July 2011 Issue

Okay, so I may have sat the last weekend out from the Summer Fancy Food Show, but this weekend I am headed to Atlanta for what has become one of the most important regional marketplaces in the country for the specialty gourmet retailer.

AmericasMart has truly worked and succeeded for the past decade to make its mark on the gourmet marketplace. Its West Wing show-place is fast becoming the go-to place for everything from high-end cookware to the best in glassware, gadgets and shelf-stable food items.

I recall my first visit to the building for The Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market more than a decade ago when specialty food and kitchenware buyers were left navigating a maze of showrooms to uncover the right mix of product. Now, the marketplace's dedication to our segment is evident. I no longer find myself hitting the ground floor of building three, moving over to the temps in building two, and then working really hard to decipher the rest of the showrooms for the items I need to review. Remember those days?

Now, those same great temps exist, but the story on ‘Eight’ continues to unfold and I cannot wait to see what this market brings, from great new exhibitors to entertaining and educational demos in the Gourmet/Housewares product center.

And speaking of gourmet, next month brings us all to New York City where the Gourmet Housewares Show debuts in its new location alongside the New York International Gift Fair. I've always loved NYIGF, there are always some great finds you just were not expecting to uncover tucked away in one aisle or another. Now, the show organizers have brought to market another show dear to all gourmet retailers’ hearts -the Gourmet Housewares Show.

Formerly known as the Gourmet Products Show when it debuted in 1975, this specialty marketplace struggled to find its place in the past five years. Its revival at this market may prove to be a win for the show. We're showing our support and bringing the entire team to market along with educational programs on the benefit of cross-merchandising food and kitchenware. You can read more about the goings-on at NYIGF in our Publisher's View.

You can preview a great lineup of products in this issue from both shows. And you can look forward to our August issue when we'll have a wealth of coverage from shows we've attended recently with a refreshingly interesting focus on new products.

Aside from traveling - our team has covered the range of second-quarter shows from IDDBA to Summer Fancy Food - we've been working toward creating new publications specifically geared toward category development. Our new Gourmet Business Fine Cheese & Charcuterie debuted last month. Check it out here.

And our online work continues to develop with an up-to-date calendar of events and news blog. Instead of bogging down your inbox, you can check up on the latest news and events of interest online at www.gourmetbusiness.com/calendar.

In this issue, check out the story on millennials - the next great generational influence on consumer shopping preferences. While my own generation is sandwiched somewhere in the middle of the baby boomers and this new shopping heavyweight, it's interesting to see how the technological and retail brand influences of the last 20 years have shaped consumer demands for the next 20.

Happy reading!

Cheers!