Updates to the Atlanta Market gift category are underway as the next phase of International Market Centers’ (IMC) Atlanta NEXT initiative creates a lifestyle destination in Building 2 and continues to remerchandise existing resources to improve the overall gift buying experience.
“Despite the COVID-19 crisis and with all necessary precautions, we have continued on our tenant improvement projects so we can be ready to support the retail community as it prepares for the important holiday shopping season,” said Dave Savula, IMC executive vice president, president of Gift & Apparel Leasing. “We recognize now more than ever the importance of presenting a comprehensive, discoverable and easy-to-shop resource for the gift and lifestyle retail community.”
The next staging of Atlanta Market transforms the gift category in Atlanta with the introduction of a new “lifestyle” designation within the greater gift category. A new showroom experience presented by leading representative groups Appelman Schauben and Ivystone will fill Building 2, Floor 11 and anchor the market’s new lifestyle collection.
Buyers will find a seamless shopping experience that encourages product discoverability with no storefront windows or walls plus a series of new amenities. Some 75+ brands are slated to present complementary gift, fashion, home décor, garden, gourmet, entertaining, personal care, seasonal and children’s products that will help retailers develop cohesive brand stories for their stores. Top lines confirmed for the floor include Baggallini, Beekman 1802, Beatriz Ball, Harman, Foreside Home & Garden, Grasslands Road, Indaba Trading, Meri Meri, Michel Design Works, Modern Sprout, NOW Designs, Poo-Pourri, SCOUT, Zodax and many more.
25 New Showrooms and Locations Create New Destinations
New opportunities created by the Appelman Schauben and Ivystone relocations continue to drive other movement and improvements throughout the Building 2 gift collection. Six new showrooms include Azzure Home (storage and organization, home office, stationary, wall decor and tabletop accessories) on Floor 8; Botanical Collections (European-style hand-crafted pottery) on Floor 9; Halcyon Days (British enamel gifts and bone china) on Floor 9; Lazy One (pajamas and gifts for men, women and kids) on Floor 6; Think Outside (hand-crafted decorative products for homes and gardens) on Floor 9; and World Buyers (gifts and decorative items) on Floor 6. Four relocations and expansions include the relocation of Cohasset Gifts & Garden (garden and home decor gift items) on Floor 9; the relocation of The Country House (home decor, florals and linens in vintage farmhouse and primitive country styles) to Floor 6 from Floor 12; a major expansion and relocation for Glitterville / one hundred 80 degrees (whimsical holiday décor and giftware) on Floor 15; and the relocation of Hester & Cook Design Group (paper goods and handcrafted gifts) to Floor 9 of Building 2 from Building 1.
“We have loved our time in Building 1, but as the Hester & Cook line has evolved over the years, we realized that moving to Building 2 would give us more exposure to our core buyers. The move to Building 2, specifically with the focus on tabletop on Floor 9, is a great strategic move for us,” said Angie Hester Cook, CEO and co-founder. “The new space will give us the ability to host and entertain our buyers and allow us to show our products at their best.”
These updates join the previously announced Building 2 expansions and relocations that will redefine gift buying destinations throughout the Atlanta Market. Floor 18 of Building 2 is transforming into a foundational gift, garden, seasonal and accessory resource with a major expansion by OneCoast; a rebrand and remodel for Darrah and Company; and relocations of GiftCraft from Floor 15 and Transpac from Building 1. Showrooms previously on Floor 11 moving to new Building 2 locations include Elico Ltd. (Floor 8); Enchante Accessories (Floor 8); Gerson (Floor 12); Magenta (Floor 9); The Royal Standard (Floor 15); Tag (Floor 10); and Vera Bradley (Floor 10).
Four home décor brands previously in Building 2 are relocating to the Building 1 home décor collection: Three Hands to Floor 11; Sagebrook to Floor 13; IMAX Worldwide to Floor 12; and Diamond Star Corporation to Floor 13.
“We are continuing to see movement in the gift collection even during this difficult time because brands see their market locations as key elements for business success,” added Savula. “We appreciate their commitment to our market and look forward to joining with them to welcome the retail community to their new spaces when we gather again.”
Atlanta Market is a leading wholesale marketplace housing the nation’s largest gift product mix featuring seasonal, tabletop, housewares, gourmet, juvenile, fashion accessories and outdoor living brands presented in 700 showrooms on 19 floors. The gift offerings are complemented by a broad selection of home décor resources including lighting, accent furniture, rugs, wall décor, casual furniture, linens and more presented in 300+ showrooms on 12 floors. The 2020 summer market is August 13-18, 2020 at AmericasMart Atlanta. For more information, visit AtlantaMarket.com.
Atlanta NEXT is a multi-stage capital and strategic investment plan that transforms the AmericasMart business through enrichment of all categories, strategic remerchandising of resources and improvements to all buildings. Phase One began in January 2020 in Building 1 with consolidation of Open Year Round resources and home décor remerchandising. In July 2020, Phase Two creates a new lifestyle destination in Building 2 and continues home décor remerchandising in Building 1. The new Building 1 lobby experience opens in Phase Three in January 2021. For a full list of Atlanta NEXT updates, visit AmericasMart.com/AtlantaNEXT.
