The Global Market Development Center’s (GMDC) GM13 Conference held in Phoenix, Ariz., earlier this month was a big success for both retailers and suppliers, according to event organizers. The Showcase, where suppliers have the opportunity to highlight their new products and/or packaging to retailers and wholesalers, was particularly helpful for conference attendees.
“The Showcase was a vibrant atmosphere of general merchandise that reached across multiple categories,” said Steve Davis, director of center store, GM/HBC and grocery nonfoods for Weis Markets Inc. “My team was able to capitalize on the sheer number of variety of displays and products that were set up in a store-like environment and plan for the next year. It was extremely productive for our company as a whole since we were able to conduct an evaluation process of Weis Markets’ promotions and determine how these products would fit into our current and future merchandising initiatives.
“GMDC’s Showcase was not only a treasure hunt of new items, but it was also a productive atmosphere to meet with suppliers face to face,” he added.
Each year retailers receive immediate feedback throughout the GM Conference. They see live updates of the top 10 products being scanned by other retailers, along with a record of the products they scanned. Additionally, the Showcase offers retailers the ability to evaluate products and promotions in a private business manner, allowing the retailers to evaluate how a product will fit or be set up in their store, all in real time.
There were more than 380 Showcase entries from 171 companies at this year’s conference. The top 10 were honored by GMDC. They include:
• Lifestyle Wine & Bar Tool Line by True Fabrications: True Fabrications is the leading wine lifestyle brand for thousands of wine retailers around the world with their wine chiller and wine aerator.
• Duck Brand Creative Tapes Set by ShurTech: Shurtech Brand products provide consumers with new, innovative technologies, including the Duck Brand Creative Tapes Set that includes EZ Start Printed Packaging Tapes, Deco Tape, Duckling Tape, Duck Prism Mini’s, Duck Washi Tapes, Duck Tapes and Deco Laminate Adhesives.
• The Cappy by Cappy: “The Cappy” is a can opener and can cover. It makes the beverage can easier to open, the color identifies ownership, extends protect life, protects the integrity of the protect and inhibits spills.
• Magic Chef by Jarden Consumer Solutions: Magic Chef has created everyday small kitchen appliances including two-slice toasters, hand mixers, mini choppers, iron and electric can openers all under the Magic Chef brand.
• Aladdin Mason Jar Display by Aladdin: Introducing the newest silhouette in Aladdin’s Cold Beverage collection, an iconic double wall drinking Mason jar that’s modern with double wall insulation for a no-sweat iced drink experience.
• Boogie Board LCD eWriters by Improv Electronics: Say goodbye to paper with Boogie Board LCD eWriters, the environmentally-friendly, paperless and cost-effective replacement to paper.
• Unique is What We Do by Feldstein & Associates Showcase Display: Mark Feldstein & Associates Inc. has delivered unique, dynamic and decorative clocks with different, authentic sounds announcing each hour along with its popular Flameless LED Candles, LED Light Branches and LED Lanterns.
• Designer Lunch Bag Spinner by Medport: Medport has created Designer Insulated Lunch Bags that are insulated, come with their own ice pack and are available in several fashionable prints.
• Core Home Kitchen Set by Core Home: Core Kitchen is the premier destination for home chefs looking for fresh designs and modern kitchen solutions including gadgets, knives, cutting boards and accessories, all with a unique perspective.
• Big Time Products Gloves by Big Time Products: Big Time Products showcased its full assortment of branded products from hand protection to their cleaning wipes.
“The Showcase was a perfect business tool to an already great conference,” said Peter Fahrenkopf, director of sales for ShurTech Brands LLC. “Our company had one of the most viewed products at the Showcase by retailers—it gave us terrific exposure as a participating GMDC supplier and opened doors to receive immediate recognition and strengthened our business meetings. We finished the conference with significant revenue opportunities as a result.”
Following the conference each year, GMDC donates product that were displayed at the Showcase to a local charity. This year, GMDC had two local charities who took in the donated goods: The Sojourner Center and Halo Pet Rescue.
