High Point Reports 6% Oct. Buyer Registration Increase

November 1, 2011  by in UnCategorized   

By Home Furnishings Business in High Point on November 2, 2011

The High Point Market Authority reported total registration of 75,859 for last month's fall show, including 44,779 buyers.

While the Market reports registration versus actual attendance, those numbers reflected a widespread sense during the show that October Market was well-attended compared with recent editions. Buyer registration was up 4 percent over April and 6 percent over the previous October. Total number of registrants was up 5 percent over April's event, and 6 percent over October 2010.

"Economic numbers were stronger in September, with housing starts up and gains in consumer spending for furniture," said High Point Market Authority CEO Tom Conley. "In addition, many retailers had terrific Labor Day weekend sales, so inventories were depleted. We saw that the appetite for buying was stronger than we've seen in recent markets. Business was energetic, and this Market has positioned us well for future growth."

International buyer registration was rose 13 percent from April and 11 percent from October 2010; and interior designer registrations were up 9 percent over April and 6 percent over October 2010.

"I€™m particularly pleased with the response for international buyers and interior designers," Conley said. "We have worked hard to attract those buyers to Market week, and our marketing efforts truly paid off at the October show."

Conley added that the rise in overall attendance is good news for the local community.

"The city of High Point and the surrounding Triad area both rely on the revenue from each High Point Market," he said. "An increase of the total number of people at the Market means so much to the local economic engine."

The Spring 2012 High Point Market is scheduled for April 21-26, and registration will open Jan. 3. The Fall 2012 Market will be held Oct. 13-18.