Signs indicate High Point Market successful, board told

Home Textiles Today Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 10/25/2010 3:35:35 PM

High Point, N.C. -- Directors of the High Point Market Authority heard a series of reports last week indicating the fall market was a successful one, despite sluggish retail business conditions and attendance that was slightly below the April show.
Board members were told the market's massive shuttle system experienced heavy ridership on many routes, evening concerts in the Showplace parking lot were well-attended, and attendance from journalists from around the world jumped 20%.
Board members - many of whom are showroom building operators, exhibitors and retailers - said they heard mostly positive comments about order writing and placement of new product during market.
"Generally speaking, I think people will be leaving High Point with a good feeling about the success of the market," said Market Authority President Brian Casey.
Casey told the board he didn't have specific figures available, but said it appears attendance was slightly below the April show, but slightly ahead of the October 2009 event.
He said many U.S. retail companies sent fewer buyers to market than in past years, but that decline was partially offset by an increase in the number of buyers from outside the United States.
The two retailers on the board - David Price of Wheaton, Ill.-based Toms-Price and Keith Koenig of Pompano Beach, Fla.-based City Furniture - acknowledged they were among those who sent fewer buyers.
"In the past, I've brought as many as 25 or 30, but this time, I brought eight," Koenig said. "Retail has been pretty brutal as of late."
However, both Koenig and Price said their buying teams had positive experiences at market, and they complimented market organizers for the many improvements implemented in recent years.
"We're an upper-end retailer, so High Point is the only game in town," said Price.