Leather is Knoxville leader
By Tom Edmonds -- Furniture Today, September 1, 2002
Knoxville, Tenn. — Whether it's recliners or stationary upholstery, leather is the growth leader at Knoxville Wholesale Furniture, so much so that some of the business may be coming from the company's fabric upholstery sales.
"Leather is one of our biggest growth areas," said Tim Harris, president. "The value in leather is so great that it has really damaged the $999 to $1,599 fabric upholstery market."
Knoxville Wholesale carries DeCoro, Lane, Leather Trend and Natuzzi, and Harris said the merchandise pretty much sells itself. "The value at retail price points from $799 to $1,599 are incredible," he said. "It is the easiest thing to step people up to because it's an 'I want' item. When a person wants it, it's a lot easier to step them up."
This is true in recliners, as well. "Leather is where more people are going," Harris said. "Not only are we seeing less happening with fabric recliners, but a lot of people are stepping away from the traditional chair and ottoman because it saves money, it's more stylish, and it saves space."
Given these trends, Harris devotes what he would have considered just five years ago to be "an inordinate amount of floor space."
Five years ago, perhaps 5% of the upholstery displays at his store was leather. Now, with two stores and a total of 125,000 square feet of display, Harris has 32 leather slots representing as much as 30% of his total upholstery merchandising.
"Leather is chic, it's sexy and trendy. It's cool and sophisticated. It smells good and feels good, and it's a status symbol," he said. "It's got so much going for it."
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