Tabletop and gourmet housewares exhibitors participating in the winter 2017 Las Vegas Market reported a positive experience, highlighting growth in both retail and brand participation and a chance to meet with retailers in distinct geographical areas, given the show’s location.
Vendors reported an opportunity to sell to Midwest and West Coast retailers, as well as those from Alaska and Hawaii. A select few also had participation from East Coast retailers, including those from Maryland, North Carolina, and Brooklyn. High design-driven tabletop companies also found connections with high-end designers and retailers. Many also reported an international buying presence, most notably, Canada and Japan. It was not an appointment driven show for most; many found new selling opportunities with walk-in traffic.
“The participation from the housewares industry is up. There are more big brands at the show,” said Martin Kehoe, owner, Product Specialties, Inc.
Luca Prandelli, sales manager, Mepra, said the Las Vegas Market allowed his brand to “attract new customers, not only geographically, but demographically,” including the design community, as well as retailer buyers that are not solely tabletop, but might be expanding upon their furnishings assortment to include tableware.
Magenta utilized the show to debut a lifestyle statement to go along with its gourmet tableware, including aprons and porcelain jewelry. Having a new showroom location in C-1 found a benefit in a cohesive showroom statement on the floor. “I’ve found that it’s the first destination for many retailers. It helps when your neighbors relate to one another,” said Helen Moon, corporate sales manager and development, Magenta.
“The encouraging thing is we see a steady increase of customers and orders,” said Rolf Poeting, president, Rolf Glass.
“I’m confident Las Vegas Market is going to keep growing and pull strong independent retailers from west of the Mississippi. We keep seeing the growth,” said Donna Territo, president, Abbiamo Tutto.
