VISUAL MERCHANDISING IDEAS THE HIGH POINT OF HIGH POINT
By Cori Dunn, president and chief creative officer, Crispy Content

Perhaps I am overstating the obvious, but I’ve been a female since the day I was born. I became a female consumer as soon as I could. For many years, I was also a trade magazine editor who covered the home furnishings industry.

The combination of being a female, a consumer and a trade magazine editor used to really come in handy. In the Spring, I would go to the High Point Market. Then I would return home and go shopping. In the Fall, I would go to High Point. Then I would go shopping. This happened year after year. Eventually I realized a pattern had emerged. At Market: Magic! I wanted to buy everything I saw. At retail: Thud! Nothing rang my bell. Frankly, I was flummoxed by the contrast. “Who,” I wondered, “let the sizzle out of the balloon?”

Click here for more on Cori Dunn's take on the high point of High Point.


The High Point Market Showroom Display and Merchandising Ideas Competition—designed to celebrate the extraordinary showroom presentations you create each and every season—is already well underway. All companies exhibiting at the Fall 2007 High Point Market are eligible and invited to enter the competition. But you must act quickly:

Entries will only be accepted until
9 a.m., Monday morning, October 1, 2007.

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 at the following web address: www.highpointmarket.org/fall07competition.

Click here to find out more about the showroom design competition.

High Point Market Wood Furniture Previews

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IT’S ALMOST SHOW TIME AT SHOWPLACE!

Those who call High Point home every day of the year know that Market is just around the corner when the enormous tent begins to rise up in the parking area at SHOWPLACE. And, most Market-goers know that starting next Monday evening, October 1st, that tent will be the central hub of a nightly, week-long celebration that combines great music and entertainment with plenty of free food and drink.

Yet, while most in-the-know Market types are familiar with what happens outside of SHOWPLACE, those new to Market aren’t always aware of the level of excitement and special amenities that await inside the half-million-square-foot exhibition building with the distinctive, wave-like exterior.

Click here to find out more about what is going on at SHOWPLACE.

RSVP NOW TO 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.

RSVP NOW FOR THESE SPECIAL MARKET EVENTS!
 
SUSTAINABILITY 101 AND RESPONSIBLE WOOD SOURCING
A Special Two-Part, Lunch-and-Learn Series

Furniture designers, retailers, interior designers, manufacturers and marketers 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, this special, two-part Lunch-and-Learn series will focus on product sustainability and responsible wood sourcing.

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

FAST-MOVING A.R.T. DEBUTS NEW, MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR SHOWROOM

A.R.T. Furniture is on the move this Fall, straight into a brand new, 40,000-square-foot showroom in Plaza Suites that will be completed just in time for Market. All are invited to wish company executives well at a special ribbon-cutting ceremony and reception scheduled for 4 p.m. on Monday, October 1 that will officially open the doors to the fabulous new showroom and what officials say will be a new phase of growth for the company.

Click here for more on A.R.T.'s new showroom.

C&D CELEBRATES!

The C&D Building, located at the corner of Commerce & Elm, is celebrating its 20th Anniversary this Market with a week-long celebration full of special events, delicious treats and plenty of surprises planned for Market guests.

Click here for more on the C&D celebration.

HOTELIERS URGE SMALL BUSINESSES TO TRY MID-WEEK MARKET VISITS

Still need accommodations for Fall Market next week and hoping for a last-minute travel deal? You may be in luck.

Hoteliers in the Greensboro, High Point and Winston-Salem area report that reservations have been brisk for Fall Market week, October 1 to 7. While procrastinators will likely find rooms difficult to come by at Market’s start, “There are still a few good hotel deals to be had later in the week,” says the High Point Market Authority’s Dawn Smith, who oversees travel arrangements for Market attendees.

Click here for more on last minute travel deals.

ON THE MENU

Looking for a special spot to dine with clients after Market hours, or to simply unwind away from the madding crowd? The Shops at Friendly Center—a recently opened lifestyle shopping center in Greensboro, N.C.—has fast become a favorite destination for Triad residents, and is just a short drive from downtown High Point. As an added bonus for the retail-minded, there’s also a full complement of fine stores, ranging from Brooks Brothers and Bandolino to Coldwater Creek, J. Jill and REI. For driving directions and a complete list of restaurants and shops, visit www.theshopsatfriendlycenter.com.

Click here to learn more about The Shops at Friendly Center.

"One of the most disturbing trends I'm seeing at retail is a sameness in the product being offered. From the discount promotional stores to the high end, I'm finding very similar looks. It's important to remember that consumers shop for design more than quality; they just don't understand why two pieces with a similar look might have a price difference of, say, $1000. When business is tough, retailers have to show their customers something they haven't seen before; you can't get by with the same merchandise that worked last year, or products that can be found in a multitude of outlets. That's why it's so important to come to the High Point Market. If you can't find something different in High Point, it probably doesn't exist."

- Jerry Epperson
Furniture Industry Analyst, Principal, Mann, Armistead & Epperson, Ltd.


 
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