Fall High Point Market sees 6% traffic increase over 2010

Retail Editor 2 -- Home Accents Today, 11/2/2011 10:38:34 AM

HIGH POINT, N.C. — Business was brisk at the Fall High Point Market, held Oct. 22-27, with a 6% increase in Market attendance over the Fall 2010 market, the High Point Market Authority reported.

A total of 75,859 home furnishings professionals registered for this year's fall market, with 44,779 of those registrants being buyers, said Tom Conley, president and CEO of the HPMA.

"We saw that the appetite for buying was stronger than we've seen in recent markets, he said. "Business was energetic, and this Market has positioned us well for future growth."

Conley attributed better business at Market to a strong Labor Day weekend for retailers and economic gains in housing starts and consumer spending during September.

Other stats from the Fall Market reported by the HPMA include:

• Total number of registrants was up 5% over April's market

• Buyer registration was up 4% over April and 6% over the previous October

• International buyer registration was up 13% over April and 11% over October 2010

• Registrations for interior designers were up 9% over April and 6% over October 2010

"I'm particularly pleased with the response for international buyers and interior designers," Conley said. "We have worked hard to attract those buyers to Market Week, and our marketing efforts truly paid off at the October show."

Conley added that the rise in overall attendance is also good news for the local community.

"The city of High Point and the surrounding Triad area both rely on the revenue from each High Point Market. An increase of the total number of people at the Market means so much to the local economic engine."

The Spring 2012 High Point Market is scheduled for April 21-26, and registration will open on Jan. 3. The Fall 2012 Market will be held Oct. 13-18.