Toronto sparks optimism
By Michael J. Knell -- Furniture Today, January 18, 2010
TORONTO —
Exhibitors and retail buyers alike appeared to leave the 2010 edition of the Canadian Home Furnishings Market here last week optimistic that business will improve as the year progresses.
While no one claimed this was “the best market ever,” many remarked on the positive energy and enthusiastic attitudes displayed throughout the market's four-day run.
According to TCHFM President Jean François Michaud, preliminary figures suggest overall attendance will be roughly on par with 2009.
Michaud, who is also president and CEO of the Quebec Furniture Manufacturers Assn. — the Montreal-based factory group that has owned and operated the market for the past 38 years — said most exhibitors he spoke with plan to return to the show in 2011.
“The atmosphere throughout the building has been very positive, and the exhibitors are telling us that they are happy and they will be committing to the show for next year,” he said.
Most exhibitors credited the buying groups — including Cantrex, Mega, Dufresne Retail Solutions and Home — with preventing any significant erosion in attendance. All four used the weekend event as the platform to launch their 2010 marketing and merchandising programs. Last year, many of these meetings were held during the Las Vegas Market, and shifting them back to Toronto bolstered not only attendance but orders, exhibitors said.
TCHFM remains an order-writing market, particularly for independent retailers who are looking for goods to fill their spring and summer promotion calendars. While no one reported setting records, most exhibitors said open-to-buy had improved significantly over last year's market.
While all of the 300 or so exhibitors came to market with new goods to show retail buyers, most observers noted that, with some notable exceptions, this was very much a “stay the course” market in product styling. Few companies left their comfort zone with an array of daring designs.
Among the exceptions, however, was Trend-Line Furniture, part of the Superstyle Group, which unveiled a brightly colored contemporary group, the No. 4666. It is a departure from the stationary upholstery house's mainstream transitional styling.
Meanwhile, South Shore unveiled Imagine, a new approach to juvenile bedroom that combined the category's must-have three S's (sleep, study and safety) with a well thought-out design. South Shore also rolled out a new corporate package for the first time as the Quebec case goods specialist launched its 70th anniversary celebrations.
Spring Air Canada introduced its Obus Forme line of mattresses. The Toronto-based bedding specialist has the rights to the name and to distribute the line throughout North America.
Other news highlights included the launch of Swedish mattress line Carpe Diem to the Canadian market. And the Canadian mattress Strata Bedding, launched by industry veteran Michael Gerlock early in 2009, made its Toronto market debut.
This market also saw the return of Magnussen Home Furnishings after a one-year absence. Lane Home Furnishings also was back, joining its sister company, Broyhill. Also among the 49 or so new exhibitors was industry stalwart Shermag.
Complete Toronto market coverage, including news and photos, will appear in next week's Furniture/Today.
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