Premarket Satisfies Sponsors
Heath E Combs , Ray Allegrezza -- Furniture Today, March 15, 2011
Among the big introductions this spring are Universal’s Paula Deen Down Home Collection, including this Garden Gate metal bed, which also is available as a daybed.
HIGH POINT - Premarket sponsors were pleased with traffic here as the two-day event last week attracted buying executives from more than 100 top retailers.
Representatives from retailers including Art Van, Carl's Furniture, City Furniture, FMG, Jordan's, Linder's Furniture, Morris Home Furnishings and scores of others shopped the market for items to help them boost their businesses.
In addition to previewing goods that will be unveiled at the spring High Point Market, which opens April 2, retailers said they appreciated the opportunity for long-term strategy sessions with their key suppliers.
"This event is great because in addition to seeing new goods, you get to have peer-to-peer strategy discussions that help you build even better and deeper relationships with your suppliers," said Eric Foucrier, president of Linder's Furniture, a Top 100 company based in Garden Grove, Calif.
Larry Klaben, president and CEO of Dayton, Ohiobased Morris Furniture, also a Top 100 company, agreed, saying, "You get quality time with the company presidents to plan both long term and near term, which is helpful. Also, since market is early this year, Premarket is helping me plan my assortments, especially in the case of imports."
Eric Easter, president and CEO of Indianapolis-based Top 100 chain Kittle's, described the event as exciting and said he was pleased to see "more creativity" in new product here. He said Kittle's recent business has been good 
Hooker Furniture features a plank-like bead board effect on its Harbour Pointe shelter bed, which comes in two colors — this Coveside oyster whitewash and Bungalow, a stained dark brown.
despite the tough winter weather, adding that the company has become "more aggressive and creative" with promotions.
"As a result, seeing more creative product helps retailers like us to move forward," Easter said.
Many exhibitors were extending existing product lines or filling style voids with introductions they previewed. Among the major case goods players, look for about one large collection per company when the market opens on April 2.
Popular case goods styles here included coastal cottage, Southwest, Mediterranean, comfy or classic casual, and traditional American.
In finishes, hot trends included gray painted groups, bronze tones on accent pieces, and light almond hues. Some exhibitors also featured shagreen (faux sharkskin or other skins) on accent tables.
Bernhardt Residential President Alex Bernhardt Jr. said his company had about 80 appointments, up about 8% from the last Premarket.
Kincaid's traffic was about on par with its usual Premarket averages, said Tim Annas, vice president of merchandising. He said retailers told him they still face a tough environment for sales.
Dan Masters, president of Hekman, said he continued to be pleased with how the event helps get a jump start on market. Hekman had many of its 100 new spring SKUs at Premarket.
Kevin O'Connor, president and CEO of Samson Marketing, whose brands include Universal, Legacy Classic and Craftmaster, said that four years into the newly revitalized Premarket, each event has grown in attendance. Sponsors continue to fund the event, which gives them one-on-one time with customers.
"It's been really a nice example of how 25 companies who really compete with each other do something for our mutual benefit," O'Connor said. "This thing has really grown into something of significance."
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