Premarket exhibitors seeing retailers

New product on display at High Point event

Tom Russell -- Furniture Today, September 16, 2008

HIGH POINT - Furniture manufacturers and importers showing at premarket here this week hope to spur an industry turnaround in early 2009 with a variety of styles geared to a wide mix of consumers.

The event, which runs through today, is held about a month before the fall High Point Market, which opens Oct. 20.

Goods on display at this week’s High Point premarket include these intros in Broyhill’s Custom Colors leather program. The Brenton, an oversized two-over-two contemporary silhouette that originally saw success as a fabric entry, is paired with the Burgan ottoman.

On Monday, exhibitors said they were pleased at the level of early attendance and response to their new collections. Some view the event as a way to get input to be able to make minor changes to the hardware or finish. They also see the event as a way to get retailers to make early commitments and be ready to order product by market.

Kincaid was expecting 35 to 40 accounts during the two-day event, and planned to use their opinions to fine-tune new product.

"We still use input from our customers to make changes," said Kincaid President Steve Kincaid. "We still have time since we have the domestic facilities. ... Most of our dealers know we are receptive to them we take their comments to make it better."

Universal Furniture was also expecting nearly 40 dealers during the two days. Like Kincaid, it was prepared to make product changes, ranging from the hardware and finish to the scale of different pieces. Such changes can be made in time for market, said president and CEO Randy Chrisley.