Retail Observer

APRIL 2020 RETAILOBSERVER.COM 35 DYNAMIC LAS VEGAS MARKET CAPS SUCCESSFUL JANUARY FOR IMC A strong Winter Las Vegas Market, fueled by robust traffic and order writing gains, opened the furniture industry's first market of the new decade and ended the gift and home industry's busy January schedule on a high note. Not to mention the high excitement around two IMC initiatives: the soon- to-be-completed Expo at World Market Center, and the recently announced launch of a new digital platform for the industry. "Las Vegas Market has hit its stride," said Bob Maricich, IMC's CEO. "The excitement and buoyancy felt throughout the week cemented our position as the premier market venue for the West. The gift, home décor and furniture industries rely on Las Vegas Market for discovery of new products and innovations to build their businesses. News of IMC's continued investment in our physical and digital markets created excitement that will carry throughout the year." POSITIVE REACTIONS FROM BUYERS AND SUPPLIERS Las Vegas Market leaders across the gift, home décor and furniture spectrum experienced successful – in some cases, record-breaking – markets, citing traffic and buying gains as well as added product interest. "We're Las Vegas loyalists and have been here since day one. We were one of the first showrooms that opened in Building C, and have never left," said Garry Schermann, senior vice president of sales at gift exhibitor Creative Co-Op. "We've never had a better show than we had this Market. The buyers have come out in force. It's not just our loyal customers, but so many new buyers – especially international – that have come to the market." Schermann reported orders placed by buyers from the Americas, Europe, Asia and Oceania at Market. Steady foot traffic was also evident in the home décor showrooms. Four Hands reported that in the first two days of Market it scanned badges of more than 4,200 buyers who were a mix of existing customers and new prospects. "We have been at Las Vegas Market from the beginning, and being part of the Market has been great for Four Hands, not just as a brand but as a destination and designer resource. I think our success has a lot to do with the popularity of Las Vegas Market but it also speaks to how on-point our brand is with the current trends," said Nicole Petropoulos, Las Vegas Market showroom manager. A seven-percent increase in designer attendance made a significant impact in the home categories. In furniture, exhibitors reported increased interest from West Coast designers. "This Market gives face-to- face exposure with designers who wouldn't typically shop our product," said John Pigg, vice president of sales for the North Carolina-based furniture brand Vanguard Furniture, which saw exponential year-over- year growth in buyers.

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