Dining gets 4 stars in Vegas
By Jeff Linville -- Furniture Today, February 5, 2006
Las Vegas — The Vegas furniture market is still in its infancy, but some dining sources said last week the show already is establishing a reputation as a buying market.
It's hard to call it a trend after just two shows, but manufacturers were pleased at the orders written here.
In High Point, exhibitors said, many retailers don't place orders, preferring to shop the market, gather information and go back home to talk things over before committing. In Las Vegas, they seemed more willing to pull the trigger.
Klaussner International was busy and appeared to be writing a little more business than in July, said Todd Campbell, national sales manager for Klaussner's Hard Lines division, which includes dining.
Pulaski Furniture also said it was writing more case goods orders than in July, including formal and casual dining.
Opening day was busy for Douglas Furniture, said CEO Rick Parker, with more traffic in a single day than the company had for the whole week at the October High Point market.
GS Furniture said it had strong traffic the first two days. And, said General Manager Dana Steele, every retailer placed an order.
Attendance and orders also were up from July numbers for APA Marketing's Entrée Casual Dining.
Saloom Furniture was pleased with traffic as it works to build its West Coast presence. The company used to show in San Francisco, but didn't get enough bang for the buck, said Becki Gould, marketing manager. She said the World Market Center deserves credit for drawing a large number of high-quality buyers and exhibitors to Las Vegas.
Two companies with blended sourcing strategies found success this market with goods made in their Mexican factories. Douglas and Good Cos. import some goods from overseas, but put more emphasis this time on groups made in Tijuana. Douglas said about 75% of production comes from its 600,000-square-foot plant in the city just south of San Diego.
Temporary spaces in Mandalay Bay, which opened a day later than the WMC, were busy on its opening day, exhibitors said. Companies with packed spaces included Amisco, Berkline Family Dining, Riverside, Master Design and Caperton Furnitureworks, which includes Tom Seely, Gat Creek and Joe Ruggiero lines.
Gat Caperton, owner of Caperton Furnitureworks, said he wanted to show here to boost the company's West Coast presence, but was surprised to find many East Coast buyers in Vegas. The first order he wrote at the show was for a retailer based only 70 miles from Caperton's factory in Berkeley Springs, W.Va. The biggest order written came from a retailer about 100 miles from the factory, he said.
-
Buyers pulling the trigger on dining orders
Feb 19, 2006 -
Buyers pulling the trigger on dining orders
Feb 1, 2006
VIEW ALL GALLERIES
