in singles or as doubles, and at all ages and skill levels.

Jill Zarin and Ally Shapiro started their brand, Jill & Ally, in 2020 after Shapiro took up the art of tie-dying masks during the COVID-19 pandemic and posted some photos on Instagram. A flood of direct messages from users asking to purchase them helped kickstart the company, which then turned into a full fashion brand.

What started as just masks developed into hoodies, sweatpants, lanyards and more.

And now, Jill & Ally is all in on the pickleball craze. These checkered pickleball paddles are perfect for any level player. The extra-long handle gives players improved handling with enough grip space for two-handed backhands. The grip itself is made of vegan leather and adds extra levels of comfort, stability and accuracy.

The paddles have honeycomb polymer centers for maximum power while the surface is made with a carbon fiber and graphite blend that gives it an increased level of durability. They are lightweight and easy to maneuver. Plus, at 16.5 inches by 7.5 inches in size, the paddles meet USA Pickleball regulations.

Blue and Green Checkered Pickleball Paddles. Jill & Ally. jillandally.com

HOME DÉCOR

The Darling of Design

From artwork to accent décor to amazing entryways, there is nothing that sets the tone of a space quite like home décor. Explore our many resources.

Market Square & Suites • Salon • Showplace • Hamilton Properties IHFC Floors 2 - 5 • INTERHALL • C&D

October 26 – 30, 2024

Akari Lanterns

Accent Décor

RFA Decor

Ryan Studio

PERSONAL TOUCHES

by Adelaide Elliott

What is one easy way to make an impression with a product? Make it as personal as possible! Consumers love to see themselves in a product and commemorate the places and things they love, too. Customizable products that feature your store’s state, hometown, local landmarks, logo and more are a must-have in every store. Whether you own a store in a popular vacation spot that appeals to tourists or a boutique frequented almost exclusively by locals, you will find something perfectly personal for your store’s assortment in these pages.

Cabin Style Custom Logo Mug. Prodigal Pottery. prodigalpottery.com

Customizable Boxy Sweater. Town Pride. townpride.com

Custom Area Code Coaster Set. Freshwater Curated Goods. shopfreshwater.com

Box of Six Custom City Happy Holidays Snowflake Greeting Cards. Ruff House Print Shop. ruffhouseprintshop.com

Custom Ankle Socks. Living Royal. livingroyal.com

Custom Engraved #2 Pencils. Munsell Made. munsellmade.com

Custom Western Rope Embroidered Baseball Dad Hat. Local Supply Club. localsupplyclub.com

ELEVATE YOUR SHOWER.

While others are quite content to get their dose of nature from “epic” screensavers on their computer, Duke Cannon heads straight to the source. With scents of birchwood and tonka, our High Country THICK® Body Wash and Big Ass Brick of Soap® smell like the crisp, clean air on a ridge trail at sunrise — not a windowless breakroom in a midwestern office park.

Zip Code Cocktail Napkins. Donovan Designs. donovandesignsinc.com

State License Plate Souvenir Sticker with Your City, Text. Skylark Printing. skylarkprinting.com

Custom Mug and Sign. Sincere Surroundings. sinceresurroundings.com

State Dish. Prodigal Pottery. prodigalpottery.com

Custom Hometown Street Sign Necklace. No Man’s Land. thisisnomansland.com

Custom Logo Sunglasses Case. Freshwater Curated Goods. shopfreshwater.com

Custom Motel Key Fobs. The 3 Sisters Design Co. the3sisters.com

Custom Cable Knit Cuffed Beanie. Local Supply Club. localsupplyclub.com

Custom Embroidery Blankets. Pavilion. paviliongift.com

Water Tower Small Town Custom Christmas Ornament. Geaux Magnolia. geauxmagnolia.com

Rainbow Custom Mini Notepads. Donovan Designs. donovandesignsinc.com

Engraved Wood Bottle Opener. Munsell Made. munsellmade.com

Custom City Stamp Mini Jotter Notebook. Ruff House Print Shop. ruffhouseprintshop.com

Custom Patch Keychains. Three Potato Four. threepotatofour.com

Gifts & Decorative Accessories proudly supports Heart on Main Street is the country’s only nonprofit organization dedicated specifically to helping independent retailers grow and thrive within their local communities. By providing free webinars, connections to resources, mentorships, and aid to retailers impacted by natural disasters, Heart on Main Street ensures that retailers have the tools to accomplish their goals, refine their businesses, and create the retail store of their dreams.

Consider making a donation to Heart on Main Street today to help our Main Street retailers thrive!

A POPULAR WHIFF

by Lenise Willis

There are hundreds of thousands of candles on the market, but how do you know which ones to choose? While customers certainly take a decorative vessel into account, a good place to start is how they smell. According to the 2024 Gift Book Consumer Survey, candles with floral or botanical notes were the No. 1 pick of consumers surveyed, with citrus fragrances, fresh fragrances and beachy, outdoor notes hovering around second place, depending on the age of the consumer.

