Toronto action slow
Market reflects tough retail conditions
By Michael J. Knell -- Furniture Today, August 20, 2006
Mississauga, Ontario — Retailers didn't turn out in droves for last week's Toronto Summer Furniture Show, and that didn't surprise the 34 furniture and bedding resources participating in the three-day market.
Many exhibitors said that business for most independent retailers isn't good, hasn't been for some time and may not improve substantially in coming months.
"This is a reflection of business conditions," said Tom Thompson, president of Artage International. "The retailers don't seem to need to attend a show right now. Those who came wrote orders, but there just weren't enough of them. A lot of those I spoke to were a bit negative, but that's consistent with the fact that business has been a struggle for them."
Those resources with permanent showrooms in the International Center and who also do business with retailers who buy at the Canadian Gift & Tableware Assn. fall gift show were more upbeat than those who didn't. But they noted that attendance and activity at the CGTA show were definitely off, another sign of retail malaise.
Most showrooms, including outlying exhibitors, reported they saw anywhere between 25 and 40 stores, although several said they hosted fewer than a dozen.
"Everyone who came in bought," said Guy Sisto, president of Brentwood Classics. "We got a good boost for the fall."
"Given that this is a smaller regional market, we were pleased with the attendance from retailers and their response to our product offering," said Laine Reynolds, vice president of sales for Superstyle. "For us, the show delivered the expected results."
Only a handful of exhibitors said they wouldn't participate if the Ontario Furniture Manufacturers Assn. holds the show again next year.
"From our perspective, the summer market remains an important opportunity to present new product to smaller, independent retailers, and I believe moving back to the August dates, in conjunction with the gift show, best suits this core customer," said Reynolds, who also is OFMA chairman.
"We need something to get people excited about the fall," Sisto said. "It's important to have a fall show."
Many exhibitors said the OFMA should bring back some of the incentives that worked well in prior years, such as a C$99 return airfare from Toronto to anywhere in Canada. Reynolds said the association would consider any and all ideas participating showrooms have to boost attendance next year.
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