Boost Their Confidence, Drive Your Sales
By Gregory Curry, National Sales Manager, Lloyd’s of Chatham

It’s no secret that these are not stellar times for much of the furniture industry. As I talk to retailers around the country, many seem perplexed, anxious, and fearful as to how they will continue to compete. Virtually every market is seeing an increase in home furnishings outlets, more dollars spent on advertising, and promotional goods that seem to have no bottom in terms of pricing. Everyone is after his or her slice of a pie that is not getting any larger. So what can you do to make sure consumers spend their money in your store?

Click here for Greg’s sales-building advice.

Luxury Consumers Similar Around the World

According to a new report from the Consumer Research Center of The Conference Board, luxury consumers across the U.S. and much of Western Europe are remarkably similar in many ways, especially in the emphasis they place on experiences, rather than something that one has or owns.

“Consumers have remarkably similar perspectives on how to define luxury,” says Lynn Franco, director of The Conference Board Consumer Research Center. “The largest share of luxury consumers (44 percent) and the largest share of consumers in each country most strongly agree that ‘luxury is having enough time to do whatever you want and being able to afford it.’ So, for luxury consumers worldwide, time is the ultimate luxury.”

Click here for more about this important
consumer insight.

How Now Brown Cow: Leading Edge Leather Looks

play video

IHFC STAGES COMPELLING SEMINAR SERIES

The International Home Furnishings Center (IHFC) is producing an exclusive series of educational programs for designers and retailers this Fall.

Ten compelling programs are scheduled during Market week, October 1 through October 6. Seminars address important style/design/color trends, along with professional reinvention, practical insights from celebrity designers, succeeding online with local search methods, the transformational use of decorative accessories and the use of friends and family to build a million-dollar sales book.

Click here for complete listing of these exciting seminars

ACT NOW TO RECEIVE SPECIAL DISCOUNTS ON HOTEL ROOMS

Newsflash! If you’re interested in securing discounted hotel room rates for Fall Market, the time to act is now. Discounted hotel rooms are booking very quickly and will soon sell out completely. Take advantage of these special offers by making your plans now to join us for Fall Market, October 1 through 7, 2007.

Click here to find out how you can take advantage of these special rates.

HEALTH IS THE MOST POWERFUL MOTIVATOR FOR CONSUMERS TO BUILD/BUY A GREEN HOME

A recent study conducted by independent real estate advisory firm Robert Charles Lesser & Co. (RCLCO) found that as many as 42 percent of all home buyers would be motivated to purchase a green home based on knowledge of their health benefits, compared with only 17 percent for energy savings and 12 percent for the environment.

The national survey, conducted to gain better understanding of homeowners’ attitudes toward green residential products, targeted existing homeowners with incomes in excess of $50,000, or in the case of retirees, those with estimated net worth of at least $250,000.

Click here to find out more about consumer attitudes toward sustainability.

“BiltRite Furniture has been in business for 79 years. My grandfather started out selling custom-upholstered sofas one at a time; then, in 1948 we opened our downtown store and stayed in that location until 2006, expanding to 43,000 square feet over the years. About a year ago, we opened a new, 65,000 square foot facility in a great location right next to the freeway. I’ve been going to the High Point Market since 1988, and what really sets High Point apart is that it’s all about the furniture. The showrooms are larger and they stay open later; the selection is better and there are no other distractions. Plus, it’s very easy to get around. With the new transportation system, we don’t even have to rent a car anymore. If you want to focus on business of buying furniture, High Point is the place to be.”

Marty Komisar, President, BiltRite Furniture, Milwaukee, Wisconsin


 
More than 85,000 registrants
More than 2600 Exhibitors
110 Countries Represented
Tens of Thousands of New Product Introductions
Fall 2007 Market Dates: October 1 - 7

High Point Market Authority •  101 South Main Street •  High Point, NC 27260