Summer 2024 Atlanta Market sparks optimism in gift and home industries

The buying event showcased over 6,000 brands July 16-22 at AmericasMart Atlanta.

Atlanta Market ignited confidence among buyers and exhibitors as over 6,000 brands offered unparalleled opportunities for expanded product exploration, setting the stage for a promising 2025. A pivotal hub for buying and selling, attendees also benefited from a robust schedule of educational sessions and social events that fostered vital industry connections at the July 16-22 market at AmericasMart Atlanta.

“Despite current economic challenges, positive results from Atlanta Market’s Summer 2024 edition provided a symbol of promise for year-end as well as early 2025,” said Jon Pertchik, ANDMORE CEO. “Atlanta buzzed with contagious energy and optimism throughout the event, with buyers from every corner of the nation and around the globe in attendance.”

Atlanta Market welcomed a diverse cross-section of buyers, including attendees from all 50 states and nearly 50 international countries. ANDMORE said this market saw a significant increase in apparel buyers, up 8% compared with last summer, as they took advantage of the full cross-shopping opportunity available during Atlanta Market.

The event drew significant attention from leading retailers, including Anthropologie, Bergdorf Goodman, Crate & Barrel, HomeGoods, Kirkland’s, Neiman Marcus, Pottery Barn, Serena & Lily, Target, The Walt Disney Company and Urban Outfitters, which showcased their presence and influence across the gift and home industries.

With some 70 updates to the 1,000-plus gift and home showrooms across the AmericasMart Atlanta campus, cross-category sourcing was abundant this July. Exhibitors, many of whom cited groundbreaking sales, reported a renewed sense of community at the Summer 2024 edition.

As the industry navigates economic uncertainty, Atlanta Market participants remain optimistic for a robust rebound.

“Inflation, higher costs and political uncertainty are squeezing disposable income, affecting our industry’s discretionary spending,” said Randy Eller, president of Eller Enterprises. “Nevertheless, retailers who are weathering the economic challenges are actively engaging in markets, resulting in steady traffic and strong performance across multiple product lines.”

Many of Atlanta Market’s 1,400-plus temporary exhibitors reported major sales growth this July, citing added exposure resulting from ANDMORE’s synergistic trade show remerchandising into seven categories across nine floors.

“You really don’t meet these kinds of buyers anywhere else,” said Diana Pfeifer Justice, owner of Grits Bits, an exhibitor in the Kitchen + Table category. “Atlanta Market is where I find and connect with all of my customers.”

The temporary exhibits’ Best Booth Awards also took to social media to select a “People’s Choice” winner in the gift and temporaries. Among four contenders, Life is Rosie (children’s book and doll set) won the popular vote.

In connection with continued consumer demand, outdoor accessories stood out as a product category this July. Following Atlanta Market’s two-season restructuring and remerchandising, The Gardens presented more than 55 exhibitors offering garden/outdoor ornaments and fixtures in a redesigned space.

“We’re really excited about the opportunity to rebrand ourselves at Market in a reimagined Gardens space,” said exhibitor Theresa Seclow, vice president, marketing and sales of Home Bazaar. “We’re fortunate that we’ve had great traffic, and we’ve seen a lot of our key customers this week. Atlanta brings so many classes of trade together, so we get to exhibit to diverse clients in one location.”

As an added casual and outdoor category extension, the second annual Summer Casual Market Atlanta offered an expanded presentation of over 70 permanent showrooms and more than 100 temporary exhibitors to Atlanta Market retailers and designers searching for the new and next of outdoor/patio furniture and accessories. Casual Market attendance was up 5% over last year when it first debuted in Atlanta, demonstrating continued growth in this category.

Additionally, retailers and designers enjoyed an expansive lineup of programming designed to enhance sourcing at the market. Throughout the week, nearly 20 carefully curated events unfolded over five days, drawing crowds to interactive demonstration kitchens, seminars tailored to business needs and vibrant networking sessions.

The Winter 2025 Atlanta Market runs Jan. 14-20, 2025, at AmericasMart Atlanta.