Leda Leaves High Point Market

August 26, 2007  by in UnCategorized   

By Home Furnishings Business in Furniture Retailing on August 2007 Toronto-based case goods company Leda Furniture has left the High Point Market after 15 years to embark on a fly-in program for its retail partners.

“This was not an easy decision to make,” said Leda President Marco L. Confalone, “but with buyer behaviors toward attending Markets changing, coupled with an inability to find a suitable new showroom location conducive to providing proper case goods displays, we have decided not to renew the lease on our current location and just pull out of the Market.”

The company had shown on the fifth floor of the International Home Furnishings Center for the last five years. Prior to that, the company had been on the 11th floor.

Confalone said renovations on the fifth floor wing resulted in lower walk-by traffic.

“Plus, with the number of buyers now attending only one Market a year, it was not prudent to remain at that location,” he said.

To stay in touch with its retail customers, Leda is introducing the Retailer Fly-In program to give retailers the opportunity to visit the company’s facility and showroom in Toronto.

“We have always offered to fly current and potential retailers to our facility,” Confalone said. “Now is a great time to promote this program, as there are a number of buyers who are probably tired of the typical Market travel rut, so the fly-in is an opportunity for them to see our line without having to worry about rushing around and overloading their senses with product and information. Factory visits can be calm and more productive than rushing from showroom to showroom. These visits can be accomplished in one day, in and out of Toronto.”

Leda is not looking to lease a Las Vegas Market showroom, but Confalone said he is watching the Market to see if it progresses to cater more to the medium- and high-end retailer.

He also said the company may return to High Point in a few years when Market attendance and the furniture economy improves.