Attendance at the October International Home Furnishings Market was down by 8% to 10% from the October 2004 market, the High Point Market Authority reported.

The semiannual market, which occupies 12 million square feet of showroom space, usually attracts an estimated 70,000 visitors.

"I don't know that we could put our finger on anything because pre-registration was up," said Judy Mendenhall, Market Authority president. "We figured probably it was the soft retail market, the energy crisis and the natural disasters in parts of the country — a combination of several things.

"Interestingly enough, the sales were very strong," she said. "I think the important thing is that the people who were here were buying."

Near the end of the October market, the Market Authority board voted to shift its dates to a Monday-to-Sunday schedule.

Although board members agreed to move market dates earlier in the year, the changes will have little impact on the 2006 schedule.

The spring market in High Point is set for April 27–May 3 while the fall market will be held Oct. 16–22.

In 2007, the spring market will begin in late March.

Judy Mendenhall