Many florists flock to gift and home markets like the semi-annual Atlanta Market for exceptional product and fresh inspiration. You, too, can benefit from the nation’s largest product mix for gift, home decor, furnishings, apparel and outdoor living inside AmericasMart Atlanta. Florists shop these Markets to find containers and accessories to spruce up their arrangements and other gift and home product sell in accompaniment to their floral creations.
Plan Your Buying
You would not leave for vacation without an itinerary, and a trip to Market is no exception. Toomie Farris, president and CEO of McNamara Florist, has been attending Atlanta Market for more than 30 years. He has utilized this buying event to grow his store into Indiana’s top full-service florist.
“Our goals are to make merchandising decisions for a 6-12-month period that is 9-12 months out at each market,” explained Farris. “We use the market to identify trends and new products, evaluate our pre-market thoughts and plans to be on trend, current and viable, and then to buy products to fit into the plan and seasonality of our business.”
Knowing your buying schedule will focus your at-Market activities and help you plan your trip before heading to Atlanta. Atlanta Market provides a Market Plan tool that allows buyers to scout all the product, lines and brands before your visit.
You can track the vendors you visit by scanning a QR code outside of each showroom or booth with your phone. It also allows you to take photos and notes for each brand to keep you organized. This keeps you organized as a retailer and a shopper during your trip to Market.
Look Beyond Garden & Gift Resources
As a florist, you may be tempted to spend all your time searching through floral and resources, but that would be a mistake. In addition to the selection of floral-related gift product, you can shop the expansive collection of top-of-the-line complementary gift, seasonal and décor product.
“We look for home accessories such a lamps, art, decorative home accessories, home fragrances, candles, holiday decorations and even artificial flowers,” he details. “We buy products that fit into the plan and seasonality of our business.”
A great destination for florists is The Gardens, located on the Floor 9 of Building 2 of AmericasMart. This space is newly renovated for July Market to showcase more than 60 outdoor decor and garden gift brands. Here, you can find sturdy containers for exterior spaces, bird houses and feeders and adorable ornamental pieces. Even florists who only create interior designs can find useful items in The Gardens.
Other products found at Markets that pair well for a floral business include candles, ribbon, stationery and a wide variety of decor and accessories for holidays throughout the year. Atlanta Market also has a large mix of handmade products that can add retail value to a floral shop as well.
Find Your Inspiration
More than sourcing product, Atlanta Market offers a perfect opportunity for florists to find inspiration for their craft. With meticulously designed merchandising in showrooms on every floor, aisles and aisles of tradeshow booths and multifaceted displays in lobbies around the buildings, florists can see firsthand new trends and creative ideas at Market.
“You have to keep it fresh,” said Farris, “and seeing new on-trend merchandise opens our eyes to new ideas for our floral arrangements.”
In addition to all the shopping opportunities, Atlanta Market also presents an exciting slate of events. These range from the joyous Market Kickoff Party to exciting celebrity appearances, and from business seminars and to cooking demonstrations. Even if they aren’t “for florists,” you can find fun and knowledge every day.
Spending time at gift and home markets is a great way to fill up your creative juices and stock up on unique product that will level up your floral business. Understanding your retail needs and customer demands, researching the product lines and brands available, and creating a buying plan before coming to Market will lead you to a successful sourcing experience. With the right preparation and open eyes, a trip to Atlanta Market will enrich your floral business.
Register today to attend Atlanta Market, July 16-22.
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