High Point Market: The Retailer’s Perspective
At IMAX, we’re committed to not only meeting, but exceeding the expectations of our customers. To that end, we make it a policy to engage in close communication with retailers to ensure we’re doing everything we can to be your number one home accessory supplier. With High Point market coming up fast, we contacted two High Point bound retailers, Alan Wyatt of Luxe Home Interiors, and Joanne Neff of Wolf Furniture, and asked why they chose High Point market, and what they expect to get out of it.
Here’s what they said:
Alan Wyatt
Owner/President
Luxe Home Interiors in John’s Creek, Georgia
Alan plans to attend High Point, and it won’t be his first trip to the furniture market. He’s said he’s made High Point a habit over the last few years.
“It’s great to see all the new products and because we do a lot of special and custom ordering for our clients it’s good to be able to tell them that I have seen it, sat on it, or held it in my hand.” he said. “I also like to develop relationships with my manufacturers and their reps. Since I blog a bit, I look forward to market for fresh material. I wrote once that it’s like Disney, Vegas, and the world of furniture crashing together for one week in a little town in North Carolina. I love it. People from all over the world, the best products, and all that creative energy. It’s addicting.”
When asked if he plans to shop for any specific product categories at market, he said he likes to keep his agenda open, so he can learn as much as he can about available product while he’s there.
“I like to visit the showrooms of the lines I regularly work with in order to learn as much as I can from my reps with all their products at hand. Sometimes my design team sends me with a ‘to do’ list, more like a quest, to look for or inspect certain items. Certainly there are always market specials that make it worth the trip.”
Alan said he attends High Point partly because of the location, but also because he feels that the showrooms are larger than at other markets so he gets to see more product. He goes to High Point looking for three things – the general theme or style of market, the mood of sellers and buyers, and innovation.
“You can quickly tell when there is a buzz over new offerings or if they are going through the motions,” he said. “Given the state of the economy the past few years, it’s been interesting to see how the manufacturers have responded. I expect to feel some optimism.”
About Luxe: Luxe is a design store with a 4600 ft. showroom which, Wyatt said, is just large enough to have a good sampling of the lines they carry, covering everything someone would need to furnish and decorate their home. Luxe emphasizes upholstery and accessories. Learn more about Luxe in St. Johns Creek at www.luxejohnscreek.com.
Joanne Neff
Accessory Buyer
Wolf Furniture
As an accessory buyer for 11 Wolf Furniture stores, Joanne Neff is no stranger to High Point market. She makes the trip twice a year, and has done so for years.
Joanne goes to High Point in search of new, fresh product to keep customers coming back to Wolf’s showrooms, and doesn’t do much repeat ordering.
“When I go to market I look for new product,” said Neff. “I don’t do a lot of repeats. I like to order new product because that helps to make our showroom look fresh. I might order a pair of lamps one season, but it’s very rare that I order those two lamps again. I’m looking for new products. I’m working with case goods and upholstery that they may run for a year or two, and I want to make that look different. I try to keep our displays fresh.”
At High Point this year, she’s looking for something beyond the “sea of beige and brown”.
“I’m looking for accessories and artwork that help to pop that brown and bring color,” she said.
Besides High Point, Joanne also makes the trip to the Las Vegas Winter and Summer markets, but she says High Point is important to her because it caters more to the furniture industry than gift. It allows her not only shop for some of the larger items she needs, but also allows her to connect and share ideas with others in her industry.
“It’s the only market where I really connect with the other case goods and upholstery buyers,” she said. “I get an idea of what they are buying and I can buy accordingly. It helps me complete the look.
About Wolf: Wolf Furniture has 11 locations in Pennsylvania and Maryland, and carries a full line of furniture, accessories, tabletop and mattresses. Learn more about Wolf Furniture and Mattress at www.wolffurniture.com.
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