Toronto market draws enthusiastic crowd
By Michael J. Knell -- Furniture Today, February 5, 2007
Toronto — Expectations were exceeded at last week's Canadian Home Furnishings Market here as retailers enthusiastically embraced the new product and programs offered by the show's 400 or so exhibitors.
Most factory and import executives said overall attendance was either off a little or on par with last year's event, and most admitted they were somewhat surprised by the enthusiasm shown by buyers from major retailers and smaller independents alike.
"This Toronto show was a fair market, not an excellent one. The traffic was definitely down, especially from the West," said Gilles Pelletier, interim marketing director and vice president of sales for case goods producer South Shore Inds. "The mood was positive. Retailers seemed to be very optimistic about 2007, and we received really good placements and got on a number of new floors."
Most agreed that western Canadian retailers who weren't here were saving their travel dollars for the upcoming Las Vegas Market. However, most of the key players were here, including majors such as The Brick Group and strong regional players such as Dufresne Furniture & Appliances and City Furniture.
Out in force were retailers from Quebec, Atlantic Canada and Ontario.
"My traffic from Quebec was up more than usual," said Jean Deveault, executive vice president of casual dining powerhouse Canadel. "The show was very good for us. People were buying."
Members of the buying groups also turned out, with Cantrex, Mega and Home Furniture holding merchandising meetings and other events in the days leading up to market.
In product, this year's market was one of the most interesting in quite some time, with more than a few resources trying out new concepts and style directions. South Shore, for instance, launched its ready-to-assemble "bedroom-in-a-box," with the bed and accompanying case pieces ready to be taken home after purchase.
Brentwood Classics brought renowned Montreal-based designer Normand Couture, who previously put Sofas International on the map, back on the Canadian upholstery scene with his new Not So Classic collection.
Décor-Rest launched a collection from Steven Sabadoes and Chris Hyndman, Canadian TV's original "Designer Guys," while metal specialist Amisco unveiled America, its first collection of wood and metal bedroom furniture.
Springwall Sleep Products debuted Convergence, touted as the first 100%-natural latex mattress in North America.
Although all the major importers reported strong traffic and placements from retailers in all channels of distribution, there appeared to be a slight shift in buying patterns toward domestic producers.
"People are beginning to give more space back to domestic product," said Canadel's Deveault.
He said retailers are finding they need at most two or three casual dining sets on their floor at $999, with more, not less, better-quality goods on display. "They want more margin; they want profits," Deveault said, and this means more domestic goods.
Mel Kemp, president of solid-wood RTA producer Canwood, said, "The imports have presented some challenges. First, there's the quality issue, and then there are the huge lead times required."
