High Point Market

IT’S NOT EASY TO STAY RELEVANT
By Rebecca Miller, president, Gabberts Furniture and Design Studio

The past seven years have not been kind to the furnishing industry and manufacturers and retailers know that to succeed you must focus on the consumer—their wants, needs, aspirations and desires. Easier said than done.

For some 60 years, Gabberts has held its position as the Twin Cities’ premier destination for exceptional interior design services and fine furnishings. But the road has not always been easy. Like others in our industry, Gabberts was not immune to the mistakes many made in trying to capture marketshare from an overly saturated market. When things got tough, Gabberts fell into the trap of competing on price and trying to be all things to everyone. It was not a successful strategy.

That all changed in 2005 when management realized that in order to reclaim Gabberts’ position as the number-one choice for the finest in design and furnishings, they had to refocus the brand. That required shutting the doors in an underperforming market and gutting the flagship store to start from scratch.

Click here for more about Gabberts' focus on the brand.


		Attention all High Point Market exhibitors and showroom designers, it’s your time to shine and the High Point Market Authority is aiming the spotlights! This Market, we’re launching a new, annual event—The HPMA Showroom Display and Merchandising Ideas Competition—designed to celebrate the extraordinary showroom presentations you create each and every season. All companies exhibiting at the Fall 2007 High Point Market are eligible and invited to enter the competition. Showroom displays will be judged on visual appeal, creativity, elements and principles of design presentation, each display’s ability to be replicated efficiently and affordably on retail floors and consumer allure. Find competition details, rules and instructions for submissions beginning Tuesday, September 18, 2007 at the following web address: www.highpointmarket.org/fall07competition. But you’ll have to act quickly: Entries will only be accepted until 9 a.m., Monday morning, October 1, 2007. Click here to find out more about the showroom design competition.


		High Point Market Trend for Fall: Traditional--Customized and Personalized play video

RESERVE TIME WITH A MARKET SCOUT

Interested in maximizing your time at Market? Call now to make a reservation with a Market Scout.

The Market Scouts program pairs High Point University students in the interior design and home furnishings marketing departments who have been trained to act as guides with first-time visitors and Market veterans alike. In addition to helping Market-goers more easily navigate the Market, these “cool hunters” can assist in identifying new sources and narrowing product searches.

Scouts are assigned to Market-goers on a first-come, first-serve basis and reservations must be made prior to Market. Demand for Scouts’ time always exceeds supply, so interested retailers and designers are urged to call (336) 869-1000 ext. 227 now.

A recent MTV/CBS poll of young people ages 13 to 24 found that most believe the time to do something about global warming is right now. Many pick the environment as the biggest problem that their generation will need to solve.

“This is the next generation of furniture consumers and it’s clear the environment is top of mind for them,” says Chris Bruning, vice president of Dallas-based manufacturer Groovystuff. “Nearly 90 percent say they will choose brands that are aligned with a social cause.”

Given this growing trend, sustainability will no doubt be top of mind for many this Market. Furniture designers, retailers, interior designers, manufacturers and marketers seeking insight are invited to a pair of educational lunchtime events set for October 2nd and 3rd from noon to 1 p.m. under the tent in the Century Courtyard at Market Square. Sponsored by the Sustainable Furniture Council (SFC), Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc. (MMPI) and the High Point Market Authority, along with High Point Market exhibitors Caperton Furnitureworks and Groovystuff, the lunch-and-learn series will focus on product sustainability and responsible wood sourcing.

Click here for more on the Lunch-and-Learn events.

INTERIOR DESIGNERS TO BE FETED AT KINCAID

Tea anyone? Kincaid Furniture, the home of Laura Ashley Home, is hosting an Open House and High Tea exclusively for interior designers during the upcoming High Point Market.

The event is scheduled for Thursday, October 4, from 3 to 5 p.m. in the Kincaid showroom located in the IHFC Hamilton Wing, Space 1204.

In addition to raising their cups, designers will have an opportunity to meet company management and sales representatives to explore the opportunities this leading furniture maker offers to freelance interior designers, contract specifiers, and small interior design firms.

Click here for more on the Open House and High Tea hosted by Kincaid Furniture.

HAMILTON WRENN DESIGN DISTRICT TOUTS “TUESDAY UPTOWN”

Market-goers heading to the Hamilton Wrenn Design District this Fall may want to make plans to stay for an evening “uptown.” All exhibitors in the Hamilton Wrenn area are inviting Market guests to mix, mingle and enjoy extended shopping hours during a special, “Tuesday Uptown” celebration from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, October 2, 2007.

Planned like a progressive cocktail party, individual exhibitors are creating tempting menus to serve visitors—an enticing and satisfying way to explore the many furniture and accessories designs in the Hamilton Wrenn area. As example, visitors to 200 N. Hamilton will enjoy wine and hors d’oeuvres on every floor, plus live entertainment from a Market favorite, The Cookie Band. Next door at 320/330 N. Hamilton, market guests may relax with wine, hors d’oeuvres and the Wally West jazz trio.

Click here for more on "Tuesday Uptown."

"Kane’s Furniture is one our region’s fastest growing home furnishings retailers, serving customers in 17 locations across eight major markets in Central Florida. We operate under both the Kane’s and Savon brands, providing a kaleidoscope of popular styles, colors and textures in every category of home furnishings. In every part of our merchandising mix, we work to offer the best value at any given price point.

To achieve that objective, our buyers scour the world in search of suppliers who not only provide the products our customers desire, but deliver the quality and service that ensures the satisfaction of everyone who purchases from Kane’s and Savon. We do shop a lot of venues, but High Point is our major market. The number of exhibitors, breadth of products, range of price points and access to owners and managers is simply unequalled by any other market in the world. If you want to be sure you have the right merchandise on your floor, you simply have to attend the High Point Market."

- Irwin Novack, CEO, Kane’s Furniture

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