When asking yourself about something to do near me in Atlanta with a group of friends or family, consider
World Market
Why World Market is a fun option when searching for things to do near me with friends and family
World Market, founded in 1958 in San Francisco, is a national specialty retailer celebrated for its diverse and stylish offerings that make it an exceptional destination for meeting friends and exploring new tastes and styles. With over 240 stores across the United States and a robust online presence, World Market provides a unique marketplace experience that blends quality furniture, home decor, and thoughtful gifts sourced from around the globe. What sets World Market apart is its eclectic assortment, including one of the largest collections of international food and beverages, which offers an adventure in every visit. Shoppers can discover everything from trendy and whimsical holiday decorations in its renowned Christmas Marketplace to authentic handcrafted items inspired by cultures worldwide. This global inspiration translates into a spirited shopping environment perfect for social gatherings, shared discoveries, and gift shopping. The store's commitment to value, quality, and ever-changing curated selections makes it a great place for friends to meet, enjoy exploring new cultural designs and tastes, and find unique items that spark conversation and joy.
Here's what people think of World Market
As of recent, World Market holds a 4.4-star rating based on 301 reviews.
Customer reviews of World Market reveal a mixed but insightful picture. On one hand, many customers appreciate the diverse global selection and unique products, praising the store for its inspiring home furnishings and international foods, which contribute to a distinctive shopping experience. Positive feedback often highlights the quality and uniqueness of items, making it a favored shopping spot for gifts and home decor. However, negative reviews focus primarily on customer service challenges, particularly issues with online ordering, shipping costs, and inventory availability. Some customers have reported dissatisfaction with shipping fees on oversized items and difficulties in obtaining certain products locally, which diminish the overall shopping convenience. Additionally, occasional complaints about product safety, such as incidents involving candles, and pricing inconsistencies have been noted. Despite these criticisms, the overall rating remains positive at 4.4 out of 5 based on over 300 reviews, indicating that many customers find substantial value and pleasure in shopping at World Market. In conclusion, while the store excels in product variety and cultural inspiration, it could improve in the areas of customer service and logistics to enhance the customer experience further.
Highlights from reviewers (Most Relevant)
Brad Baker
Clean and extremely well-stocked. This store has a much larger selection than the Perimeter location
Loree Shelko
I love this store. I might love it too much! Fun, unique and well-made products, cheerful, friendly and helpful staff, great parking and rewards — and it’s easy to spend hours just wandering around there, looking at pretty things. I think their prices are very good too. I always buy more than I expect but I’m always happy when I get home and put my new things away! Very happy to have this store close to home.
Tyrone McCloud
Very poor customer service. The phone call to customer service and the time they took to collect all of the information about the table I purchased was a total waste of my time. I had a feeling they were not going to be able to help me when they didn’t even have the same label for the missing part that was called out on the hardware list. Why even list a phone number for “misplaced hardware components such as bolts or washers” when you can’t get washers? Their response , try contacting the store where I purchased the table to see if they have a replacement part. What? YOU are supposed to be customer service. I will not be ordering anything else from World Market if this is how you respond to a simple request for a missing piece of hardware. buyers beware. Disappointed and lost customer
Parisa Hervani
Unacceptable. I had one of the worst retail experiences of my life at this World Market location, thanks entirely to the manager’s blatant unprofessionalism and lack of basic customer service. I purchased a cabinet online that was marked “available for same-day pickup.” I sent my handyman (who charges $150 per visit) to retrieve it. Upon arrival, they refused to give him the cabinet, claiming the order hadn’t come through. Fine—I told him to return, and I would purchase it again on the spot and cancel the original order. At that point, things went from frustrating to completely absurd. The manager told me they couldn’t cancel the order and couldn’t accept payment over the phone. So I told her my handyman would pay in person and I’d reimburse him—she agreed but then refused to honor the online price, saying that price was “online only.” I asked her to adjust the price (which she admitted she had the power to do), and she flat-out refused—without reason, without apology, just sheer stubbornness and a total disregard for customer satisfaction. In the end, my handyman made two wasted trips, I’m out $150, and I received absolutely nothing. I canceled my order and will never shop at World Market again. This was not just a policy issue—this was a manager going out of her way to make things difficult. An awful experience all around. Avoid this location at all costs.
