Atlanta Market: Your Guide to Atlanta’s Biggest Wholesale & Home Décor Show

When people in Atlanta say “Atlanta Market,” they’re usually talking about the massive wholesale trade show held several times a year at AmericasMart Atlanta in Downtown — not a neighborhood farmers market or flea market.

If you’re a retailer, designer, maker, or a curious local wondering what happens inside those three huge buildings by Peachtree Street, this guide walks you through what Atlanta Market is, who it’s for, how it works, and what to expect when you go.

What Is Atlanta Market?

Atlanta Market is a large business-to-business (B2B) wholesale market where retailers and designers come to:

  • Discover new products
  • Place orders for their stores or design projects
  • Network with vendors, reps, and other buyers
  • Explore trends in home décor, gifts, seasonal items, apparel, and more

It’s hosted at AmericasMart Atlanta, a major trade mart and convention complex in the heart of downtown.

Location (primary campus):
AmericasMart Atlanta
75 John Portman Blvd NW
Atlanta, GA 30303

This is not a typical consumer shopping event — it’s aimed at verified buyers and industry professionals, though some related public events can happen nearby at the same time.

Where Atlanta Market Happens (AmericasMart Overview)

AmericasMart is made up of multiple interconnected buildings. During market, the complex can feel like its own small city.

Main Campus Layout

While exact usage can shift by show, a simple way to think about it:

BuildingGeneral Focus Areas*
Building 1Home décor, furniture, rugs, outdoor, design
Building 2Gifts, lifestyle, children, specialty categories
Building 3Temporaries (short-term exhibitors), specialty & seasonal

*Actual floor plans and categories can shift; always check current maps before you go.

Nearby landmarks to help you get oriented:

  • Close to Peachtree Center
  • A short walk from MARTA Peachtree Center Station
  • Near major downtown hotels and the GWCC/CNN Center area

Who Atlanta Market Is For

Atlanta Market is built for people who buy or sell products professionally. Typical attendees include:

  • Retail store owners and buyers (gift shops, boutiques, furniture stores, garden centers, museum shops)
  • Interior designers and decorators
  • Online retailers and e-commerce brands
  • Hospitality buyers (hotel, spa, restaurant décor and gifting)
  • Corporate gifting and event planners
  • Sales reps and manufacturers

If you’re a general consumer just looking to shop, you usually cannot buy directly at Atlanta Market, because most orders are wholesale and shipped later. However, being aware of Atlanta Market helps you understand:

  • Where many local Atlanta shops source their products
  • Why some neighborhoods are packed with visiting buyers during certain weeks
  • Why hotel and restaurant availability and traffic can change dramatically around market dates

When Does Atlanta Market Take Place?

There are typically several major markets each year at AmericasMart, including:

  • Winter Market (often in January)
  • Summer Market (often in July)
  • Specialty markets during other parts of the year (e.g., casual/outdoor, gift-specific, apparel-related)

Exact dates change annually. To plan around them — whether you’re attending or just trying to avoid peak downtown crowds — you’ll want to:

  • Check the current Atlanta Market event calendar on the official AmericasMart/Atlanta Market website
  • Look at hotel availability in Downtown, Midtown, and Buckhead, since rooms can book up quickly for peak shows

How to Get Access: Registration & Badges

Because it’s a wholesale-only event, registration is required, and you’ll need to prove you’re a qualified buyer or trade professional.

Common Requirements for Buyers

Requirements can vary, but buyers are often asked for:

  • Business identification (business license, resale certificate, or tax ID)
  • Proof of business activity (invoices from vendors, website URLs, business cards)
  • Photo ID (matching your registration name)

Once approved, you receive a buyer badge that you must wear to access showrooms and floors.

Designer & Trade Professional Access

Interior designers and other trade professionals may qualify with:

  • Design business registration or professional credentials
  • Client invoices or project portfolios
  • Business website or professional listing

If you’re local to Atlanta and starting a new shop, studio, or design firm, plan ahead — getting your paperwork in order before market season makes registration much smoother.

What You’ll Find at Atlanta Market

Atlanta Market is known for its breadth of product categories, often spread across both permanent showrooms and temporary exhibits.

Major Product Categories

You can usually expect to see:

  • Home décor & furniture

    • Upholstery, casegoods, accent furniture
    • Lamps, lighting, artwork, mirrors
    • Rugs, textiles, pillows, throws
  • Gifts & lifestyle products

    • Stationery, cards, journals
    • Candles, home fragrance, bath & body
    • Games, toys, children’s gifts
    • Gourmet food gifts and entertaining items
  • Seasonal & holiday

    • Christmas trees, ornaments, garlands
    • Seasonal décor for all major holidays
    • Outdoor and garden décor
  • Fashion & personal accessories

    • Jewelry, handbags, scarves
    • Apparel categories that dovetail with the gift and lifestyle space

Not every category appears at the same scale every show, so it’s wise to study the floor plans and exhibitor lists before you go.

How Atlanta Market Works for Buyers

If you’re attending as a buyer from Atlanta or visiting the city, here’s what the experience typically looks like.

