While it certainly wasn’t a typical show, this month’s Atlanta Market seemed to herald a bit of a return to normalcy for exhibitors and attendees.
“Expectations were realistic but optimistic,” said Robert Maricich, CEO of International Market Centers, operators of the Atlanta Market.
According to IMC, the January market welcomed 158% of attendance from the August 2020 show, with 90% of showrooms open, up from 70% in August. Tenants reported sales at 70-80% of pre-pandemic levels.
“This market, we really tried to reinstate the customary flavor of January market,” said Dorothy Belshaw, executive vice president and chief customer and marketing officer, IMC. “While it wasn’t normal, it was closer to normal than it has been.”
One of the categories helping spur that rebound was outdoor. With pandemic-induced demand keeping casual retailers busy last summer and fall, the need for fresh inventory is more important than ever.
“Garden and outdoor had a really terrific 2020, and you saw that in the business they did this month,” said Belshaw.
Casual exhibitors such as Three Birds Casual, Summer Classics and Telescope Casual, as well as a spate of garden decor companies, opened their doors for market-goers.
“Buyers were confident, optimistic and ready to buy at the winter 2021 Atlanta Market,” said Maricich. “Exhibitors reported major interest in outdoor living and home décor products, reflecting strong consumer demand during the pandemic.”
While attendees perused outdoor showrooms in Building 2, Maricich said work continues to prepare Building 1 floors for casual exhibitors when Casual Market relocates to Atlanta in two years.
“IMC continues to make progress on its update of Building 1 – the home of the Casual Market beginning in 2023 – including upgrades to the arrival experience and continued re-merchandising of the showroom floors,” he said.
The summer Atlanta Market will be held July 13-19, 2021.
