Tupelo Furniture Market returning to its roots
Plans to reemphasize strength in promotional furnishings
By Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, May 20, 2008
TUPELO, Miss. — The Tupelo Furniture Market is returning to its roots and repositioning itself as the premier market for promotional home furnishings.
According to V.M. Cleveland, CEO of the market, the changes at the Mississippi event are being driven, in part, by the changing global economy.
“Not that long ago, the bulk of furniture manufacturing went offshore,” Cleveland said. “But as a result of the current economic realities, a growing number of domestic producers are shifting some production — especially for promotional goods — back to the United States.”
This paradigm shift, along with the lackluster retail climate, is the impetus for the Tupelo market’s refocus, Cleveland explained. “In light of the current retail environment, more and more retailers are turning to in-stock promotional goods, overstocks and liquidated items as the switch that can turn on sales, stimulate traffic and create much-needed cash flow.”
As a result, Cleveland said it makes perfect sense for the Tupelo Furniture Market to put a brighter spotlight on the promotional segment to serve the growing needs of both buyers and sellers.
The Tupelo market, he added, has always had a reputation for being a strong order-writing event. “But now, with an even greater focus on promotional goods and closeout pricing, we expect written orders to go to a new level,” he said.