Before You Go

Pre-register online and confirm approval
Book your hotel early (Downtown is closest; Midtown and Buckhead are common backups)
Plan your category priorities — you won’t see everything in one trip
Bring the basics:

  • Comfortable walking shoes
  • Light layers (showrooms can be chilly)
  • A rolling bag or tote
  • Phone charger and/or power bank
  • Business cards or digital contact info

Many buyers create a daily game plan by building a list of showrooms they must see, then leaving time for discovery.

During Market

Once inside:

  • Use building maps, elevators, and escalators to move between floors
  • Expect long days on your feet — it’s common to walk several miles in a day
  • Visit a mix of permanent showrooms and temporary booths to cover established lines plus new brands
  • Place orders for future delivery, discussing:
    • Minimum order quantities
    • Lead times and shipping windows
    • Payment terms

Some local Atlanta buyers treat Market like a twice-yearly reset for their assortments, adjusting products based on trends, seasons, and customer feedback from their neighborhoods.

After Market

Most orders are shipped later to your business location. As an Atlanta-based retailer or designer, this can be a major advantage — many reps and vendors maintain an ongoing presence at AmericasMart, so you can:

  • Revisit showrooms between big markets (if you have year-round access)
  • Meet with local reps for follow-ups
  • Adjust orders more easily when your business is nearby

Getting to Atlanta Market: Transportation Tips

Because Atlanta Market is in Downtown Atlanta, you have several transportation options.

MARTA (Public Transit)

For many locals and visitors, MARTA is the simplest way to reach AmericasMart:

  • Use the Gold or Red Line to Peachtree Center Station
  • Follow signs toward Peachtree Center and then exit toward Peachtree Street / John Portman Blvd
  • AmericasMart buildings are a short walk from the station

This can help you avoid parking costs and heavy downtown traffic during peak show days.

Driving & Parking

If you’re driving:

  • Expect busy garages and higher parking rates during major market days
  • Look for garages and lots near:
    • John Portman Blvd
    • Williams St
    • Baker St
    • Peachtree Center

Many buyers staying at nearby hotels choose to walk from their hotel or use rideshare to avoid juggling parking each day.

Staying Near Atlanta Market

Because hotel demand spikes during Atlanta Market, it’s common to see:

  • Downtown hotels (within walking distance) filling up first
  • Midtown and Buckhead hotels serving overflow, especially for larger teams
  • Shuttles or shared rides used between hotels and the market

Booking early is essential, especially for the Winter and Summer Markets, when attendance is typically highest. If you live in metro Atlanta, commuting in by MARTA can be more convenient than dealing with downtown parking multiple days in a row.

How Atlanta Market Affects Everyday Atlanta

Even if you never step foot inside AmericasMart, Atlanta Market weeks still affect the city’s rhythm.

What Locals Commonly Notice

  • Heavier downtown traffic during show hours
  • Crowded restaurants and bars around Downtown, Midtown, and Old Fourth Ward at night
  • Increased hotel occupancy and higher rates near the market
  • A noticeable uptick in out-of-town visitors with buyer badges exploring neighborhoods like:
    • Inman Park
    • Virginia-Highland
    • West Midtown
    • Old Fourth Ward and the BeltLine

For small businesses and restaurants, this can be a valuable injection of business; for residents, it might mean planning dinners and commutes around peak times.

If You’re a New or Aspiring Atlanta Retailer/Designer

If you’re starting a shop, studio, or online brand in Atlanta, Atlanta Market can be a key resource.

Ways Locals Commonly Use Atlanta Market

  • Curating a first product assortment for a new store or online shop
  • Meeting sales reps who specialize in the Southeast
  • Comparing minimums, pricing, and styles across multiple vendors in one place
  • Spotting regional trends that resonate with Atlanta’s neighborhoods and clientele

Helpful prep steps:

  • Have a clear budget before attending
  • Know your target customer (e.g., neighborhood demographics, lifestyle, price range)
  • Bring measurements or photos if buying furniture for a specific space or showroom

Contacting or Visiting the Atlanta Market Venue

While specific event details change, the main venue remains the same:

AmericasMart Atlanta
75 John Portman Blvd NW
Atlanta, GA 30303

If you need help with:

  • Registration and badge questions
  • Accessibility information
  • Building access and hours
  • Show schedules and floor plans

You can reach out to the AmericasMart / Atlanta Market customer service or information desk via their official phone contacts listed on their website, or ask for assistance when you arrive at the lobby information counters.

Other “Atlanta Markets” You Might Mean

Because the phrase “Atlanta market” can be confusing, here are a few other things people sometimes mean:

  • Local farmers markets (e.g., Freedom Farmers Market, Grant Park Farmers Market, the East Atlanta Village Farmers Market)
  • Sweet Auburn Curb Market near downtown
  • Flea markets and antique markets around metro Atlanta
  • Atlanta Apparel Market or other specialized trade shows at AmericasMart

If you’re looking for public retail shopping, you’ll want those types of markets instead. Atlanta Market at AmericasMart is primarily wholesale-only and reserved for the trade.

Atlanta Market is one of the key reasons Atlanta is a major hub for home décor, gifts, and design in the Southeast. Whether you’re a local retailer planning your next buying trip, a designer building relationships with vendors, or a resident just trying to understand the waves of visitors downtown, knowing how Atlanta Market works helps you navigate the city more confidently.