While exhibitors reported good reaction to October introductions at Premarket’s opening day on Thursday, the timing of this fall’s preview of what’s to come at next month’s High Point Market is having an effect on attendance this week’s event.

　　The Barcelona bedroom was one of number of new groups SLF showed as part of its Authentix line. It is made with acacia veneers in a wire brushed acacia finish and features carved elements on the bed frame and undertop moldings of case pieces.

　　For example, some big names in furniture retail, including Raymour & Flanigan and Rooms to Go, took a pass on Premarket this time around.
“The numbers that have come to High Point (this week) are significantly lower than what we’ve seen the last few Premarkets,” said Lee Boone, president of Home Meridian International division Samuel Lawrence Furniture.

　　He believes that some large retailers who are getting overseas to do some of their own sourcing are “traveled out.” With Premarket on the heels of Labor Day, which is later than it’s been in years, the timing also has affected attendance.

　　“The major buyers are what make this event worthwhile,” Boone said. “The other business (with smaller retailers) is valuable, but it’s not the point of Premarket.

　　“The big retailers have to see value in coming to Premarket. We have to give them compelling reasons to come here and make it convenient from a timing/date standpoint.”

　　In addition to a late Labor Day, a conflict at the host hotel, Grandover Resort, forced the Thursday/Friday dates this time, said High Point Market Authority CEO Tom Conley.

　　“The Grandover had a conflict and that’s the place we’ve found has the best facilities for hosting Premarket, plus Labor Day was late,” Conley said. “This was a particularly challenging timing, but it had to be early enough for dealers to react to (customer) input in time for market.”

　　While the pattern of Premarket was different from what exhibitors were used to, Conley added that they are taking full advantage of their time here.

　　“A few of the manufacturers who are sponsors are doing rep training here as opposed to right before market,” he said. “I think that’s a good thing, because so many retailers are coming in early for market.”

　　Timing and attendance issues aside, many exhibitors say they expect a very strong High Point Market next month, especially since so many retailers reported very strong Labor Day sales.

　　Vaughan-Bassett, which had seen 30 dealers by Thursday afternoon and expects to easily reach its typical Premarket total of around 40 visits, is concentrating on speeding three new bedroom groups to market.

　　“All three of these groups will ship by Thanksgiving,” said Vaughan-Bassett President Doug Bassett. “We’re off to a good start to Premarket. All three of these groups will see the saw, and we feel good about it.”

　　Hooker also experienced good attendance — the vendor had a full presentation of its new Cynthia Crowley line in a 7,000-square-foot dedicated area of its showroom. It also included a prototype retail presentation comprising 1,100 square feet.

　　Work up front on the Crowley collection led to buyer registrations “consistent” with prior Premarkets at Hooker, said Senior Vice President of Sales Ray Harm.

　　“We did a lot of ‘pre-Premarketing’ and shared what buyers would see here through renderings and finish samples,” he noted. “We created an expectation, and the product met that expectation.”

　　He added that all the retailers visiting Hooker reported good, solid Labor Day sales and look forward to the fall selling season.

　　“August business hadn’t picked up the way it usually does, so that was very good news,” Harm said.

　　While SLF’s Boone said attendance was down, he reported good business in the showroom.

　　“We’re doing a good job of getting the people who are here into the showroom … by bringing out compelling product,” he said. “We’ve had three hot markets in a row so we’re getting a following, and dealers are making a point to come in.”

　　Associate Editor Tom Russell contributed to this report.