HomeWorld Business Magazine, homeworldbusiness.com | The Newspaper For Housewares Decision Makers

Posted 8/5/2008 - 10:19:50 PM

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The Gourmet Housewares Show is set to return to San Francisco in 2009 with a new summer time slot, according to GLM.

The 2009 Gourmet Housewares Show is set for August 8-10 (Saturday through Monday) in the North Hall of the Moscone Convention Center, a longtime venue for the show during its previous days in San Francisco. The 2009 Gourmet Housewares Show will be co-located with the San Francisco International Gift Fair, to take place August 8-11 in the South Hall and the Esplanade of the Moscone Center.

The Gourmet Show launched in San Francisco in 1977, and with a few exceptions, was held in San Francisco through 2004. The show, traditionally held in the early May timeframe, was co-located with the National Hardware Show in Las Vegas in 2005 and 2006, Orlando in 2007 and Las Vegas again this year. That move by GLM partly was in response to declining participation in the Gourmet Show following the move of the International Home & Housewares Show from January to March.

With the pending move back to San Francisco in 2009 and the new summer time slot, GLM officials said they believe they have satisfied supplier and retailer demand for a return to the Gourmet Show’s traditional home, while distancing the show from the crowded springtime show schedule.

GLM officials said they have received favorable reaction from housewares suppliers and retailers to the San Francisco return and the new summer dates. Officials said they have been told by retailers, independent specialty retailers in particular, the early August dates of the show still allow the retailers see new products and get them into the pipeline in time for holiday merchandising. The show also is expected to serve as a preview opportunity for the next year’s programs.

“After much research and analysis of the evolving specialty housewares marketplace, feedback from our constituencies pointed to the need to move away from the previous timing,” said Penny Sikalis, GLM vp and Gourmet Housewares Show manager. “Combining strong industry support for the summer timeframe with relocation to San Francisco, we believe the changes are a win-win for all.”

According to a GLM press release, Jeff Siegel, president and CEO of Lifetime Brands, said, “The timing and venue makes a lot of sense, and we at Lifetime Brands support the move.”

Janis Johnson, CEO of Gourmet Catalog Buying Group, also supports the repositioning of the Gourmet Housewares Show, according to the GLM release. “The timing provides a double benefit for both store and vendor GC members,” Johnson said. “The August 8-10, 2009 dates will accommodate fourth-quarter ordering, as well as afford spring planning and preview opportunities— all accomplished in the city that birthed the Gourmet Housewares Show.”