ATL Market Intersects Commerce, Community with Connection

January 25, 2024  by HFBusiness Staff in Business Strategy, Industry   

“The Winter 2024 Atlanta Market delivered unmatched buying opportunities and one-of-a-kind industry events to buyers from all 50 states and 50 countries,” said Bob Maricich, ANDMORE℠ CEO. “The energy and optimism in Atlanta were palpable, and buyers and sellers reported overwhelmingly positive results.”

Dynamic Discovery Promotes Boundless Buying

Innovation and sourcing across Atlanta Market’s 2,400+ permanent showrooms and temporary exhibitors gave sellers unparalleled opportunities to connect and reconnect with key industry contacts. Steady order writing and renewed relationships signaled confident buying across the market’s gift, home décor and apparel categories.

Melinda Dellas, Atlanta showroom manager of Evergreen Enterprises, said, “Our company primarily does business on the road, but we have loved seeing climbing numbers here at Market. The excitement and upbeat environment really takes you back to the glory days, and it keeps us aware that having a presence at Atlanta Market is important.”

Many of the Market’s 1,200+ temporary exhibitors cited significant gains this January, record-breaking sales and contacts with key buyers.

“Our Atlanta show gets bigger for us every year, and we’re seeing more and more of our key accounts,” said Amy Carey, National Sales Manager of Umbra. “We write more orders at the January Atlanta Market than any other show with our sales consistently trending upward – it’s only getting better.”

Beyond buying, retailers and designers were welcomed with programming that complemented cross-category sourcing at Market. Nearly 20 curated events over five days attracted crowds to immersive demonstration kitchens, business-focused seminars and networking events.

Buying Groups and Industry Partners Drive Key Market Attendance

Some 15 major buying groups and associations converged at Atlanta Market, bringing key accounts, member-based meetings and industry partner programming to the buying event.

“All the Zooms in the world cannot make up for the in-person joy and connection found at Market!” enthused Nina Bryant, marketing manager, and Ginger Milligan, vice president, of The Good Toy Group. “Being at Market means everything to our group and buyers. It reenergizes us from the holiday season and showcases the best of everything new so we can bring more good toys to children everywhere!”

Key accounts made their mark at Atlanta Market with notable retailers, including Anthropologie, Bloomindales, Costco, Havertys, Macy’s, Nordstrom/Nordstrom Rack, Overstock.com, Pottery Barn, QVC/HSN and Williams Sonoma, in attendance.

“Atlanta Market is great for us, because we get the opportunity to have more extended meetings with our vendors,” said Alice Anderson, Haverty’s accessory buyer. “This Market represents all of our categories, so it’s perfect for finding more display-oriented items.”

@Market App Makes Market Seamless

ANDMORE’s @Market App returned to the January Atlanta Market – on both Android and iOS devices – with enhanced capabilities including wayfinder navigation, a brand directory and links to resources on the Market website.

 Just six months after its initial launch, the @Market App has transformed how Market is done by providing more opportunities for discovery and sourcing through the easy adoption of app resources including Scan & Go QR code for badge pickup, photos and notes to document market finds and a market planner to favorite and organize showroom and booth visits.

“A picture is worth a thousand words, so the photo feature was such a helpful tool,” said retailer Elie Chiasson, Backyard Supplies Atlantic (Moncton, BC). “From being able to write notes and mark vendors we’ve visited to taking pictures of and saving business cards, we wouldn’t change a thing.”