Of course, those fragrances are a little general, considering the usual complexity of notes in a candle. Here, we’ve broken down the top three trending fragrance profiles, according to themes we noticed at the summer markets, to help guide you as you place your orders.

Scented Sips

With the rising interest in cocktails and mocktails, candle fragrances have evolved to capture the tantalizing notes of several fancy drinks. Not only do these candles include trendy hints of booze, like bourbon or Champagne, but they also usually carry a complementary note of citrus, herbs or flowers.

Sugar Plum Champagne wax melts. Candle Warmers. candlewarmers.com

Mojito Scented Candle with graphic pop art. Papersalt. papersalt.com

Spirited candle collection. Northern Lights. northernlightscandles.com

Collection of candles inspired by beverages. Rewind. rewinedcandles.com

Bourbon Vanilla candle. Ryan House Candles. ryanhousecandles.com

Apples + Bourbon hand-poured soy candle. Jack Baker Candle Co. jackbakercandleco.com

Prosecco Reed Diffuser. Antica Farmacista. anticafarmacista.com

White Maple Bourbon holiday candle. LAFCO. lafco.com

Cozy for Christmas

According to the 2024 Gift Book Consumer Survey, candles/ home fragrance was tied with ornaments as the No. 1 purchase consumers plan to buy for the holidays. With so many customers looking for candles to set the festive mood, be sure to stock up on fragrances inspired by the holidays.

Christmas Bliss Flower Diffuser. Bridgewater Candle Company. bridgewatercandles.com

Christmas Day Artisan Collection wax melts. Candle Warmers. candlewarmers.com

Christmas collection of candles. Homesick. homesick.com

Santa Baby candle with notes of eggnog. Jack Baker Candle Co. jackbakercandleco.com

Cypress Trees ceramic candles with notes of cypress and fir. Paddywax. paddywax.com

Balsam & Cedar candle. Yankee Candle. yankeecandle.com

Fantasy Christmas scented candle. Faiencerie de Gien. gien.com/us

Tropical Getaways

Homing in on both citrusy notes and beach-inspired fragrances, summer-themed candles not only smell amazing, but give the owner a vacation-like respite from their everyday, whether they’re stuck at the office or whiling away cold, dreary days.

Iridescent Aloha Orchid candles and diffuser. Capri Blue. capri-blue.com Beach Cottage and Hawaii candles. Homesick. homesick.com

Pineapple candle in new Artist Founded, Artist-Led collection. Illume. illumecandles.com

Watermelon jar candle. Four Points Trading Co. fourpointstradingco.com

Winter citrus scent collection of smart diffuser fragrances. Pura. pura.com

Foraged Wildberry coconut wax blend candle. Voluspa. voluspa.com

Lemon Verbena & Cedar reed diffuser. Antica Farmacista. anticafarmacista.com

Collection of sea-inspired candles. Kala Style. kalastyle.com

Paradise Paint Tin Candle. Weekday Candles. weekdaycandles.com

Amalfi Del Mar Candle. Rifle Paper Co. riflepaperco.com

REASONS TO CELEBRATE

by Amanda Erd

Consumers are always looking for reasons to celebrate. Though the most common celebration reason is a birthday — 91 percent of consumers said they were likely to purchase a gift for a birthday, according to the 2024 Gift Book Consumer Survey — there are still plenty of other reasons they may be looking to pop some confetti. In fact, in that same survey, 35 percent of consumers said they would purchase a gift just because — a big jump from the 28 percent who answered the same in 2022. It's important to offer your customers something for every occasion. Be it for a new baby, a new house, an engagement, birthday or anything in between, consumers like having products to help show off their excitement. To help you stock for such celebrations, we’ve rounded up a few products sure to be ready when the moment strikes!

“Celebrate the Little Things” Keepsake box. Pavilion. paviliongift.com

“Birthday Girl” Stemless Champagne Glass. 8 Oak Lane. 8oaklane.com

Musical Birthday Cake Toppers. Mud Pie. wholesale.mudpie.com

“But First, We Toast” Cocktail Napkins. Sophistiplate. sophistiplate.com

Birthday Girl Tumbler. Jane Marie. janemarie.com

Celebrate Embellished Dishtowels. Design Imports. designimports.com

Baby’s First Christmas Picture Frame. Primitives by Kathy. primitivesbykathy.com

Pop the Champagne gourmet popcorn. Eatable. eatable.com

“Drinks on Me” card set. Noble Mick’s. noblemicks.com

Party Cup Gift Set with tinsel embellished party glasses. Mud Pie. wholesale.mudpie.com

Happily Ever After Candy Tasting Collection. Sugarfina. wholesale.sugarfina.com

Something Blue Ring Box ornament. Old World Christmas. oldworldchristmas.com

All Purpose Card. Sapling Press. saplingpress.com

COLD WEATHER TREATS

With temps getting ready to drop across many parts of the country, customers everywhere are looking for ways to warm up. Whether your customers prefer coffee or tea — 59 percent of Americans consume coffee every day according to the National Coffee Association and more than 159 million Americans drink tea daily per the Tea Association of the U.S.A. — or even hot chocolate, our editors have you covered!