Carol Cox
I really miss coming to room market is so much fun to me because I love to cook I can stay on the aisle with all of the cookware, cast iron skillet, I'm leaving the silverware gets me excited and all of the Hello Kitty items noodles, snacks, then they have my Canadian water strawberry flavor omg see y'all next month for my birthday reward
How to reach World Market
None
Website: None
Why World Market may become Your Favorite Meetup Place for Catching Up, Celebrating or Just Hanging Out
Why rally at World Market with your friends?
World Market offers a unique and vibrant environment that makes it an excellent destination for gathering with friends or family. Unlike typical retail stores, World Market combines shopping with a culturally rich experience by offering a diverse selection of home décor, furniture, and global food products that can spark conversations and exploration among groups. The store’s layout encourages leisurely browsing, where friends can discover unique and artisanal items sourced from around the world. This shared discovery adds an adventurous, treasure-hunt element to the meetup, making it more engaging than a straightforward shopping trip. Additionally, World Market's eclectic and visually stimulating assortment serves as an inspiring backdrop for casual meetups, allowing groups to relax, share their tastes, and even plan future home or lifestyle projects together. The friendly and approachable atmosphere of World Market further enhances its suitability as a social spot, where members of your group feel welcome to explore at their own pace and enjoy each other’s company amid a setting that is both comfortable and stimulating.
What activities can you do at World Market?
World Market’s core activity is shopping, but within this, there is a variety of enjoyable and interactive experiences that highlight why it is perfect for group meetups. First, you can explore their wide assortment of international goods—from handcrafted furniture to exotic spices and gourmet treats—which turns a shopping excursion into a cultural exploration. Friends can taste samples of specialty foods and beverages, making it a mini food tasting event that caters to adventurous palates. Group members with different tastes can compare and debate unique global products, adding a lively dynamic to the visit. Additionally, World Market regularly features seasonal and themed displays that offer fresh experiences on repeat visits, encouraging groups to return and discover new treasures. Another great activity is gift hunting, as the store’s curated, diverse product range makes it an excellent place to find unusual gifts for birthdays, holidays, or other celebrations with friends. Lastly, the store’s well-designed and welcoming spaces often include areas to pause and chat, enabling social interaction beyond just shopping, which is a rare find in typical retail venues.
Why is World Market perfect for a group meetup?
The atmosphere at World Market is one that fosters connection and shared experiences, which makes it particularly well-suited for groups. The store’s layout is spacious enough to accommodate multiple people browsing together or splitting up to pursue different interests, but still close enough that groups can easily reunite and discuss their finds. The diverse product mixture—covering furniture, décor, kitchenware, gourmet foods, and beverages—ensures that every person in the group can discover something engaging, appealing to a wide range of tastes and preferences. Moreover, the global theme of the merchandise serves as a great conversation starter about travel, culture, and personal style, weaving storytelling into the outing. This not only stimulates social interaction but also provides memorable content for the group’s shared experiences. The welcoming and helpful staff often add to the positive experience, guiding groups to the best products or answering questions, making the visit smoother and more personalized. Importantly, World Market’s commitment to quality and unique items means your group can walk away with meaningful purchases that will remind them of the time spent together.
How does World Market enhance the social experience?
