CHFM aims to build on its unique strengths
By Michael J. Knell -- Furniture Today, January 8, 2006
Toronto — This year's Canadian Home Furnishings Market will be one of the largest ever in exhibition space, and will continue to position itself as the country's most important industry event.
Organized and operated by the Quebec Furniture Manufacturers Assn., the market will start its four-day run at the International Center this Saturday, Jan. 14. More than 400 manufacturers, importers, distributors and service providers will set up in some 700,000 square feet of exhibit space.
Much of the space is in the 75 permanent showrooms in Canada's Furniture Mart. Seven other furniture producers with permanent showrooms near the International Center also are official CHFM participants. They are Décor-Rest, Hamilton & Spill, T&J Furniture, Sklar Peppler and Superstyle, along with its sister companies Trend-Line and Simmons Upholstery Canada.
"The Canadian Home Furnishings Market is definitely the prime opportunity for manufacturers who are out to do business and forge strong connections with the retail market," according to Jean Francois Michaud, QFMA president and chief executive.
The first World Market Center show in Las Vegas, held in July, has shaken up the market scene in North America.
While CHFM organizers are concerned that the next Las Vegas event (Jan. 30–Feb. 3) may draw buyers away from Toronto — especially from western Canada — they also believe their show's unique character and role in Canada should put it in good stead for years to come.
"We're not competing against Vegas. Las Vegas is competing against High Point," Michaud said.
He said the CHFM is still the platform for a number of manufacturers and other vendors that don't show at either Las Vegas or High Point yet remain important to Canadian retailers.
In December, the QFMA surveyed 326 retail operations in western Canada to gauge their support for the Toronto market.
"Over 69% of the people we spoke to said they are coming to Toronto," Michaud said. "Only five stores said they were going to Vegas and not coming to Toronto."
He said Lifestyle Enterprise's decision not to show in Las Vegas and instead host its own private market at its High Point showroom Jan. 16–18 shows the industry isn't united behind the new market. "What (Lifestyle) did was a major, symbolic move," Michaud said.
Palliser, a major presence at the Toronto market, said in November it would not show in Las Vegas, choosing to focus on other events, including Toronto and High Point.
CHFM backers remain focused on carving out a distinctive role for the event.
"North America isn't one big market with the same tastes and interests," Michaud said. "If you want to target niches, you have to take different approaches. If you're a retailer who wants to offer what the majors are offering, you have to go where they go.
"But if you want to do something different, you have to find different suppliers, and that's where a market like Toronto will prove valuable and important," he continued. "That's the focus we're going to take as show organizers for the next few years."
There are few significant changes in the format of this year's Canadian Home Furnishings Market. However, new exhibitors will now be housed in Hall 6 rather than Hall 5. Lunch will be served to retailers in Hall 6 between noon and 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sunday and Monday to encourage them to see these companies.
Palliser, the market's largest exhibitor, has moved into Hall 5A.
The Trends Display will continue to be housed in Hall 5. Designed by André Caron and Pierre D'Anjou, the display comprises 18 modules showcasing furniture and accessories from market participants.
"They're a clever way of showcasing products made by exhibitors at the show and are designed to inspire retailers based on the philosophy that consumers are invariably attracted to eye-catching window displays and in-store arrangements," Michaud said.
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