Calgary market looks for boost from better business conditions
By Michael J. Knell -- Furniture Today, September 5, 2005
Calgary, Alberta — The 2005 edition of Market Showplace opens here Saturday, with strong support expected from retailers and exhibitors, most of whom believe improved business conditions bode well for the regional market.
"The show is probably one of the most important for us because it attracts buyers from across western Canada, and that's who we do almost all of our business with," said James Nudd, sales manager for case goods manufacturer Palethorpe and Dowling, and president of Perfect Distributors. "We've never been to a Calgary market where we didn't do well."
Last year, the market attracted 919 buyers representing 541 stores from British Columbia to northern Ontario. Most retailers and exhibitors said it's possible, although unlikely, that number might be equalled this year; none expect it will be exceeded.
The possible drop in attendance is attributed to several factors, the most important being the lack of support from the buying groups. Also, the market's dates have become a moving target in recent years.
For the first time in about a decade, Mega Group will not have a significant presence here, although it will host a golf tournament and a regional meeting of its Countrywide retail banner.
"We will attend with our merchandising team, but we won't be showing on the floor this year," said Rob Alexander, Mega's executive vice president. "We will continue to support the purpose of the show, but our direct involvement won't be as great."
John Kennedy, a regional manager for Cantrex Group, said his group will have a booth promoting its systems and services, but no member meetings or other activities. That's partly because Cantrex, now owned by Sears Canada, will hold conventions in Toronto and Quebec City in September.
Neither executive believes members will give Market Showplace the support it has enjoyed in prior years.
"If the show has been held in June, it might have been a little stronger," Kennedy said. Alexander said, "Part of the problem is that the dates keep changing."
"The fact that the show is in August rather than June has hurt things a lot," said Derek Moyneur, managing director of manufacturer Urban Leather. "I don't know what to expect. I've heard from a lot of retailers that they're choosing to go to Las Vegas or Toronto."
Terry Clark, chairman of Furniture West, the factory association that organizes the market, said that, beginning next year, show dates will move back to June and will remain there at least for the next few years.
"This is the second time in five years that we've gotten bumped (from June)," Clark said. "But it's been (show venue) Stampede Park and not Furniture West that has changed the dates."
About 80 exhibitors are expected to participate in this market, down substantially from previous years. No Top 10 Canadian furniture resource is participating, although all the major bedding suppliers have showrooms in the area and are expected to be open.
"There are still a lot of valuable suppliers who show at Calgary," said retailer Konrad Kozan, president of Kozan's Countrywide in Regina, Saskatchewan. "To be honest, I'm first and foremost going to attend the Countrywide meeting."
"I'm going to support local suppliers as long as I can," said Chris Odishaw, owner of Battleford Furniture in Battleford, Saskatchewan. "As long as Calgary has a show, I'll be there."
"It's the last show where our members can get goods from both importers and local manufacturers," said Cantrex's Kennedy. "We're buying very little out of the East right now, and we're getting almost all of our upholstery locally. That's the strength of the Calgary show."
