Bedroom sources enthusiastic about market action
By Jeff Linville -- Furniture Today, February 4, 2008
Las Vegas — The dicey retail climate brought out the best in bedroom sources as they played a game of one-upmanship.
Lexington Home Brands won accolades for the look of its first Las Vegas showroom, in a temporary home in the World Market Center Building B. Lexington will be a key tenant of the new Building C when it opens this summer.
"As prepared as we were, (the market) still exceeded our expectations," said President and CEO Phil Haney. "Attendance was beyond belief. There's a positive energy here that is very invigorating."
David Beckmann, president of Emerald Home Furnishings, said he had spent time before the show helping his sales reps prepare to be upbeat around sullen buyers. Instead, he said, "I was shocked with the mood of the people who walked through the door on Monday." Most had great attitudes, he said.
Wynwood's opening-day traffic was up 5% over last January, said Lorri Kelley, vice president of sales. Retailers wanted to see what's new and hot, she said.
Even in the toughest conditions, retailers want to shop because they know they will find something that's better than what is on their floors now, said Bryan Edwards, Aspenhome vice president for the eastern region.
At Lexington, Haney said he believed the company was offering a style selection that the World Market Center had been lacking. He said Kingstown, the new Tommy Bahama line, was well-received.
At Homelegance, one new group was flanked by best-selling groups in new finishes. Jamie Collins, vice president of sales and marketing, said the company promoted its best product "rather than throw a lot of stuff at the wall and see what sticks."
Collins said traffic was strong during the show, and that the Las Vegas Market remains important for the importer, which has three warehouses west of the Rockies to support small and medium-sized dealers.
Opening-day attendance at Vaughan-Bassett was down about 20% from a year ago when Building B opened, but traffic picked up strongly after that, according to Doug Bassett, executive vice president of sales and marketing.
On the other hand, Powell Co., celebrating its 40th anniversary, said it had record numbers last week. Opening day was so busy, the company had five people working the registration desk, said Tom Liddell, senior vice president of sales.
