Las Vegas Market: Early Show Report

Furniture World Magazine

Preliminary report on attendance, buying environment and exhibitor comments submitted to FURNITURE WORLD Magazine by World Market Center, Las Vegas: Buyers have spoken: They’re doing, not just dreaming. And they’re attending the 2009 Winter Las Vegas Market in droves. The first major home furnishings market of the year kicked off on February 9 at World Market Center Las Vegas – and with registration higher than expected. Buyer and designer attendance on the opening day is down a mere 2 percent, when compared to last year’s January 2008 Market. And so far there are 6,527 new buyers visiting Las Vegas Market for the first time this week. World Market Center Las Vegas President and Chief Executive Officer Robert Maricich said, “We are excited by the interest we’re seeing from every segment of the industry. It’s reassuring to know that business people are aggressively positioning themselves for future success and taking advantage of the unparalleled offerings in Las Vegas.” Maricich added that this week’s Market traffic is exceeding expectations, especially given that many trade shows and markets are currently seeing significant dips in attendance. Both buyers and sellers gave rave reviews to the first day. Canadian-based buyer Jeff Bellinger of Castle Mountain Home Furnishings, says “Las Vegas has much more to offer. The whole goal of having everything under three roofs is very convenient. I have already spent money that I hadn’t planned to and we’ve only been to one floor!” Rob Sligh, chairman of Sligh Furniture Company, who is here for his second Las Vegas Market, says, “It’s been vibrant. People are coming here looking for ideas on how they can make sales in a difficult retail environment. We have some creative ideas we are trying to pass along and they seem to appreciate it.” The biggest names in the industry are at World Market Center this week, and they’re ready to do business. The 2009 Winter Market welcomes 100 new exhibitors and boasts more than 1,500 total manufacturers and lines represented. Furniture Brands International debuted four of its brands at this week’s Las Vegas Market including Thomasville, Drexel Heritage, Henredon and Maitland Smith, and by all indications, this week has been a positive start for the whole group. Lenwood Rich, President and CEO of Drexel Heritage, said “We’re very excited to be here. We’re seeing retailers and designers who don’t normally come to High Point. We’re also seeing customers who only go to High Point once a year. This is a great opportunity to expose our brand to so many more different people because it’s all in one area. It was advantageous for the three brands to be together. It’s created a lot of buzz and traffic. Being at Las Vegas Market is a great advertisement for our brand. We’re reaching so many people who may not be aware of Drexel. They can actually see and touch it now. It’s great for all our brands.” Dan Bradley, President of Henredon, said “World Market Center did a great job working with us and getting us here to Las Vegas. Many buyers are saying they’re glad to see us here. Yesterday we had lots of new prospects coming through the door. In September our plan is to bring in new products.” Ed Teplitz, President of Thomasville, said “Overall I think Las Vegas Market is great. It’s very customer friendly. It’s easy for buyers to shop here. Hotels are very nice and reasonably priced and it’s very easy for people to get around. This is the best traffic we’ve ever seen in Las Vegas. Customers are telling us that they’re happy we’re here. We’re seeing accounts that wouldn’t come to High Point. We’d like to show our new fall offerings in September that we’ll also be showing in High Point in October.” John Labarowski, President of Hammery, who is also showing at World Market Center for the first time this week, said “Traffic was good. We were very pleased. We had roughly 60 dealers and several were really not familiar with our line. It exposed our line to a variety of people and we were very pleased about opening day.” Tommy Shore, President of Classic Leather who is launching their company’s new Harley Davidson line this week, said “We love the space and the new building is wonderful. The attitude of the staff here is very good and everyone is so positive. People really like our product and we’ve seen quality people who have come in to see it (the new Harley-Davidson line) and we’ve generated very good interest. “World Market Center has really helped our West Coast business. We’ve been able to diversify to new clients and reach new customers.” Ron Wanek, CEO of Ashley, said “We had a very good day. Traffic was excellent. It was better than I expected. We have the best promotions and prices than we have had.” Nelson Chow, vice president of sales for C&F Enterprises, a gift and accessory line at Las Vegas Market, said “We’re really happy with the traffic, especially since we weren’t sure what to expect. We’re really excited with the reaction to the merchandise. People are writing orders.” During the opening day’s trend series talk about the 2010 color forecast, color expert Leatrice Eiseman spoke volumes when she discussed the huge popularity of mimosa yellow. “People need a color that emits a ray of sunshine and a bit of optimism.” World Market Center Las Vegas is delivering a healthy dose of optimism this week through products as well as programming. Attendees can look forward to a business survival seminar series, Brave New World Environmental Leadership Series, Trend Series and seminars such as a gift-oriented retail panel, the Design Icon and more. In addition, attendees are invited to mix and mingle at more than 10 different parties and receptions over five days, while enjoying some of the lowest hotel rates Las Vegas has ever seen. Maricich said, “If ever there were a time to attend Market, this is it,” said Maricich. “To help overcome the challenges of the present environment, it is imperative to seek out new business partners from around the world and open up new opportunities for growth.” The February 2009 Las Vegas Market continues through February 13 at World Market Center Las Vegas. Complimentary M-Line Shuttles will run continuously all day from host hotels to World Market Center Las Vegas. In addition, attendees also will be able to register for the 2009 September Las Vegas Market and book discounted hotel rates during the February Las Vegas Market. For more information, please visit www.LasVegasMarket.com. About World Market Center Las Vegas: World Market Center Las Vegas is an integrated home and hospitality contract furnishings showroom and trade complex in Las Vegas. With the opening of Building C, World Market Center now stands at more than 5 million square feet of space, exceeding the size of any trade merchandise mart in the United States. When fully built, at $3 billion, 12 million square feet and 8 buildings, World Market Center Las Vegas will be the largest trade show complex in the world. The campus showcases furniture, decorative accessories, gift, lighting, area rugs, home textile and related segments, as well as the Las Vegas Design Center (LVDC), open year-round.