Traffic light, sales decent at Quebec show
Michael Knell -- Furniture Today, September 27, 2004
QUEBEC CITY, Quebec -- Attendance and order-writing at the just-concluded Salon du Meuble de Quebec here reflected business conditions across the province and the country -- not great but not bad either.
Factory executives said this market, the last of the three regional summer markets in Canada, continues to play an important role in building relationships with independent retailers in French-speaking rural Quebec and northern New Brunswick, particularly with those who don't attend the January Toronto market or High Point.
Most reported that turnout from the three largest Quebec buying groups — Cantrex, Mega and Les Marchands P.A.S. — wasn't as strong as in previous years.
They also noted that buyers from Brault et Martineau, Quebec's largest furniture and bedding retailer, didn't attend. But most of the other retail powers in Quebec were on hand. The lackluster attendance was attributed mostly to soft business across the province.
"I think attendance was down significantly," said Walter Celin, vice president of sales and marketing for bedding maker Serta Montreal. "The mattress business is doing well in Quebec, but furniture is doing well only in certain pockets."
Several exhibitors noted there wasn't a strong case goods presence at the market, which was dominated by upholstery and bedding.
"Smaller dealers were signing orders, but the bigger ones will wait until we see them at High Point next month," said David Fontaine, marketing manager for the home furnishings division of glider rocker powerhouse Dutailier.
"We got some good floor placements," said Louis Begin, vice president of sales and marketing for upholstery house Jaymar. "The retailers all agreed that 2004 hasn't been an easy year, but they're looking for a good fall season."
"We had good attendance — at least equal with last year," said Iain Douglas, Canadian sales manager for decorative fireplace resource Dimplex North America. "Our written business was even up slightly. A lot of the smaller accounts don't come to Toronto or High Point, so this is a good way for us to reach these folks."
Like other regional markets, the Quebec City event draws buyers, not tire-kickers. If a retailer invests the time and money to attend, he or she is ready to do business.
Dutailier's Fontaine agreed the market reflected overall business conditions in Quebec. "It's not terrific but it's not dead either," he said. "We're not seeing big increases, but we're not having huge decreases either."
Many factories showed product they plan to launch at next month's High Point market. "We introduced a lot of new product, which was well received," Dimplex's Douglas said.
Most executives said they would continue to support the Salon du Meuble de Quebec.
"It's important for us, as we do a fair amount of business in Quebec," said Jaymar's Begin. "Here we can focus on the trends in the Quebec market, something that we can't always do in Toronto and High Point."
"We will continue to support Quebec City," Dutailier's Fontaine said. "It's a must for us to be there."
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Traffic light, sales decent at Quebec show
Oct 10, 2004
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