News from the New York International Gift Fair

Traffic and sales good

Becky Boswell Smith -- Home Accents Today, 1/31/2007 11:59:00 AM

Energy was evident throughout the venues of the NYIGF as the show opened Sunday to good crowds, and more important, good order writing.

Leslie Nathan Street, GLM, left, Becky Boswell Smith, Home Accents Today, Marilyn Schulman and Lynn Brey, both of Bay Shore Lighting, a HAT Retail Star.

As Abigails sales manager Neal Blanchard said in his Pier 94 space, “If the first three hours of this show are an indication, this will be our best New York show. They’re buying deep and expensive, as well as lower priced items that show well with the higher priced ones.”

Pieces furniture owner Jane Harrington was excited about the attention her new contemporary line was attracting. The New England custom-made Nouveau Collection includes chests, tables, a mirror, headboard and screen in greens, blues and tan, finished as a light wash on surfaces.

GLM officials also were upbeat about the show. Dorothy Belshaw, NYIGF director and senior vice president of GLM, said, "It's a great show!  We had a very strong opening on Sunday with throngs of people at the Javits, and we've had heavy traffic on Sunday and Monday at the Piers.  Exhibitors in all locations have reported brisk buying activity on the show floor and strong order writing."

Barreveld’s Javits space featured a low wall to prevent entry.

Liora Manne was excited about interest shown in her purses by Takashimaya, the upscale New York department store. “I love the New York show,” she said, all decked out in her designer boots, also added to her line.

Getting attention at Red Vanilla was Red Volcano, a firepit of sorts that burns potato-based ethanol and can be used inside. Angel Rivera, a company rep, said the product is getting good response in upscale vacation homes and condos and apartments which don’t allow more traditional units.

Red Vanilla’s Red Volcano

Some early-bird shoppers who are also stores named among 50 Retail Stars in Home Accents Today arrived at Pier 94 early Sunday morning for bagels and coffee with the HAT staff. Among attendees were Marilyn Schulman and Lynn Brey of Bay Shore Lighting, who have two additional Willy-Nilly stores and are opening a fourth; and Saverio Grosso Jr. and William Scappatone of Mano A Mano in Bronxville, N.Y.; and Christi Tullis who owns Ambiance in Suwanee, Ga., and her marketing “wizard,” Lucy Hamilton.

A couple of vendors stepped up their marketing with booths at Javits or Pier 94 to show product and urge buyers to stop by their permanent showrooms before leaving town. Barreveld, for example, who shows at 7West, built an attractive display at Javits enclosed with a low wall so buyers could not come inside. Global Views and Marc Blackwell shared space at Pier 94 to show lines and catalogs and familiarize buyers with the permanent space at One Coast, W. 28th St.

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