Looking really good

Becky Boswell Smith -- Home Accents Today, 10/1/2006

Markets are exciting for all kinds of reasons: new products, new companies, who's not here any longer, crowd size, face lifts (corporate and personal) — you can make your own list.

There is even more buzz about this market, now officially the High Point Market, as attendees figure out the new schedule. Exhibitors are eagerly, even anxiously, awaiting buyers to define the new patterns for shopping.

Will buyers come early? Go home early? Stay late? Write orders? I don't know the answers to all this either, but by the time you are reading this issue, we'll begin to get at least preliminary answers.

One thing we do know is it's all about showmanship, at this market and all others. Exhibitors spend big dollars and endless hours to make their show spaces appealing, dramatic and enticing. After all, if they don't get you in the door, you won't buy.

Like your mama told you, you don't get a second chance to make a first impression. That's the most powerful message I brought home from my first visit last month to Maison & Objet, the Paris show. Sure the products are beautiful, fashion-forward — but, hey, so are introductions in this country.

But what sizzle.

Space after space in the massive halls stopped me with impressive displays, cleverly constructed "rooms," entrances and a monumental wow factor. The show is temporary, but there is incredible money and time devoted to presentation.

Beautiful vignettes, whether at shows or in stores, are major selling tools. Designers have that wonderful knack of pulling all this together for us and making us want to buy.

Whether we're retailers or consumers, we need the inspiration.

It really is all about looking good — looking really good.