3 minute read
Show Review: Las Vegas Market
Big orders for now and the future
Demand was high at the Summer 2021 Las Vegas Market with improved attendance numbers and exhibitors reporting strong orders.
Demand for fresh, new product drove retailers and designers from the Western United States and beyond to the Las Vegas Market from August 22-26 with exhibitors reporting healthy order writing for immediate needs as well as many future planning. The market was held a month later than usual but overall attendance exceeded figures over the market’s April show and represented about 60 per cent of summer prepandemic attendance.
“Las Vegas Market has continued its positive recovery trajectory despite recent setbacks in the nation’s response to the pandemic,” said Bob Maricich, International Market Center (IMC) CEO. “This week again proved that Las Vegas Market is the preferred Western location for discerning buyers and brands to come together to get business done.”
The Summer Las Vegas Market marked the return of in-person events – with masking and proper social distancing protocols in place – with strong attendance at six trendfocused at-market activities. Live seminars included IMC’s proprietary FIRSTLOOK and Ahead of the Curve programs and sessions with design and retail thought leaders. The ANDYZ, hosted by The Las Vegas Design Center (LVDC) and the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) California Central / Nevada Chapter, also brought the design community together again to celebrate resilience and recognize excellence, with 11 winners in 10 categories.
In addition to its core West Coast audience, Las Vegas Market attracted a nation-wide audience with buyers from all 50 states with notable increases from the Northeast, Southeast, Southwest and TOLA (Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Arkansas) regions. International traffic is rebounding well with a 60 per cent growth over April 2021 and buyers from 42 countries. Gift category attendance was especially strong, with an 11 per cent growth over April attendance.
Buyers Glad to be Back to Market
Product discovery and the inperson market experience were key motivators for buyers at the summer 2021 Las Vegas Market, many of whom were returning to the market for the first time since Winter 2020.
“The Las Vegas Market is important because in-person touching, feeling, and seeing products is imperative,” added Mike Norris, buyer for Gallery Furniture in Houston, TX.
Immediate and Future Needs Bring the Buyers
Across gift, home décor and furniture, exhibitors reported serious order-writing from buyers not only completing their sourcing for the fourth quarter but also getting a head start on their 2022 ordering.
“The Las Vegas Market was consistent with high quality, well-educated buyers and designers that arrived prepared to place confirmed orders rather than write notes or hold orders,” added Global Views CEO David Gebhart.
“We didn’t see the ‘catalog collectors’ this market. Everyone that came in had the intention of buying and orders have been really big with retailers buying deeper,” said Sande Womack, principal of New Era Sales Team (NEST) which represents 55 lifestyle brands including a new expansion into gourmet foods.
Temporary Exhibits Build Business in the EXPO
Las Vegas Market’s temporary exhibits hit their stride in the new EXPO at World Market Center, with exhibitors reporting strong shows and many new accounts.
“We had the strongest first day in the history of our company at this market with 60 per cent new accounts. I’ve never had that kind of response in any market before,” said Carlos Arias, founder and CEO of Inspired Peru which imports handmade gift and home décor from Peru. “The quality of the customers and the buyers at Las Vegas Market has been really good. That’s exactly what a brand like mine is looking to find at market: customers who are not just knowledgeable in what they’re looking for, but also open to the new products.”
“We signed up last minute, so we didn’t really know what to expect, because obviously, we’ve been out of show practice. It definitely blew all the expectations that we had coming in,” said Danne Semeraro, founder of Sempli glassware who worked with independent retailers, multiple-location retailers, corporate gifting buyers and restaurants and hospitality specifiers at market. “I think that moving into the amazing EXPO building is the best thing that could have happened to temporaries at Las Vegas Market.”
The next Winter Las Vegas Market is planned for January 23-27, 2022. For more information, visit www. lasvegasmarket.com.
