Daily News
From Home Furnishing Business
Tupelo Furniture Market Courting Small Retailers
December 10,
2015 by in Market 
In a move to make the Tupelo Furniture Market more small retailer friendly, the Market is adding a Small Operator program to its buyer rewards program.
The 58th edition of the Market is set for Feb. 25-28.
According to Kevin Seddon, president of the Market, the programs introduced in the last few years were designed to increase the opportunity for retailers generally, but this new program is designed specifically for smaller retailers that sometimes find limited buying options.
"We have had great success over the last few years recruiting mid-size and Top 100 furniture retailers to Tupelo, but convincing the thousands of smaller retailers that are the life-blood of the industry to return to Market has been a challenge," Seddon said. "Therefore, we have spent the last year working diligently to convince our exhibiting companies to reduce or drop minimum order requirements, offer special close-out opportunities or introduce other incentives that would benefit the smaller operator. In addition, we have recruited companies that act as distributors for larger manufacturers. These companies offer a wide range of products with quantities and pricing that appeal to smaller retailers."
Small retailers that choose to attend the February Tupelo Market will benefit from the Small Operator Program as well as the other programs included in the Buyer Rewards Initiative, Seddon said. These include the Super Early Bird Package, Show Your Badge Program, Hosted Buyer Program, Regional Buyer Shuttles, Buyer and Seller "Matchmaker" Initiative, "Lunch and Learn" Sessions, TOS Club Membership, TFM Show Dollars and the TFM Weekend Pass.