High Point officials: Spring registration flat

Buyer registration for the spring 2008 High Point Market was stable, market officials said, bolstered by increases in international delegations, interior designers and first-time buyers.

According to Brian D. Casey, president and chief executive officer of the High Point Market Authority, 47,168 buyers registered for the April show, as compared to 47,109 in spring 2007.

“We realized significant increases on the international side, with 1,743 buyers registered from around the globe, almost double the number of international registrations last spring,” Casey said. “Once again, we also saw a healthy increase (4,139) in the number of first-time buyers who have never visited High Point Market in the past, as well as the return of 2,081 buyers who have not attended market in the past two years or more.

“These numbers tell us that our marketing efforts are working and that buyers across the industry are responding positively to all of the improvements that have been implemented throughout the past two years,” Casey said. “Additionally, our interior design constituency continues to grow, with 15,595 designers registered this Market, an increase of 4,542 individuals over spring 2007.”

The balance of Spring Market registrants was made up of exhibitors and sales representatives, suppliers and market guests (32,927), for a total of 82,095. “While we continue to attract more buyers to High Point, we are noting a decrease in the number of exhibitors and sales personnel registering for market,” Casey said. “The home furnishings business is contracting and business conditions are adversely impacting the total number of registrations. We believe clarity and credibility are paramount, especially when home furnishings professionals across the industry are struggling with tough decisions about where to focus their dollars and efforts. We owe it to the industry to continue to provide all of market's stakeholders with accurate information required to make sound business judgments.”