LENISE WILLIS

Palmpress corkcicle.com

Nothing gets me out of bed like the sweet aroma of a good cup of coffee. I've always loved coffee and it's usually my go-to afternoon treat for a pick-me-up. But when I'm traveling, coffee can be one of my biggest pain points. That is why I had to try out the new Corkcicle Palmpress, a portable coffee press that makes brewing a strong cup of coffee a breeze. After testing it, I can confirm that it makes a great, strongly brewed cup of coffee. Not only that, but it was incredibly easy to use and is lightweight and compact enough to make stashing it in a carry-on easy. The press is made of LFGB-grade silicone and stainless steel, so the coffee will never taste like plastic. No paper filter is required and it works with any regular-size mug and medium coffee grounds. The press is also easy to clean and dishwasher safe.

ADELAIDE ELLIOTT

Vanilla Lavendar Chai herbsandkettles.com

Thanks to some exciting finds at summer market, I have really stepped up my athome tea game. One of my favorite finds from Atlanta Market came from Herbs & Kettles. Founded in 2021 by Abe Thomas and Poorvi Chordia, a husband-and-wife duo who are also practicing physicians, Herbs & Kettles is created for tea lovers by tea lovers — Chordia is actually a certified International Tea Master Association tea sommelier. The brand offers dozens of flavors, but my personal favorite has been its looseleaf Vanilla Lavendar Chai.

Combining Herbs & Kettles’ masala chai blend with vanilla bean powder and aromatic lavender flowers, this chai has been good hot or iced! Thanks to the included instructions on its chic, giftable packaging, it has also been easy to learn to make.

AMANDA ERD

Milk Chocolate Cocoa moonstruckchocolate.com

I’m not much of a hot drink person — except when it comes to cocoa. So, when I came across the Moonstruck Chocolate Co. cocoa line, I had to try it out. They had three flavors at my local gift shop to choose from: Dreamy Dark Chocolate, Creamy Milk Chocolate and Minty Milk Chocolate Mint — though there are more flavors available online. I decided to test out the classic milk chocolate flavor. The packaging is a cute, simply designed tin — though the square shape of the tin with the round top made it slightly difficult to open at first. It recommends 4 tablespoons for 8 oz. of hot milk but, since I like my drink extra chocolatey, I added extra. The result was a delightfully rich and creamy hot cocoa. The powder dissolves well and doesn’t leave any kind of grainy texture in the milk — even with me adding more!

BEEKMAN 1802

Glacial Mint & Eucalyptus Hand & Body 3-Piece Gift Set. Our everyday gift sets are the perfect surprise for any occasion. Beekman1802.com wholesale@beekman1802.com # 401

WARM GLOW CANDLE CO.

Hand dipped in Indiana. Sugar Plum Hearth visions of sugar plums will dance in your head as notes of Damask Plum, Blackberry Jam and Vanilla Sugar harmonize in this beautiful, sparkling candle. 888-253-7934 warmglow.com # 402

Creating Quality Confections For 116 Years

Using only the very finest ingredients, our fifth generation, family-owned Minnesota candy company is so dedicated to crafting candies and creating delicious caramels and chocolates that our original owners, Albert & Helen Abdallah, would be extremely proud.

OPEN ROAD BRANDS, LLC

Retail Products from the Heartland. From trendsetting wall art to seasonal decor and a variety of decals, our retail-ready products are perfect for your store! Made in America. 844-533-6890

www.openroadbrands.com sales@orbrands.com

# 404

LEANIN’ TREE

Leanin’ Tree Card Assortments. Greeting card assortments from Leanin’ Tree feature 20 premium cards and 22 envelopes in a stylish portfolio box. All cards are made in the USA. 800-525-0846

www.TradeLeaninTree.com

# 405

GINA B DESIGNS

HOME IS WHERE YOUR DOG IS. This adorable tea towel is one of 6 new everyday designs. Towels are 27 x 27", super absorbent 100 % cotton and printed one-by-one in the U.S.A. Beautifully packaged for ready gift giving. 800-228-4856 www.ginabdesigns.com # 407

WIND&WILLOW

Pumpkin Pie Cheeseball Mix. Transform ordinary gatherings into extraordinary fall festivities. Savor the classic taste of pumpkin pie, reinvented as a delightful and easy-to-make cheeseball. www.windandwillow.com # 408

SINCERE SURROUNDINGS

True Friend Warms (CDL1306) & Mom Loved Me (PET2176). Brighten any occasion with Sincere Surroundings. Our candles and signs are perfectly crafted for thoughtful gifts. Each design adds a personal touch to every celebration! 712-472-2290

www.sinceresurroundings.com # 410

COUNTRY HOME CREATIONS

Hot Honey & Feta Cheesespread Mix. Our new best seller! A little sweet, a little spice and a whole lot of flavor. 800-457-3477 chcdips.com # 411

Introducing our newest additions to Corinthian Bells® wind chimes. Each is thoughtfully engraved to uplift and inspire, and shares a heartfelt message for life’s tender moments: Celebrate a mother’s love, remember a lost friend, or share a welcome blessing with the harmonies of Corinthian Bells®.

