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Designers bolster traffic at Atlanta show

Event continuing through Jan. 14

Tom Russell -- Furniture Today, January 9, 2009

ATLANTA — A number of furniture vendors showing here said they've seen fewer customers than normal this week during the opening days of the Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market.

Still, they were grateful for the buyers they have seen, especially given the state of the economy.

Some welcomed visitors as early as Monday, one day before the official Jan. 6 show opening. A number of buyers came back in the following days to place orders. The event continues through Jan. 14.

The buyers represented a variety of venues, ranging from traditional furniture stores to gift stores looking to boost their furniture mix.

Furniture sources said much of their traffic came from designers shopping for individual pieces for various clients. While those orders may be smaller than those placed by larger retailers, vendors say they add up to a significant amount of business, particularly at a show like Atlanta, which typically draws a lot of designers.

Furniture and accessories importer Palecek saw retailers and designers from Southeastern states such as Florida and Alabama but also had visitors from the Midwest and Northeast.

"It is not as regional a show as it used to be," said sales representative Larry Hoffman.

Case goods importer Trade Winds said traffic was slow on the opening two days of the event. However, traffic began to pick up on Thursday morning.

"Designers seem to be what's keeping the whole ball of string going," said Trade Winds President Michael Feder. "That's a market we've keyed in on from the beginning."

Case goods manufacturer Eddy West reported slow traffic during the first two days of the show. Still, those buyers it did see came from states like Vermont, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and as distant as California.

Some attributed the show's slow start to the economy, while others said it's a busy time for retailers taking inventories. They expected an onslaught of visitors on Friday, the official opening of the temporary spaces, and also were hoping for a flurry of activity over the weekend and early into next week. The temporary spaces remain open through Jan. 13, while the permanent showrooms are open through Jan. 14.

By Thursday, business also appeared to pick up for rug dealers. The rug show began here on Jan. 7 and runs through Jan. 12.

See the Jan. 19 issue of Furniture/Today for a complete market report, including product photos.

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Designers drive Atlanta business

Jan 11, 2009

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