THE PREMIERE NEW YORK GIFT WEEK AT 7 W NEW YORK™
DEBUTS WITH STRENGTH AND HIGH PRAISE, AUG. 13-18, 2005
NEW YORK (Aug. 18, 2005) – At its first New York Gift Week, 7 W New York™ drew high praise as retailers converged at New York’s premier mart center for high-end, high-style luxury product for gift, tabletop and home décor, Aug. 13-18, 2005. Twenty new luxury suites debuted to retailers from across the country, which were well received from industry veterans and newcomers alike.
Chris Collins, vice president and general manager of 7 W New York, indicated that the new resources in the building significantly added to the success of the show. “7 W continues to attract the gift, home décor and tabletop industry principals. They’ve committed to us and together, we have created the most unique international marketplace, unlike any other. We’re very proud of what we’ve done, and the retailers love it.”
Suites throughout the building reported increased sales. “Our average sales, number of orders and business as a whole are all up from last year,” said John Motondo, sales manager, Department 56 Sales, Inc.
“We’re very happy with the building. It will continue to be a great success,” said Arnold Godinger, president of Godinger Silver, a new suite that debuted at The New York Gift Week. “We’ve had buyers from major department stores here who told us they like working the building. When big buyers make a comment like that, it means something.”
“It is exciting to have a new mart building in New York. The natural light that’s let in through the windows of the suites adds a new element to the ambiance. The manufacturers and reps have really invested a lot in their suites, and we have seen some terrific, upscale product here,” said Ginny Fineberg, Sandpiper Embroidery, Wildwood Crest, N.J.
“The service is great. I love the interior of the building; the wide aisles are an especially nice feature. Everything is incredibly convenient for buyers. The shuttle bus service worked well,” said retailer Maria Mattern with Mattern’s in Kingston, Penn.
Brad S. Sherman, president of The Social Graces, Inc. of Van Nuys, Calif., said, “The staff at 7 W New York has done a terrific job. The place is really amazing. It’s clean, less cluttered and the showrooms here are pleased as well.”
Gallery On Six, one of the new, beautifully merchandised, upscale suites that celebrated its grand opening during The New York Gift Week at 7 W New York this August, said the show has been phenomenal. “We’ve had nothing but great responses here. We love the open space, and our customers do, too. One of our interior design customers told us that the feel of the building is so fresh, open and easy to shop. The energy at 7 W New York is exactly what we needed. This is the first time that retailers actually wrote orders on preview days; we were very productive,” said Greg Wolfe of Gallery On Six.
The spectacular and lively Grand Gala on Monday, Aug. 15, attracted nearly 2,000 people as the building stayed open until 8 p.m. for late-night shopping. With live music on every floor, cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, retailers were primed for writing orders. “I’m spending a lot of money and I’m enjoying the show,” said Maria Harris of Maria’s Sweet Things in Salem, Mass. “I needed to find upscale product and I found it here. I’ll be back.”
Deb Cockrell of The Enchanted Garden in Shreveport, La., said the extra hours were very helpful. “It was such a nice evening and a smart move to have these late hours on Monday night; this is definitely beneficial to retailers.”
The New York Gift Week at 7 W New York presented attendees with a well-received lineup of special events and seminars. In addition to the Grand Gala, guests enjoyed the Fête à la Francaise, which was also held Monday night; the “Big Apple” Martini Bar on Saturday evening; and “The Best to You Each Morning™ Breakfast Brunch,” sponsored by Kellogg™ and The Zrike Company on Sunday morning. The half dozen seminars presented addressed several ways retailers can capitalize on current business trends, and topics ranged from adding fashion accessories into the mix to the influence of Japanese design and culture on the gift, home décor and tabletop industries.
Next up is The New York Home Textiles & Housewares Week at 7 W New York,™ Oct. 16-19, 2005, followed by The New York Tabletop Week at 7 W New York,™ Oct. 29-Nov. 2, 2005. Rounding out the year is the premiere Designer Day on Nov. 15, 2005. A complete 2006 schedule can be found online at www.7wnewyork.com. For more information, please visit the Web site or call 212-279-6063.
7 W New York is a trademark of Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc. (MMPI). MMPI is a trade show and property management firm, specializing in managing buildings devoted to wholesale showrooms and commercial office space. MMPI produces more than 300 trade shows, market events and conferences each year.
MMPI manages The Merchandise Mart, 350 W. Mart Center and 33 North Dearborn in Chicago; Market Square, the Suites at Market Square, Hamilton Market, Plaza Suites, Furniture Plaza and the National Furniture Mart in High Point, N.C.; the Architects & Designers Building and 7 W New York in New York; the L.A. Mart in Los Angeles; and the Washington Design Center and Washington Office Center in Washington, D.C.
Vornado Realty Trust, owner of MMPI, based in New York City, is a fully integrated equity real estate investment trust. Vornado's common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange and are traded under the symbol VNO.
MEDIA INQUIRIES ONLY:
Joanna Mineau
Managing Director of Public Relations
Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc. (MMPI)
Phone: 312.527.7074
E-mail: jmineau@mmart.com
Nicole Serr
Public Relations Account Executive
Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc.
Phone: 312.527.7841
E-mail: nserr@mmart.com
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