International Market News

Colourful collection from Moody Monster.

With subtle signs of economic recovery, the market is looking marginally better for sales of gifts, home and lifestyle items, according to a growing number of people attending New York's major gift jamboree.

Vendors at the bi-annual New York International Gift Fair (NYIGF), from 15 through 20 August at the Jacob K Javits Convention Center were in different minds about recovering sales. But at least comments weren't universally negative, as in previous product shows this year.

Brofsky: Quick then slow.

"The first day was good, and we were pleasantly surprised, but then it slowed," said Louie Brofsky, Sales Manager of Uglydoll, a maker of toys and other items for children.

Audra Morley, representing a number of eco-conscious apparel collections, also saw a steady volume on day one, and only "come and go" traffic thereafter.

Suzy Sung, of home fashions company CHF, said the show was less successful than she'd anticipated, but added that she wasn't inclined to complain, since she had sufficient orders for the firm's Alex Home Collection products that feature colourful Moody Monster room accessories.

Kathryn Elizabeth Dennis, of bathroom products firm Bathe International, representing Floris London, said that while the show offered the smallest exhibition space she can recall, it was by no means the weakest show. "I'm very pleased with the business we've doing here," she said.

Attendees were more impressed. Melissa Alonso, of advertising sales company, Cann-Evans, said: "it's the number one show in the world, both incredible and enormous."

Some 30,000 attendees.

Some 30,000 attendees perused offerings from 39 countries and the products of 2,900 companies provided the latest trends.

Simple, affordable luxuries

Show promoters dubbed a trend for affordable luxuries as "frugal chic," with many vendors offering specially-priced indulgences designed to tempt spenders to pamper themselves.

Barbara Bruce, of lotions, soaks and soaps specialist B Witching Bath Co, observed that in difficult times people relish products that give them an experience, such as Rocky Mountain Sky body lotion, one of the company's most popular products, which retails for about US$12.

According to Dennis, "shaving and bathing are luxuries everyone should be able to afford."

Among the company's most popular products is #89, an eau de toilette James Bond fragrance, which retails for less than US$100. Then there's a matching three-bar luxury soap collection that retails for US$35.

Buyers clustered around Jo Anne Patterson's booth where she demonstrated the Shoul, a lightweight stylish wrap that stays on the shoulder.

The Shoul, a stylish, lightweight wrap.

The one-size-fits-all Shoul comes in soft acrylic, 100% cotton, and a cashmere/nylon/viscose blend. The products wholesale at US$19, US$23, and US$24 respectively.

"I think a big part of the appeal of my product is that it looks a little more expensive than it is, it's versatile, and it's no risk since everyone can use it," Patterson commented.

Sustainability is hot

By far the leading trend displayed at this NYIGF was for environmentally conscious products including organic or otherwise eco-friendly candles, linens, textiles, personal care products and apparel.

There were also one-of-a-kind items such as designer bowls and vases made from recycled paper and renewable resources such as bamboo.

Carmel Campos of LOOP displayed all-organic cotton bed and bath products such as sheet sets that retail for US$186 and organic Turkish bath towels for US$34.

EnV Bags was one of many companies marketing eco-friendly shopping bags. The bright bags, which retail at between US$12 and US$15, are logo-free, come in a range of colours and designs and tuck into their own carry bags.

EnV Bags' shopping offerings.

Roth: unique teapot.

The Brand Showroom booth boasted scarves made from sustainable materials as well as eco soybean cashmere garments from Glam Vintage Soul. "With the scarves, which wholesale from US$12 to US$69, we can offer a small luxury for a great price," said the company's Audra Morley.

Exhibitor Joey Roth is proof that unique products capture buyers' attention, even those with luxury price tags such as his Sorapot, a designer teapot that retails for US$200, or his innovative stereo speakers made from porcelain, which retail for US$500.

"There's a lot of overcapacity and buyers are looking for something different. It definitely helps to have a product people can't find somewhere else," said Roth.

Another company in a class by itself was Simply Re-Gift It, which sells gift bags for use by children and are designed to be recycled. Retailing for US$7.9, the bags are expected to be big as back-to-school gifts, when birthday parties begin, said President and CEO Jennifer Paretta.

From Simply Re-Gift It.

One brave chick's kit.

One brave chick, a company inspired by tragedy, sells products that empower women to celebrate their courage and honour their life stories. Among its products are bravery kits that wholesale from US$16 to US$26 and include a garment, a bravery bead, a bumper sticker and a story card.

Kids' stuff and back-to-school trends

Space Hero raingear from Kidorable.

Kidorable, which displayed colourful raincoats, umbrellas, books, and backpacks, wholesaling for US$18, US$6.7, US$14.5 and US$11 respectively, performed admirably, said the firm's Diana Krstevski, even though back to school orders are on the downswing.

Still, products like the new space hero style raingear, which Krstevski describes as "grandma bait" sell very well.

"I think people are buying essentials; of course not as much as last year," said Sung of CHF. "Right now they may not buy apparel, but kids need new stationary."

Little wonder then, that iscream is doing well in this back-to-school season, with brightly-coloured 3-D and flip notebooks, wholesaling for US$2 to US$4, appealing to kids, tweens and even adults.

MindWare, which makes popular puzzles, toys and brain teasers such as Qwirkle (retailing at US$24.9) hasn't been affected to any great degree by the recession, said Polly Duros, even though its products are not strictly necessities.

Iscream notebooks and pads.

Duros (right) with Sara Waters: unaffected by recession.

And Uglydoll, said Brofsky, has grown through the years, having a better year in 2009 than in 2008.

A coveted yet nonessential back-to-school item for many kids was its OX (hugs and kisses) style plush toy that retails from US$5.9 to US$19.9, depending on size.

Made in the US

While many companies at NYIGF source some or all of their materials from China, some have been stung by a preference for all-American products.

Designer Patterson acknowledges that she has lost orders by sourcing from China, yet she can't get adequate quality for a reasonable price closer to home.

"A lot of the people that are interested in the eco-friendly environment are looking for products made in the US," said Paretta of Simply Re-Gift It. "I can't win because there's no way I can produce something cost-effective with the quality I need at the right price points."

Eco-friendly scarves from Brand Showroom.

Sustainable fashion.

Indeed, many companies, like iscream, had the slogan "Made in the USA" displayed on product packaging and booth display banners.

On the flip side, exhibitor Roth sources steel for his Soropot on the Chinese mainland and sends the rough casting to Hong Kong to be finished and assembled. "I found better quality in polishing and detail work there, even though it's a bit more expensive."

from special correspondent Kate Jackson, New York