Retail Observer

RETAILOBSERVER.COM APRIL 2015 52 Bill Bazemore Furniture Trends Bill Bazemore is the Vice President of Furniture for Nationwide Marketing Group. Call (770) 442-9726 or visit furniture@nationwidegroup.org. MARKETS ARE SO M UCH MORE THAN JUST SHOPPING The furniture industry really is all about fashion H ave you attended a Furniture Market lately? More importantly, have you ever attended a furniture market? The first furniture market was held in March of 1909 in High Point, North Carolina and has been running strong ever since. Over the years, furniture market's have grown in size to become international markets and an essential part of every furniture retailers business. The markets in High Point, North Carolina and Las Vegas, Nevada are two of the largest markets in the United States. Just this past January, the Las Vegas Furniture Market recorded an all time attendance that was 11% higher then ever before and featured an additional 225 new exhibitors. The Las Vegas Market is known as "the bedding market" and their showrooms were packed with new introductions and dealers. Attending the furniture markets can be the first step in helping to broaden your scope of networking, knowledge, and vision of the furniture world for both today and tomorrow. The furniture industry is so much more than simply furniture, and markets are so much more than just shopping. At the end of the day, what are we really selling? Isn't the furniture industry really all about fashion? Take a good look at the apparel industry and then at upholstery and you will see what I mean. What was one of the hottest colors in upholstery at the last market? Were you there to see the 'sea of grey'? If you don't attend furniture markets, how do you stay abreast of changing trends in style, fabric, finishes, colors, and the list goes on. It is important to not only be aware of where the industry is today, but more importantly, where the industry is going. Have you ever visited the Retailer Resource Centers in either the High Point or Las Vegas Markets? It is a one stop central location where you can talk to more than 30 vendors providing services ranging from technology to business consulting services, to in-store financing solutions and educational business-building seminars. While at these markets, take advantage of the opportunity to also visit with manufacturers with whom you are not doing business with. With over 2,000 manufacturers participating in the market, it offers a tremendous opportunity to see other product lines that may very well strengthen and enhance your current line-up. Take the time at the market to look at new categories of product, such as outdoor, which is one of the fastest growing categories today. The opportunities to learn and grow within the business are plentiful when you take advantage of all the markets have to offer. 2015 is lining up to be a banner year for the furniture industry; here are just a few reasons why: • Mattress sales in December 2014, the latest month available, exploded 25.1% . • December 2014 furniture store sales grew 8.1% over 2013 showing the momentum that home furnishings sales are carrying into 2015. • Household formations are on the rise. Attending a furniture market is more than just shopping; its an opportunity for networking, seeing new and exciting products, learning about new and exciting merchandising and display concepts that energize your customers, and so much more! The opportunities are endless if you take hold and grasp on to all the furniture markets have to offer. I have been attending the markets for over 35 years and I am still constantly in awe and amazement from all that I learn from each and every market I attend. I'll be in High Point this April as well as Las Vegas in August. I look forward to seeing you there as well! RO

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