The continued effort by Las Vegas Market to expand its assortment of gourmet housewares was met positively by product suppliers, some of whom noted continued growth in retail attendance at the show.
With a focus on growing the housewares product assortment on C-11, market officials said more than 350 gourmet food, gift and specialty housewares lines are now on display at the World Market Center.
“That product assortment has really resonated,” said Dorothy Belshaw, president, gift and home decor, for the International Market Center. “By fulfilling a need, we have been able to create a very robust assortment and a robust and vibrant buying opportunity in a very short period of time.”
Suppliers who spoke with HOMEWORLD BUSINESS® said the show has visibly grown year-over-year, noting that they were able to meet with key retail buyers.
“It has been a lot busier this year and I have seen more traffic in my showroom this time than in the last couple of shows,” said Lori Wilson, vp/sales at Dalcq, managing the Croquade brand. “The customers are more enthusiastic and optimistic and they are all placing orders.”
Tom McMahon, vp/sales at Jura, explained that he is beginning to see more national accounts attending the market with the growth of the show, which he feels has the potential to turn the market into a national housewares destination if it stays on this trajectory. Jura operates a permanent showroom on the first floor of Building C.
Additionally, Shannon McAlpine, vp/sales of Q Squared NYC, said that the retailers at the show were there to make purchasing decisions.
“We launched a few expansions in new categories and some giftable items, which people are really looking to have in their stores for fourth quarter,” she said. “The retailer that is here is here to buy and people are ordering.”
Echoing McAlpine, Dave Weldy, owner of Chelan, WA-based Culinary Apple, an independent gourmet housewares store, said the Las Vegas Market provides an opportunity to browse and purchase more giftable items, something that the store needs during the holiday season.