AMERICAN MADE

“Thin enough to hang, wide enough to sit and fun enough to show off.”

That’s the motto for one of the newest lines to hit the industry. ThinPrints is under the umbrella of M&W Design Co., a sustainable souvenir and gift manufacturer who is reentering the home décor sector while keeping true to the green values it has held close since its founding in 2018.

Mike Whalen, founder of M&W Design Co., spent years working in the scrap metal industry where he witnessed firsthand the power of recycling and reusing. According to the company’s website, Whalen’s experience in the metal industry "ignited a desire in him to create something meaningful, something that resonates with the values of sustainability and stands the test of time."

M&W Design Co.’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond its products. According to the company, it is currently the only Certified B Corporation in both the souvenir and home markets with products made only in the U.S.

Certified B Corps are businesses that meet the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability to

balance profit and purpose. Part of M&W Design Co.’s mission also includes supporting OneTreePlanted.org and Water.org, with a portion of the company’s sales going back to these organizations.

“We have a lot of fun bringing these words to life with our designs," said Whalen when the ThinPrints line was announced back in May. “Not only do some of these pull at your heartstrings, make you laugh or radiate positivity, but in some instances also say out loud what others are thinking.”

In addition to being sustainable, each product is designed to be "unique and memorable.” Each ThinPrints sign is 1.5-inches tall by 16-inches long and is 0.5-inches thick, giving them the ability to stand alone on a shelf. The pre-cut keyhole on the back also allows for easy hanging.

The signs are created from high-quality birch and maple FSC-certified wood and embellished with a special UV-curated ink to limit fading when exposed to sunlight. The collection boasts more than 450 designs, some of which are customizable.

ThinPrints collection. M&W Design Co. mandwdesign.com

Pre-cut keyhole on back allows for easy hanging

SPACE-SAVING SAYINGS

by Amanda Erd

Crafted with UV-cured ink to limit fading in sunlight

Made from quality birch and maple wood

Working out of a studio in Idyllwild, Calif., Wax Apothecary is dedicated to crafting fragrances “in the spirit of an old-world apothecary.”

Offering bath and body and home fragrance products, everything made by the brand is formulated with therapeutic benefits in mind, working with principles of aromatherapy, light therapy, candle therapy and other naturopathic remedies and practices. Wax Apothecary's line of handmade candles, wax melts, incense, room sprays and more are also “wonderful as simply a natural home fragrance,” writes the company on its website.

Though Wax Apothecary may be best known for its selection of natural, handmade herbal and botanical candles, it is focused on creating good-for-you scents with all of its home fragrance products — including the pictured Lavendar Crochet Aromatherapy Flowers. The Crochet Aromatherapy Flowers are crotched individually by hand and available in three styles. They make for a “brilliant cottagecore alternative to potpourri,” writes Wax Apothecary, and can be infused with a coordinating scent and then later refreshed using Wax Apothecary’s Linen & Room Sprays or left totally unscented.

As for its candles, all are handmade with plant-

Can be infused with scent or left unscented

Each flower is hand crocheted, making each stem unique

based waxes and lead-free cotton wicks and are free of phthalates, chemicals and additives. Each jarred and tinned candle is hand-mixed and hand-poured using artisan methods, and the wax is scent infused using a mixture of its signature natural essential oil, essential oil blends, and dried florals and botanicals. Popular scents from the brand include Night-Blooming Jasmine, Patchouli, Cinnamon, Silver-Dollar Eucalyptus, Spiced Pine, Pink Lemon and Pure Rose.

Wax Apothecary’s wax melts make use of the same infused waxes as its candles, and its hand-dipped Wildflower Votive Pillar Candles, available in an unscented or citronella variety, highlight the look of real pressed flowers using a wax layering technique. Other handmade products from the brand include its artisan made ceremonial grade incense, each stick of which is hand-rolled using ceremonial plants that are locally sourced whenever possible.

