OCTOBER 2017 RETAILOBSERVER.COM
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Midwest states, and Mexico," said Birger Rasmussen of Vanguard.
"We believe this Market is exposing us to smaller accounts and
west coast designers who do not travel to High Point Market."
Michael K. Saby of Mercana Furniture and Décor shared the
sentiment. "We've seen lots of new customers who are discovering
us for the first time and getting reacquainted with former customers
who have become hybrid or lifestyle stores and are amazed at our
look and the lifestyle concept."
The outdoor category continued to gain strength, supported by
a 12% increase in the number of buyers indicating they were
shopping casual/outdoor while at Las Vegas Market.
"Market this summer has been absolutely impressive and we're
starting to see the Casual/Outdoor market grow," said Tony
Rodriguez, president/CEO of Summerset Casual. "Sunday we
wrote a couple of major orders and saw a lot of new faces we
haven't seen before. We're writing a special proposal for a top 100
retailer for 2019, and this was a very large buyer."
Buyers said they appreciated the convenience and depth and
breadth of product offered at Las Vegas Market, including Karen
Phillips, representing Top 100 furniture retailer Weekends Only in
St. Louis, Mo.
"Summer Market has been really good for us," Phillips said. "All
of our key suppliers are here and we've seen a lot of good
introductions…Las Vegas market is so convenient, (it's) easy to get
here and such an easy market to navigate and find your vendors.
Registration was perfect, quick and easy."
INCREASE IN GIFT ATTENDANCE SIGNIFIED CONTINUED
GROWTH TRAJECTORY FOR THE CATEGORY
The gift category continued its growth trajectory for the sixth
consecutive summer market, increasing gift buyer attendance by
6% from Las Vegas Market summer 2016. The Market continues
to gain resources across the full spectrum of gift categories, with
the most marked growth in gourmet, toy/children's products, and
lifestyle categories.
Retailer Jan Boydstun of Kitchen Kitchen Inc. in Indian Wells,
Cailfornia said that she was surprised by the variety of products
and by how much the market has grown since her last visit.
"Las Vegas Market does such a great job getting the perfect
mix for so many different categories," Boydstun said. "I enjoyed
the Pavilions so much and found new, fun things and quality
products there."
