With the fall Casual Market often happening only weeks before, the High Point Market has become a testing ground for manufacturers using creative merchandising and marketing to find new buyers.
Most of the year’s introductions have already been shown at two or three shows, so what’s shown in High Point isn’t necessarily new. This leaves exhibitors open to showing different colorways, prototypes of future products and, most importantly, it offers everyone time to reflect on the state of the industry.
With just two months left in the year and an election soon to be behind us, the mood of the market was cautiously positive.
For the first time in two years, retailers have finally worked down their inventory levels enough to invest in new product. But that doesn’t mean business is great.
In fact, it’s the opposite. Most agree that it’s a tough time for retailers. Consumers aren’t spending as much — especially ahead of the election — and many of the consumers who would spend on outdoor right now already bought it over the past three years.
Manufacturers brought unique product to High Point Market to help retailers refresh and differentiate their show floors while looking to the next year.
Pelican Reef, Skyline Design and Panama Jack Outdoor soft-launched in the group’s new IHFC H621 showroom this market. The company offered a VIP Golden Ticket promotion through Oct. 30 at its Manning Street location. It will grand-open the new showroom at the April High Point Market and leave the space at Manning Street behind.
In the meantime, the group had plenty of product to peruse, including Panama Jack umbrellas, a new category for the brand. Featuring Sunbrella fabric, the cantilever umbrellas are full-sized and aggressively priced.
At Skyline Design, its popular pergola with hanging chairs was a hit, so much so that the brand expanded the concept. Buyers can now choose from six different chair types for the 8- or 11-foot pergolas. Each chair can hold up to 450 pounds and can be hung separately from the pergola.
Hooker Furnishings made a strategic move to pair its brands’ furniture together to create The Alfresco Lifestyle. The company brought together the best from Bradington-Young, Hooker Furniture, HF Custom, M, Sunset West and BOBO Intriguing Objects to create two lifestyle vignettes.
Notably, the outdoor furniture from Sunset West was sprinkled into indoor scenes and seamlessly blended into the style. The vignettes captured the strategic creativity behind bringing the outdoors in, and the indoors out.
With more on the way in April, the two vignettes at this market were Al Fresco Coastal and Lakeside.
Coastal used natural textures like rope, driftwood and wicker combined with sophisticated finishes and nautical touches. Lakeside used earthy tones and natural textures to create a seamless blend between the indoors and outdoors. Bleached and natural oak finishes pair with pale wood tones like driftwood and sun-faded teak, aiming to evoke a sense of calm and comfort.
At Bernhardt, the indoor and outdoor divide was blurry as well. The company introduced a few new collections and accessories, and unveiled a new Dektonlike material. The marblelike faux stone is made with a new Vietnamese partner and was a hit at the market.
The company also displayed the new Sellinis sock chair — named after the rope used to make them — and expanded its most popular rectangular dining table into a round design.
Lane Venture has been on the move lately, unveiling new collections from its Celerie Kemble line as well as getting into the accessories game with unique side tables.
The manufacturer showcased multiple designer-centric collections, and President Schon Duke says designers are to credit for part of its increased business this year.
The company has re-signed with the Ernest Hemingway Collection for another four years and will start to work on new collections. One notable piece at market was a chair designed after a chair Hemingway himself had. The teak piece is an updated re-creation.
With the election coming up, most are ready to put it behind them so they can focus on other things. And with the economy on shaky ground, “cautiously optimistic” was a term thrown around often at market when asked about the upcoming year.