Lavender Crochet Aromatherapy Flowers. Wax Apothecary. waxapothecary.com

WAXING POETIC

by Adelaide Elliott

Scent can be refreshed using fragrance sprays

PRODUCT PROFILES

TWELVE STONE ART

ENESCO

NORA FLEMING

TABLECRAFT

PRIMITIVES BY KATHY

PEEPERS BY PEEPERSPECS CROSSROADS ORIGINAL DESIGNS/BLOSSOM BUCKET PARK DESIGNS ®

DEMDACO

PRODUCT PROFILES

CROSSROADS ORIGINAL DESIGNS/ BLOSSOM BUCKET

3 FLORAL TRINKET TRAYS

These three cheery floral trinket trays with inspirational verses are both versatile and stylish. Their four inch size is ideal for organizing all your daily essentials, from spare change to jewelry.

| 866-247-0156

@ www.crossroadsfamily.com

# circle #301

ENESCO, LLC

SPRINKLE SNOOZE FIGURINE

Celebrating 75 years, Snoopy, Woodstock and the rest of the Peanuts gang come to life in a playful collection interpreted by American folk artist Jim Shore.

| 800-436-3726

@ www.enescobusiness.com

# circle #300

CROSSROADS ORIGINAL DESIGNS/ BLOSSOM BUCKET

ANGELS

AMONG US COLLECTION

Our Angels Among Us bereavement/ remembrance collection will let loved ones live on in memories forever. Choose from dozens of thoughtful items to show how much you care.

| 866-247-0156

@ www.crossroadsfamily.com

# circle #303

OPEN ROAD BRANDS, LLC

DETROIT LIONS NFL

Game-changing sports decor featuring Detroit Lions products. Elevate your store with officially licensed NFL items. Shop across all NFL teams.

| 844-533-6890

@ www.openroadbrands.com

@ sales@orbrands.com

# circle #302

DEMDACO SUNCATCHERS

Let the sunshine in! Our best-selling collection of artisan suncatchers brightens days in colorful and meaningful ways.

| 888-336-3226

@ demdacoretailers.com

# circle #304

PRODUCT PROFILES

ENESCO,

LLC

HELLO KITTY FACETS COLLECTION

Celebrate the 50th anniversary of Hello Kitty with its sparkling debut in the FACETS® Collection by Enesco. These faceted acrylic figures dazzle and delight with a kaleidoscope of dancing colors.

| 800-436-3726

@ www.enescobusiness.com

# circle #306

WORLD

BUYERS GIFT & HOME D é COR HOLIDAY MATCHBOXES!

Include candle lighting decorative matches in your holiday displays! Perfect for point-of-sale purchases. See our best-selling collection now. Register online for your wholesale account!

| 800-996-7531 or Chat Live on site!

@ www.worldbuyers.com

# circle #308

TWELVE STONE ART

TUMBLED MARBLE SCRIPTURE STONE

Handcrafted in the USA. Quarried and cut in the mountains east of the ancient city of Ephesus.

| 714-986-6370

@ twelvestoneart.com

# circle #305

MINT MILK CHOCOLATE CROQUETTES

Mouthwatering chocolate mint, creamy smooth milk chocolate with simply the most amazing mint flavor.

| 800-348-7328

@ www.abdallahcandies.com

# circle #309

BEEKMAN 1802

GOAT POOP ULTRAPREMIUM BELGIAN CHOCOLATES

Our #2 best-selling product! Our seasonal tin is filled with one pound of assorted deliciousness and is sure to bring smiles to every recipient.

@ wholesale@beekman1802.com

@ beekman1802.com

# circle #307

ABDALLAH CANDIES

PRODUCT PROFILES

HOUSE PUBLISHERS

WELL LIVED

Well Lived is a book full of wisdom, stories, and reflections about family, friendship, marriage, and hospitality featuring stunning photos of Oxford. MSRP $32.99-Hardcover.

| 888-501-0160

@ faire.com/direct/harvesthousepublishers # circle #311

STICKERS NORTHWEST 24 POCKET COUNTERTOP STADIUM DISPLAY

Personalize your gear with stickers. Choose from 1000s of stock or customizable designs.

| 253-344-1236

@ www.stickersnorthwest.com

# circle #310

NOBLEWORKS INC.

HOUSE PUBLISHERS

FRIENDS ARE FAMILY WE CHOOSE

Celebrate the priceless gift of friendship with this beautifully written and illustrated token of esteem. MSRP $16.99 -Hardcover.

| 888-501-0160

@ faire.com/direct/harvesthousepublishers # circle #313

HUMOROUS HOT-OFF-THE-PRESS CARDS FROM NOBLEWORKS!

NobleWorks has just released brand-new funny cards for birthdays and a variety of other everyday occasions. All cards are printed on demand in the USA.

| 800-346-6253

@ www.nobleworksinc.com # circle #312

PRIMITIVES BY KATHY INSPIRATIONAL GIFTING TOTES

Vibrant designs on durable totes perfect for adding a premium finish to gifts and reuseable for daily activities or gifting again.

| 866-295-2849

@ primitivesbykathy.com

# circle #314

HARVEST

HARVEST

PRODUCT PROFILES

DM MERCHANDISING

CRUSH™ STAY-IN-YOURLANE CAR AIR FRESHENER

Cute, colorful air fresheners in eight popular scents. Fun phrases on product and packaging. Ships in a complimentary display!

| 800-548-6784

@ www.247dm.com

# circle #316

NORA FLEMING

ONE GIFT. EVERY OCCASION.

