Candles and kites and more — oh my!

{Sponsored} The Winter Market at Las Vegas Market (January 27-31, 2019) will be flush with new and returning vendors, fresh partnerships and a new co-located show with products that will include 20 to 30 new exhibitors and products that gift shops can offer either for the first time or the first time in decades: kites. “As retailers see the economy picking up, buyers have to be prepared for a busy holiday season and ready to stock up in the new year. At Las Vegas Market, they can touch and feel the product. Before they get here, they can browse over 4,200+ exhibitors and 500,000+ products online with our enhanced exhibitor directory,” said Esther Ossei-Anto, senior marketing manager for Las Vegas Market. Big trends buyers can expect are candles, including expanded offerings in eco-friendly and soy. More gift items and jewelry will be showcased in the Pavilions and building C permanent showrooms plus fashion accessories and interesting new lines. Stationery is another growth area, with Sarah Schwartz’s tour taking front and center. Schwartz is the trends editor of Gift Shop and editor-in-chief of Stationery Trends. Next Step Reps, a showroom in building C, acquired Solutions Marketplace in the fall of 2018, and along with the acquisition comes new lines with exciting products in their 24,000 square foot showroom. Buyers will see a range of products including new and expanded lines:

• Picnicware such as wine totes, picnic baskets, tiered lunch bags in fun patterns and cheeseboards from Oak and Olive.
• Oxbay’s new classic home textiles — pillows, blankets and throws.
• Regal Art & Gift is expanding; their garden sculptures and décor come in a mélange of colors running the gamut of the color wheel in metallic and matte, with spinners, solar lamps, chimes, fairies, garden stones and so much more.
• Manual Woodworkers will showcase men’s gifts and textiles plus wall décor, clocks and accent furniture
• Prinz at Home is rustic chic home décor, inspirational textiles and wall hangings, new vintage, plus a coastal-inspired line called Water’s Edge. As a bonus, they offer trinket trays with sweet sayings.
• Mahogany carries 100 percent cotton sleepwear for women in classic and exotic prints and pops of color. Additionally, they’ll showcase jacquard rugs.

Aid to Artisans is returning for their third market. This group represents hundreds of makers and artisans across the globe, and for this market they’re bringing artisans from Tunisia, landlocked Lesotho, and Mexico. Expect unique and stunning gifts, all handmade. The goods from Tunisia include olive wood products, ceramics and traditional mosaic. Lesotho, which is entirely encircled by South Africa near Africa’s southeast coast, will showcase artisan basket weaving and mohair tapestries. Mexico’s makers will bring sterling silver jewelry to market. The Grommet has a new showroom, C1094. They’ll feature unique gifts and innovative products from makers including novelties, travel accessories, tween products, games and corporate gifts. “The Grommet is a new really interesting destinations for buyers to not miss,” said Ossei-Anto. A perennial favorite, Melrose International, expanded their showroom by 66% this year. Their showroom is C924 . Their showroom features all things winter living, from clean white and grey tones and navy or cobalt accents plus a new line of flameless candles, Simplux, which offers a moving flame. Melrose will bring lanterns and both decorated and undecorated trees. Accent Decor‘s collection includes metallic ceramic and beaded glass paired with florals. They expanded their showroom in C1 and now have over 12,000 square feet in C124. Buyers seeking infant and baby gifts should check out Child to Cherish. Their new classic piggybanks come in a variety of patterns and colors, including personalized options. Their new showroom is in C978. KTAI’s Kite Show will be co-located at the Pavilions. KTAI is the Kite Trade Association International. “We’re expecting a great interactive presentation,” said Ossei-Anto. Visit KTAI during the market to see their modern takes on an ancient art. Records of kites go back to around 200 B.C. in China, where they were used in warfare. The modern kite, of course, is a toy and hobby primarily, but also can be used in the military, science, meteorology, radio and as traction for transportation. The KTAI exhibitors will focus on the recreation portion and bring kites the likes of which buyers have never seen. Be a kid again and visit the Kite presentation in the Pavilions. “The vibe of this show is busy excitement, with new product launches, new west coast exclusives and powerhouse programming roster. While preplanning for market, I encourage buyers to check out the show specials listed on our website to see what deals they can score. Many showrooms & exhibitors offer free freight. That’s a huge saving!,” Ossei-Anto said. As retailers prepare for their time at Las Vegas Market, Ossei-Anto recommends they spend time with the Enhanced Directory. This will allow buyers to not only preview products they will want to see in person, but also to book appointments and plan to get the most out of their time at the show. “Buyers need to hit the ground running because of how busy this Market is expected to be. Doing window shopping ahead of time will mean they have more time to take advantage of show specials, which are also listed on our website,” said Ossei-Anto. “Hotel rooms are getting packed already. Buyers need to act fast to book their travel and get a room.” Buyers can register at https://www.xpressreg.net/register/lvmw0119/landing.asp Get your window shopping done at the Enhanced Directory at https://www.lasvegasmarket.com/exhibit/exhibitor-directory © 2018 Las Vegas Market