Showtime sources adding product, programs
By Gary Evans -- Furniture Today, June 1, 2009
HIGH POINT — Vendors participating in the Showtime fabric show here June 7 to 10 expect overall attendance to be down but say their customer schedules are gradually filling up.
“I think what we're expecting is cautious optimism,” said Brian Wygle, president of Chris Stone. “Our appointment schedule is usually quite full by now but it didn't start filling up until the last week or so. People are holding off until the last minute.”
A second indication of lower attendance is that companies are sending fewer people, according to Wygle. “We saw that at the (High Point) market (in April). Manufacturers are not bringing three or four people with them. The majors will be in and out.”
Paul Bennotti, marketing director for Victor Group, which purchased Quaker and more recently Craftex, is “expecting a good turnout” based on its appointment log.
“Victor is sort of the new kid on the block and people are always curious to see the new player and what they're doing,” he said. “And this is the first time we're going to have the Craftex by Victor brand set up in our showroom.”
De Leo Textiles “expected attendance to be down but we've been pleasantly surprised at the number of appointments,” said Cathy Smith, director of design and merchandising. “A few people who have not taken time to see us at Showtime but have selected our fabrics through sales rep visits now want to see us in the atmosphere of our show space.
“That's a big positive because it allows us to show large examples of the fabric and possible applications and open them to new categories.”
President Bill Fisch said the number of appointments booked for Big Kahuna Fabrics indicates that attendance may be better than at the December market here.
“We have a nicely booked schedule,” he said. “I'm very surprised, actually, by the amount of appointments that we have. Based on that, attendance may possibly be better than last time.”
While orders for upholstery producers are inching up slowly, Fisch said “there's just not the volume there's been over the years. Business is going to be very different for all of us — not for the next few months, not for the next few years, but from now on. There's going to be a much smaller piece for everyone.”
Despite the economy, companies like Big Kahuna are bringing out new programs and introductions at Showtime to stimulate business. Big Kahuna won't be introducing as many prints as it normally does, but will offer a new woven program with solids, jacquards and dobbies.
“We've never had wovens before,” said Fisch, noting the new 150-SKU program was designed by Sara Gray, who recently joined the company. “We stepped out and said it's time to do something different to make people come in and say, 'Wow, that's nice stuff.' We've got to have a 'wow factor.' We want to have some interest.”
Big Kahuna's sister company, Mitchell Group, whose line includes faux skins and bycast and bonded leathers, is coming out with some interesting new patterns and a dry-erase finish for polyurethanes that is cleanable.
India-based decorative fabric vendor MDS Fabrics is offering a new 150-SKU program of value-oriented stocked fabrics to offset the long lead times and changing prices that often come with imports, said Samutha Kandimalla, president.
“We are seeing a big trend of seeking value from the products that customers purchase,” he said. “This value-seeking trend spans various price points. Customers on the higher end are seeking fabrics like crewels, velvets and silks that are more ornate. Customers on the lower end are seeking fabrics that provide good value for the money. Our introductions at Showtime give that power to furniture manufacturers.”
In addition, MDS will introduce a new line of natural jute crewels to meet the growing demand for environmentally friendly fabrics, Kandimalla said.
Victor said it will offer a diverse assortment of designs based on styles and patterns consumers are looking for during these tough times.
“Consumers are feeling the sting of the economy seemingly at every turn and, as a result, are staying home more,” said Bea Spires, design director for Victor Residential. “As more homeowners look to turn their homes into a place of refuge during these trying times, they are choosing furnishings and accessories that are restful and soothing, yet stylish at the same time.”
Chris Stone will introduce a new value line called Chris Stone for Less as an alternative to Chinese imports.
“It's a range of product that hits those price points but you don't have to buy containers full of it,” said Wygle. “By limiting what we're doing so that we have more customers buying the same things, we can do longer runs and therefore hit those efficiencies. Instead of buying 3,000 yards from China, you can buy 500 yards from us and still hit that under $5 (a yard) price point.”
In addition, the company is expanding its Made in America line introduced in December using cotton grown, woven and printed in the United States.
De Leo's showroom will focus on “Serene and Spectacular,” a ying/yang look in a Zen-inspired natural setting combining taupe and soft yellow as the dominant colors. The “Spectacular” side of the company's showroom will highlight crystal-embellished fabrics inspired by chandeliers.
The company also will strengthen its reputation as a provider of metallic glazed fabrics and expand that category with a new sprayed metallic highlight.
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