A number of years ago, when the dynamics of this business really started to change, Alan Cole, now president and CEO of Hooker Furniture Upholstery, was fond of observing that “the business is no longer about the big eating the little. Now, it's all about the nimble eating the slow.”
Alan's observations were right on the money.
In today's world of instant gratification, speed to market has become a non-negotiable. Consumers, forced to get more done in less time, have little tolerance for retailers who don't offer timely solutions.
Probably nowhere is this more obvious than when consumers shop online. The statistics indicate that if the shopper doesn't quickly find what she is looking for on a Web site, she has clicked you off in a matter of a few minutes.
So, my unsolicited advice to retailers is this: Be ready when she shows up, either in your store or online. The same applies to suppliers showing new goods to retailers. Be focused, be ready and be right!
With the High Point Market right around the corner, premarket, set for Sept 15-16, could be a great opportunity for suppliers and retailers to make sure they have their respective ducks in a row.
Exhibitors at premarket get a chance to spend time garnering input and feedback about their introductions from their key retail customers.
And even with a good portion of case goods coming from Asia, suppliers participating at premarket say they still have enough time to tweak things such as hardware and finishes based on opinions of retailers shopping premarket.
Retailers attending this event can see actual product, kick the tires, share suggestions with suppliers and still have 30 days to determine if the lines presented will work on their selling floors.
The other benefit for retailers is that they also get a chance — away from the often frantic pace of market — to visit and network with other retailers.
Either way, exhibitors and retailers will each leave premarket better prepared for market.
And if the race these days is indeed more about speed than size, why wouldn't you use any and every tool that could put you out in front of the pack?
High Point premarket will feature 62 exhibitorsA total of 62 case goods and upholstery resources say they will open their showrooms here during the Sept. 15-16 premarket.
They include 22 companies that are sponsors for the event, contributing funds to provide food, lodging and transportation to retailers who attend.
The sponsors and showroom locations are:
- A.R.T. Furniture - Plaza Suites, 220 S. Main, 200
- American Drew - International Home Furnishings Center, 210 E. Commerce Ave., C-926
- Aspenhome - IHFC,
- C-1258
- Bernhardt - IHFC, D-601
- Broyhill - IHFC, C-600
- Casana - 220 Elm, 400
- Hammary - IHFC, C-354
- Hekman - Hamilton Wrenn, 200 N. Hamilton St., 107
- Hooker Furniture - IHFC, W-1047
- Ideaitalia - 501 W. Green Drive
- Kincaid - IHFC, H-1204
- Lea Inds. - IHFC, C-934
- Leather Trend - Plaza Suites, 300
- Legacy Classic - Plaza Suites, C-100
- Natuzzi - 130 W. Commerce Ave.
- Pulaski - 220 Elm, 220
- Riverside Furniture - IHFC, C-302
- Rowe - IHFC, Space
- C-1058
- SLF - 220 Elm, 220
- Stanley Furniture - IHFC, C-1158
- Universal - 2622 Uwharrie Road
- Vaughan-Bassett - IHFC, C-1000
Another 40 companies are not sponsors, but say they also will open their doors to retailers during premarket. They include:
- A-America, Center Point, 401 S. Hamilton St., 101
- Added Oomph - 500 N. Wrenn
- Allyson Furniture Inds., Center Point on Manning, 401 Manning St., 160
- American Woodcrafters - Center Point, 103
- Austin Gray - 208 E. Green Drive
- BK Home - Market on Green, 233 S. Main St., 601
- Carolina Mattress Guild - Plaza Suites, 1-559
- Carter Furniture - IHFC, H-538
- CR-Home, Showplace, 2400
- Davis International, Center Point on Centennial, 401 S. Centennial St., 70
- ECI, Center Point, 1104
- H.M. Richards - Market on Green, 205, 206
- Home Trends and Design - IHFC, Interhall 310, 312
- Huffman-Koos - 209 N. Main St.
- Jofran - Plaza Suites, C-109
- John Thomas, 215 S. Main St., 1st floor
- Jonathan Louis, Center Point on Centennial, 25
- Kathy Ireland Home By Martin - National Furniture Mart, 200 S. Main, 702
- Klote International - 220 Elm, 306
- Lee Furniture - 142 S. Main
- Liberty, Center Point on Manning, 260
- Ligna Furniture - IHFC, H-541
- Ligo Products - National Furniture Mart, 102
- Linwood Furniture - 1690 English Road
- Mac Motion, Center Point, 206
- New Generations, Center Point, 203
- Orleans Furniture - Market on Main, 233 S. Main St., 3rd Floor
- PeopLoungers, Center Point, 209
- Pioneer, Center Point on Centennial, 10
- Prestige Furniture, Center Point, 207
- Prime Resources International - 220 Elm, 106 and 108
- Progressive 220 Elm, 218
- Sligh, Hamilton Wrenn, 310 N. Hamilton, 204
- Southern Motion, Center Point, 1102
- Straight Line Resources, Center Point, 204
- StyleLine - 328 S. Main St.
- Tera Furniture - 220 Elm, 320
- Ultimate Accents - IHFC, H-545
- Violino - Market on Green, 602
- W. Schillig - 220 Elm, 316
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