Buyers turned on by color, quality, quick-delivery and American-made
Susan Dickenson -- Home Accents Today, 4/5/2011 9:39:03 AM
BUYERS INTERVIEWED by Home Accents Today in High Point this week were more talkative and opinionated than usual, with several sharing a few off-the-record complaints about (up to six-month) delivery times, rising costs ("I warned my vendors a decade ago that eventually China would raise their costs through the roof - well, here we are"), and inflation fears.
On the flip side, all seemed to be in a spending mood, energized by the colors and innovative new products they were finding on the market's opening day. Also on retailers' and designers' radars: Furniture and accessories to satisfy a moneyed, stimulated, "I-want-it-now" younger market, and American-made products for all ages, price ranges and tastes.
Here's what a few of them had to say about business year-to-date, what they're looking for, and what they like in High Point this week.
THIS IS MY 11TH High Point Market, I also shop Atlanta and New York. This week, I'm looking for furniture and accessories that can serve dual purposes. We've noticed that people are starting to downsize and want to find things that work several ways -- like slipcovered ottomans with shelving underneath. We saw a couple of pieces yesterday that really turned us on - console tables you can slipcover and put TV components beneath, with a beautiful formal look. It's Annie Selke's line for Vanguard. And we're really seeing a big trend toward indoor/outdoor furnishings and fabrics -- probably a reflection of the economy. Now, when people make an investment in anything, they want it go to go much further. When I come to market I look for trends, and I think American-made is a big one. We decided when we opened that we would only sell American-made upholstery, and at times it's been a challenge. I can't put a sofa on my floor for less than $1,800 if it's American-made. But judging from returns, people love it. - Susan Victor, Nandina, Aiken, S.C., and Atlanta
MOST OF OUR CLIENTS right now favor transitional styles -- modern mixed with traditional -- even though they don't necessarily know that's the style they're looking for. Living close by, I come to High Point every opportunity I can, not just for market, because a lot of the showrooms are open year-round to the trade. And if you have a rep for some of the lines you can schedule a time to meet them in the showrooms. What do I like so far? We haven't been here that long, but I am really seeing a lot of color -- oranges, greens, reds. Business for us so far this year is about the same as last year. - Denise Washburn, Denise Washburn Interior Design, Winston-Salem, N.C.
WE'VE BEEN OPEN for 28 years - I come to High Point Market every year. We sell furniture and accessories to the design trade. I'm looking for everything. Our business has not slowed down - the local economy has remained strong and business has been great for us. We're up already - 12% ahead of last year, which was flat. I'm seeing all new colors this year, and am so glad to see it. We're buying what we need, and we've got a lot of huge projects in the works so we need everything. - Steve Clifton and Jorge Cantu, Scene One Interiors, Houston
MY BUSINESS IS starting to perk again! And I'm so happy to see my young ones (sales associates) get excited about selling. We went through two or three sale periods when there was hardly anyone walking into the store, and you know, I think they got used to that. Fabrics have gone up. We buy fabrics for upholstery and drapery. It reminds me of 1975 or so when we would call and check the price of something and hold it at that price, to reserve it, like buying stock. And we would call back the next day and it would have already increased. I don't see it so much in the showrooms here yet, but most of the stuff they're showing here now is probably stuff they bought a year ago, so I think it's going to be next market where we're going to see this thing (inflation) happening. Trend-wise, I see a sort of balance coming back - the idea that one good piece that's well-designed, well-made, is better than a lot of junk. People are looking for quality, beauty, authenticity and integrity. - Marilyn Hansen, The Designers Furniture Gallery, Omaha, Neb.
While I don't disagree, price is often the tough one when it comes to American made. People still love cheap - even if it doesn't last. Though the tide is turning on getting customers, especially younger ones, to spend good money today so you'll have it tomorrow.
I have better luck going custom on upholstery: buy local, American made and putting money back into local economy tends to appeal to clients.
Good article.
Lisa M. Smith - 2011-04-06 10:46:44 EDT
My clients are all about American made.I am in Southern Pines N.C.I have alot of retired military as wellas active military clients.Of course that is their emphasis.But my clients locally and across the United States all share the same feeling.That is Buy American.They have seen their financial portfolios decrease,they have seen the economic upswing of the 90s and now the down swing.they know why.They remember Ronald Reagan..I remember when alot of the manufacturers went off shore to buy cheaper product.. Alot of fine manufacturers closed their doors due to non support of American made product..Anyone remember Kittenger>John Widdicomb.wonderful quality..all gone because of greed and non support of our country.lets learn from our stupidity and rally round one another,
Buy Locally buy American..unless its an Antique!
holly Carter - 2011-04-06 06:42:15 EDT
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