Care for your pet stylishly with nora fleming! Pair the scaredy cat mini with our large canister for a purrfect storage solution.

| 630-231-2500

@ www.norafleming.com

# circle #318

HOME

MALONE

BLUE & WHITE CHINOISERIE PUMPKIN DOOR HANGER

Waterproof and fade resistant door décor. Made in the U.S.A. Dallas Total Home & Gift: Temps WTC 12-1119. Atlanta Fall Market, Sept 16-18: Building 2, 613B.

| 504-459-2085

@ www.homemalonewholesale.com

# circle #315

SAWDUST CITY LLC FAST SHIPPING FOR CHANGING SEASONS

Need last-minute holiday products? We ship so fast our signs will be on your shelves in days! Signs are solid wood, 40+ colors, made in the USA.

| 800-528-6008

@ www.sawdustcitywholesale.com # circle #317

VHC BRANDS

RAVEN HARVEST PRIMITIVE STAR BOWL FILLER SET OF 3

A delightful addition to your fall decor collection that brings a touch of rustic charm to any space.

| 417-334-3099

@ wholesale.vhcbrands.com

# circle #319

PRODUCT PROFILES

TABLECRAFT

BAKING ACCESSORIES

Perfect your favorite recipes this baking season with TableCraft’s high quality mixing bowls and measuring tools.

| 800-835-1195

@ www.tablecrafthome.com

# circle #321

PERRY HOME NATURALS

NATURALLY FRAGRANT PRODUCTS & GIFTS

Experience the timeless aroma of Maine’s Balsam Fir forests or stroll through peaceful lavender fields with our sachets, available in various designs. They complement our custom-blend room and linen sprays, all expertly handcrafted in Maine, USA.

| 207-890-3477

@ perryhomenaturals.com

# circle #323

PRIMITIVES BY KATHY

NEW STONEWARE

Serve up style with our durable bakeware featuring clean designs with simple sentiments that let the food set the mood.

| 866-295-2849

@ primitivesbykathy.com

# circle #320

PARK DESIGNS ® BRANSON LODGE COLLECTION

SPLIT-P ®

URBAN FARMHOUSE MUG STAND

Incorporating the industrial aesthetic found in our Urban Farmhouse giftware collection, this new mug stand holds four mugs of any size and provides space in the bottom for coffee pods or condiments. Find more coordinating storage and organizational tools for the modern home on our website.

| 800-326-3382

@ www.parkdesigns.net

# circle #322

A timeless print featuring rustic wildlife scenes from forest to river. The vintage style provides a classic tablescape that blends easily with lodge or cabin décor. This collection offers a placemat, napkin, table runners, and window valance.

| 800-326-3382

@ www.parkdesigns.net

# circle #324

PRODUCT PROFILES

TRAPP FRAGRANCES

TRAPP 3.75 OZ. GOURMET CAPSULE COLLECTION CANDLES

Discover Trapp Fragrances’ new Gourmet Capsule Collection—limited edition candles infusing your space with culinary-inspired luxury.

| 800-871-0220

@ trappfragrances.com

# circle #326

VILLAGE CANDLE

NORA FLEMING

ONE GIFT. EVERY OCCASION.

Perk up your mornings with nora fleming! Pair our cup of ambition mini with a round platter and riser, perfect for serving donuts on busy mornings.

| 630-231-2500

@ www.norafleming.com

# circle #325

PRIMITIVES BY KATHY

GIFTABLE JAR CANDLES

Shop a variety of artistdriven designs on frosted glass jar candles perfect for both everyday and seasonal styles.

| 866-295-2849

@ primitivesbykathy.com

ART BRAND STUDIOS, LLC

EVENING AT AUTUMN LAKE FRAMED METAL PRINT

Framed Metal Prints combine two rugged materials, metal and barnwood, to create a modern take on a vintage style. Size 16½" x 20". MSRP: $88.

| 408-201-5832

@ www.artbrand.com

# circle #327

LEAF IT TO ME LUMINARY BOWL

Boasting an intricate label design with clear panels that illuminate and glow, this fall candle delights with warm notes of peppercorn, suede, patchouli, and oakmoss.

| 888-326-5678

@ stonewallwholesale.com

# circle #328

# circle #329

PRODUCT PROFILES

MICHEL DESIGN WORKS

HALLOWEEN VOTIVE GIFT SET

Pairing eerie motifs with warm autumnal scents, this votive candle set comes neatly presented in an elegant box for easy Halloween gifting.

| 888-326-5678

@ stonewallwholesale.com

# circle #331

KURT S. ADLER, INC.

