The Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market opened for its eight-day run starting Jan. 9 with retailers from around the world taking in AmericasMart's three buildings' worth of gift product.

The market is showcasing permanent gift and home furnishings showrooms through Wednesday, Jan. 16, and temporaries Friday, Jan. 11, to Tuesday, Jan. 15.

A wide range of suppliers of inspirational giftware are also present, many who are already active in the Christian retail market and some, including Mainstreet Collection, introducing new lines for the first time.

Steve Vandiver, president of Dicksons, saw "pretty active" traffic in his company's temporary showroom Friday and felt "pretty optimistic" about the way the show was going. Traffic at the Mart seemed "similar to what it's been the last couple of shows," he said.

African American Expressions (AAE) has had a showroom at AmericasMart for six years, but has been in its present location for two. Ron Gilmore, AAE sales manager, said the showroom had "excellent traffic."

"Pre-show marketing definitely brings people in our door," he said.

Bob Harju, owner of Pumpernickel Press—maker of Willow Tree greeting cards and nature-inspired cards that Christian retail stores are adopting—said his company is in its third year in a permanent showroom. Despite not being a "destination showroom," he said, there was "pretty good traffic and it seems like people are eager to buy."