The National Retail Federation Joins Groups to Issue a Statement on the Implementation of the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act

As the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act entered into force recently, and key components required by the UFLPA were published, including the UFLPA enforcement strategy and the Entity List, the American Apparel & Footwear Association, National Retail Federation, Retail Industry Leaders Association and The United States Fashion Industry Association made the following statement:

“Our members have a zero tolerance for forced labor and will continue to make every effort to mitigate, root out, eliminate and prevent forced labor in their supply chains. The UFLPA is a key component of a broad global strategy and our shared goal to end forced labor.

“We look forward to an increased partnership with U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the U.S. government’s Forced Labor Enforcement Task Force as industry works to amplify the U.S. government’s efforts to eliminate forced labor in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.

“This partnership is critical to make UFLPA enforcement as effective and targeted as possible.”

(From The National Retail Federation website.)

Emerald Holding, Inc., Announces the Acquisition of Bulletin, Inc.

Emeralds Holding, Inc., the owner and organizer of NY NOW®, the wholesale market for retail where brands, buyers, and designers gather to connect and discover, recently announced the acquisition of Bulletin Inc., a wholesale marketplace connecting over 3,000 independent brands with over 26,000plus retailers.

All Bulletin employees will join Emerald as part of the acquisition, including co-founders Alana Branston and Ali Kriegsman. The co-founders will remain committed to and lead the future growth and success of both Bulletin and NY

NOW, with Branston moving into an expanded role of Group Vice President, Gift & Home and Kriegsman moving into the role of Vice President, Strategy, Gift & Home.

The acquisition of Bulletin will elevate the experience for wholesale buyers to discover a broader array of innovative brands and makers via a fusion of in-person and e-commerce offerings, creating a 24/7 platform for brands and retailers to connect and transact with each other. Further, the merger will infuse the iconic NY NOW Gift and Home Show with Bulletin’s entrepreneurial spirit, industry expertise and extensive customer base of brands and retailers. The union of these two platforms will provide small businesses access to a solution that allows them to fuel innovation and design and provide buyers with year-round inspiration and discovery.

“NY NOW is experiencing a period of transformation and revival,” said Karalynn Sprouse, EVP, Emerald. “The combination of Bulletin and NY NOW not only provides us with a dynamic platform that delivers year-round discovery and engagement, but Alana, Ali, and the Bulletin team’s thought leadership, forward-looking perspectives, and extensive network of makers, designers, influencers, and media will serve as new pathways of expression and creativity. In addition, this union reconfirms our unwavering commitment to NY NOW, especially as our 100th anniversary of being the preeminent resource for the Gift and Home industry grows near.”

“We see a massive opportunity

Trade Show News (From page 20) to combine the efficiencies of our leading digital platform with the pure magic of an iconic in-person event,” said Alana Branston, Bulletin’s CEO and Co-founder. “During the pandemic, our industry lost a lot of its humanity despite the explosion of wholesale e-commerce and became very transaction-driven and impersonal. Because of this, it’s grown harder for brands and buyers to broker real, enduring relationships. So, we’re excited to rethink and revamp NY NOW’s format, programming, and positioning to guarantee an in-person show that puts those relationships frontand-center, underpinned by transactions and commerce at the event and year-round. It’s exactly what our customers have been asking for.”

Confidence, Commerce and Connections at Summer 2022 Atlanta Market

Confident retailers and designers anticipating a strong fourth quarter gathered at Summer Atlanta Market, July 12-18, 2022, to source trendsetting product, exchange ideas and connect with leading brands and company principals, according to a press release from International Market Centers (IMC).

“Business was definitely robust this week at Atlanta Market, as buyers and sellers reconnected –some for the first time since Winter 2020 – at the United States’ largest gift and home decor collection,” noted IMC CEO Bob Maricich. “The nation’s buying power came to Atlanta to focus on sourcing musthave product in preparation for the fourth quarter.”

Buyers Get Back to In-Person Sourcing at Atlanta Market

For many, the need to nurture vendor relationships and the unmatched concentration of leading gift and home brands drove buyers to Atlanta Market.

“Atlanta Market has a big impact on our business -- it's the best market in the country,” said Retailer Howard Henschel, CEO and President of Norman’s Hallmark, who attended the market with a delega-

Continued on page 24

Tuesday, Oct. 11: 9:30 am - 5:00 pm

Wednesday, Oct. 12: 9:30 am - 5:00 pm

Thursday, Oct. 13: 9:30 am - 3:00 pm

Returning to the Boardwalk Beach Resort from October 11-13, 2022, the Panama City Beach Gift Show o ers a one-stop souvenir and resort gift product resource for retailers from the Florida Panhandle to the surrounding Gulf Coast. Here you’ll find best-selling lines together with new resources in a cost-e ective, convenient setting. Take the Boardwalk to the Best!

October 11-13, 2022

TUESDAY - THURSDAY

Trade Show News (From page 22) tion of six buyers sourcing for 68 locations in four states. “We missed it during COVID and in January because of travel problems. We came this summer to see new trends, to of their stores and back to Atlanta Market for networking, education and informed product discovery.

“It was so good to reconnect with vendors and fellow retailers after two-and-a-half years,” said Bob Kratchman, president of Kitchen Kapers with four locations in Pennsylvania. “Special thanks to Janis Johnson and IMC for creating the GCX event. It confirmed for me the necessity of meeting in person.” three United States territories and 48 countries. Some 9% were new to Atlanta Market and 14% returned after a pandemic hiatus. The geographic breakdown of Atlanta Market buyers has returned to more a traditional pattern with international attendance rebounded to pre-pandemic levels and notable growth in attendees from the Midwest, Northeast and Southwest. negotiate and to speak to the principals of our various vendors – all very important for our business.”

Programming including the new GCX: Expo & Education, a joint presentation from GC Buying Group and IMC, also brought buyers out

Buyers used social media to share experiences and encourage others to make the trip to Atlanta Market. Designer Rhonda E. Peterson of Atlanta posted, “If you’re a member of the trade and have not been to AmericasMart (lately), I think it’s time you did. They have made some wonderful changes and updates to make your market experience even more pleasurable and productive.”

In total, Atlanta Market attracted attendees from all 50 states,