15" HOLLYWOOD NUTCRACKERS™ BLUE, PINK & RED BOLD COLOR NUTCRACKERS, 3 ASSORTED

The assortment includes a striking blue, a playful pink, and a vibrant red nutcracker, each adorned with intricate detailing on their uniforms, hats, and accessories. The Hollywood Nutcrackers™ collection is known for its flamboyant and theatrical designs, and this assortment certainly lives up to that reputation.

| 212-924-0900

@ www.kurtadler.com

# circle #333

CANDLE WARMERS ETC.

APOTHECARY

VINTAGE BULB ILLUMINATION WARMER

Bathe in the alluring light of amber-colored glass, lit from within by an Edison style bulb.

| 801-771-8650

@ www.candlewarmers.com

# circle #330

WINTER BONFIRE TREE CANDLE

Our scented tree candle is a must-have for retailers seeking unique and stylish products. With its fresh pine scent and elegant design, it’s the perfect way to add a touch of luxury to any home.

| 800-621-8350

@ www.tagltd.com

# circle #334

WARMERS ETC.

HAUNTED MANSION CANOPY ILLUMINATION FRAGRANCE WARMER

Get spooky with this Fragrance Warmer, sure to become a staple of your home’s seasonal decor for years to come.

| 801-771-8650

@ www.candlewarmers.com

# circle #332

CANDLE

TAG

PRODUCT PROFILES

M&W DESIGN THINPRINT™️

Experience the artistry of M&W Design, a company founded on the core values of community, sustainability and recyclability. We are in the memory-building business, not just the souvenir business. Shop our brand with a wide variety of USA made sustainable gifts.

| 215-442-1506

@ mandwdesign.com/pages/thinprints

# circle #336

TAG

VINTAGE SANTA WITH WREATH MUG

Delight your customers with the magic of the holidays with our vintage Santa mug. This enchanting piece is sure to become a cherished part of their holiday traditions.

| 800-621-8350

@ www.tagltd.com

# circle #338

CROSSROADS ORIGINAL DESIGNS/BLOSSOM BUCKET

SANTA’S COOKIE CRUMBLE SCENTED HAND SOAP AND LOTION

Just in time for the holidays, new festive Santa’s Cookie Crumble scented hand soaps and lotions will spread the scent of Christmas everywhere you go.

| 866-247-0156

@ www.crossroadsfamily.com

# circle #335

THE WIKKI STIX CO. HALLOWEEN ACTIVITY KIT

Nothing gory or ghoulish, just tons of happy Halloween fun for ages 3-8. Includes 72 Wikki Stix, the Halloween Hunt Game and 8 more activities.

| 800-869-4554

@ www.wikkistix.com

# circle #339

VINTAGE TRUCK WITH TREE COOKIE CUTTER

This old-fashioned pickup truck with Christmas tree cookie cutter is perfect for those nostalgic for the holidays of yesteryear. This shape is great for cookie swaps or holiday parties.

| 800-252-6798

@ annclark.com

# circle #337

ANN CLARK, LTD.

PRODUCT PROFILES

LITTLEWOODDINOSAUR BLOCKS

This wooden dinosaur block set includes 7 pieces in soft shades of greens, blues, and pinks. Each block features a different dinosaur, offering a fun activity for little ones.

| 800-451-4387

@ marymeyer.com

# circle #341

DOUGLAS CO., INC.

LUNCHTIME PLAY SET WITH ACCESSORIES (3022)

Explore DOUGLAS’s Lunchtime Play Set: a delightful assortment of fun featuring a sandwich, cookie, banana, and juice box, perfect for imaginative play and learning.

| 800-992-9002

@ douglascuddletoy.com

# circle #340

WARMIES ® BY INTELEX USA

EVERYONE LOVES WARMIES®

Check out our adorable new Warmies! 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.

@ warmies.com

# circle #343

WARMIES ® BY INTELEX USA

EVERYONE LOVES WARMIES®

Check out our adorable new Warmies! 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.

@ warmies.com

# circle #342

DOUGLAS CO., INC.

CRUNCHIES AND MUNCHIE CATERPILLARS (1536, 1533, 3606)

Introducing DOUGLAS’s new Munchie and Crunchie Caterpillars for Spring 2025! Munchie arrives in pink, while Crunchie in blue is available in both 11" and 20" sizes, ready to steal your heart.

| 800-992-9002

@ douglascuddletoy.com

# circle #344

MARY MEYER

PRODUCT PROFILES

DM MERCHANDISING

LEMON LAVENDER®️ IT’S A VIBE SONIC CLEANSER BRUSH

Trendy skincare made for everyone! This silicone facial brush gently vibrates for ultra deep cleansing. Ships in a complimentary display.

| 800-548-6784

@ www.247dm.com

# circle #346

FUNATIC

BIG ASS BRICK OF SOAP –BUCK MOON

A hefty 10 oz. serving of our signature triple milled soap features a scent of vetiver and oakmoss.

| 855-354-4438

@ www.dukecannonwholesale.com

# circle #345

DM MERCHANDISING

KEDZIE®️ ECLIPSE SMARTPHONE CROSSBODY

The bag for when all you need is your phone and wallet. Best-ever vegan leather. Removable crossbody strap included.

