Agio International to bring outdoor line to High Point Market

Casual Living Staff -- Furniture Today, February 28, 2012

Agio’s Heritage outdoor dining set is among the products the company will show in its High Point Market debut.

HIGH POINT — Agio International will make its High Point Market debut this spring by exhibiting a selection of its outdoor furniture collections here.

"We are coming to High Point for the first time because we know there are indoor retailers who are ready to go into the outdoor casual category," said Bob Gaylord, president of Agio. "They're creating an entirely new category within their stores. If an indoor retailer is ready to make the jump into outdoor, we want to be there to discuss the opportunity with them."

Agio will have an 1,800-square-foot temporary showroom in Showplace, space 1512, and also will have a display outside in the garden area between Showplace and the International Home Furnishings Center.

In addition, Agio will provide outdoor sets for attendees at hospitality events at Sunset on 3 on Showplace's third-floor balcony during market, which runs April 21-26.

Agio representatives said they feel strongly that showing at High Point will give the brand greater penetration into the market of traditional furniture retailers.

"As the furniture stores continue to embrace the outdoor furniture category as a viable part of their mix, it now makes sense for us to exhibit at High Point," said Andy Sokol, vice president of sales/furniture stores. "We want to give the furniture store buyers easy access to our company and High Point provides us with a wonderful place to introduce ourselves and our line."

While Agio's High Point showroom and exhibits will allow buyers to visualize what an outdoor furniture department may look like, Gaylord said he plans to remind visitors that what they'll see is just a taste of the manufacturer's entire catalog.

"We recognize most of these retailers don't currently attend our Chicago markets," he said. "However, indoor retailers who are really serious about entering the outdoor category really need to attend the casual outdoor market in September."

The International Casual Furniture & Accessories Market in Chicago each fall includes approximately 60 permanent showrooms and more than 300 temporary exhibitors.

Agio manufactures products under the Agio, Patio Embers, Disney Resort Collections, Agio Select Brand and Agio Reserve brands, in addition to its international brands. It is online at www.Agio-usa.com.