Retail Observer

RETAILOBSERVER.COM OCTOBER 2022 40 DESIGN TRADE GROWTH The West Coast design community came out to Las Vegas Market in force with a more than 20% increase in attendance over Summer 2021. Designers were driven by the opportunity to see new trends and products and significant programming including the 2022 ASID California Central / Nevada Chapter ANDYZ Awards Celebration, Las Vegas Market's proprietary FIRST LOOK and Ahead of the Curve trend intelligence, the Science in Design Summit, showroom tours and 14 CEU-eligible educational sessions. Designers also had the opportunity to network with their peers at programming presented by the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) and the Real Estate Staging Association (RESA). Home furnishings brand Classic Home attributed its summer 2022 growth to designers, reporting that some 60% of buyers were designers, many of whom were new to Classic Home. "It was exciting to see new, fresh faces coming in – both people getting into the industry for the first time and new customers to Classic Home that have been in the business for a while," said Nicole Long, vice president of marketing, who reported strong interest in whole home sourcing including the brand's outdoor furniture collection and Villa textiles collection. First-time designer attendee Jessica Mireles of Jessica Mireles Designs in Las Vegas shared, "Attending the seminars was my favorite part [of Las Vegas Market]. There is always so much to learn, and it was so inspiring to hear from enthusiastic professionals with incredible experience. As much as we shop online, there is nothing like touching the materials and seeing the colors in person…I'm excited to use what I've learned in what I'll be creating this year." NEW BUYERS AND BRANDS COMING TOGETHER More than 200 new, expanded or relocated brands across thousands of resources in the Market's 800+ permanent showrooms and 350+ temporary exhibits tapped Las Vegas Market to make connections with new customers. Las Vegas Market confirmed its status as THE bedding market with stronger-than-expected attendance and orders. Diamond Mattress Company, which debuted a relocated space at the Summer 2022 Las Vegas Market reported having "an outstanding Market." Patrick Wolf, vice president of sales and education, said "overall attendance was our second-best market…EVER. Monday was our biggest day EVER." Expansion of the temporary exhibits – the largest presentation since relocation to the Expo at World Market Center Las Vegas in Winter 2021 – created new opportunities for buyers and brands. Of note was the RISE pavilion presented by JuniperMarket by IMC with 12 new-to-Las-Vegas women-owned brands offering myriad lifestyle products for sale simultaneously at the physical market and on the digital platform. "We went to the temporary exhibits first, planning to spend about half an hour there. Instead, we were there for four hours and wrote orders with seven new lines that we are very excited about," said retailer Harlan Munneke of The Mole Hole in Solvang, Calif. The cross-category nature of Las Vegas Market allowed brands to discover new products. "We use Las Vegas Market mainly for accessories and gift items," said retailer Jessica Smith, store manager for Talsma Furniture in Hudsonville, Mich. "We find new vendors or shop vendors we don't normally reorder from to find that diamond in the rough. We found some great pieces that we are very excited about." AT-MARKET GATHERINGS AND EXPERIENCES The Summer 2022 Las Vegas Market was abuzz with events, education, gatherings and celebrations. Las Vegas Market provided a platform for buying groups and associations to gather again. Key educational opportunities included the one-day Furniture Marketing Group (FMG) Bedding Summit and three days of education presented by the Home Furnishings Association (HFA). Programming and resources open to all market attendees included GC Buying Group's Sip & Shop and Fair Trade Federation's product presentation. Other programming included the Executive Leadership Summit, the Independent College Bookstore Association orientation tour for key West Coast buyers, Pacific Furniture Dealers board and members meetings, Purchasing Power Plus digital product tour and the Zoo Aquarium & Garden Buyers Group (ZAG) national board meeting. Retailers and designers fully engaged in the Las Vegas Market experience. Education was a market draw with strong attendance at nearly 40 seminars, presentations and tours over four days of market. Attendees joined in celebrations that returned in Summer 2022 including the Gift + Stationery 40 Under 40 presented by Gift Shop Plus and Stationery Trends magazines and the exclusive Designer Soiree. They also came together at the official Kickoff Party and After Parties plus happy hours throughout the market week. They shared snaps from market at Instagrammable moments in all three buildings and trending products from the Market Snapshot display. Las Vegas Market is the leading home furnishings and gift market in the western U.S., presenting thousands of furniture, home décor and gift resources in an unrivaled market destination. Las Vegas Market's diverse product offerings allow for cross-category commerce among these industries. The next Las Vegas Market runs January 29-February 2 at World Market Center Las Vegas. Visit www.LasVegasMarket.com for more information. RO LARGER SUMMER 2022 LAS VEGAS MARKET

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