News

In response to the global outcry against systemic racism and injustices affecting BIPOC, sparked by the killing of George Floyd in Minnesota by the police, Shoppe Object, the biannual independent tradeshow for home and gift, has announced the Shoppe Object Black Lives Matter Action Initiative to help create immediate change in the industry.

In a statement disseminated by email and across social media today, Shoppe Object wrote:

Shoppe Object condemns structural racism of any kind and the injustices of systems that work against our basic rights as human beings. We stand with the protestors and we are the protestors; demanding change, willing equality, beauty, and love.

BLACK LIVES MATTER.

Black perspectives, voices, dreams, economies, and businesses matter, and we’re taking action to help build, empower, and amplify them.

As a first, small step toward fostering a more representational community for the home and gift market, Shoppe Object will offer ten, black-owned, independent brands free exhibition space at our February 2021 show. Additionally, we will provide each of these brands with a range of business-building and consultation services on issues related to retail strategy and planning, sales and distribution, merchandising, creative direction, marketing and publicity. Please help us spread the word. To apply: shoppeobject.com/exhibit

Retailers and industry professionals interested in participating — we would love to know what services or expertise you can contribute and invest to help these brands thrive. Please email us: [email protected].

Please stay safe, we love you.

The company is calling for all interested black-owned business to apply for the sponsored booth and consultation services opportunity, and for any members of the design, home and gift communities to join them in brand building work.

“We couldn’t watch a global movement against police brutality and systemic racism unfold without doing something immediate and actionable,” said Minya Quirk, co-founder of Shoppe Object. “We’re starting in our own house; sowing seeds of success by investing what we have – expertise and a platform – in black-owned businesses. Making the Shoppe Object community more inclusive is just one small thing we can do to help shape a better future for all of us.”