Crossing Over at Las Vegas Market

August 3, 2010  by in UnCategorized   

By Home Furnishings Business in Las Vegas on August 4, 2010

Concurrent shows for gifts and youth led to strong crossover shopping on the first day of Las Vegas Furniture Market on Monday, event officials said.

This week's furniture event also features the new Gift + Home and Vegas Kids shows.

"We've been elated by the buying activity on the first day of Market," said World Market Center President and CEO Robert Maricich. "No one has given up. They are here introducing new products, they are being aggressive. Retailers are here looking for new ideas, and the lines are being blurred between home furnishings and gifts, which is a good thing. One theme we€™ve seen again and again is crossover shopping. Attendees are truly embracing the whole home market we€™ve offered, and are taking advantage of the countless options under one roof€”Vegas Kids, Gift + Home, Las Vegas Market, Alfresco Spaces and so much more."

Chuck Reilly, vice president of sales and marketing for case goods and upholstered furniture vendor AICO, Pico Rivera, California, said he met with buyers from across the country and beyond and expects to continue writing strong orders in the coming days.

"We have a number of new products, so we have a lot in stock that can ship right away, which is attractive to buyers," he said. "We have had very steady traffic in the showroom and we are on target with what we hoped for on opening day of Market. I think it will be a strong order-writing market. We have seen a lot of the major accounts already today, and the buyers are spread out beyond the West Coast€”we have even seen some from Florida and New England, as well as Canada and Mexico."

Chad Turney, CEO and president of rustic furniture vendor Shadow Mountain, Statesville, N.C., said he saw greater-than-anticipated traffic.

"We're seeing a lot designers and traffic flow has been consistent all day," said Turney. "We think we're seeing this influx of new people because of our brands, Dick Idol and Woolrich. Designers seem to be drawn to them for their rustic elegance. Our current retailers are here, too, and the opening-day traffic is heavier than it has been in years past."

Jerome Kearns, chief operating officer for Four Hands, Austin, Texas, saw positive response to Four Hands' new Esquire line.

"We have had great steady traffic. We had customers here when we opened and we've been busy ever since," he said. "Las Vegas has always been a good show for us, and if the first day is a harbinger of what's to come I'll be really pleased."

In addition, World Market Center officials, which are sponsoring the Home Mortgage Sweepstakes for 2010 National Home Furnishings Month (September). are promoting the sales event at market. Through this sweepstakes, WMCLV will pay the mortgage of the winner for an entire year.

Retailers are encouraged sign up for NHFM and the Sweepstakes online or going to the NHFM kiosk in World Market Center€™s Building C Atrium or at C-496. Hosted by Western Home Furnishings Association (WHFA), retailers will be able to get their complimentary listing on the store locator, as well as get the information and tools required to participate in this year€™s national event.