IMC Expands FIRST LOOK Trend Program to Explore Nationwide Trends - ANDMORE

FIRST LOOK East Debuts at Atlanta Market. FIRST LOOK West Returns to Las Vegas Market

ATLANTA / LAS VEGAS – November 10, 2022 – International Market Centers (IMC) expands its proprietary trend forecasting program, FIRST LOOK, to cover national trends in its Winter 2023 presentation. The launch of a new FIRST LOOK East, exploring trends at Atlanta Market, joins the celebrated FIRST LOOK West, which has highlighted influential product at Las Vegas Market for more than a decade, to offer a coast-to-coast view of new and next in gift and home furnishings. The unique, interactive programs will showcase these trends through product available at the markets through displays, programming, guides and more at the January 10-16, 2023, Atlanta Market and January 29-February 2, 2023, Las Vegas Market.

“With the expansion to Atlanta Market, FIRST LOOK becomes the first of its kind – an actionable nationwide trend program that gives buyers the tools to source must-have products in real time,” said Dorothy Belshaw, IMC executive vice president, chief customer and marketing officer. “The connectivity to Las Vegas Market has long been the draw of FIRST LOOK for retailers and designers and we are proud to extend this engaging programming to our Atlanta Market.”

FIRST LOOK will explore three trends at each of the two Winter 2023 markets: one shared national trend and two trends unique to the east and west coast markets.

The national trend to be shared across both markets is Amplify. Messages carry unprecedented meaning at a time when a tweet sways political discourse, a gripping post launches a movement and a dance move becomes a cultural phenomenon. In Amplify, featured products have something to say. Whether whispered in small script or writ large, the words, phrases and even symbols that appear on products are as diverse as the categories represented. The message/mood focus of Amplify is upbeat, hip, irreverent, uplifting, sincere, simple, rousing, festive and persuasive. Relevant products are home furnishings, gifts, textiles, tabletop, personal accessories and seasonal products with written words, badges, messages, motifs and symbols.

Trends specific to Atlanta Market are:

• Care – More than mere pampering and relaxation, Care is about the attention we give to our loved ones, our homes, our pets, our communities and ourselves. Devotion to family and friends, environmental responsibility and healthful living come together in a dining and lounge space that is comforting, reassuring and bountiful. Relevant products are dining room, upholstery and accent furniture; decorative accessories; lighting; cozy textiles and area rugs; tabletop; pet products; personal care; candles with scents that nourish and revitalize; and treats, snacks and packaged goods with healthful ingredients.
• Explore – New travels, new adventures, new hobbies… EXPLORE tracks consumers’ pursuits in a vignette that features everything from furnishings inspired by travel and beloved destinations to favorite pastimes and acquisition of new skills. Go forth and EXPLORE! Relevant products are comfort-forward seating; accent tables; media consoles and writing/laptop desks; cozy textiles; plush area rugs; games and crafts; housewares; gourmet; on-the-go accessories and more.

The two trends specific to Las Vegas Market are:

• Nuance – Neutrals and contrasts rule at the beginning of 2023, especially combinations that group matte finishes in black, dark gray, and cocoa with golden hues such as wheat, sand and washed-wood finishes. Bouclé fabrics, woven materials and designs whisper sustainability with comfort features that exclaim livability. Relevant products are dining room, bedroom, upholstery and accent furniture; decorative accessories; lighting; wall decor, textiles and area rugs; tabletop; candles; personal accessories and more.
• Venture – Stargaze at El Capitan. Rock climb in Telluride. Reach the peak at Angel’s Landing. Kayak a Class V on the Colorado River. FIRST LOOK is ready for adventure in 2023. Seeking a less strenuous journey? Garden accessories, scenic vistas and new floral trends are on view in Venture, too. Relevant products are furnishings that blend high-end Lodge with Southwest-inspired flourishes; on-the-go gear and accessories; activewear; sunblock and hydration products; garden accessories and garden-inspired gifts; candles; and snacks.

FIRST LOOK curator Julie Smith Vincenti of Nine Muses Media, a trend expert and former magazine editor with 26 years of experience, said “The expansion of FIRST LOOK allows us to explore how trends can differ across the nation. IMC’s unique positioning with both east coast and west coast markets provides the opportunity for FIRST LOOK to consider how regional differences impact styles and tastes while discovering the macro influences that unite American consumers.”

FIRST LOOK Programming

FIRST LOOK East and FIRST Look West are explored through three pre-market and at-market image-rich presentations by Julie Smith Vincenti. The FIRST LOOK East seminar is Tuesday, January 10 at 2 p.m. at Atlanta Market (more information at AtlantaMarket.com/Attend/Events). The FIRST LOOK West pre-market webinar is on Tuesday, January 18, 2023 at 1 p.m. PT and at-market seminar is Monday, January 24 at 1:30 PT during Las Vegas Market (more information at LasVegasMarket.com/Explore/Events-and-Seminars).

Atlanta Market and Las Vegas Market exhibitors are invited to submit images of relevant product to be considered for the FIRST LOOK programming and guide. Products also will be considered for at-market displays. Atlanta Market images are due November 18, 2022 and can be submitted at AtlantaMarket.com/Exhibit/Exhibitor-Resources/Market-Toolkit/Submit-to-First-Look. Las Vegas Market images are due on November 30, 2022 and can be submitted at LasVegasMarket.com/Exhibit/Advertising-and-Sponsorship-Opportunities/Submit-to-First-Look.

Atlanta Market is the industry’s premier gift, décor and lifestyle market. Housing the nation’s largest gift product mix complemented by a broad selection of home décor, it features more than 8,000 brands across all categories. Held semi-annually at AmericasMart Atlanta, Atlanta Market attracts retailers and designers from every U.S. state and more than 60 countries. Registration is open now for the January 10-16, 2023, Atlanta Market. For more information, visit AtlantaMarket.com.

Las Vegas Market is the leading home furnishings and gift market in the western U.S., presenting thousands of furniture, home décor and gift resources in an unrivaled market destination. Las Vegas Market’s diverse product offerings allow for cross-category commerce among these industries. The next Las Vegas Market runs January 29 – February 2, 2023, at World Market Center Las Vegas. Registration for the January 2023 Las Vegas Market is open now at LasVegasMarket.com.

About International Market Centers: International Market Centers (IMC) serves as the center of commerce for the wholesale furniture, gift, home decor and apparel industries. With more than 20 million square feet of premium wholesale showroom space in High Point, N.C., Las Vegas and Atlanta, IMC has more than 60 years of relationships and experience creating scalable business platforms for wholesale commerce. With the launch of Juniper, a fully integrated omnichannel B2B commerce solution and multiline B2B e-commerce marketplace empowering buyers and sellers to better manage and grow their business at markets and year-round, IMC now provides the only omnichannel sales and marketing platform that seamlessly connects physical and digital wholesale commerce. . www.imcenters.com.

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Media Contacts

Chelsea Peabody Bohannon, 404.220.2141 or cbohannon@imcenters.com

Cathy Steel, 203.340.9251 or cathysteel@cathysteelassociates.com