World Market’s appeal for social gatherings goes beyond the products themselves. The ambiance is relaxed, with friendly lighting and displays designed to inspire curiosity and delight, which helps everyone feel comfortable and welcome. It allows groups to linger without pressure, so friends and family can take their time chatting and enjoying the environment. The sensory experiences—such as smelling spices, sampling gourmet treats, and admiring handcrafted décor—engage visitors on multiple levels, making the visit more immersive and enjoyable. This sensory richness encourages friends to share opinions and preferences, fostering lively discussions and shared cultural appreciation. Additionally, World Market’s frequent promotions and events provide natural reasons for groups to plan meetups, such as seasonal launches or holiday shopping sprees, turning the act of shopping into a celebratory occasion. Finally, participants often find the experience sparks ideas for home decoration, cooking, and gifting, which can lead to collaborative projects and future group activities, thereby extending the social value of the visit well beyond the store.
Are there any special features or benefits that make World Market stand out for meetups?
One notable feature of World Market is its vast, constantly rotating selection that includes exclusive handcrafted pieces from artisans worldwide, which means each visit offers something new and special. This uniqueness appeals greatly to groups looking for a more distinctive outing rather than a generic shopping trip. Another advantage is the store’s inclusion of gourmet food and drinks, which adds a multi-dimensional flavor to meetups and can even serve as inspiration for shared meals or parties planned post-visit. Moreover, many World Market locations offer employee expertise that can help groups learn more about the origins and uses of products, enriching the experience through storytelling and education. The store’s pricing structure, which has historical roots in offering quality products at reasonable markups, supports buyers in making worthwhile purchases without feeling overwhelmed by costs. Lastly, the environment is inviting not just for shopping but for creating a sense of community and connection, critical elements that transform a meetup from ordinary to memorable.
What makes World Market’s atmosphere unique compared to other retail stores?
World Market’s atmosphere is distinct because it blends the feel of a global bazaar with the comfort of a modern retail space. Unlike standard big-box stores, World Market is curated with an eye for craftsmanship and cultural storytelling, which invites visitors to experience the world’s diversity through tactile and visual sensations. The décor and layout evoke a sense of discovery, not just a transactional shopping trip, positioning it as a leisurely and enjoyable social space. Its unique product mix, spanning from rustic home furnishings to exotic teas and spices, contrasts with the more homogenous selection found in many department stores, appealing to customers interested in authenticity and individuality. The ambient music and well-lit, organized displays further enhance the welcoming nature of the space, reducing the stress commonly associated with shopping and promoting longer visits. This combination of elements creates an immersive, enriching environment where groups can bond over shared discoveries and deepen their appreciation for global cultures.
How does World Market accommodate diverse group interests?
World Market excels in catering to groups because its offerings span a broad range of categories and cultural tastes. Whether your group enjoys home décor, culinary experimentation, gift hunting, or simply browsing unique collectibles, everyone can find something that resonates. The store stocks everything from modern, rustic, and vintage-style furnishings to international snacks, wines, and coffee blends, giving a variety of entry points for different personal interests. This diversity encourages groups to split up briefly to pursue favored sections before reuniting to share their findings, making the visit dynamic and personalized. The range of price points also ensures accessibility for different budgets, so members don’t feel excluded based on cost. Furthermore, this diversity cultivates a rich environment for conversation and exchange of ideas, as friends can learn about each other’s preferences and cultural inspirations, making the outing socially rewarding as well as enjoyable.
What is the overall social value in choosing World Market for your meetup?
Choosing World Market as your meetup location offers significant social value by combining a relaxed, engaging atmosphere with an abundance of unique, high-quality products that inspire curiosity and conversation. It acts as a catalyst for cultural appreciation and shared discovery, transforming routine social time into a memorable cultural experience. The store promotes interaction not only among friends but also between customers and staff, creating a sense of community and learning. By offering a variety of flavors, scents, and visual stimuli, it enriches social interactions and deepens connections. The flexibility to browse freely without pressure encourages natural, unforced conversations, making your meetup feel easy and enjoyable. Additionally, leaving with unique finds provides tangible memories of your time together, enhancing the lasting value of the experience. For groups looking to blend fun, culture, and social bonding, World Market stands out as an ideal destination.