CALL ME OLD FASHIONED SOCKS

For the sophisticated drinker, sit back, relax, and sip that classic old fashioned. Order through your rep, on Faire, or email service@funatic.com.

| 855-386-2842

@ funatic.com/wholesale

# circle #348

PROPER COLOGNE –BUCK MOON

Buck Moon smells like a remote field in the summer as the sun begins to set, with a rich blend of vetiver and oakmoss.

| 855-354-4438

@ www.dukecannonwholesale.com

# circle #347

| 800-548-6784

@ www.247dm.com

# circle #349

DUKE CANNON SUPPLY CO.

DUKE CANNON SUPPLY CO.

PRODUCT PROFILES

PEEPERS BY PEEPERSPECS

MARGOT - AVAILABLE IN NO CORRECTION BLUE LIGHT AND READER STRENGTHS

The allure of Margot is in the elegant simplicity. The understated gold metal temples add a touch of refinement, allowing the statement fronts to shine.

| 219-872-4413

@ wholesale.peepers.com

# circle #351

LIZAS USA LP

QUDO INTERCHANGEABLE

GREAT OUTDOORS

RAWR-SOME socks!

| 909-345-2688

@ www.ooohyeah.com

# circle #350

I HEART EYEWEAR BRIONY EYEGLASS CHAIN

With a fun and playful design, our new Briony chain is versatile, practical and trendy. Chain features a lobster-claw clasp for easy conversion to a necklace, 26" total length.

| 800-247-7667

@ www.ihearteyewear.com # circle #352

QUDO Interchangeable Rings and Jewelry. Handmade in Germany. Retails start at $30.

| 678-756-2817

@ www.lizas.com

# circle #353

FUNATIC

WORLD’S OKAYEST GOLFER SOCKS

For the golfer in your life who spends more time in the sand than on the green. Order through your rep, on Faire, or email service@funatic.com.

| 855-386-2842

@ funatic.com/wholesale

# circle #354

OOOH YEAH SOCKS

Market Calendar

September – October 2024

SEPTEMBER

BIRMINGHAM, UNITED KINGDOM

International Autumn Fair Birmingham NEC Birmingham autumnfair.com

ORLANDO, FLA.

Surf Expo

Orange County Convention Center surfexpo.com

PARIS, FRANCE

Maison & Objet Paris Paris Nord Villepinte maison-objet.com

GATLINBURG, TENN.

Norton Show

Gatlinburg Convention Center nortonshows.com

LIVONIA, MICH.

Michigan Women’s Wear Market

Embassy Suites Detroit-Livonia

silverliningshows.com/ michigan-ww-market

LOS ANGELES

LA Kids Mini Market

California Market Center californiamarketcenter.com

GREENSBORO, N.C.

Greensboro Gift & Jewelry Show

Greensboro Coliseum Complex gtshows.com

BOXBOROUGH, MASS.

New England Made Giftware & Specialty Food Show

Boxboro Regency nemadeshows.com

GAYLORD, MICH.

Northern Michigan Regional Trade Show

The Ellison Place

silverliningshows.com/ northern-michigan-show

KISSIMMEE, FLA.

Florida Jewelry & Resort Expo

Osceola Heritage Park- Exhibition Building gtshows.com

CHICAGO

National Bridal Market Chicago

The MART themart.com

ATLANTA

Fall Market

AmericasMart americasmart.com

NEW YORK, N.Y.

NY Home Fashions Market

230 Fifth Avenue 230fifthave.com

DALLAS

Dallas Design Week

Dallas Market Center dallasmarketcenter.com

DALLAS

Total Home & Gift Market

Dallas Market Center dallasmarketcenter.com

LAS VEGAS

Las Vegas Souvenir & Resort Gift Show

Las Vegas Convention Center us.clarionevents.com/calendar

LOS ANGELES

LA Textile

California Market Center californiamarketcenter.com

MINNETONKA, MINN.

Gift, Home, Apparel & Accessory Show

Minneapolis Mart mplsmart.com

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.

COMING DECEMBER & JANUARY WINTER MARKET ISSUES

The December 2024 and January 2025 issues are our must-read winter market issues where retailers can find new products to refresh retail shelves.

Packed with show news and product introductions, we will also bring you Reader Ranking coverage of the industry's best manufacturers and service providers as voted on by you, our readers.

Combined with Bonus Distribution at all the major shows, it's the perfect time to invest your marketing dollars and start 2025 off right.

DECEMBER

AD CLOSE: OCTOBER 31, 2024 MATERIALS DUE: NOVEMBER 7, 2024

JANUARY

AD CLOSE: DECEMBER 2, 2024 MATERIALS DUE: DECEMBER 9, 2024