Traffic spotty at other showrooms
By Heath E. Combs -- Furniture Today, February 2, 2009
HIGH POINT — Traffic to outlying showrooms from this year's Forbidden City Furniture show here was spotty as some vendors reported good traffic while others saw very few.
Bedroom and dining source Lee Furniture saw about 19 potential new clients and about 10 existing customers in one of the busiest Forbidden City shows it has shown at, said Keely Rhodes, president of sales.
Retailers are looking for something new, he said.
“We all know how bad the economy's been the retailers are looking for goods that are different from what they've been buying. I think they feel that the same old same old just isn't working in today's economy.”
Lee showed its High Point Market lineup from last fall. Rhodes said he also used the Forbidden City event to show photos of what the company will introduce next week in Las Vegas, and discussed the company's strategy for the spring High Point Market.
Bedroom, dining and occasional supplier A.R.T Furniture CEO Ed Grund said the company saw five vendors during the Forbidden City event, down from previous shows. That mix included a well performing “up and coming” retailer for A.R.T., he said, and two new dealers.
“As a young, aggressive company we want to be anywhere there are dealers. In retrospect we still would have opened,” Grund said.
Gene Clark, vice president of case goods importer and manufacturer Ligna Furniture, said his company saw about five accounts the first day, and that those visits alone made it worth the effort to open.
“If we get to see four or five accounts, it saves us a lot of money on travel,” he said.
Dining and youth bedroom source Ligo saw about five vendors on Monday, Jan. 26, the first day of the two-day event, and about 11 on Tuesday, said Dan Angus, senior vice president of sales and marketing.
Occasional, bedroom and dining supplier Magnussen showed pieces in its line that can be shipped now, but was disappointed with traffic Monday, said Neil Anderson, a Carolinas sales representative for the company.
Davis Beaston, senior vice president of sales for bedroom, dining and entertainment supplier BK Home, said buyers were in a better mood than last fall.
“Now they're saying we might have a little open to buy,” he said. “Folks are at least looking at it now with a more optimistic view to the future.”
-
Vendors Happy with Atlanta
Aug 5, 2011 -
Wood values draw Tupelo buyers' attention
Feb 1, 2010 -
High Point's premarket makes progress
Sep 19, 2008 -
Angus leaves Ligo
Feb 24, 2011
Specialty retailer LoveSac introduces new store design
Belfort Furniture, Lawrance Furniture are NHFA Retailers of Year
Kincaid Furniture honors Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter for Habitat work
Omnia Furniture ends relationship with Kathy Ireland Worldwide
Singapore furniture show expecting increased turnout
VIEW ALL GALLERIES
