Retail Observer

RETAILOBSERVER.COM DECEMBER 2015 60 W inter brings cold air, frost, snow (in some parts) and the start to a new year. The January buying season next month will bring together a variety of business owners, designers and world-renowned craftsmanship in buildings filled from floor to floor with new product introductions to help retailers grab attention to eager home decorators. This January MEGA will be adventuring out to AmericasMart in Atlanta to research current trends and offerings in the home décor categories. We want to share this valuable information will all members who are in the home furnishings business. We are happy to partner with the team of AmericasMart for The Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market January 12-19, and also, The Atlanta International Area Rug Market featuring the National Oriental Rug Show January 13-16. When you attend this industry's largest event, the AmericasMart you'll see the most comprehensive collection of home décor, furniture and gift items. This January, retailers can efficiently shop more than 7,300 brands all situated in one easy-to-navigate location. Enjoy a week-long of buying, business growth and educational opportunities to kick off your new year. Compared to the major categories in our industry (appliances, furniture, bedding and consumer electronics), accessories such as rugs and lighting, are often seen as afterthoughts and challenging. Yet, even though it might be thought of as a challenging category, home accessories are an important "finishing touch" to any room. Lighting adds mood, while an area rug adds distinction; important features that add additional sales and variety to a furniture retailers business. Other accessories include table top, wall décor, outdoor casual décor, and home accents. Each of these categories represents opportunities to display additional impulse items without taking additional floor space in a conventional furniture store. Retail margins are healthy and these products are not usually comparison shopped. Families with tight budgets will invest in home décor and accessories to spice up a room, when a total makeover is not affordable. MEGA's presence at the AmericasMart is meant to help support and educate our membership base of furniture retailers who attend by guiding them to our popular accessory vendors where sales associates will be able to walk our members through products of traditional, transitional and contemporary design in a variety of price points that will set them above the competition. Located in the heart of Atlanta, AmericasMart connects buys with top brands from around the world. As the nation's #1 product destination, AmericasMart's complex ranks first as the world's largest trade market/trade show facility with more than seven million square feet of enclosed space. Inside AmericasMart's doors guests will find more products than anywhere else. This foremost collection of home, gift and rug merchandise is the single largest in the country and curated from around the globe. Any member of MEGA we have a custom package to help take advantage of all AmericasMart has to offer. Stopping by the MEGA showroom will allow members to connect with one another. Share your favorite finds, latest trends and strategies on navigating through AmericasMart. AmericasMart also will be offing seminars through The Education Center. The programs are designed to teach retailers business fundamentals to stay competitive and expand their businesses. This exclusive opportunity is available on a first- come, first-serve basis. If you are a MEGA member, and are interested to learning more about attending the AmericasMart, please contact Kathryn Hoke at khoke@americasmart.com. M EGA IS COM ING TO ATLANTA- JOIN US AT THE AMERICASMART B U Y I N G G R O U P N E W S RO Doug Stewart, Director of Training at Mega Group

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