Above (l-r): Patrick Cory of Joseph Cory Companies, Keith Seigerman,
GNYFA President, Jerry Epperson of Mann Armistead & Epperson
and Barbara Goldstein, GNYHFA Exec. Director.
“It isn’t often that you can get a group of prominent New York retailers, the best reps and a who’s who of industry suppliers to be so transfixed by a presentation,” said Keith Seigerman, of Seigerman’s Furniture and President of the Greater New York Home Furnishings Association. “It was a marvelous evening,” he added.
Wallace W. (Jerry) Epperson, the leading industry economist, spoke on at length on the need for our industry to find new and inovatave ways to market to the “20 something” generational group, internet buying and catalogs. He also discussed the growth and challenges faced by market retailers such as Costco, now big players in the furniture business and outlined ways that some retailers and manufacturers are innovating to meet current market challenges.
About 80 retailers, reps and industry suppliers attended the seminar meeting that was arranged and partially underwritten by GNYHFA board member Patrick Cory of The Joseph Cory Companies. At the end of his main presentation, Mr. Eperson’s took questions on product quality/ cost relationships, IKEA, high end furniture sales over the internet, the High Point and Las Vegas shows, tariffs on Chinese bedroom furniture and other topics.
A number of audio excerpts from Jerry Epperson’s talk have been posted to Greater New York Home Furnishing’s website at www.gnyhfa.org.
About GNYHFA: The Greater New York Home Furnishings is an association of New York area retailers, home furnishings representatives, and industry suppliers. An IHFRA affiliate organization, the GNYHFA hosts an annual world class dinner dance, golf outing, social events and seminars. The association also offers group benefits including health insurance and travel discounts. For more information on the GNYHFA or to join, contact Barbara Goldstein, Executive Director, GNYHFA, 200 Lexington Avenue, NY, NY 10016. Email ghyhfa6@aol.com or call 212-725-00291.