Just when you’re starting to think about promotions and ideas for boosting holiday sales, the New York Gift Show is here to kick off the season.  The officially-titled New York International Gift Fair can be found twice yearly at the Javits Convention Center in NYC, both in January and August.  This is one of the largest trade shows you might ever visit, with over 2800 exhibitors and 35k+ attendees.  In fact, this show is so big it takes up all of both floors of the Javits Center and two of the passenger ship piers.

If you’ve never considered attending a show like this as it is outside the traditional “beauty” venues, you should think again.  The gift show is an excellent place to find spa and boutique related merchandise for retail that your competitors will NOT also be selling.  Products from categories as diverse as bath & body, travel retail, jewelry, candles, tote bags, stationary, cosmetic bags and home décor are all well represented.  In order to make sense of the number of options, at the NY show the vendors have been separated into classifications such as Tabletop , Floral & Garden Accessories, and Baby & Child, which don’t have much to do with spas, and Personal Accessories, EX•TRACTS®, and Accent on Design, which do.  There are a dizzying array of categories and products to choose from, all available and ready for immediate delivery.  Part of the fun of attending is to just soak in the visuals; the attention given to the booths and the presentation of merchandise will fill your mind with ideas for organization and display in your retail area.

Some of my favorites at this show were the TokyoMilk line of perfumes, candles, soaps and other personal care products with clever names such as “Let Them Eat Cake” and “Song in D Minor.”  Lots of great totes and travel accessories with fun prints and fabrics were available from Baggu, Suburban Silk, and Hadaki by Kalencom, and I loved the Tea Atelier by Bellocq. Some photos of these and more are on our Facebook page.

If New York is not convenient, there are also gift shows in Chicago, Dallas, Atlanta, and Los Angeles, and no doubt in other markets as well.  Just google “gift show” with a city name and you’ll be on your way.  And while you’re doing your research, you’ll likely come across other trade shows you might consider attending.  Trade shows with merchandise oriented to boutiques, accessories and even home décor could yield your next big surprise retail item, so keep your eyes and mind open and start shopping!