“From industry-defining events to the personal triumphs of individual home furnishings professionals, our first 100 years have been filled with great accomplishments,” says Brian D. Casey, president and chief executive officer of the High Point Market Authority. “As we pass the Centennial milestone in our history, we are not only remembering the entrepreneurs and innovators who created and nurtured this remarkable institution, but also celebrating the great moments enjoyed by our Market guests over the years, in making the High Point Market the vital center of our industry.”

As part of the celebration, the High Point Market Authority is inviting all Market-goers to share their unique memories of Market over the years on the Centennial Celebration website, www.highpointmarket.org/centennial. “Each of our Market guests’ stories is an important part of our history and we think it’s very important to include them in our Centennial Celebration,” Casey says. “We’ve made it quick and easy for everyone to add their thoughts to the website, or link to existing content. Just click the Twitter icon or tweet your memory to @hpmktmemories, our Twitter account.”

The idea, according to the executive, is that the comments will yield a rich collection of memories that many Market-goers can relate to and inspire even more networking, communication, and yes, connections at Market. “Connect @ the world’s home for home furnishings is more than just a tagline,” Casey describes. “Situated at the center of the U.S. home furnishings industry, the High Point Market has been the key connecting point for retailers, manufacturers, consultants, furniture designers, interior decorators and everyone else who derives their livelihood from this business sector for decades. This is the one place where our entire industry meets, and as such, there is a tremendous sense of community here. Social media tools such as Twitter only increase that sense of community, and are quickly being adopted by home furnishings professionals throughout the industry.”

Casey also thinks it’s only fitting for Market to utilize a 21st Century tool to capture memories of the previous century. “When all is said and done this week, the most important aspect of our Market’s history will be the firm foundation that has been laid for the future,” he says. “Our goal for the next 100 years is for the Market is to remain as relevant to our constituents in the future as it was to those who traveled here a century ago.”

Source: www.highpointmarket.org

www.HowardsFurnitureandDecoratratingCenter.com

“I’m looking for better quality products that will last longer for the price rather than cheaply-made items.” 41-year-old from Ohio

“We’re buying quality things to last and changing the smaller items to give an updated look.” 61-year-old from Utah

“I’m looking for items that are very well made.” 30-year-old from Washington

“I try to be a little more rational on pieces that what will last longer while remaining stylish and functional.” 24-year-old from Maryland

“We’re buying furniture that will last a long time – product that’s not too trendy to become outdated quickly.” 33-year-old from Georgia

“The economy has made me even more apt to buy quality rather than quantity.” 56-year-old from Colorado

“Our furniture needs to last because we consider it an investment.” 40-year-old from Texas

“I look for more value and quality – a piece that will last over the years yet look great.” 43-year-old from Illinois

“I save the money before purchasing and I only buy good quality that will last.” 50-year-old from Texas

“I am saving to buy one piece of furniture at a time. Now it’s about value and quality.” 38-year-old from Alabama

“Now I think about quality and whether the furniture I purchase will stand the test of time.” 44-year-old from Missouri

Results of The 2010 Consumer will first be presented during Furniture/Today’s Leadership Conference and look for results in Furniture/Today’s December 7, 2009, print issue.

Source: www.furnituretoday.com

www.HowardsFurnitureandDecoratingCenter.com

It seems that Contemporary is lord of the manor. More than one-half or 53% of stationary sofa units sold can best be described as Contemporary in style. No other style family even comes close to ousting Contemporary from its domination. Even the combination of the next highest-ranking styles, American country and European country, into a new style family, Country, could only lay claim to about one-quarter of the kingdom. And Contemporary’s reign is not a new thing either. In 2006 when Furniture/Today conducted a similar survey of retailers, nearly one-half of stationary sofa units were Contemporary. And in 2004, the unit share figure was just about identical.

For the purposes of the survey, Contemporary included the following individual styles:

• Art Deco
• Architectural contemporary
• Casual contemporary
• European modern
• Scandinavian

Where did Contemporary rule the strongest? Examining style families across price points, Contemporary dominated at both low and high price points. At low price points of $799 and below, Contemporary claimed over two-thirds of units sold. At high price points of $1,500 and above, its share was less but still well over one-half of units sold. And at medium price points of $800 to $1,499, Contemporary’s share was just under one-half, or 48%.

Just over three-fifths of retailers’ unit upholstery sales for 2008 came from the sale of stationary sofas as reported in Furniture/Today’s exclusive Upholstery Fabric & Style Survey, 2009.  Recliners and motion sofas were the other two players, each contributing another one-fifth to the market share pie.

Source: www.furnituretoday.com

www.HowardsFurnitureandDecoratingCenter.com