IMC Presents First Atlanta Market

January 9, 2019  by Jane Chero in Business Strategy, Designer Weekly, Industry   

International Market Centers reports buyers will discover more than 9,000 brands across all categories of home furnishings, décor and gifts showcased in more than 1,400 showrooms and 3,300 temporary booths at the first major Market of the year. 

“We are expecting a robust market this week in Atlanta,” said Bob Maricich, CEO of International Market Centers (IMC). “Momentum and excitement for this Market have been building since AmericasMart joined the IMC family in July 2018. We look forward to welcoming the design and retail community to Atlanta as we expand our existing relationships and establish new ones with those who are new to an IMC experience.” 

More than 20 buying groups will be coming to the Market with two groups – the Good Toy Group and the North American Farmers’ Direct Marketing Association – having their first AmericasMart experiences. Buying groups will have an impact on a variety of categories with interests ranging from general gift to hardware, universities, florists, and museums.  Attending groups include: 17 of the top garden centers in the United States, three of the top four hardware retailers and three of the top four mass market retailers. 

Seventy new and expanded showrooms will make their debut. Representing more than 210,000 square footage of growth, the leasing updates span all permanent categories at AmericasMart. 

In total 23 showrooms have new and expanded spaces in Building 1 Commercial Design, Home & Rug, Home Accents & Fine Linens, Home Accents & Furnishings and Home & Design categories.

Notable newcomers to the home décor collection include Ashley Furniture showcasing trend-driven lifestyle product presentations on Floor 4 and Wildwood and Chelsea House opening their first showroom locations outside of High Point, N.C. on Floor 14. 

In the gift collection, the 47 showroom updates include renowned sales agency Anne McGilvray & Company making its Atlanta market debut in Building 2, Floor 17.  Notable gift collection expansions in Building 2 include Link2Sales expands on Floor 16, Pavilion Gift nearly doubles its space on Floor 15 and Harman, Inc. grows on Floor 11. 

Specialty categories also have seen growth leading into 2019. In Building 2, The Gourmet & Housewares and Tabletop & Gift collections features more than 800 brands with more than 6,000 square feet of new showroom space.

Significant expansions, in combination with new showrooms, put the Holiday/Floral & Home Décor collection in Building 1 nearly at capacity for the Market.

The Market’s temporary collection features nearly 2,000 exhibitors showing more than 330,000 square feet of product. More than 350 new-to-Atlanta exhibitors can be found across the Market’s 32 temporary neighborhoods. 

The Museum Collective in Building 2, Floor 8 makes its second AmericasMart presentation in partnership with the Museum Store Association and features a selection of gifts, décor, collectibles and private label products. Designers source new, old and original in HD Home in Building 1, Floor 1; Antiques in Building 1, Floor 2 and Decor | Light & Lifestyles in Building 1, Floor 7. On Trend Gifts in Building 3, Floor 5 and the sold out High Design in Building 2, Floor 1 are hotspots for buyers looking for what’s new, next and trendy in gifts. 

Specialty categories including Tabletop & Entertaining and Gourmet Housewares in Building 2, Floor 2; Gourmet Foods in Building 2, Floor 3; Birding & Backyard Nature, Coastal Lifestyles, The Gardens in Building 2, Floor 4; Made in America in Building 3, Floor 2; and Body & Soul Spa Products in Building 3, Floor 3 let buyers explore new categories and experiences for their customers. 

Market attendees will find an engaging and interactive experience highlighted by thought leader presentations and seminars, cooking demonstrations, hospitality and industry celebrations.

Shop the Show, the curated program where design and lifestyle influencers shop the Market and share their experiences, returns with a new set of tastemakers who will share favorite picks and experiences through social media (#ShoptheShowATL), videos, workshops, a live pop-up and special events. 

A full list of Market events can be found at AmericasMart.com/events.