Here's to a show filled with zest
Ray Allegrezza, Editor in Chief -- Furniture Today, April 7, 2008
So, here you are facing the opening day of market. There's scores of exciting new products and dozens of new exhibitors, but thanks to the soft economy, you probably feel as if you've inherited the proverbial lemon.
So here are three options:
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You can ignore the lemon. In fact, that might be your first choice, especially since many of us, like the ostrich, find solace in burying our head in the sand. But in doing so, have you noticed how that tends to leave another part of our anatomy vulnerable?
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You can complain about how bitter the lemon is. That may make you feel better, but is it going to do anything to change the makeup of the lemon?
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You can take the lemon and make lemonade. That's going to take more effort than the first two options, but it offers the best chance for you to put money in your pockets.
Using last week's Furniture/Today, I did a quick count of the new exhibitors showing at this market, and was surprised to note that there are well over 100 new companies showing product here.
Meanwhile, after speaking with a number of the building owners here, my sense is that even based on pre-registration activity, buyer traffic should be good.
That perception was reinforced by Brian Casey, president of the High Point Market Authority. As of this writing, the Market Authority confirmed that nearly 700 new buying organizations had signed up to be here this week.
I think when you bring hundreds of new exhibitors together with 700 new buying organizations, the potential for a lot of sweet deals presents itself.
So, bring on the lemons. They're OK, especially if you make something savory from them. Come to think of it, I believe many good cooks use the skin of a lemon, called the zest, to heighten the flavor of a number of foods and beverages. Here's hoping your market is full of zest!
