More international pavilions draw in record number of buyers at Shoppe Object

NEW YORK – Shoppe Object, a wholesale home and gift trade show, concluded its summer edition, which ran Aug. 3-5, at the historic starrett-lehigh building, with organizers stating it received a “resounding positive response from brands and buyers alike.”

With more than 850 hand-selected brands — the most ever, organizers say — exhibiting across the third and fourth floors of Shoppe Object‘s new home on the west side of Manhattan, visitors spent more time than ever discovering new brands and products.

“We were hearing a drumbeat of enthusiasm heading into our first summer edition at the Starrett-Lehigh
Building, and it honestly exceeded all expectations,” said Shoppe Object’s founder and President Jesse James. “The show floor was filled with a vibrant energy and spirit of connection throughout every aisle. This is what we work for: fostering community, relationships and opportunities for thoughtful engagement in everything we do, at the show and beyond.

“Shoppe Object’s growth trajectory is truly one of passion and purpose, and it relies on the dedication and excellence of so many people working in unison. The success and enjoyment of our exhibitors and attendees is what we strive for. It’s just great when things go even better than planned.”

According to a release about the show, the event drew in 25% more attendance over last summer’s show, engaging buyers from 47 U.S. states, 33 countries and six continents, and more than 50% of those surveyed spent at least two days at Shoppe Object.

Visitors to the show were greeted with more international pavilions than ever before, including artisan groups from Chile, Ghana, Indonesia, Morocco, Ukraine, South Africa, Japan and more. Longtime favorite curations, including the Global Artisan Project, Black Lives Matter Action Initiative, American Design Club Incubation Space, and Nourish, a collection of small-batch beauty and gourmet brands, returned with new vendors.

“Shoppe Object is far above the quality of any other gift show, with so many unique items not found anywhere else. Honestly, nothing even remotely compares,” said Jen McGonigle, a buyer from Joy Street Life + Home in Concord, Mass.

Special signage noted ‘Only in New York,’ for the more than 35% of exhibitors who show at Shoppe Object and nowhere else in the U.S. market.

“Our gallery-like presentation mixes high-quality makers with established brands, leading to an inspiring sense of discovery connected by a soulful approach to product development, manufacturing process, storytelling, and unique elements touched by the hand and the heart,” said Renata Bokalo, the newly promoted Shoppe Object show director. “This is a particularly exciting time for Shoppe Object. Now that we’re in our long-term home at the Starrett-Lehigh Building, we are hyper-focused on refining and building upon the experience that our exhibitors and buyers say, year after year, keeps them coming back.”

Other highlights of the show include Joshua Huyser being honored as the summer’s Artist of the Season, and the show’s first-ever series of panel discussions, including such topics as Bold Design for Big Impact: Turning Heads in a Crowded Market; Feasting on Design: How Food & Design Intertwine; and Modern Media: Expanding your Audience, from Print to Substack moderated by Shoppe’s Jesse James and featuring allison zisko of HTT sister publication home accents today.

Shoppe Object also launched a new fundraising event: Cocktails for a Cause with Marcus Samuelsson, held at the award-winning chef, restaurateur, author and activist’s Hav & Mar restaurant on the ground floor of the Starrett-Lehigh Building as a Gift For Life fundraiser benefitting World Central Kitchen.